Entertainment /
Meet The Woman Behind The Magic Of Marvel
Marvel has shaped the comic book and movie industry for over six decades, bringing you childhood favourites like Iron Man, Spider-Man and The Hulk.
Who knew the face behind the superhero magic is Marvel's very own "secret weapon," Sana Amanat?
The Pakistani-American is the director of content and character development at Marvel Comics, or, in other words, the real-life Ms. Marvel.
Photo Credit: Cosmopolitan
During the finale of this year's New York Comic Con, Amanat launched her Women of Marvel podcast, which has become an annual Comic Con tradition and headlines all the woman superheroes of the comic book world.
As a woman, and especially as a woman of Pakistani descent, Amanat has made it her mission to redefine the possibilities of women and culture in a predominately white-masculine industry.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Amanat said, "Our female characters themselves haven't changed, but the popularity and the way that we craft the stories around these female characters has changed quite a bit, in some senses. We're very conscious of the fact that our audience is changing."
Amanat has become one of the most powerful people in the comic book industry over the last few years. Her fancy job title is one that comic book fans would die for!
Photo Credit: Marvel
Her most notable work is Ms. Marvel. Also known as Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel is one of Amanat's most remarkable co-creations. The Marvel character is the first-ever Muslim superheroine to headline her own comic book. The fictional persona is a teenage Pakistani-American from New Jersey who has shapeshifting abilities and discovers that she has inhuman genes in the aftermath of the "inhumanity" storyline. She assumes the secret identity of Ms. Marvel.
Amanat is known as the Shonda Rhimes of Marvel, and ironically, she's a huge fan of Scandal's powerful television show runner.
In an interview with Vox, Amanat commented on her inspiration from the TV producer, "You need the 'oh nos.' That's the beauty of serialized storytelling. That's what Shonda does so well."
Photo Credit: Vox
Before joining Marvel in 2009, Amanat had a moment of doubt in her career and even considered quitting the comic book industry altogether. She told Vox, "The industry was different back then, a lot less welcoming than now, there were no discussions of representation or diversity."
Amanat grew up reading comics that she found unrelatable. Jack Kirby and X-Men were the only comic books that she could somewhat relate to.
"Everywhere I looked, particularly in the media and pop culture, were versions of people that looked nothing like me. When you see that, you think that you're not worthy enough, you're not good enough, or you're not normal," she said in an interview with Vox.
Photo Credit: Comic Book Movie
Even if you're not a fan of comic books, you can see that the entire pop culture behind them has completely reinvented itself, featuring reimagined characters and content and constantly adapting itself as society changes, appealing to an even wider audience. With visionary people such as Amanat, "the sky is the limit" when it comes to the future of Marvel's creative content.
Jessica Jones is Marvel's latest fictional superherione. She's featured in Netflix's newly released original television series.
Main Image Photo Credit: Wired
Nicole Singh
Author
Nicole is a bilingual professional with a journalism background who adores everything to do with fashion, culture, and Bollywood. She always had a passion for writing since a young age and decided to follow that dream. She has a sense of working in the field through news publications writt...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How PBS Series 'Renegades' Celebrates American History's Most Badass Disabled Changemakers
-
14 Bollywood Remakes Vs. Their Hollywood Originals - Who Did It Better?
-
Catch Pakistan's 1st Ever Hand-Drawn Animated Film 'The Glassworker' & Other South Asian Films At Reel Asian Festival
-
World Mental Health Day: How Bollywood Has Used Its Power Of Storytelling To Address Mental Health Stigmas
-
Highlights Of Archie Panjabi, Neeru Bajwa & Iman Vellani At iSAFF2024
-
3x Emmy-Nominated Television Host & Producer Rasha Goel Launches New Podcast "Beyond the Glam" - Premiering Today!
-
Does Bollywood Accurately Portray Financial Struggles of India's Working Class?
-
Canada’s International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) Triumphantly Unveils Its Thrilling 2024 Lineup!
