Miles Morales: Spider-Man #6
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Saladin Ahmed
Artist: Javier Garrón
Colorist: David Curiel
Letters: Cory Petit
Cover: Marco D’Alfonso
Ever since this new Spider-Man series began, Saladin Ahmed has been delivering a Miles Morales that is all hero, a bit awkward teenager, and most assuredly he’s all Brooklyn. So with the sixth issue under his belt, Ahmed has our legacy hero meet a new costumed adventurer named Starling who has ties to a classic villain who terrorized the original Spider-Man on a regular. However, both of them have eyes for Tombstone and are on the trail of one of New York’s most dangerous gangsters.
The team-up we never saw coming is absolutely amazing and much of that is due to Ahmed’s dialogue and banter between Miles and Starling. Their exchanges feel natural and flow without it coming off like several weaker attempts in the past where a writer assumed he knew how young people interact with each other. Especially when it came to non white teenagers. And since this is a series with plenty of young people in it it’s great that we’re not hit with cringe worthy dialogue in every other panel. Instead, it’s quality writing and big moments that hit at the right time and bring you closer to the characters involved. However, it would help if Miles’ spider sense would kick in when he’s about to say something stupid to a girl. That would probably make things easier in his personal life.
When it’s time for some action things get even better when Javier Garrón and David Curiel deliver more fantastic artwork in this series. Curiel’s colors here have been outstanding as we move from moment to moment. Even Miles’ civilian scenes hold up right alongside the action because there’s no slacking at any point. Garrón’s art has been a huge draw next to Ahmed’s writing which he amplifies with each panel. There’s a serious attention to detail that delivers the cool factor needed but also is one I’ve rarely seen when it comes to Black comic characters. Starling’s character design is perfect and really goes into the philosophy of who her character is modeled after when it comes to not hiding her face. Her hair is also on point and in a practical style so good eye right there!
It might sound like this book has no flaws and whether you believe it or not…it doesn’t. The creative team are all in sync here and are delivering classic Spider-Man action but with a 2019 flavor. This is a title that should be in your read pile of comics when it comes out and if it’s not for you then maybe you should just get it for a Miles fan out there. Which is easier to find ever since Into the Spider-Verse came out!
Infinite Speech
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