Miles Morales: Spider-Man #38 Review

 

Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artist: Luigi Zagaria

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Neeraj Menon; Anand Ramcheron & Ceci de la Cruz; Nogi San; Sergio Dávila & Cece de la Cruz; Todd Nauck & Rachelle Rosenberg

Designer: Jay Bowen

Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe, & C B Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 17, 2025

 

After battling and teaming up with Deadpool & Daughter to fight Agent Gao, Kwaku Anansi dragged Miles into another fight with Agent Gao and her divine benefactor. Battling gods and former police detectives with holy blades to grind can take a lot out of you. Miles could use some time off to reconnect with his friends and catch up on his schoolwork. But he looks up to Misty Knight. So, when Colleen Wing skips town, and Misty asks her intern to help investigate a crime spree, Miles leaps at the opportunity.

 

Miles may wear a Wakandan spider-suit, wield a venom sword, and thwip spider-webs, but he's still a teenager. He likes playing sports and games with his friends. Is Miles ready to investigate “cases” with his mentor? And how will he mesh with their new team member? Let's thwip into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #38 and see!

 

Story

You can’t take lots of heavy hitters off the board without creating a power vacuum, and that’s exactly what the Gang War did. While Tombstone became the new Kingpin, lots of other gangs lost their leaders and/or their territories. Controlling an underworld as big as New York City is a big ask. And Tombstone prioritizes his special projects. When Misty notices that all the thefts occurred at businesses in debt to crime lords, that gives her and Miles a starting point for their investigations.

 

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #38 introduces readers to Lance Lewis, aka White Cat, and his partner Monika Mori, aka Inari. Both boast unique backstories, cultural heritages, and special abilities. But Inari also brings a power pack along with her punch. 

 

 

 

Inari controls three kitsune, or supernatural Japanese fox spirits. All three have powers and are formidable foes. White Cat may have claimed that Miles was no fun. But he works alongside Inari's kitsune, who, like Miles, don't mind mixing business with humor.

 

That’s not the only similarity Miles notices between himself and his opponents in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #38. Cody Ziglar doesn't soft-soap White Cat and Inari's misdeeds. Still, Miles' recent experience with vampirism has taught him that sometimes people do things they don't want to. These experiences help him decide how to treat White Cat and Inari when he meets them again.

 

 

 

Art

While Luigi Zagaria grounds us in Miles’ everyday life, Misty and Felicia’s grand entrance hints at the action to come. As they drive through Brooklyn, Misty summons a holographic model of the evening’s stakeout. Given Inari, Yako, Tenko, and Zenko's heritage, tiny manga caricatures of Misty, Miles, and Black Cat overlay a bird's-eye view of Felicia’s jeep. When Inari dons her white fox mask, she emulates a popular mask worn at Japanese festivals. But while Inari uses her fox spirits to boost her attacks, Misty demonstrates the strength of her bionic arm, Miles thwips while he quips, and Black Cat performs stop-motion acrobatics.

 

Bryan Valenza lavishes a loaded palette in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #38. While Felicia's earrings link her with Misty's gold arm, her blue jeans link her with Miles. Felicia's red jeep also links her with Miles and Misty's costumes. Yet amid the bright and appealing colors, white forms a theme. From Felicia's hair to Misty and Miles' casual shirts, White Cat's hair and mask, Inari's mask, and the three kitsune, white promises that redemption is always possible.

 

 

 

Cory Petit uses large white block letters to locate us in time and space, and smaller ones to introduce White Cat and Inari. The black uppercase dialogue in white balloons grows bold for intonation and never shrinks. Greater-than and Less-than signs betray one thief's greater commitment to bridging cultural barriers. Sound effects enhance Felicia's exuberant driving, show what Tenko can do with three tails, and remind readers how valuable sipper lids are in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #38. Thanks to Marvel Comics for providing a review copy. 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Misty Knight already puts Miles in his place. So, when Black Cat joins the team, she makes him feel bottom rung. But after all the teasing and teaching, Miles demonstrates wise and compassionate leadership in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #38.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #37 Review

 

Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artist: Luigi Zagaria

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Neeraj Menon; Peach Momoko; Taurin Clarke; Gerardo Sandoval & Erick Arciniega

Designer: Jay Bowen

Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe, & C B Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: August 27, 2025

 

Villains keep turning Miles’ life upside down and inside out. He has battled Rabble to protect his family, Agent Gao to avoid jail, Vulture to keep his girlfriend, and Varnae to retain his humanity. After helping his spider-god, Kwaku Anansi, settle an ancient dispute with angry Ares, Miles looks forward to chilling with his homies. Will life give Miles a breather? Or will it thrust Brooklyn's Spider-Man into his most demanding battle yet? Let's slip on our Wakandan spider suits, leap into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #37, and find out!