-
TIFF 2024: Our Chat With Writer-Director-Star Srinivas Krishna On The 4K Restoration Of His Hidden Canadian Classic ‘Masala’
-
TIFF 2024: First-Time Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi Dishes On ‘Boong,’ Her Funny & Profound Modern-Day Folk Tale Told From A Child's Point Of View
-
Nepotism Or Repetitive Content - What's Causing Bollywood's Slump Versus Punjabi & South Indian Cinema's Surge
-
Must-Watch Patriotic Films From India & Pakistan For Your Independence Day Celebrations
-
Villainous Vixens: How Bollywood's Leading Ladies Are Redefining Cinema's Most Memorable Antagonists
-
'Girls Will Be Girls' Wins Big At The 2024 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA)
-
OTT Revolution: How Streaming Platforms Are Transforming Indian Cinema
-
A Train Bloodbath With A 90% On Rotten Tomatoes - Why You Should Watch TIFF-Acclaimed Indian Action Flick 'Kill'
-
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Celebrates Its 22nd Edition June 27-30 With An Incredible Lineup Of 21 Films
-
Pride Month & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Representation in South Asian Cinema
-
From Stoic Protectors to Emotional Anchors: A Father’s Day Tribute Through Hindi Cinema
-
Exploring South Asian Intergenerational Sacrifice With 'The Wrong Bashir', Now Playing In Toronto
-
Bollywood & Beyond: Must-Watch Films for Vibrant Insight Into Muslim Cultures
-
Over 50 Films From 9 Countries At The Eclectic South Asian Film Festival Montreal (May 24 - June 3)
-
Mother's Day Special: How Bollywood & Hollywood Super Moms Show Us Women Can Have It All!
-
Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!
-
Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema's Contribution to Earth Day Awareness
-
Review: Monkey Man - Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Diwali Dance Fest Makes History at Walt Disney World® Resort!
-
TIFF 2023: Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja Share Why 'I Am Sirat’ Is The Transgender Story To Be Told
-
The International South Asian Film Festival 2023 (iSAFF) Wraps With A Celebration Of Outstanding Global South Asian Pathbreakers
-
TIFF 2023: 'We Grown Now' Director Minhal Baig Shares With Us Why Neighbourhood Stories Should Be Told
-
Event Alert: BMO International Film Festival Of South Asia Toronto (IFFSA) Is Every Filmi Lover's Dream
-
TIFF 2023: ‘The Queen of My Dreams’ Reigns Over TIFF With Style, Wit And Heart
-
The 21st Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Returns With A Bang!
-
Brendan D'Souza Will Never Cheat On Their One True Love (Stand Up!)
-
Event Alert: South Asian Global Cinema Takes Centre Stage At The International South Asian Film Festival
-
Diwali Comes Alive At Walt Disney World With The First Ever Diwali Dance Fest
-
TIFF 2023: 11 South Asian Films Coming To The Toronto International Film Festival
-
Hot September 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Singers Karan Aujla & Jonita Gandhi Sign On To Warner Music Canada/India's Label '91 North Records'
-
4 Ways Alia Bhatt Steals The Show In The Hot Netflix Film "Heart Of Stone"
-
Priyanka And Nick Jonas Get Ready For The Jonas Brothers' Tour At Yankee Stadium!
-
Hot August 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”
-
JFL Exclusive: How Comedian Zarna Garg Showed Kevin Hart That Brown Women Can Be Funny Too
-
JFL Exclusive: Award-Winning Podcast Comedian Maddy Kelly Is The Next Gen Star
-
Hot July 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Event Alert: “Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical" Kicks Off Canadian Tour With Upcoming Toronto Stop
-
#ANOKHI20: The ANOKHI Emerald Ball Was The Perfect Grand Finale To ANOKHI’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations
-
Pride 2023: 10 Bollywood Films That Honour Our Desi LGBTQIA+ Family