REVIEW: ‘Miles Morales: Spider-Man’ Issue 1

Miles Morales: Spider-Man Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics and written by Bryan Edward Hill, art by Nico Leon and Valentine de Landro, colors by Bryan Valenza, and letters by Cory Petit.

Miles resets in Brooklyn, as a vicious killer steps into his path.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man Issue 1 cuts a lot of flab and cosmic adventure away from Miles’ world. For much of his recent history, Miles has been used as the connection between the Ultimate Universe and the mainstream universe, having hailed from the original Ultimate world.

He’s also collaborated with Multiversal Spider Adventures, tangled with, and even became a vampire. Hill references all of these in Miles Morales: Spider-Man Issue 1, whilst also grounding him. The focus is the young boy hanging out at home, at school, and who has a new crush. It’s such a fresh new approach, and incredibly easy to settle into.

There’s a terrific pacing to the comic, whilst also spending time in each scene. And with the refresh comes a new energy. There are two action scenes within Miles Morales: Spider-Man Issue 1 that have differing levels of intensity and danger. The first could be considered a basic Spider-Man exercise: rescuing a crane worker who has fallen. The other sees a brand new villain introduce themselves, one who has a much closer connection to Miles and his family than at first glance. It’s interesting, intriguing, and exciting.

This issue does a great job of balancing two sides of Spider-Man. He is both a kid and an experienced superhero at this point. When talking to his new classmate, Miles has the same reaction many teenage boys have. He gets flustered, though not as anxiety-led as Peter Parker. He seems content with the easier pace of life, focused on Brooklyn instead of a wider patrol of multiverses. It returns him to being a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

He also has Ganke (who inspired Ned Leeds in the MCU) back, who has been absent for a few runs and provides Miles with a best friend. It’s nice for him to interact with people the same age as him, because it’s a reminder of just how young he is.

But when dealing with a threat that stems from his father, Miles is suddenly older and threatening. The enemies don’t seem to faze him, especially when they threaten his family. It’s a sign of everything he’s been through, which is why he wants to be as normal as a Spider-Man can ever be.

The art style really works specifically with Miles Morales. It occurred in the previous run with Federico Vicentini, and Leon applies it too. It’s a sleek approach that makes Spider-Man look quick and agile. He often presents as small and wiry, which helps generate speed and athleticism. It also represents his age for the first several pages. Miles is in a school uniform. He’s older, having grown into his role, but there is still a youthful design. There is only one scene where Miles is interacting with other spiders, but it’s easy to see how different he is.

Spider-Men and their location are extremely important, as the place becomes a character in itself. And Leon superbly settles Miles back into the streets and skyscrapers of Brooklyn. His movement is exceptional, but so is the hustle and bustle of city life.

The first villain Miles faces in Miles Morales: Spider-Man Issue 1 is a huge contrast to his own body shape. The villain is massive and bulky, with a big beard and a giant axe. He has an awesome presence, and his hits have a palpable impact.

During a flashback detailed by Miles’ father, the art shifts to a sketch by de Landro. It’s more shadowy than Leon’s style, and fits the seedy world of espionage and crime that has inadvertently bled into Miles’ life.

The colors are very important for character development, especially the new potential love interest for Miles. Her eyes are a distinct color, making her instantly captivating to the protagonist and readers. The villain starts within a church, where light and darkness are bonded brilliantly. But there is also an intense brightness to his powers, from the huge axe to his eyes and the energy it creates. This is similar to Miles’ own venom powers. The intensity makes the issue even more exhilarating. The lettering is very clear and easy to read.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man Issue 1 is a rewarding reset. There’s a breath of fresh air as the comic begins, with a really welcoming energy that stems from how easy it is to understand. The issue is fun, with a menacing atmosphere that grows increasingly intense and palpable. Miles has been thrown into so many chaotic situations, which he excels in, but it steps away from a story about a young kid with a very troubled family history. Hill taps into that once again, and it places Miles’ friends and family in the foreground.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man Issue 1 is available where comics are sold