Actress Iman Vellani discusses her foray into comic book writing for the character she portrays in Ms. Marvel and The Marvels, shedding light on her research process and the support she received from Marvel.
Iman Vellani, the talented actress who portrays Kamala Khan in the upcoming Marvel projects Ms. Marvel and The Marvels, recently appeared on Late Night with Seth Myers to discuss her exciting new venture into comic book writing. Vellani, a self-proclaimed Marvel geek, revealed her experience of penning the future of her character, Kamala Khan, in the comic book series “Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant.” She shared insights into her research process, the support she received from Marvel, and the unexpected inspirations that guided her along the way.
Delving into the Deep Lore of X-Men
Vellani opened up about the challenges of delving into the rich X-Men lore to shape Kamala’s path as a Mutant and Inhuman. Admitting that she found the vast array of X-Men comics intimidating, she turned to other mediums to familiarize herself. Vellani confessed to watching the X-Men ’90s cartoon and reading Grant Morrison’s “New X-Men” alongside Jonathan Hickman’s recent X-Men run. This extensive research allowed her to immerse herself in the world of mutants and gain a deeper understanding of the character she was writing.
Marvel’s Support Every Step of the Way
During her appearance on Late Night with Seth Myers, Vellani expressed her gratitude for the support she received from Marvel throughout her comic book writing journey. She specifically mentioned Sana Amanat, the co-creator of Kamala Khan, as the driving force behind this opportunity. Vellani credited Amanat for making calls to Marvel editorial, ensuring that she was given the chance to write the character she portrays on-screen. Vellani also highlighted the surreal experience of collaborating with artists and receiving daily artwork based on her writing, emphasizing the validation it brought her as a writer.
Unexpected Inspirations: Billy Joel and Inner Demons
Vellani shared an unexpected source of inspiration for her writing process: Billy Joel’s album “River of Dreams” and its titular song. Explaining that the album explores themes of self-discovery and grappling with inner demons, Vellani drew parallels between Joel’s music and Kamala’s journey as a Mutant. In her comic book series, Kamala faces a new label and must navigate a shifting world perspective while dealing with her own fears and doubts. Vellani revealed that Kamala’s dreams play a significant role in the story, as she must confront and overcome her inner demons.
Conclusion: Iman Vellani’s transition from Marvel fan to Ms. Marvel star and Marvel Comics writer is a testament to her dedication and passion for the character she portrays. Through extensive research and the support of Marvel, Vellani has embarked on a new creative journey, shaping the future of Kamala Khan in the comic book series “Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant.” Drawing inspiration from unexpected sources like Billy Joel, Vellani delves into Kamala’s inner struggles and the challenges she faces as a Mutant. As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Ms. Marvel and The Marvels, Vellani’s multifaceted involvement in the Marvel universe adds a unique and personal touch to the character’s evolution.
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