Who Is Red Dagger? Ms. Marvel’s New Hero Origin & Powers

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Ms. Marvel episode 4.

While Kamala Khan just got a new ally in the MCU’s new Ms. Marvel series, the Red Dagger does have some different origins on-screen than the comics. Traveling to Pakistan to see her grandmother, Kamala attempts to uncover more about her mysterious family history, how it relates to her new powers, and the ClanDestine Djinn who’ve been hunting her. Along the way, Ms. Marvel joins forces with Pakistan’s own Red Dagger.

In the aftermath of the ClanDestines’ attack on Kamala at her brother’s wedding, the young hero received a call from her grandmother, Sana, who told Kamala that she must come to the city of Karachi with her mother. Sana also revealed that she had the same vision of a train Kamala did during her encounter with the Djinn. As a result, Ms. Marvel episode 4 sees Kamala and her mom, Muneeba, fly to Pakistan for a reunion and to learn more about their secret family history.

However, Kamala’s search for answers about her powers and great-grandmother Aisha’s past finds her crossing paths with the Red Dagger, Marvel Comics’ resident vigilante in Pakistan. Learning that the Red Daggers are connected to the Djinn and protect Earth from worlds unseen, Kamala is helped by her new friend, who is quite the formidable fighter. Here are the powers and origins of Red Dagger explained.

Red Dagger’s Comics Origin & Powers

Who Is Red Dagger? Ms. Marvel’s New Hero Origin & Powers

Red Dagger (real name Kareem) made his first appearance in 2016’s Ms. Marvel #12. Created by G. Willow Wilson and Mirka Andolfo, Kamala’s first meeting with Kareem is very ordinary when compared to their encounter in Ms. Marvel in the MCU Phase 4. However, there are some similarities. During a visit to Pakistan to spend time with her grandmother and extended family in the comics, Kamala meets Kareem, the son of a friend who went to school with Kamala’s aunt. He is also staying with Kamala’s grandmother while studying to get into a university. As such, it isn’t until later on that Ms. Marvel meets the Red Dagger, a parkour-running and knife-throwing vigilante who can immediately tell that Kamala’s from out of town.

Following the team-up in Pakistan, Red Dagger ends up coming to New Jersey thanks to Kareem’s participation in a student exchange program. This allows the vigilante to get to know Ms. Marvel more while revealing more about himself, admitting that he’s a self-taught vigilante who learned most of his best moves and tricks watching YouTube. Eventually revealing their secret identities, Ms. Marvel and Red Dagger have also explored a mutual romantic interest in the comics, as well.

How Ms. Marvel Changes Red Dagger (& Why)

Surprisingly, Red Dagger’s origins in the MCU are very much the opposite of the comics. Rather than being a solo hero who learned how to fight on his own, Kareem is part of an ancient group known as the Red Daggers. Sensing the power within Kamala known as Noor and the bangle that unlocked her powers as a Djinn, Kareem takes her to the Daggers’ hideout and introduces her to his mentor, Waleed, who trained him how to fight. It’s here that Waleed reveals they know all about Ms. Marvel’s great-grandmother and the ClanDestines. Apparently, the Red Dagger is a mantle passed on to warriors willing to defend the world from the unseen dangers that threaten it, like the Djinn. As such, Kareem is the current Red Dagger following a long line of Daggers before him.

Red Dagger is still connected to Kamala’s family in the MCU, but it’s now on the more fantastical side than in the comics. Additionally, Kareem being part of a secret order of warriors is very different than what’s seen in the comics, though it does allow him to have a more active role in Kamala’s origin story as she learns about her abilities and history. It’s no secret that Ms. Marvel’s own powers and origins have been altered for the MCU. As such, it only makes sense that supporting characters would follow suit and have some changes as well to better serve the new narrative being told while still retaining their core character traits. In any case, it’s going to be exciting to see where Red Dagger goes next with Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel continues, especially after the ClanDestines’ surprise attack in Karachi saw Kamala having a vision of 1947’s Partition of India.

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