REVIEW: ‘Miles Morales: Spider-Man,’ Issue #7

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #7 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Cody Ziglar, art by Federico Vicentini, colors by Bryan Valenza and letters by Cory Petit. This is part 6 of the Carnage Reigns crossover. Just as Kasady gets reinforcements, Miles Morales’ allies begin to drop.

As the penultimate issue of the crossover, this chapter sets out to narrow the field of those involved. In the previous issue, a small army was being gathered to take down Cletus. Those are slowly and violently being picked off, struggling with the intensity and unpredictability of their foe. Some of Kasady’s secondary plan is hinted at in the opening scene of the issue, but after that, it gets put on the back burner as the more intense fighting takes over. As the issue unfolds there are some great team-up moments as Miles moves through the city while the situation rapidly changes and the person by his side continually gets switched. It changes the circumstances and the parameter of the fight when there is a different set of powers on his side. The end of the issue delivers an awesome surprise that sets up the final fight.

The characters in this crossover have been fantastic, and they reach a particular high point in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #7. Specific focus is placed on not just Miles, but the Cape Killers as well. Villains that are trying to commute their sentences, the issue shows signs that they have the ability and desire to help save lives. Hightail has an attitude but actively sets out to assist Spider-Man. Electro throws Taskmaster under the bus but does as much damage as she can to Carnage. And Taskmaster is the one trying to lead the whole squad. As bit-part players for much of the crossover, it’s nice to see them get some swings in. 

The art is terrific, exposing the chaos and the magnitude of the battle. After the opening, and once the story is back in New York, the comic picks up speed and doesn’t slow down. Carnage has changed again, sprouting wings around the bastardized Iron Man armor, as each panel brings a different combination of characters in to fight him. Some of the powers and the ideas posited are excellent, and it is all moving at 1000 miles an hour. There are several moments where it looks like the last stops are being pulled out before the characters go down. Then comes the last act of the book, which introduces new designs for two characters, both of whom look phenomenal under the pen of Vicentini.

Vibrant and intense, in a book with so much going on, the colors are significant as they keep the action clear on top of being  gorgeous. The lettering is easy to read apart from Carnage’s word balloon.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #7 is non-stop action. The creators of this issue have a mission; to start running and not stop until the final page turns. Flinging itself through New York, the momentum is unrelenting as the plot thins the crowd as it streamlines the comic for the final part of the crossover. With the surprises at the end of the issue, it is going to be an incredibly violent conclusion.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #7 is available where comics are sold.