Character Close Up

Red Dagger

A hometown hero in Karachi, Pakistan, Kareem is Laal Khanjeer, or the “Red Dagger,” protecting the innocent from dangerous threats with his expert marksmanship and mastery of parkour. He is a close ally and friend to Ms. Marvel, although he doesn’t know her true identity as Kamala Khan.

GET TO KNOW: RED DAGGER

First Appearance

in Ms. Marvel (2015) #12

When Ms. Marvel travels abroad to connect to her Pakistani roots, she meets “friend-in-law” Kareem, a boy her age with ties to her mother’s side of the family. Little does Kamala know, her new acquaintance is also the costumed hero Red Dagger!

Red Dagger in Jersey City

in Ms. Marvel (2015) #23

In order to get foreign-language credits before college, Kareem chooses none other than Coles Academic High School in Jersey City for his semester abroad. Now on Kamala (and Ms. Marvel’s) turf, will this town be big enough for two heroes?

“Kamala Corps”

in Ms. Marvel (2015) #25

Read through issue #28. After (temporarily) abandoning her Super Hero role, Red Dagger and Ms. Marvel’s closest friends (plus Captain Marvel) step up to defend Jersey City. This “Kamala Corps” may not have super-powers, but under Red Dagger’s guidance, they protected their city from the Inventor and his giant cybernetic animals!

The Kiss

in Ms. Marvel (2015) #29

A budding romance takes the next step! Fresh off the high of becoming a first time aunt, Kamala is kissed by Kareem as he catches her on patrol as Ms. Marvel. Although she refuses to open her eyes and see his face, their connection is overwhelming.

“Seeing Red”

in Marvel's Voices: Identity (2021) #1

While visiting Karachi, Ms. Marvel grows closer to the Red Dagger during their team-up to take down contraband runners. But this “vacation” also reminds Kamala Khan of her outsider status…