What do Ghost-Spider, Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Quake and Patriot have in common? Why, they're the stars of Marvel's new animated series Marvel Rising: Initiation, of course! Comprised of six four-minute shorts, Initiation will bring many of these characters together for the first time ever. Packed full of charm and spunk, the fledgling series is sure to win the hearts of Marvel Comics fans.

At its core, Marvel Rising: Initiation is a Ghost-Spider story. The shorts are broken down into smaller arcs -- a Gwen Stacy solo story, a Ms. Marvel/Squirrel Girl team-up, and a S.H.I.E.L.D. pursuit -- but Ghost-Spider is the common denominator that threads them all together. Although Ghost-Spider takes point, this tried-and-true narrative structure benefits all of the characters, some of whom are better known to audiences than others. After Gwen Stacy's character is established in the first two shorts, the other leads have someone to bounce off of; Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Patriot and Quake are fleshed out in comparison and contrast to Gwen's personality and how they react to her circumstance. This provides some valuable insight into the other characters, all while opening them up to some fun gags and amusing interactions.

RELATED: Ghost Spider Gets the Spotlight in Marvel Rising: Initiation Featurette

Of course, these characters would be nothing without a talented voice cast. Although this isn't Descendants star Dove Cameron's first crack at Ghost-Spider, she brings a certain verve to this version of the character that was missing from her previous Marvel roles. Thanks to the writing, Cameron gets to play with Gwen Stacy just a little more. Initiation's Ghost-Spider has just a touch more spunk than the one that appeared in Ultimate Spider-Man. Gwen -- and perhaps Cameron herself, by extension -- sounds more sure of herself, which helps to ground the character. That's absolutely essential to the series, because Ghost-Spider serves as an anchor for everyone else, and Cameron pulls it off with aplomb.

Marvel Rising: Initiation

Likewise, Milana Vayntrub's turn as Squirrel Girl feels effortless. Vayntrub had the particularly difficult job of conveying Squirrel Girl's boundless optimism in a genuine, non-condescending way. She does this and more, instilling the character with a sense of honesty and positivity. What's more, while Squirrel Girl is allowed some goofy moments, the overall character doesn't come off as a one-off gag. Her optimism is an asset, not a joke, which quickly becomes clear in her first superhero throw-down. Between the writing and the voice acting, Squirrel Girl is sure to become a fast fan-favorite. Vayntrub's Marvel Rising performance also bodes well for her live-action debut as Squirrel Girl in New Warriors, should the series be picked up by a network.

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Kathreen Kavari, who has voiced Ms. Marvel since 2016, returns as the character in Initiation. As per usual, Kavari churns out a rock solid performance. She gives Ms. Marvel her trademark earnestness, without the character coming off as naive or self-serious. Ms. Marvel serves as a kind of medium between Ghost-Spider's sarcastic wisecracking and Squirrel Girl's boundless zeal. In order to pull this off, Kavari needed chemistry with both Cameron and Vayntrub, and she has that in spades.

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Kamil McFadden's Patriot and Chloe Bennet's Quake have perhaps the least amount of screen time in Initiation, but they make up for that in personality. Even as Patriot pursues Ghost-Spider, he doesn't come off as antagonistic; instead, McFadden makes him stubborn, righteous and determined, much like his character's mentor Captain America. McFadden gives Patriot charisma, drive and a strong sense of justice, but he also lets the character have a little fun. Viewers won't be able to help but like him by the time the series concludes.

Marvel Rising: Initiation

While Patriot sets out to prove himself, Bennet's Quake seems comfortable in her own skin. Bennet, of course, has played the character for years on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and her familiarity with the character shows in the animated series. Initiation's version of Quake feels confident, experienced and self-assured -- a far cry from some of the other heroes, who find themselves in unfamiliar situations or dealing with new people. Bennet also brings an air of mystery to Quake as-yet unseen in any of the other protagonists so far. This element in particular demands the viewer's attention and holds it through to the very end of Initiation.

RELATED: Star Dove Cameron Promises, Marvel Rising Animated Series ‘Is For Everybody'

As the animation and design go, Marvel Rising has a lot of personality. Each of the five main characters who appear in Initiation are imbued with distinctive traits. From face shape to nose profile and body type, no two characters look even remotely similar. This applies even to background characters, of which there are few. Further, outside of their traditional costumes, each character gets an adorable outfit inspired by their comic book counterparts. Marvel Rising's costume design will be a cosplayer's delight.

Initiation's overall style is slick and aesthetically pleasing at a glance; the action, fluid and easy to follow. The show's settings are no exception, as they are filled with small details like graffiti in a back alley or tools hanging on the wall of a garage. The world of Marvel Rising feels lived-in and well planned.

RELATED: SDCC: Marvel Rising’s Cameron, Bennet & More Offer Sneak Peek at Series

Marvel Rising: Initiation is a fun, approachable series filled with characters that will make viewers instantly fall in love. Existing fans will find a lot to like here, but even those unfamiliar with these characters will have no problem immersing themselves in this world. Like Cameron said in an earlier interview with CBR, the animated series truly has something for everybody. Marvel Rising: Initiation is a must for Marvel fans.


Debuting Aug. 13 on Disney XD, Marvel Rising: Initiation stars Dove Cameron as Ghost-Spider, Chloe Bennet as Quake, Tyler Posey as Inferno, Kathreen Kavari as Ms. Marvel, Milana Vayntrub as Squirrel Girl, Cierra Ramirez as America Chavez, Kamil McFadden as Patriot, Kim Raver as Captain Marvel, and Bradley Baker as Tippy Toe and Lockjaw.