A Keystroke of Fresh Air: Can Kelly Thompson Bring New Magic to Marvel?

Announced last week, Kelly Thompson has signed an exclusive agreement with Marvel Comics to produce a variety of comics. This is a great deal for Marvel, as Thompson is definitely one of the best comic writers out there with a strong grasp of the importance of the history of the characters and a funny, witty style that fits with both new and old. She’s got a solid record of fan favorite — if frequently cancelled — comics with Marvel, like Hawkeye, Star Wars: Captain Phasma, and A-Force. She’s currently on the short-fun, Rogue and Gambit which is shaping up nicely. Thompson’s workload will be announced at San Diego Comic Con this July. In the meantime, we have been sitting in the BNP Comics Chat wondering what existing titles she might be taking over (Bendis just submitted his last scripts this month, remember) or what new titles she might be a good fit for. Here’s a few guesses, wishes, and predictions. Invincible Iron Man/Riri Williams

We all know Tony Stark is on his way back, but we don’t know where that will leave Riri. While we’d love to have a Black woman on the title, I’m currently stanning for afrocentric author and Glyph Award winner Juliana “Jewels” Smith to take it on, Thompson wouldn’t be a bad choice. She’s got a good “young hero” voice and experience with a multi-racial/cultural crew (see Jem, for examples). Give her a Black woman artist and I’m on board. Jessica Jones

This is a no brainer. Jessica is a snarkier, older Kate Bishop, with deep issues to explor…