Ms. Marvel (2015) #16

Previously in Ms. Marvel #15

In the penultimate issue of “Damage Per Second,” we’re taken to the origins of the virus that has become Kamala’s nemesis in this arc. It began as a virus corrupting MMO players, but eventually gained sentience and the ability to control minds. And it wants what all viruses want: to spread as quickly and as far as possible.

Since it can’t control Kamala due to her powers, it wants to force her to enter the only other place it can’t enter: S.H.I.E.L.D. If she refuses to upload it to their mainframe, it will tell everyone that Zoe is in love with Nakia. Kamala doesn’t want to see her new friends hurt, but she also doesn’t want to betray S.H.I.E..L.D. This is why she changes her mind once inside their headquarters. Unable to protect her friend, Ms. Marvel warns Zoe that she should get ahead of the news.

With that taken care of, Kamala turns to another friend for help understand the virus. Armed with the knowledge of how the virus operates, Kamala believes she knows how to stop it for good.

This is issue was perfection. Sentient computer programs isn’t an original concept, but it feels topical. The way we use technology and social media often leaves us vulnerable to cyber attacks. Then you toss in beautifully written conversation between Zoe and Nakia, and it gets even better. Sure, Nakia showed no signs of being interested in women, so it was a foregone conclusion that she’d turn Zoe down. But because Wilson has so wonderfully developed these characters, Nakia’s compassion and promise to be by Zoe’s feel very true to the character. It was also a nice surprise to see Bruno again.