A Birthday Party Is Interrupted By Some Shocking Villains In Miles Morales: Spider-Man #10

Miles hasn’t put on his costume since he escaped from the Assessor. It’s understandable since he was tortured and put through some horrifying experiments. His parents and best friend still want to celebrate his birthday and they’re going to support him with love and affection as only they can. Some of those festivities are put on hold when Peter Parker swings into town looking for help that only Miles can provide.

One of the key elements of any member of the Spider family is that they get back up again. They could get knocked down over and over, but they always find their way back on their feet.  Miles has been shaken to his core so he’s having some trouble metaphorically standing again. Artist Javier Garron captures that look of abject fear that has fallen over the poor kid.  Even when he’s with his family, there’s still an uneasy feeling. Fortunately, that lessens over time.
Miles’ parents are such a major factor in his life, both in and out of costume. They are so supportive of his efforts.  If he decides to hang up the webs, they’d be ok with that. They’re not going to push him out there if he’s not comfortable, however they see the good he can do and how that makes him feel so they’re trying to give him the help he needs.  We should all be so lucky as to have such a loving family.

This aspect is one that I absolutely love about Miles Morales: Spider-Man and it’s one that really sets it apart from Peter Parker.  Yes, there are a couple of people in Peter’s life that are important to him, but his own aunt doesn’t even know he’s Spider-Man.  Here you have a support system built around Miles to help him in so many ways.  It’s so important to have that strong home base and Miles is a better hero because of it.  Writer Saladin Ahmed fills this book with warmth in this setting.
Of course, Miles’ home life is just part of the fun of this series.  He’s also Spider-Man.  It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that he does suit up and heads out to look into this lead that Peter drops on him.  In some ways, Miles is more mature and put together than Peter is which is kind of funny.

Ahmed introduces some pretty major elements in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #10 that tie back to the character’s origins in the Ultimate universe.  I will admit that I have some catch up to do on that front.  Fortunately, these topics are handled in such a way as to bring them in without confusing things for new readers.  The cliffhanger ending of this issue is a huge payoff to an earlier story that definitely raises quite a few questions while also further engrossing you within this book.
The fight that Miles gets into is a big one.  Garron keeps things exciting with some awesome shots.  Colorist David Curiel uses a rather vibrant palette for this scene since the battle takes place during the day.  This makes for a nice sheen on Mile’s black and red costume as he battles a big green monster.

You can probably figure out who the aforementioned green monster is.  Letterer Cory Petit adds to its unsettling aspects with a scratchy font that brings to mind a guttural voice.  Just hearing this thing talk would be enough to send most of us running for the hills.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #10 also includes a back-up story delving into the origin of Starling.  She’s the Vulture’s granddaughter and her tale is pretty cool.  Saladin has a real talent for showing characters in a new light.  I actually sympathize with the Vulture after reading this.  It’s interesting to see how some aspects of her life mirrors those of Miles.  She has a loving family too.  It’s just that her grandfather is a super villain.  Artist Annie Wu and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg captures that same warmth that we see on display in the main book.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man continues to stand on its own as a strong and solid super hero title.  Sure, we got a guest spot from the OG Spider-Man, but it showed just how disheveled that guy’s life is and how put together Miles is in comparison.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #10 from Marvel Comics is currently available at your local comic shop and digitally through ComiXology and Amazon Kindle.