REVIEW: ’Miles Morales: Spider-Man,’ Issue #24

In his latest comic, Miles Morales is given a moment to breathe before he begins his very own “Clone Saga.” Meeting up with his good friend Kamala Khan (AKA Ms. Marvel), the two heroes are able to reflect with each other and reassert their sense of heroism.  Miles Morales: Spider-Man #24 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Saladin Ahmed, with art by Carmen Carnero, colors by David Curiel, and letters by Cory Petit.

With the events of OUTLAWED, Miles, Kamala, and their friends have been through a LOT. This superb issue of this comic allows him and his friend to breathe and reflect on what they’ve recently endured. It feels palpable reading this issue that the OUTLAWED event has weighed heavily on these young heroes and increased their fortitude to do good no matter what obstacles they encounter. Ahmed continues to write Miles and Kamala with such pathos and sincerity. Having written both their comic series, he intimately understands what each has gone through, and that easily shows on the page. There is such a warmth and understanding between these two friends that Ahmed makes apparent in virtually every word written, and it’s such a wonderful thing to read.

An inciting event causes them to cut their R&R period short and get back to superheroics. But it’s not jarring: it feeds seamlessly into both their arcs. This issue is all about Miles, and by extent, Kamala and the other Champions, reaffirming their commitment to doing the right thing, even when societal barriers remain in place for them as young heroes. Ahmed writes this story with such a great balance of subtlety and directness with the issues at hand and has the audience sympathize seamlessly with Miles and Kamala. In addition to being a pitch-perfect story, it’s a superb character study, with these characters fearlessly driving the narrative.

The art by Carnero and Curiel remains sublime. Every character and setting is drawn with incredible detail by Carnero, with every character drawn richly with their unique features, particularly for the characters of color like Miles and Kamala. Curiel’s colors brightly liven up the setting and characters as well. The characters’ actions are dynamic, the action is overall engrossing, and our characters’ powers are all on an amazing display. While this is a reflective issue, it’s by no means lacking in action.

The lettering by Petit is superbly done, with every speech bubble filling a liminal space and never impeding in on the action or quieter moments of the issue. Overall, it’s the cherry on top of a magnificent story.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #24 is a masterpiece of comic storytelling. Through giving Miles and Kamala a moment to breathe and reflect on everything they’ve been through, readers will be reminded of why Miles and his friends are the heroes they are, fearlessly resisting injustice wherever they encounter it, even when the barriers seem too great. Reading this outstanding issue of Miles’ story, you may feel inspired to resist injustice as well.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #24 is available now wherever comics are sold.

Swara Salih

Swara is a data scientist and a co-host of Into the Spider-Cast and The Middle Geeks. He loves talking about politics, animals, nature, and all things Star Trek, DC, Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra, and Steven Universe.