Writer: Cody Ziglar
Artists: Federico Vicentini & Federica Mancin
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Cory Petit
Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Richard Isanove; David Baldeón & Jesus Aburtov; Taurin Clarke; Nic Klien
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 14, 2023
Brooklyn’s Team Spidey crashed Rabble and Hobgoblin’s party in the old Beyond building. While Scorpion, Shift, and Starling tackled Hob’s hired hands outside, the Pumpkin-Meister and Techno-master gave Miles Morales, Kamala Khan, and Gust an explosive welcome. Can Miles' clone Shift, his girlfriend Tiana, and reluctant Team Spidey member Mac Gargan take on Ricadonna, Mr. Fish, Man-Bull, Goldbug, and Shocker? Can Brooklyn's Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, and Agent Gao's young wind machine take on Hobgoblin and the Tech Whisperer? Let's ignite our venom-sabers, leap into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16, and find out!
Story
Miles had a mini meltdown when he realized Rabble had teamed with Hobgoblin. But Kamala and Tiana helped him reclaim his mojo. Rabble still blames Miles for not getting into Brooklyn Visions Academy. In Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16, he uses Rabble’s grudge to bait her, hoping to distract her battle-focus. After all, Rabble's also prone to meltdowns, but hers are more maxi than mini.
Kamala Khan bolsters Miles by reminding him that she died. Now, she has returned to life and fights by his side. Despite his wavering spider sense, this bolsters Miles' mojo too. After all, she gave her life fighting beside the other Spider-Man. He doesn't want to make it two for two with the latest X-Men recruit.
Spider-Man weakened Rabble’s ability to talk to technology. Hobgoblin helped Rabble recapture some of what she lost. In return, she helped Hobgoblin track Queen Goblin's movements. She wants a rematch with the young punk who stole her future. Hobgoblin tried to use Aaron Davis to rub out Spider-Man. Miles’ uncle may have flaked out on him, but Rabble helped upgrade Hobgoblin’s tech. Hobgoblin's ultimate prize may be Queen Goblin. Still, he's ready for another battle with Brooklyn's Spider-Man.
Cody Ziglar’s story features a no-holds-barred battle between Miles, Ms. Marvel, and Gust versus Hobgoblin and Rabble. Outside the abandoned Beyond building, Starling, Scorpion, and Miles' clone Shift take on Ricadonna, Mr. Fish, Man-Bull, Goldbug, and Shocker. Scorpion denigrated Hobgoblin’s security staff by claiming they were Z-Listers. Yet Team Spidey Outdoors struggles to put down these Killer Zs.
Like his outdoor squad, Miles' indoor team faces stiff competition. Something's needed to break the stalemate. That's bad for the other Spider-Man, as Peter Parker is counting on Miles’ help at the Battle Of Central Park in Amazing Spider-Man #43. Even if Peter lets Miles down, Miles doesn't want to repay the favor. More importantly, he can't let Hobgoblin and Rabble use what they've built here to aid Madame Masque. Someone needs to think outside the box in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16. Who do you think it'll be?
Art
As the smoke clears, Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, and Gust behold Hobgoblin and Rabble hovering on their gliders. Close-ups of Rabble and Spider-Man reveal their hunger for a rematch. Gust’s swirling air currents knock Rabble off her perch while Ms. Marvel's arm stretches and her hand enlarges to grasp the Tech Whisperer. Miles emulates the Cape Killer's latest recruit by thwipping a swirling web at Hobgoblin. Rabble shows she prepped for Miles' venom saber by summoning an energy blade in each hand.
Federico Vicentini & Federica Mancin keep everything in constant movement outside. Scorpion lashes his tail, Shocker's vibro-smashers arc and stream, and Lady Stilt-Man crashes the party to flail her long limbs in a panel or two. Ricadonna’s foot blurs as she kicks away Shift. But then, Ricadonna’s got an axe to grind in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16. Who dares call her a Z-Lister?
Bryan Valenza lavishes a loaded palette on Vicentini and Mancin’s dynamic art. Colors vary from subdued to bold, while costume color fades with movement and distance. Background colors often change panel by panel and portray energy and lighting sources. Highlights and shadows ground the characters, while translucent smoke keeps characters visible.
Cory Petit thwips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16. The large, thin font grows bold for inflection and shrinks for lowered voices. Rabble's dialogue fades to lavender when she does one of her Tech Talks, and Hobgoblin's dialogue occasionally turns the same color, indicating he's learned from her example. Miles' thoughts stand out as white letters in red narrative boxes. Sound effects enhance the fighting inside and out. Occasionally, they release so much energy that they shove all art from a panel, at least the art not showcased within the giant letters.
Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy of this Gang War chapter for review.
Final Thoughts
While Rabble and Hobgoblin use the Beyond Corporation’s tech to upgrade their powers, Brooklyn’s Team Spidey fights to prevent them from enhancing Madame Masque’s forces with a fleet of killer drones. Yet hovering over Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16 on an invisible glider is the fate of Miles’ uncle Aaron Davis. What happened to the Prowler? Was the Hornet’s faith in him misplaced?
Rating 9/10
To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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