Miles Morales: Spider-Man #13 Review

 

Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artists: Federico Vicentini

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Alejandro Sánchez; Anthony Francisco; Peach Momoko; Dustin Nguyen

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: December 13, 2023

 

Miles Morales used to rely on Peter Parker. Then suddenly, Peter wasn’t around anymore. When Peter asks Miles to help him combat the Gang War threatening New York City, the elder Spider-Man acts as if he hadn't ghosted Miles. Pent-up resentment prompted Miles to unload on Peter. How does Brooklyn’s young Spider-Man feel about his relationship with Peter now? Let's thwip into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #13 and find out!

 

Story

In Peter’s absence, Misty Knight took Miles under her wing. Her fellow private investigator, Colleen Wing, assisted with his training. Blade’s magic upgraded Miles’ capabilities. Doc Sasquatch and Keisha Kwan listen to him without judging. Miles may not feel centered, but he’s able to carry on. All this helps when Miles discovers Bumbler and Vespa fighting Frost Pharoah’s Ankh-Colytes.

 

When Brooklyn's young Spider-Man rescues a child from the battlefield, Bumbler and Vespa turn their wrath on him. Despite his training and determination, Miles knows he isn’t ready to fight crime on his own. Yet even if the situation threatens to overwhelm him, Miles can rely on the skills and strategies he’s worked so hard to master.

 

While struggling to cope with the stressful life of a superhero, Miles has fought off Agent Gao's All Cape Killers anti-vigilante team. He's teamed up with Blade and Bloodline and helped Peter Parker and his friends to combat Ringmaster, Crime-Master, and A.I.M. In Miles Morales: Spider-Man #13, he receives assistance when he least expects it and gets an intriguing proposition. Even if Miles isn't ready to fight alone, others recognize his worth. Hopefully, he'll draw strength from that, learn that relationships change over time, and embrace the opportunities that come his way. 

 

 

 

Art

Light streams into the garage of Misty's safehouse as Miles shares his struggles with the glowing face of Keisha Kwan. In her office, a device mounted to her chair displays a holograph of Miles. Colorist Bryan Valenza enhances solitary moments of contemplation and despair with compelling realism.

 

Federico Vicentini breathes life into the snowy warfare in Brooklyn. Frost clings to objects while villains charge through the snow, ignoring the wispy flakes that obscure their opponents. Panels fight for dominance amid a sea of imagery while objects hurtle toward the reader. Appealing character designs blur as changing camera angles heighten frenetic battle scenes. Yet the camera sprints away from explosive moments, anxious to avoid the carnage in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #13. 

 

 

 

After lavishing many appealing colors on present-day scenes, Bryan Valenza scrapes all but a few from his palette. He applies this limited selection to scenes taking place in the past. Federico Vicentini draws these scenes with a harshness that conveys the intensity of the earlier battle.

 

Cory Petit relays Cody Ziglar’s story with white dialogue balloons and red narrative thought-boxes. His large uppercase letters look delicate but rarely shrink. Sound effects in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #13 encompass eye-catching thwips, savage buzzing, and a puffy, transparent boom.

 

Final Thoughts

After their initial consultation, Doc Sasquatch relegated Miles' therapy to a protégé. Once, Miles fought at Peter Parker’s side. Now, his elder colleague rarely calls. Like Spider-Man's new sidekick, Spider-Boy, Miles combats D-List villains. Miles may be more of a trainee or teammate than a team leader. Yet he's turning heads in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #13.

 

Rating 9/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.