Stillanerd Reviews: Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1 review
By Mike McNulty
It’s a new comic book series for Miles Morales, with a new writer taking the reigns from Brian Michael Bendis. Yet will this prove a successful relaunch?
Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1 (LGY No. 241)
Writer: Saladin Ahmed
Artist: Javier Garrón
Colorist: David Curiel
Covers: Brian Stelfreeze; Marko Djurdjevic (Fantastic Four Villains variant); Lee Garbett; and Adi Granov
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Without question, Miles Morales is one of Marvel Comic’s biggest breakout characters in the last ten years. As a Spider-Man who was also an African American-Hispanic teenager, he not only embodied the original spirit of Peter Parker, but appealed to an entirely new, diverse generation of fans. His presence has not only become a part of the Marvel Universe, but he’s also made the jump to other media platforms, including his feature-length début in the animated movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Credit: Javier Garrón and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1
Yet when it comes to the comics themselves, Miles Morales has undergone a bit of a struggle. As one of the few successes from Marvel’s Ultimate Comics imprint, he was integrated into the MU proper via 2015’s Secret Wars. Unfortunately, this also turned what was essentially a legacy character into what amounted to Spidey’s unofficial kid sidekick. Confusion resulted over which parts of Miles’ history remained canon. Sales on Miles’ solo series Spider-Man, while initially strong, soon began to wane. With his creator, Brian Michael Bendis, moving on to DC Comics, it seemed as though Miles, despite his ever-growing following of fans, was becoming a character without a sense of direction.
Thus, Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1 (LGY No. 241) isn’t just a relaunch with a new creative team; it also acts as a long overdue soft reboot. Within the first few pages, writer Saladin Ahmed (Throne of the Crescent Moon, Black Bolt, Exiles) not only reintroduces us to Miles, his friends, and his family, he gives a shortened summary of his origin. There are changes, such as Miles’ Uncle Aaron only being the Iron Spider from Bendis’ last story arc and never the Prowler. In fact any connection Miles had with the Ultimate Universe, save for his being bitten by a genetically-altered spider, has been expunged.
The comic also goes to even greater lengths in further distinguishing Miles from the original Spider-Man. Unlike Peter, Miles isn’t ostracized by his peers, nor does he have the burden of keeping his secret identity hidden from those he cares about like his parents or best friend, Ganke Lee. Ahmed also distinguishes Miles from Peter in a different sense. Whereas Peter took to science, Miles has now taken to creative writing, specifically keeping an assigned private journal. While it certainly would be incriminating evidence in the wrong hands, this does allow for an in-story reason for Miles’ first-person narration.
Credit: Javier Garrón and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1
…Miles is still very much a kid thrust into an adult world…he sees things in which his being a superhero can’t easily solve. As he puts it, “[he’s] never been more confused about [his] responsibility.”
There’s one other element in which Ahmed distinguishes Miles’ Spider-Man from Peter’s. If this issue is anything to go by, then Miles’ stories may touch on political issues and current events. In this first issue, its immigration and displaced children, a subject which hits close to home for Miles’ mom and his girlfriend, Barbara. Seems Barbara’s young cousin, Eduardo, who’s visiting from California, was directly affected by this. It does feel awkwardly inserted, if not a little heavy-handed. Though without giving too much away, it does end up having a greater significance on the plot than just being mere commentary by the author.
It also allows Ahmed to further explore how Miles is still very much a kid thrust into an adult world. We see scenes of where he needs to be called away from goofing around with his friends to rescue people from a burning building. He doesn’t get enough sleep, which of course makes him late for class. And when he sees a little girl in line for a homeless shelter, he sees things in which his being a superhero can’t easily solve. As he puts it, “[he’s] never been more confused about [his] responsibility.” Clearly, this is a comic that’s character-driven.
Credit: Javier Garrón and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1
…for those who are curious about Miles Morales and never had the chance to follow him before, then Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1 is a good place to start.
It’s a comic which can also be quite expressive, too, as Javier Garrón’s art attests. Although the images are a bit wonky when it comes to bird’s-eye and worm’s eye views, Garron animates his figures in every panel, with clear, visible emotions even in the most simple gestures. Not only does make for a terrific action, as demonstrated in the issue’s final pages, it’s a prime example of comic book art communicating what the caption boxes and word balloons don’t say. When you see Miles and his other roommate, Judge, laughing over silly YouTube videos as Ganke lies on his bed looking at his phone, the phrase “three’s a crowd” comes to mind.
In short, for those who are curious about Miles Morales and never had the chance to follow him before, then Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1 is a good place to start. Fans of Miles may also appreciate this book, at least to see how someone other than Bendis approaches the character. Maybe, after years of trying being regarded as just another Spider-Man, this will help Miles become a Spider-Man in his own right once again.
Stillanerd’s Score: 4 out of 5
Next. Stillanerd Reviews: Spider-Geddon No. 4 review. dark
Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpick (possible spoilers)
Credit: Javier Garrón and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1
Hey Miles! While I’m sure your wall-crawling powers allow your journal to stick to your fingers, wouldn’t it be easier carrying it around in a backpack?
A personal aside, I’ve also had creative writing teachers who’ve assigned their students to keep a journal. However, based on how many pages we filled in them affected our final grades at the end of term. So while we certainly weren’t asked to enclose any private information, we still had to show we were actually writing in them. Basically, what incentive does Miles’ class have in keeping a journal?
Miles’ middle name is “Gonzalo”? Disney better be careful, because this means Miles has the same initials as a rival film studio.
Yeah, Miles was right to ignore Peter’s advice about keeping his identity as Spider-Man secret from his parents. As we’ve seen over and over, Peter keeping his identity as Spider-Man a secret from Aunt May–especially after erasing her prior knowledge of it–is just emotionally cruel. So yeah, Miles has more maturity than Peter in this regard.
Sorry, Ganke, but how can I take that “Respect” hoodie seriously when you’re now sporting a man-bun?
I didn’t think Miles was a huge Tony Stark fan. Certainly not enough for him to wear an Iron Man basketball jersey for a pajama top.
“And what exactly is going on between us?” Wouldn’t that be asking Miles to assign labels to yourselves, Barbara? You know, the very thing you teased him over?
Wow. How low can you get when the Rhino disregards you and tells you to go home simply because you’re not the “real Spider-Man”? If I were Miles, I’d be livid.
No reason to knock classic Sega, Miles. Especially when you can now play them without a console on Amazon.
What’s this? Miles’ venom blast didn’t auto-crit a super villain? The times really are a’changing!
And yet somehow, Eduardo’s own “venom blast”, for lack of a better word, can down both Miles and the Rhino. *Sigh*
Top 50 super heroes in comic book history. dark. Next
Those of you who picked up Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 1, what are your thoughts and impressions? Are you excited for this relaunch, and if so, what hopes do you have for this series? Would it be something you would continue to pick up? Also, how would you compare Saladin Ahmed’s treatment of Miles to Brian Michael Bendis’?