'Miles Morales: Spider-Man' #1 Captures the Heart & Legacy of Marvel's Invisible Spidey

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse swung to the top of the box office this weekend, but more on the story of Miles Morales hit shelves December 12.

If you fell in love with Miles Morales during the film, head over to your local comic book shop and support the many comic books that inspired the film by picking up Marvel's latest run with the character: Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1. It's the first solo Miles Morales series sans veteran writer Brian Michael Bendis, and it's clear the character is in good hands.

In the first issue, Saladin Ahmed and Javier Garron ensure the character is just as loveable … and just as Brooklyn. There's both familiar and new elements, especially side-by-side with Into The Spider-verse, which makes it perfect for new readers inevitably lured into comics by the film's impressive respect for source material (is that wishful thinking?)

Miles stands on walls and goes invisible, just like in the film, but there's a new twist in store for Uncle Aaron. Miles attends Visions High School in Brooklyn and he's friends with the original Spider-Man, but there's a new dynamic between him and his parents. It makes new readers feel less lost while still introducing new twists for those who remember the days of Ultimate Comics: All New Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man.

miles morales spider man comic book marvel
'Miles Morales: Spider-Man' #1 cover. Marvel

There's even some cool dialogue to ponder in conjunction with the Into the Spider-verse sequel. Early on, there's a reference to Spider-Geddon and the villains in that story, who Miles calls "multidimensional spider eating vampires." With rumors swirling about Spider-Man 2099 and Spider-Geddon being a part of the Into the Spider-verse sequel, it's a good drop to get readers digging into Marvel's recent history. The Spider-Geddon storyline (the follow-up to Spider-verse, which the film was named after) concludes this week.

In the film, Spider-Man was confused with his powers. In this new series, he can already go invisible on command and has web-slinging down. He's more confused about his responsibility, so we skip the classic Spidey origin story while still establishing one separate from the previous solo series. It worked in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and it works here too. Miles ain't no sidekick, but there's certainly some things this kid isn't ready for, which paves the way for the internal struggle every compelling hero needs. There's nothing more genuine than the good-hearted naivety of a child, and the first issue captures that beautifully, and embedded it in the core of the character.

With art just as bright and expressive as Into the Spider-verse, Marvel sure knows how to keep Spidey momentum high. Miles Morales #1 is even more proof Spider-Man has had his best year yet.

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About the writer


Autumn Noel Kelly started as a staff writer for Newsweek in 2015. She covers anything in the comic book world—TV ... Read more

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