Ms. Marvel's Noor Dimension Explained

Contains spoilers for Episode 4 of "Ms. Marvel"

The latest phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been dedicated to exploring the multiverse as well as introducing surprising new heroes and villains to the roster. Disney+'s "Ms. Marvel" is the latest addition to Kevin Feige's ever-growing tapestry, and it follows Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) as she unlocks a set of mystical powers that stem from a mysterious bangle that belonged to her great-grandmother. It's a deviation from the comics, where Ms. Marvel is an Inhuman and can increase the size of her body at will thanks to the Terrigen Mist.

But in the MCU, Kamala can create energy-based constructs that stem from her body. Feige himself opened up to Empire Magazine about changing Ms. Marvel's powers to suit live-action, saying, "We adapt the comics; it's not an exact translation ... [Kamala] came about in a very specific time within the comic-book continuity. She is now coming into a very specific time within the MCU continuity. And those two things didn't match." 

Episode 4 of "Ms. Marvel," titled "Seeing Red," reveals a little more about where the bangle's powers come from in the world of the show and why they're so important. It also introduces a brand new plane of reality into the expansive universe, which adds further depth to Kamala's awesome abilities.

Kamala first learns about the Noor Dimension and the Djinn from Najma (Nimra Bucha) back in Episode 3 of "Ms. Marvel," titled "Destined." The young hero realizes that the word "Noor" roughly translates to "Light" — which is pretty appropriate considering how vibrant her energy constructs are. Kamala learns more about this light dimension when she meets Red Dagger (Aramis Knight) and his mentor, Waleed (Farhan Akhtar), in Episode 4, as they explain that it exists on top of our universe. It's very similar to Ta Lo in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" in that respect, where it's just out of reach but still connected to our world. This other realm is separated by the Veil of Noor, which keeps the dimension from destroying the planet, though Kamala's bangle can still draw its powers from the alternate world. 

In the comics, there's also a Light Dimension, although it's not as prominent as other extra dimensions within the Earth-616 universe. Furthermore, it has only appeared a handful of times, mostly in connection to a villain aptly named Lightmaster. The former scientist was experimenting with light energy and created a suit to harness it, but he was transformed into a being of pure light during a battle with Spider-Man in "Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man" #3.

The dimension is filled with photonic energy. It was used to turn Monica Rambeau into the next Captain Marvel, and "The Amazing Spider-Man" annual 16 reveals that she got her powers while investigating an illegal experiment harnessing energy from other dimensions. Clearly, Marvel Studios is weaving the source material in new ways to fit its current heroes, while also making it make thematic sense for the future — especially since Kamala and Monica (Teyonah Parris) will both show up in 2023's "The Marvels."