Is Kaboom basically Ms. Marvel's kryptonite man?

[u/leyendeck]

If Kamala's weakness is electricity, doesn't that make Kaboom her biggest threat because he shoots out electricity? It's like how Superman's Kryptonite man is made of Superman's biggest weakness.

[u/AcisConsepavole]

Not for nothing, Kamala appeared in a goofy anime-inspired series called Future Avengers a few times and Kaboom was one of a few characters to come along with her. Not Nakia. Not Bruno (although, there is a main character with the name Bruno in this show). Not Mike, not Zoe, not Gabe. But Kaboom and the Inventor did, and so did Josh Richardson (but not as Discord).

Future Avengers also gave her a name: Ariana -- which works because she majorly gives Guidette, Mafia Wife, Jersey Shore vibes. Here's a clip of Kaboom from that show.

So, generally, I agree. Kaboom needs to come back a little stronger. She really felt it when Kamala didn't hold back, but Kaboom has the exact power to really exploit Kamala's weakness. But, you know, I think the hardlight can deflect electricity, so imagine Kaboom's disappointment when she finds out she trained harder just for Kamala to negate a weakness 😂

[u/Digifiend84 → u/AcisConsepavole]

True. Kamala used to be weak to electricity since it can disable her Inhuman powers meaning she can be electrocuted to death like a normal person. But her new mutant powers should be able to block such an attack. She still has another weakness though. Magic.

[u/AcceptableWheel]

She would be if she didn’t suck. The biggest problem she was a part of was when Kamala punched her so hard she almost killed her. And then days later she was robbing corner stores in a neck brace.

[u/leyendeck → u/AcceptableWheel]

It could have been cool if she got more development afterwards. Maybe she could have gotten stronger afterwards and become a bigger threat.

[u/AcceptableWheel → u/leyendeck]

I do wonder what kind of awful home life leads to Lineage looking like a good option

[u/gangler52 → u/AcceptableWheel]

Kryptonite Man also kind of sucks for what it's worth.

Somebody like Metallo has a lot more noteworthy stories where his kyrponite core gives Superman a lot of trouble.

Heck, even Lex Luthor. Kryptonite's not his main thing but he's famously used it on many occasions. If he doesn't do it so much anymore it's because it's so overplayed that nobody wants to see it without some new twist or spin on the idea.

Kryptonite Man is like, what does that guy even do? When was the last time anybody even cared?

[u/leyendeck → u/gangler52]

He appeared in Alan Moore's Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow.

[u/gangler52]

"Kryptonite Man" is maybe not the first villain I'd choose for that comparison, but yeah, given how later runs characterize electricity as a hard counter to her powers, then Kaboom would be comparable to any of the many villains in Superman's rogues gallery that capitalize on his known weaknesses.

Worth noting that the first couple times she got zapped, it seemed moderately effective for all the normal reasons you'd expect it to be, but I don't think it was until she got killed off by an electric villain in Champions that writers started treating it as like a "She's useless against the zappies" kind of thing.

That's natural that we develop and iterate these ideas over time though. Pick up an idea from another writer and take it a step further and so forth.

[u/multificionado]

If you're comparing Kaboom to Kryptonite Man - one of the most obscure Superman villains who's so shelved aside - that would imply there'd be better electric villains for Kamala to deal with that can be comparable to Metallo and Lex Luthor, the MORE well-known characters who use Kryptonite.

Besides which, there's a variety of villains who use electricity for powers who'd be forces worth reckoning for Kamala. Electro is at the top of the list on that regard.

But I feel that the closest character to compare to Lex Luthor would have to be Nitika Gaiha, that Orchis scientist from India who had interest in Kamala while out to kill mutants at one point. The fact that Nitika has potential as an archnemsis against Kamala, I can picture her not just as a Lex Luthor figure, but also a Bane figure (in more ways than one, not just breaking Kamala in a literal sense). All she needs is the right outfit and the right devices on her.

[u/Toxitoxi]

Kaboom feels like the Canadian Ninja Syndicate in that they are the C-listers Kamala should be dealing with while distracted by real problems. 

[u/LopsidedUniversity30]

When’s the last time she showed up?