Writer: Cody Ziglar
Artist: Marco Renna
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Cory Petit
Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Neeraj Menon; Logan Lubera & Rachelle Rosenberg; Mark Bagley & Frank D’Armata; Stefano Caselli & Jesus Aburtov; J Scott Campbell & Sabine Rich
Designer: Gabriel Mata
Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe, & C B Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 13, 2025
The Beatles sang, “All you need is love.” The God of War disagrees. While Kwaku Anansi delights in stories, Ares draws strength from arguments, fights, and battles. Ares’ Agon with Anansi has empowered him like never before. Ares uplifted Agent Gao into his herald Alala. He promised to elevate Zip Zephyr to the upper echelons of Olympus. Now, like Ronan grasping the Infinity Stone, Ares uses the conflict to become the Olympian Skyfather.
Hercules is tired of teleporting. Miles wants to protect Brooklyn. But Ares ignores their wishes and brings the battle to New York. Will the Brooklyn Visions Academy fall before Ares’ appetite for destruction? Or will Asgardian Skyfather Thor prevent their rumble in the rubble? Let's offer sacrifices to our lords above, leap into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #36, and find out!
Story
Earlier in the Agon, Anansi used Ares’ Stymphalian birds against him. Hercules didn’t mind killing them again, especially if it meant fighting alongside Hulk-counselor Keisha Kwan. But Miles used the melee to convince Zip Zephyr to join forces. This time, Ares summons his beloved birds again. Unlike Anansi, the God of War won’t let the battle end in a tie. And while his ferocious birds attack Miles, Shift, Gust, Hercules, and Dr Kwan, Ares unleashes his anger on Anansi.
Cody Ziglar once again puts Miles’ character under the spotlight in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #36. Miles’ first concern is safeguarding the people in the streets. But he’s not just concerned for their safety. Unlike Tony Stark, Miles wasn't born into money. So amid the carnage and destruction, Miles worries about the survivors’ future. Taking notes from Dr Kwan, he again reasons with his opponents, encouraging them to embrace the better part of themselves.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #36 is an action epic for the ages. Amid this clash of the titans, the chief battle rages in the combatants' hearts. Miles' concern for others will bring him to his knees. Ares's followers realize their leader doesn't care about collateral damage. But the overriding question is whether the characters can put the past behind them.
Art
When Ares transported the players in his drama, he also teleported the setting. Marco Renna doesn't initially show the arena that descends below the pavement. Still, the dramatic upshots of Miles and his team suggest a view from the stands. Hovering above them, Ares and Anansi prepare for their one-on-one. Ares dominates the upper half of the second page of Miles Morales: Spider-Man #36 amid panels that showcase the fury of the Stymphalian birds. He may carry a gold spear, but like Legolas, Ares can launch a flurry of them in an instant. All Anansi can do is thwip in response. That, and sneak in some bodysurfing.
Yellow energy crackles off Miles’ venom sword amid the giant red birds’ attack. Gust and Zip summon bluish-white circular wind tunnels. Bryan Valenza shows both sides battling in and below an orange, yellow, and beige sky. Yellow and orange bolts launch not from Zeus’ hand, but from Miles’ head as his spider-sense works overtime, and the venom energy his Wakandan suit regulates. Chaos reigns blue and gold as Ares' forces fight against Anansi's forces. Yet as Zip confronts Miles, the shadow that darkens his features evokes Ares and Athena dining at Mount Olympus before they attacked Arachne.
Cory Petit thwips black and colored uppercase letters into dialogue balloons. Zip, Philomelus, and Pyrrha utter diagonal letters in white dialogue balloons. Since Ares made Agent Gao his herald, she speaks into color-bordered balloons, suggesting she ranks higher among the gods than Zip. Miles’ thoughts manifest as white words in red boxes. The words grow bold for intonation, enlarge for volume, and shrink for lowered voices. Sound effects accompany brutal blows, breath-taking impacts, smashed vehicles, and collapsing buildings. Thanks to Marvel Comics for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Time and experience can tempt us to turn our backs on embracing the new. It’s easy to get set in your ways when you live forever. While Ares seems destined for misery, Anansi demonstrates why he's always so happy in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #36.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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