Review by Frank Plowright

Seeing as it starts a new run there may be people picking this up as their first Miles Morales graphic novel. If that’s the case, then Saladin Ahmed introduces Miles well via the notes he writes in a journal he’s supposed to keep for a school class. He spells out the differences to Peter Parker via Miles being able to blend in with surroundings and stun enemies with a form of venom, and Miles’ parents knowing of his superhero activities, as does his mate Ganke. The journal is a good excuse for the narrative boxes of Miles explaining his life and activities, given an extra layer of credibility by letterer Cory Petit using a font resembling hand writing.

Ahmed continues as well as he starts, opening with a three chapter plot about children going missing from the care system. As Miles investigates he picks up allies along the way, starting with the Rhino, who’s not such a bad sort when he has a rescue mission of his own. Ahmed introduces a new villain, has a skirt around a regular gangster, and along the way drops in a couple of comments about the US immigration system.

These days it’s unusual to have the same artist draw an entire six chapter collection, so props to Javier Garrón. Not only is he consistent, he’s really good. There’s no skimping on backgrounds, the action is superbly choreographed, and there are some lovely touches, the difference in size between the Rhino and Miles as Spider-Man being one. Garrón uses cartoon realism, like a toned down Humberto Ramos used to on the other Spider-guy, and it’s ideal for threats like Vice-Principal Dutcher, forever raging and determined to nail Miles for skipping school. He may be blond, but with that moustache he’s shaping up to be Miles’ J. Jonah Jameson, with the twist being he admires Spider-Man.

The final two chapters concentrate on the gang war resulting from Tombstone spreading into Brooklyn. It’s a joy, introduces a new character and tells us something more about Miles. Ahmed and Garrón have hit the ground running, and Bring on the Bad Guys is next. Or Ahmed’s entire run is collected in hardback as Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Saladin Ahmed Omnibus.