Miles Morales is back in black (and red)! Spider-Man thinks he has it allllll handled: homework, super-villains…a new school crush?? No, no–Miles’ is focused on what matters: helping the good folks of Brooklyn. Friendly. Neighborhood. Spider-Manning at his best! But a vengeful villain from Jeff Morales’ past with SHIELD threatens to destroy not only Spider-Man–but the entire Morales family! Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1 is an interesting debut that feels like a bit of a reset as it charts the next chapter for Miles, his friends, and family.

I’m by no means a Miles Morales expert. He’s a character I’ve read a lot of comics of, but he’s also one I don’t necessarily always follow. I might read an arc or a mini-series, but I’ve rarely regularly read his solo ongoing comics. Like Spider-Man in general, I drop in and out of following his adventures. But, with Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1, I get to start “fresh” with a new first issue and see what I might have missed and where things are going.

Written by Bryan Edward Hill, Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1 is an entertaining start that does a good job of laying the groundwork for what’s to come while also reflecting on Miles’ recent adventures. You don’t need to know everything and Hill expertly rewards long-time readers while also making it new reader friendly. Miles quickly goes over the major changes and adventures in his life while his friend Ganke discusses measuring his powers while listing them off. In one or two panels, new readers quickly get the information they need to do. That allows the comic to really focus on Miles’ current status while introducing a new villain.

And, the new villain is interesting. With ties to Miles’ fathers’ past, this mystery helps build off of what has come before in a natural way and creates a thread that feels organic and not a random new villain. The new baddie also feels like a challenge for Miles making no clear answer to how he can be defeated.

Hill also focuses on Miles’ personal life with him back in school and a possible new love interest. The interactions between Miles and Valentina are nice and cute and there’s potential there but you also know things are going to go sideways at some point. She’ll not be who she says or she’ll become someone that can be threatened to get to Miles. There’s just too many teases things aren’t quite as innocent as they could be and there’s something more coming.

Where the comic stumbles a bit is in some of the dialogue. Miles is a teenager and there’s just some moments that don’t feel like something any current kid would say. It’s small moments but enough for me to pause. (Do kids still say “preach”?). It also could be the awkwardness that is Miles in general and I’m not familiar with. But, I’m not around teenage boys so maybe I’m completely off in that.

The art by Nico Leon is fantastic. With color by Bryan Valenza and lettering by Cory Petit, the pages pop with a bright energy about it. Even when battling a villain, the comic still has a style where it doesn’t seem dark and brooding. The only gripe is Valentina’s eyes are supposed to be really “pretty” and stand out but they don’t really pop on the page. Valentine De Landro also provides art in flashback sequences that tell the connection between Miles’ dad and the new villain that does have a more ominous feel about them. It’s a nice contrast between the two styles and really shifts the tone.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1 is an entertaining start and does a solid job of balancing everything it needs to. New readers can hop in while ongoing readers get something new as well. The villain feels natural and like a real threat. It’s a solid debut that’s well worth checking out.

Story: Bryan Edward Hill Art: Nico Leon, Valentine De Landro
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle