Review by Frank Plowright

As the cover shows, after a couple of volumes including Spider-Man in the title, we’re now back to plain Miles Morales, and he has a redesigned Spider-Man costume. It’s necessary firstly because his old one was shredded when battling alternate versions of himself in The Clone Saga, and secondly because those clones did irreparable damage to the reputation of anyone wearing that suit. Before the new kit arrives, though, there’s the matter of other business outstanding from meeting the clones.

Throughout the series Saladin Ahmed has delivered polished drama, not just in terms of superhero activities, but when spotlighting Miles at home or at school. His family and friends counterpoint the action, yet are strong characters in their own right, buddy Ganke a strength throughout, not least for being one of the few aware Miles is Spider-Man. These are joyful scenes cementing Miles as a likeable person who’ll do the right thing no matter how complicated his life becomes. The opening chapter here features a bully, but no villains, and is a prime example of how well Ahmed writes about day to day life. Miles needs a new costume, and the source is someone he’s helped out in the past, which has been nicely foreshadowed.

The second chapter reverses the first by having Miles in costume throughout, dealing with an idiot in expensive armour and a sweet sequence involving a lost dog. All seems well with the world, but it’s not as the Taskmaster’s lurking. You know, the guy able to adapt to anyone’s fighting moves just by watching them.

Previous regular artist Carmen Carnero only draws the single chapter here as her series swansong, and that’s a pity. As ever, she has a fine eye for dynamic action and she populates her chapter with distinctive people. The new artist phased in is Christopher Allen, who’ll draw more of the remaining series than anyone else, which is good. The sample page shows how good he is with action, and if his people are a little cartoony in places, that’s only a teething problem.

The only real problem with All Eyes on Me is the slim package. Only four chapters in a book so thin it could pass for a comic. It’s a lot of fun and ends with a cliffhanger leading into Beyond.

Ahmed’s entire run is collected in hardback as Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Saladin Ahmed Omnibus.