Writer: Cody Ziglar
Artists: Federico Vicentini & Federica Mancin
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Cory Petit
Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Richard Isanove; Alan Quah; Ken Lashley & Juan Fernandez
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 10, 2023
Hightail arrested Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. Bereft of his mentor and sword instructor, Spider-Man teamed up with the Cape Killers to take down the Enforcers and his uncle. Then reinforcements swelled Team Spidey's ranks. Can Gang War make Miles' life in Brooklyn any crazier? Let's thwip into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15 and find out!
Story
Starling’s reinforcements include Ms. Marvel and Shift. They’re hungry for a punch-up with the Prowler. Or, to quote Miles’ clone, “Glurp.” After trading blows, Aaron Davis explains he was only pretending to work for Hobgoblin. He wants to use what he's learned to help Team Spidey!
One of his uncle’s revelations gives Miles a mini-meltdown in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15. Rabble has teamed up with Hobgoblin! Raneem Rashad destroyed his home and tried to kill his family. The young woman with an affinity for technology wants him dead. Uncle Aaron wants to help Team Spidey take down the dangerous duo. But can Miles trust him? Or will they be walking into a trap? If they fail, Misty Knight won’t be rushing to their aid this time.
Hobgoblin hired more villains than just Prowler and the Enforcers. Rabble’s ability to control technology could compromise some Team Spidey members. Miles must strategize his assault on Hobgoblin’s fortress to put his teammates where they’re most effective and least vulnerable.
Cody Ziglar builds involving character dynamics into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15. Rabble and Hobgoblin's past unites them. The young Cape Killers’ wind machine Gust is happy to swell Team Spidey’s ranks. Scorpion may be willing to work with Miles, but he’s doing this for Agent Gao, not Spidey! Starling wants a rematch with the woman who kidnapped her. Miles rejoices that Ms. Marvel is no longer dead. As for Shift, he’s equally eloquent whether in danger or repose.
Or, to put it another way, “Glurp!”
Art
Sunlight reflects off the windows of the abandoned Beyond Corporation. Inside, drones pursue a man. His feet race down a corridor, pursued by the shadow of a gloved hand. His back against a wall, he thrusts his chin up as the Hobgoblin and Rabble close in. Surrounded by hovering drones, Rabble’s glare reflects on his cracked glasses. The energy pulsating from her hands matches the glow in her eyes. Hobgoblin looks up at the hologram she projects, his sharp features in sympathy with the judgment he would dispense.
Ms. Marvel's arm launches like an anaconda, knocking the Prowler off his feet. His flowing cape flutters around him as he rolls to avoid Shift's attack. The muscular spider-clone pursues, pounding the rooftop with his mighty fists. Energy arcs and equipment break as Starling and Miles battle Aaron. Then, like Rabble, Miles forces his prey up against the wall.
Federico Vicentini and Federica Mancin deliver portraits of heroes and villains under duress. Scenes crackle with energy, and camera angles shift, pulling the reader effortlessly from one panel to the next. Action scenes impress, and emotional rapport drips off the page in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15.
Colorist Bryan Valenza’s fully loaded palette brings a wealth of color to Miles’ Gang War teamup. Pink and lavender tinge the evening sky as our heroes punish and interrogate Miles’ untrustworthy uncle. Awash in red, Miles, Shift, and Starling form a powerful triad. Is it a coincidence that the Prowler’s hood evokes Hobgoblin’s, and his lavender cape matches Rabble’s coloring? Light pink streaks the mauve sky like contrails as Miles and his team attack Hobgoblin's headquarters. Yellow energy radiates from Miles as his Spider-Sense goes wild.
Uppercase black and colored letters fill white dialogue balloons in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15. Off-panel utterances and character thoughts thwip white uppercase letters into colored narrative boxes. Uniform size, font style, and balloon placement make for a fun and easy reading experience. Sound effects help us hear drones pummel and break, the energy Rabble and the Shocker wield, and the Prowler receiving Team Spidey’s displeasure. Yet what sticks with you is the energy—and brotherhood—that Miles and Shift’s fist bump conveys.
Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy of this Gang War chapter for review.
Final Thoughts
Uneasy alliances, a moment of jealousy, and his double-agent uncle force Miles to up his game as Brooklyn’s Team Spidey takes on Hobgoblin and Rabble in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15.
Rating 9.8/10
To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
