MS. Marvel #1
	Story Title: 'Best of the Best' Writer: Brian Reed Penciller: Roberto De La Torre Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti Colorist: Chris Sotomayor Letterer: Dave Sharpe Asst. Editor: Lazer & Sitterson Editor: Andy Schmidt Publisher: Dan Buckley Published by: Marvel Comics
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

MS. MARVEL #1: For me, I came to know about Ms. Marvel through her association with Wolverine and although I haven’t read much about this character including her previous series, I am looking forward to this one and if the first issue is anything to go by, this is going to be one of the better (current) Marvel publications.

First the cover, a good place as any to start from. Like the ‘character’ art, and although the red-sash doesn’t any purpose in the costume, I guess it does add that little thing to span the difference between a superhero costume and just yet another swimsuit. In fact, from the recent Marvel release, the one with Storm as an upcoming member of the Avengers (New/Old/Whatever), her costume seems to inspired from this one. If only the inside art also carried the same ‘mask’ design as on the cover…instead of the wimpy one. That being said, I still can’t find a rhyme or reason for the American flag fluttering in the background. This particular fixture would seem more appropriate on the cover of Captain American than Ms. Marvel. Also, ‘From the pages of The New Avengers’. Seriously, just one guest appearance and she is ‘from the pages’. The blurb on the previously printed ‘Giant-Size Ms. Marvel #1’ was more suited, both for that one and for this.

As for the actual issue, the writer (Brian Reed), is able to build a story that except for a couple of slow moments is both attention catching and attention holding. My favorite moment was the three children playing in the park, complete with their masks (for Spider-Man and Wolverang…uh, -ine) and black glasses and leather jacket (for Luke Cage). There are a couple of other comedic moments too, and they add to the overall feel of the story. The interaction between Carol (Ms. Marvel) and Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman) also adds both dimension and depth to the character while elaborating on the plot. It works both ways as Jessica herself isn’t getting all that of a ‘personal’ development in the series she stars in (New Avengers and Spider-Woman: Origin).

As I don’t know much about her (Ms. Marvel’s) past, I won’t comment on what she did or didn’t do and with whom and even though the whole publicist thing came as a sort of (slightly) overkill, and the Brood aren’t one of my ‘liked’ villains, I am looking forward to the next issue. Even the art (Roberto de la Torre) comes across as clean and well (if not best) suited to the atmosphere set (and expected) by the writer

Just one thing. Couldn’t they have had someone like the Rhino or even the Vulture in the opening fight, instead of a ‘has-been’ like the Stilt-Man.

Conclusion: Great start. Much better than majority of the other Marvel series under current publication.

Rating: 8.5/10 (almost 9)