 

Story

After bidding goodbye to his brother, gamma-powered therapist, allies, Ares' teammates, and his delighted deity, Miles and Ganke walked home past Velour Vick’s Custom Jewelry & Haberdashery. Cody Ziglar begins his next chapter in Miles’ life that evening, as a security guard spots white animals scampering between the illuminated cases. The animals show a fondness for bling, and their barks ring like laughter in the guard’s ears.

 

When Miles snuck off to Wakanda with the Black Panther, Shift used his shapeshifting ability to impersonate Miles at Brooklyn Visions Academy. His clone-brother found holding Miles' shape stressful. The unfamiliar surroundings and being among so many people didn't help. Ganke noticed Miles stressin' in the boys' room. But when Shift explained why he was being Miles' body double, Ganke helped him through the experience (and introduced him to the wonders of the cafeteria). 

 

Even though they didn't realize what was going on, Miles' other friends eased Shift's distress. Miles has a lot to thank them for, as they helped Shift forge a new life as Jaime Morales in a school of his own. So, he’s overjoyed to share the afternoon with them in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #37. 

 

But Misty Knight has plans for Miles’ evening. Once again, she reminds him of his position in their relationship and quotes her rules as readily as a Ferengi. But Miles doesn’t mind. He looks forward to assisting her. Unlike his battles with the Hobgoblin, vampires, Deadpool & Daughter LLC, and gods, Misty gives Miles a chance to do something fun while protecting his borough. Yet his action-packed detecting will introduce new combatants who challenge him in unexpected ways.

 

Art

Miles and his friends may not wear bespoke haberdashery. But through their similar attire and shared activity, Luigi Zagaria strengthens Miles’ bond with his friends. As he hangs out on the court, jogs while transforming into Spider-Man, and thwips into Misty's rebuilt garage, Miles looks more at ease than at any time since he started seeking therapy. A consultation over a map keeps the investigation low-key, in contrast to earlier planning sessions involving higher stakes and holographic displays. A dramatic upshot of Misty evokes her prior team-up with Manhattan’s Spider-Man. But this time, the Lizard doesn’t join the team, and Miles takes point as they pursue their mission plan.

 

While Luigi Zagaria delivers the action with panel-packed pages, splash pages, and cross-page horizontal layouts, Bryan Valenza paints day scenes with the hum and vitality of everyday life in New York. Miles shines in his Wakandan red, black, and purple suit, while Misty's red outfit illustrates the bond between them. As darkness falls, and the yellow/orange interior lights make the building windows shine, Miles transforms into transparent white and blues. The suit’s color change links with what his enhanced spider-sense helps him see. But nothing glows quite like their adversaries’ animals in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #37.

 

Cory Petit portrays Human speech and animal utterances with black uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons. He shares Miles’ thoughts with white letters in red narrative boxes. The letters grow bold for intonation, enlarge for raised voices, and never shrink. Black letters in yellow boxes provide translations and footnotes. As changing situations prompt a request for assistance, sound effects help us sense music, hear gunfire, feel a brutal impact, and witness greatness in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #37. Thanks to Marvel Comics for providing a review copy. 

 

Final Thoughts

Miles is feeling tight after surviving Ares' Agon. The way Kwaku Anansi repaired his beloved Brooklyn was da bomb. But while a savage Spider-Man stalks the night in Manhattan, sending Shocker's Aftershocks to the ICU, more aftereffects from the Gang War threaten Brooklyn in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #37. 

 

Rating 9.8/10

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #31 Review

 

Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artist: Luigi Zagaria

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Ceci De La Cruz; Sara Pichelli & Federico Blee; Frany

Production Designer: Sarah Spadaccini

Editors: Tom Groneman, Mark Basso, Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Cy Pedro Beltran, Nick Lowe & C B Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: March 19, 2025

 

While Deadpool and Shift battled Midas and Output, Miles repaired Ellie’s phone so they could teleport back to Agent Gao’s hideout. After the two Deadpool & Spidey teams work together to knock out Midas and unhand Output, Miles’ storyteller god senses an interesting development. Then Agent Gao strides in, rocking a Greek outfit and a glowing sword. Is she channeling a higher power or just listening to Coldplay? Let's put on our vibranium suits, leap into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #31, and find out!

 

Story

Agent Gao no longer speaks in terms of justice. Nor does she love the city she once served. Like Rabble, Julia Gao is hurting and seeks a target for her loss. She forgets that Spider-Man teamed up with her squad to help Scorpion, Gust, and Hightail protect New York against costumed villains. And despite New Yorkers arising amid the Gang War to overturn Fisk's Law, she blames Spider-Man for shuttering her Cape Killers crew. So when a mysterious stranger in a dark alley offers her a boon, she takes it. In Cody Ziglar's story, Agent Gao turns her back on democracy. All she wants is the power to enforce her will.

