SPIDER-MEN II
Going the extra Miles
released OUT NOW! Publisher Marvel Comics Writer Brian Michael Bendis Artist sara Pichelli
Chronicling the inaugural encounter between Peter Parker and Ultimate Universe web-spinner Miles Morales, 2012’s Spider-Men miniseries stood out as a poignant character study. It would be difficult for this sequel – which sees Miles, post-Secret Wars, now ensconced in the main Marvel Universe – to feel quite so fresh. Nevertheless, the first three issues have their moments – the best being the personal interchanges between Miles and best mate Ganke, and meeting future love interest Barbara Rodriguez.
Stressing that their arachnid abilities are not indistinguishable (issue one’s opening scenes see Miles using his Mega Venom Blast to great effect), Brian Bendis establishes a lively chemistry between the Spider-Men. With the fractured narrative shifting between timeframes, he gradually teases out the different plot strands, so this five-parter has yet to really come to a head.
The series follows on from the first run’s intriguing cliffhanger about the identity of Miles’s mysterious classic Universe counterpart, whom he has yet to actually cross paths with. With shades of Secret Empire’s Bad Cap, “the Other Miles” is revealed to be an older, scar-faced mob enforcer whose ties to the Kingpin are extensively detailed in issue #3.
But while the story is a slow burn, Sara Pichelli’s visceral, fluid art is outstanding from the start. Aided by Justin Ponsor’s evocative colours, she proves herself equally adept at depicting dynamic action as she is the verbose talkier scenes. A welcome if not spectacular reunion, that will hopefully pay off in the final stretch. Stephen Jewell
After Peter Parker “guggled” Miles in the original series, here he uses a “Starkle” search engine.
Bendis teases out the different plot strands