Marvel is publishing so many titles lately, that I'm trying to just keep up with some recent and current runs that are worthwhile (The Mighty Thor, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, etc.). Miles Morales is one of the recent series that I wanted to check out because I've heard nothing but great things about it, so when I saw a copy at my local library, I picked it up. And I wasn't disappointed.

Spider-Man has been a part of mainstream pop culture for quite some time, and of course, we all know the origin story of Peter Parker (tvhat's why the film Homecoming strayed from this path). I've always enjoyed spider-man and was eager to read about Miles' origin story.

Miles Morales stayed on the fringes of the Ultimates team and I liked that, as I am a bit clueless about the Ultimates universe. Essentially, this comic book gives us a look at Miles, who is a teenager of black-hispanic descent. Miles is the second Spider-Man from an alternate universe in which his world's version of Peter Parker dies in battle, and Miles is bit by a mutant spider at his uncle Aaron's apartment (who is a thief called the Prowler). Once Miles discovers his new abilities, he decides to take up Spider-Man's mantle, to the distaste of many.

Miles is truly a believable child superhero, wrestling with his new found powers and responsibilities, trying to remain loyal to family, trying to learn his place as a superhero, and this is what makes this comic run great. I look forward to reading more about Miles in the near future. ( )

Great fun, but holy heck complicated. Inter-dimensional parties are interesting, and Miles is an awesome hero. ( )

Miles is a thirteen year old who just wants to work hard, get into a good school, and make his parents proud. But then he's bitten by one of Oscorp's test spiders and gets his own spate of spider-based powers, many of them similar to Peter Parker's. After Peter is killed, Miles takes up the mantle of Spider-Man. He has both the usual problems that Spider-Man has (having to juggle a double life, coming from an underprivileged family, escaping from cops who aren't happy with vigilantes, fights with criminals) and new problems (like the fact that most of the public thinks wearing Spider-man's mask is in poor taste, or that his own uncle is blackmailing him). There are moments of exhilaration, friendship, bravery, and grief. I came away from this collection absolutely adoring Miles, who has such a good heart and such bad luck that I wanted to wrap him in blankets and feed him hot cocoa. And I loved the art, which is fantastic at conveying both facial expressions and fight scenes--a rare combination. ( )