Review by Karl Verhoven
DC have experimented with assorted variations of their superheroes aimed at younger readers with mixed results for some years, but Marvel have only half-heartedly embraced the idea. Perhaps it took another publisher to see the potential as Shock Waves is issued by Scholastic, who already have a respected line of graphic novels aimed at younger readers.
The presumption is that readers may not be familiar with Miles Morales, as Justin A. Reynolds spends the first few pages having Miles introduce himself and explain what he can do, even including the information that his family’s originally from Puerto Rico. That’s relevant because Reynolds incorporates an Earthquake in Puerto Rico as part of the plot, along with organising a fundraiser introducing him to new buddy Kyle, and a persistent pair of female robbers able to vanish.
Reynolds may be new to Miles, but he confidently presents his well meaning character, and shows how trying to do right all the time can sometimes feel a little too much. “It’s like I’m being dragged in every direction”, Miles says, “and now I can’t do anything right”. That’s because Kyle’s concerned about her missing father, and the comfort Miles tries to offer causes Kyle to lash out.
Artist Pablo Leon has someone named as Geoffo provide the layouts for him, and they deserve some credit for the great looking art. Leon doesn’t use black outlines, giving his pages an animated look that’s heightened by his drawing movement exceptionally well. His Spider-Man in action is spectacular and amazing, looking even better for the way Leon places him against the fully coloured backgrounds. However, Miles spends more time out of costume than wearing it, and Leon also highlights visually what he’s feeling. You can look at any drawing of Miles and figure out his mood without reading the dialogue.
The plot develops into the ordinary guys against the evil businessman only concerned about his own interests, which is hardly original, but the young audience at whom this is aimed are likely to be encountering that idea for the first time. It’s countered by the community coming together to do something good. A few matters remain unresolved in what’s an enjoyable graphic novel, but that’s probably why there’s a sequel in Stranger Tides.
