Miles Morales: Spider-Man #5 // Review
Everything's coming up Miles Morales. He’s escaped the clutches of a vengeful principal, he’s survived a team-up with the Rhino, and he’s got an “almost-official” girlfriend. In Miles Morales: Spider-Man #5, though, like any good Spider-Man tale, Miles finds his luck--the old Morales luck, maybe?--has run out.
In this issue, Miles finds himself in the middle of gang skirmishes as Tombstone’s crew begins a turf war to control Brooklyn. Miles and Ganke face challenges keeping his web fluid supply stocked (you’d think he and Peter Parker would be able to collaborate on this task). Miles also faces the question of whether or not to confide in his “almost-official” girlfriend, Barbara, about his double life.
Saladin Ahmed continues to redefine Miles Morales, giving him a certain cockiness that he lacked in his younger iteration. It’s clear that Ahmed is using classic Lee/Ditko/Romita-era Spider-Man as his template as he builds up Miles’ civilian supporting cast, introducing a new Flash Thompson-type to the mix. Despite the influence of those classic stories, Ahmed keeps the dialogue and situations from feeling old-fashioned.
Artist Javier Garrón continues to have an amazing eye for fashion as he redefines Miles’ civilian look, as well as allowing Ganke to grow up as well. Garrón doesn’t have as many opportunities to cut loose stylistically as he did in last month’s blockbuster issue, but his action storytelling is still top notch--thrilling while still legible. David Curiel’s color art shines as well, particularly in those scenes where Miles uses his camouflage ability. VC’s Cory Petit does great work, too--look for an amazing side-effect when Miles throws a radio at a gang member.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man continues to be one of the most charming, most classically “superhero” books on the stands. This new Tombstone arc--complete with a final-page twist introducing a new character--looks to be the continuation of a winning streak for the title with no end in sight. Would that Miles himself could catch the same kind of break.