 

After Deadpool mistook Shift for Miles, Spider-Man, Deadpool, and Ellie clashed in a not-so-dark alley. But they’re (mostly) putting their grievances behind them. In Miles Morales: Spider-Man #31, Miles and Wade confront the new-and-improved Agent Gao. Despite Wade's impulsiveness, Miles and Deadpool fight side-by-side to take down the hate-filled, high-powered herald. While Deadpool is over the moon to battle alongside Spidey, Miles isn't ready to make Wade his BFF. But then, Wade speaks of matters Miles doesn't understand while Miles talks to someone no one else can see.

 

As Miles and Deadpool serve up the A-Team action, Shift and Ellie focus on Agent Gao's Not Ready For Prime Time Players. It’s too early to know if Shift’s relationship with Ellie will evolve like Ms Marvel’s. Still, both understand what it's like not to belong anywhere. This crossover began with a high-flying phone call. After Ellie explains why she fought so hard to fight alongside her father, Shift yearns to have a similar talk with his brother in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #31.

 

 

 

 

Art

Agent Gao's blue, white, and gold outfit coordinates with her paid help. Miles’ purple and red suit bonds him with the equally colorful Kwaku Anansi. Shift's red-and-black links him with Ellie and his new buddy (who tried to kill him but apologized later). Bryan Valenza makes Agent Gao’s eyes burn with the same yellow and orange fire that leaps from her curved sword. After she unleashes an Alderaan-incinerating laser beam, heroes and mercs regard Agent Gao amid light green smoke. Then Miles dances amid a yellow venom show that would make Dazzler applaud.

 

Agent Gao’s curved sword hovers before her before unleashing the sun's energy. Deadpool performs acrobatics to attack Agent Gao from behind. Midas and Output demonstrate resilience as Ellie leaps, and Shift gets super-stretchy and pays homage to his trickster god. But after Luigi Zagaria shows Shift and Ellie taking a selfie, Agent Gao does a thunderclap in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #31.

 

Cory Petit thwips uppercase letters into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Miles' thoughts appear as white letters in red narrative boxes. Agent Gao's white balloons glow yellow, while 3D logos pop from balloons when heroes and mercs fight together. The dialogue grows bold for intonation, enlarges for volume, and rarely shrinks. Sound effects enhance snapping weapons, breaking bones, explosions, Deadpool getting jerked around, and Anansi's sweet champion thwipping for victory. Thanks to Marvel Comics for providing a copy for review. 

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

All great stories poise characters on the cusp of change. As Ellie tries to pull a sword out of stone and gods prepare to renew old conflicts, heroes and villains reexamine and forge new identities in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #31.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30 Review

 

Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artist: Luigi Zagaria

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Federico Vicentini & Neeraj Menon; Taurin Clarke; Nic Klein

Production Designer: Sarah Spadaccini

Editors: Tom Groneman, Mark Basso, Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Cy Pedro Beltran, Nick Lowe & C B Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 19, 2025

 

When Shuri transported them to Bast's domain, neither T’Challa nor Miles realized they opened the door for the goddess' brother. Anansi invited Varnae back into the Black Panther's soul and forced Miles to confront his fears. While the battle freed Miles of his vampirism, it left him with a divine hangover.

 

Wade Wilson has also dwelt with the gods lately. Deadpool killed Death Grip. His nemesis escaped the afterlife to return the favor. Valentine Vuong helped Ellie resurrect her dad. But Wade wants to get off the living and dying merry-go-round. Can Miles help Wade and Ellie consign Death Grip to a forever home? Let's stop posting thirst traps on social media, leap into Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30, and find out!

 

Story

Raneem Rashad attempted to obliterate Miles and his family. Varnae possessed Blade and turned Miles into a vampire. Hanging out with Ganke in his beloved Brooklyn is a welcome relief after all his troubles. But when Shift dials for a dialogue, Miles thwips the skies fantastic for brother duty.

 

Miles has a loving family and a comfortable home. Shift lives in the sewers with vermin for company. When Shift emerges from the underground, New Yorkers hail him a hero. Yet many mistake Shift for his brother. Miles’ family insists that Shift belongs. Although he found impersonating Miles difficult, Shift enjoyed meeting Miles' friends and dining in the school cafeteria. Perhaps Shift seeks Miles' help reassessing where he belongs. Instead, Shift gets a bullet meant for his brother and a casting offer for Deadpoot’s rendition of Weekend At Bernie’s.

 

Cody Ziglar invites us to share Miles' perspective in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30. Wade and Ellie's scenes remind us that each wants to work together, yet both suffer from similar faults that inhibit teamwork. Miles vows to protect his brother from the lookalike mercenaries. While Wade and Ellie struggle to convince Miles of the worthiness of their cause, Shift’s willingness to meet others halfway reminds us what makes him such a compelling addition to the spider-verse.

