In 2015, a new age of heroes was introduced into the Marvel Universe. This younger generation consisted of legacy heroes like Sam Alexander (aka Nova), Miles Morales and Kamala Khan. Since their introduction, these characters have skyrocketed in popularity, leading them to gain solo titles and inclusion in their own team books and events. Now, Kamala Khan has gotten her own Disney+ series called Ms. Marvel that will serve as her official introduction into the MCU. However, this live-action iteration features a crucial change to her abilities; she is no longer a polymorph. With her powers now being construct-based, it's hard not to consider how this could greatly hinder her narrative impact, as her polymorph abilities have typically played a major part in her story.
Ms. Marvel's origin was first explored in Ms. Marvel #1 by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona. A Pakistani-American teen living in Jersey City with an affinity for superheroes, Kamala was not like other girls. Her idol was Captain Marvel, and she often dreamed of taking a place among the other heroes of the world. When a cloud of Terrigen Mists engulfed the city, Kamala was transformed into an Inhuman. But her abilities were difficult to understand as she emerged from her cocoon looking like Carol Danvers in her Ms. Marvel outfit.
Kamala's new polymorph abilities allowed her to stretch, embiggen, shrink, heal and become incredibly durable as well as look like anyone or anything she could imagine. Because she always felt that she would never fit in, she subconsciously used her powers to imitate her idol Carol during her first few appearances. In Kamala's mind, the idea of a Pakistani superhero would likely not be met with a warm welcome, and the best way she felt she could save lives was by looking like someone else. This idea didn't last long as she learned that if she wanted to be a hero, she had to do it her own way. Since then, she has embraced her personal and public identity, saving lives and making important friends along the way.
The upcoming Disney+ series has relegated her abilities to her wristbands that she's wears with her costume. In this reality, they appear to act in a way similar to a Green Lantern Power Ring, creating constructs that help Kamala fight crime. While it fits her vivid imagination and desire to live out her dreams, the larger message of what it means to be comfortable in her own skin is lost. Kamala is an inspiration because she has reminded countless readers that looks aren't everything, and what's inside is more important.
Granted, the show could still convey this message as Kamala now has no option to hide behind another face. In a world where Ms. Marvel was never Carol Danvers, she's forced to put herself out there without any legacy to hide behind. It's nerve-wracking in its own way but isn't nearly as impactful as what the comic offered. Kamala's story is one of self-confidence and is a concept that everyone struggles with no matter their age, race or gender. Being an Inhuman has acted as a metaphor for anyone who has felt out of place, and Kamala represented every aspect of that idea. By gifting her abilities from a device, she may feel less accessible to a large portion of her fanbase, who have grown to love her individuality.
In the end, there is still a considerable amount of her story that has yet to be uncovered. She may have these abilities as of now, but she could also lose them and become an Inhuman, bringing her internal, more comic-accurate powers to life. But without that reassurance, it's not hard to see that what was shown, while visually appealing in action, is nothing at all like the comics. Because of this, it may be harder for established fans to connect with the MCU version of her character.