Heavy Is The Heart — Reviewing ‘Miles Morales: Spider-Man’ #15

New York’s Gang War is heating up as Spider-Man deals with resurrected best friends, deadly returning enemies, and villainous team-ups. Just another anxiety ridden spider-sense running wild sort of day in the life of a web-swinging hero.

Punches are thrown and hearts are heavy in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15 from Cody Ziglar, Federico Vicentini, Federica Mancin, Bryan Valenza, and Cory Petit.

At this point, it should come as no surprise how much I enjoy this series as a whole. Everyone involved in its creation has a keen deep understanding now only how to be fantastic story tellers, but how to really tell Miles/Spider-Man stories.

One of the things Ziglar has done well in the series is show the impact that life as a superhero (or anyone who deals with dangerous things) can have on the mental and emotional wellbeing. We’ve seen Miles going to therapy, struggling with his spider sense being out of whack because of his stress, and his emotions getting the best of him. Thankfully the character is surrounded by those who understand and support, rather than try and fix him in any way.

There is a beat here when the first arc villain Rabble (who almost killed everyone Miles loves) is mentioned as being back, and we see Miles heart sink. Artistically the emotions are so raw and clear both on the face, even through a mask, and body language. Starling is there to support him, and we understand it really. This is a villain that almost succeeded and ruined his life, and Miles was not quite ready for her to be back yet.

Vicentini and Mancin do a tremendous job sharing artistic duties here, both really hitting that Spider-Man visual feeling. Well thought out panel choices, that can feel both frantic/chaotic but ordered at the same time. Action that flows around the pages, letting characters actually fly and bounce around as they should. Each portion of the city we see, be it interior or exterior, feels lifelike with the right depth, detail, and weight attributed.

Colors of the more popping vibrant variety mix smoothly with those that are more toned-down or natural, thanks to Valenza’s solid choices. Each of the aforementioned city spaces have the natural tones upon them to give that deeper tangible feeling to them. A whole wide array of costumed powerful characters is on display here and they bring the brighter fantastical palette choices with them.

Visually, the emotions are quite clear in the artwork with the lettering matching them all beat for beat. Petit always manages to make each bit of lettering flow so well, voices are clear and hit the right tonal beats. All the worry, fear, anger, excitement, and more weigh heavily upon the book and wash over us in the best ways possible.

Superheroes are living beings beneath the mask, and that means all the emotions that come with it. The best books are those that let them infuse every inch, even if they are full of big punchy action. This is for sure one of those best books.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15 is now available from Marvel Comics.