 

 

Art

Luigi Zagaria delivers detailed art that conveys the energy surging through Cody Ziglar's story. After Miles' triumph in Bast's realm, Deadpool’s reaction to Miles’ venom sword recalls Anansi’s warning about relying on violence to solve problems. Miles' spider-god perches on his shoulder or hovers nearby. Miles may owe the god for quenching his thirst for blood. But Miles would prefer to thwip across Brooklyn and fight Mercs With Mouths without celestial commentary in his ears.

 

Ganke radiates warmth as he walks alongside Miles, eating his hot dog and gently ribbing his friend for his abrupt absence. Miles' vibranium red and purple suit differentiates him from Shift. The venom sword’s crackling yellow energy brightens Miles like a roaring fire. Bryan Valenza's cosmic double-page spread evokes Bill Mantlo’s series about tiny travelers. Yet the overwhelming color theme of Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30 is that the red family that fights together crashes together.

 

Cory Petit thwips uppercase letters into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Miles' thoughts appear as white letters in red narrative boxes. The delicate font (and Deadpool's more robust version) grows bold for intonation, enlarges for volume, and shrinks for lowered voices. Sound effects enhance kicks, hits, thwips, explosions, and clashing energy weapons. Yet the giant white letters grounding a gunshot provide the most heartstopping panel in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30. Thanks to Marvel Comics for providing a copy for review. 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Someone paid Agent Gao a barrel of bucks to deliver Spider-Man’s head. While Deadpool and Miles clash over mutual desires to protect their families, Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30 encourages us to seek enlightenment by not shirking life’s challenges.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Deadpool #10 Review

 

Writer: Alyssa Wong

Artist: Luigi Zagaria

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Joe Sabino

Cover Artists: Martiń Cóccolo & Neeraj Menon; Pete Woods

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: August 23, 2023

 

When the Ateliers capture Deadpool, his lover Valentine, and his symbiote dog Princess, Lady Deathstrike helps them escape their prison cell and kill the group's leader. Oops! The Horned Emperor's spirit has to go somewhere! Can Deadpool's relationship with Valentine withstand being possessed by a powerful, malicious entity? Let's slash into Deadpool #10 and find out!

 

Story

Deadpool talks to Valentine to keep her spirit from being subsumed. Members of the assassin organization view the Horned Emperor’s struggle to possess Valentine as an invitation to take the inhabiting power for themselves. Lady Deathstrike wants to free Princess from her prison cell, but her brother stands in the way. Rest assured, the knife-wielding Alcaudón and her dimension-hopping wife Gingko, who fights by summoning angry green monsters, will have something to say about all this!

 

If you rocked to his movies but never read his comics, you can hop right into Deadpool #10 without missing a beat. An introductory page brings you up to speed and a fact page briefs you on characters in the story. Deadpool's unyielding love for Valentine impressed me. Talking with her--reminding her of who she is--gives their enemies an opening. Yet even trapped and seemingly unable to help her fight off the other assassins, our Mouthy Merc finds a way.

 

Alyssa Wong relates this battle for Deadpool and Valentine’s relationship with a light, humorous tone that sucks you in while keeping the story light and fun.

 

 

 

Art

A flashback shows bald and blemished Wade pondering the boundaries of his love for Valentine. Then Deadpool #10 returns to the present. Wade’s wearing his Deadpool outfit and looking on as other Atelier assassins regard their new Horned Emperor. Valentine’s ability to sprout horns evokes Groot's ability to grow limbs. Ruffled by dimension winds, Ms. Gingko summons her power in swirling currents that flow into clouds before assuming their desired shape. Knives hover around her wife before Alcaudón hurls them at her target.

 

Deadpool’s symbiote-dog Princess is a bounding bundle of writhing red fun. And don’t forget Lady Deathstrike, the lithe young woman whose brother wears formal attire and a matching mask. No matter how outlandish, these characters are relatable and move well. If backgrounds fade amid the fighting, Luigi Zagaria gives you enough to keep you rooted in the story.

 

Matt Milla’s rich colors provide atmosphere and depth. The softer hues fit the light tone of Wong's story. Darker colors represent shade, and gray never dominates. Explosions burst with light and energy and propel readers through Deadpool #10.

 

Joe Sabino's large, uppercase black letters demand your attention from inside yellow and white dialogue balloons. They shrink or grow to suggest intonation without stressing the eyes. The only troublesome task is reading the character names in the panels. Despite their size, the font of the white lowercase letters may prove difficult to decipher. Nonetheless, vibrant sound effects enhance the energy surging through Deadpool #10 and leave you wanting more. 

 

 

Deadpool action figure available at Amazon.com

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Deadpool #10 explores the boundaries of love and friendship and how belief in others is the strongest superpower.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

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