Marvel Rising: Initiation is an animated ode to girl power. Here’s what to expect from some familiar heroes in an all new adventure!

Marvel Rising tells the story of several young Marvel heroes confronting mystery and injustice. Starring Dove Cameron as Gwen Stacey, Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson, Milana Vayntrub as Squirrel Girl, and Kathrine Khavari as Ms. Marvel, Marvel Rising begins with a series of six short episodes called Initiation. Marvel Rising: Initiation introduces fans to the characters, conflicts, and humor of the series, which will be expanded into an 80-minute TV film called Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors in the fall.

So what can fans of all ages look forward to as we meet these spunky young heroes?

The mystery of Ghost-Spider

Gwen Stacey adopts the moniker of Ghost-Spider rather than Spider-Gwen in Marvel Rising, and that’s not the only thing that has changed. Gwen is not only leading a double life as web-slinger and ordinary teen, but her alter-ego is in quite a sticky situation.

With the police force, S.H.I.E.L.D., and most of the city convinced that Ghost-Spider has committed the murder of a fellow teenager (yeah, things get real in Marvel Rising) Gwen must avoid pursuit by the law while searching for the real killer. This conflict is the emotional center of Marvel Rising: Initiation, and serves as a strong grounding for the high-flying hijinks that kick off the series.

LOLage aplenty

While there’s real sadness at the heart of Marvel Rising, the six Initiation shorts are anything but a downer. These mini episodes are packed with all of the quippy humor and zippy action you could want. The introduction of Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel and Doreen Green/Squirrel Girl is especially delightful, as the two would-be heroes face off with Ghost-Spider to hilarious effect.

Though Kamala and Doreen aren’t central to the story yet, viewers — and possibly Ghost-Spider herself — may soon want these two feisty friends much closer to the action.

Agent Johnson on the case

Marvel Rising: Initiation pulls in several established characters from various Marvel worlds. So far, the live-action contingent is ably represented by Daisy Johnson of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. But Marvel Rising introduces us to a version of Daisy we haven’t yet seen before.

As one of the top agents at a fully-functioning S.H.I.E.L.D., Daisy now represents the authority she often struggles for in her live-action incarnation. Older than the rest of the teen heroes of the series, Daisy is in a position to not just use her own powers, but influence the ways in which others use theirs. Daisy’s fellow agent, the young and enthusiastic Patriot (Kamil McFadden), serves as an effective contrast, especially when one or two things get past the Patriot that Daisy doesn’t miss for a moment.

Tune in next time!

The six short episodes of Marvel Rising: Initiation are a great immersion into this new, girl-centric venture — and the intrigue doesn’t stop there. After the shorts air on Disney XD on August 13th, Ghost-Spider, Kamala, and the rest will return for the Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors film in the fall. With tantalizing mysteries, shadowy villains, and patented Millennial humor, fans new and old will definitely want to put more Marvel Rising on their watch-lists.

Marvel Rising: Initiation airs Monday, August 13th at 7:30PM on Disney XD.