REVIEW: ‘Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit,’ Issue #4

Qarin has turned against Ms. Marvel and has Kamala trapped! But her fellow Champion Wasp (AKA Nadia Van Dyn) has come to her aid! But why is Qarin doing this in the first place? Why is she so hellbent on destroying Kamala? Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit #4 is written by Samira Ahmed, with art by Andrés Genolet, colors by Tríona Farrell, cover art by Mashal Ahmed, variant cover by Dike Ruan and Matthew Wilson, and letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna.

This is Samira Ahmed’s best issue of Beyond the Limit yet. It’s a relatively straightforward narrative in showing us readers the origins of Qarin, and very powerful in that simplicity. Qarin and her world were the victims of accidental circumstances. Seeing what that could drive someone to do, even when they become an antagonist to our favorite polymorph hero, is a heartbreaking experience for the reader and makes the story all the more immersive. It’s not a story about a grand reveal, but one steeped in character. Ahmed masterfully compels the reader to feel deeply for Qarin, and hope for an ending where there can be resolution instead of defeat.

But this is still a Ms. Marvel title after all, and Ahmed does a great job of showing Kamala in this desperate situation. She retains her humor, references her Pakistani culture while speaking with Nadia, and perseveres as she always does. As we head towards the conclusion of the Beyond the Limit story, Ahmed has placed Kamala in a spot where she’ll be poised to overcome and save the day. The effects of this, coupled with Qarin’s story, and emotionally thrilling.

The art by Genolet and Farrell is at its best here. Genolet does an especially great job conveying movement and action, the lack of which was an issue in previous issues. But it’s not an issue here as Genolet does a great job of matching his art style with the sense of movement a Ms. Marvel issue should always have. He also does a skillful job with the characters’ faces and expressions, matching the pathos of Ahmed’s words. Farrell’s colors are astounding, especially in the flashback scenes to Qarin’s dimension, making rich use of reds, pinks, and yellows in some particular panels. Farrell also does a very good job of displaying the richly diverse and dark skin tones of Kamala and her supporting cast.

Caramagna’s lettering, as always, is fantastic. He always makes sure his text boxes are out of the way of the action and does an excellent job of making particular coloring for certain characters and scenes. It’s a great finishing touch.

Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit #4 is an emotionally thrilling issue that rushes the story forward to its conclusion. Qarin develops tremendously as a sympathetic antagonist as Ahmed writes her and Kamala with keen instinct and emotion, Genolet and Farrell’s art is at the best its been in the series, and Caramagna’s lettering ties this all together as an excellent issue. I’m very excited about what the conclusion of this arc will be and what Kamala will learn from it.

Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit #4 is available now wherever comics are sold.