This week’s column has reviews of Marvel’s latest, including the new volume of Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1, Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren #1, and Jeff The Landshark: Superstar #2!
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1
Writer: Bryan Edward Hill
Artists: Nico Leon and Valentine De Landro
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Artist: Simone Di Meo
There have been a lot of Marvel first issues in the last couple years. Most of them have been arbitrary relaunches that continue stories from a previous issue and are completely unfriendly to new readers. There have been even more Marvel comics that simply seem to not have a reason or clear vision for why they exist. Comics that feel like they are coming out simply to check a box. In that context in particular, this new volume of Miles Morales: Spider-Man is a breath of fresh air. Right out of the gate, writer Bryan Edward Hill sets his mission statement. Miles needs a break from the Multiverse-hopping, cosmic capers, and supervillain love affairs. His neighborhood needs protecting, and Spider-Man has been too busy to be there for them. Too busy even to be just Miles Morales.
Hill’s grounded turn on the character is elevated by the stylish, kinetic art ofNico Leon and the flashy pop colors of Bryan Valenza.This is a book that oozes style. Miles needs to define himself apart from Peter Parker, and one of the most important ways to do that is in the visuals. This simply does not look like a Peter Parker Spider-Man comic, which must, as the company’s franchise book, always lean into the Marvel house style. Not so here. Leon’s artwork is expressive and dynamic from the way characters stand and talk with their hands to the way he organizes his panels. There’s no sign of the Ditko old fashioned nine panel grid in this book. It’s full of harsh angles and motion lines, with some clear visual influence by shonen action manga.
Leon and letterer Cory Petit work together to add depth to the world and make the action feel alive with dynamic and flashy use of SoundFX. These are not just the noises slapped on top of the art. They interact with the rest of the page, sometimes exploding behind characters, sometimes bouncing around on a webline. These little touches help sell where the noise is coming from, how loud it is, even the weight of their impact.
Hill takes Miles back to basics with Miles as a young, neighborhood hero with everyday problems contrasted against superhero action. He roots this new chapter in Miles’s relationship with his roommate Ganke as well as a new love interest–who is definitely just an ordinary girl and not a mysterious new villain in waiting. It’s an old formula, right out of Peter Parker’s playbook, but it feels refreshing after years of Miles being tossed around across the multiverse. And it’s told with such confidence. The addition of a noir-style hardboiled flashback with Miles’s dad and the new villain drawn by Valentine de Landro adds a spice of variety to the affair.
As far as launching a new title and new creative team goes, this issue of Miles Morales: Spider-Man hits it out of the park. It’s a throwback Spider-Man story with a stylish flair and attitude.
The Rapid Rundown!
Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren #1- What started in Legacy of Vadercontinues in The Fall of Kylo Ren, writer Charles Soule bangs out the events of Kylo Ren between The Last Jediand The Rise of Skywalker. Kylo has concluded his journey, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Darth Vader, to gain more power after killing Snoke and taking command of the First Order. On his return, he’s found the First Order leadership fractured and ineffectual in conquering the planet Hetzal Prime, and on the brink of losing the battle. Soule, no stranger to Star Wars, has done a fantastic job of giving depth to Kylo, a character that wasn’t as menacing as he was supposed to be in the Abrams sequels, exploring his motivations/desires. A villain is only as good as their reason to twirl their mustache. ArtistWill Sliney takes on the artistic duties with solid storytelling, especially the space battles, but Kylo’s anatomy in the close-quarters combat is a bit wonky. With that, The Fall of Kylo Ren is a strong start in the next chapter of a character in strong need of redemption. – GC3
- Jeff the Landshark: Superstar #2
- Kelly Thompson is a writer I basically will read anything by at this point, but the digital-first Jeff the Landshark comics remain one of the most delightful little comic books out there and Jeff himself one of her greatest creations. This second issue, even without having read the previous issue and getting the setup, is a fantastic and fun read. Artist Tokitokorois a worthy successor to Gurihiru (who still provides the cover of this issue). Jeff is as adorable as ever, with hilarious expressions and quiet reactions. The Jeff Coast Avengers is a perfect Mojoverse gag, mashing up X-Men characters and Avengers into new ridiculous creations. Jeff is simply one of the most fun windows into the Marvel Universe, delicious comfort food for all ages.
