Who has adamantium claws, a healing factor, and a temper? That’s right, Miles Morales. Your Major Spoilers review of What If Miles Morales #2 awaits!

WHAT IF? MILES MORALES #2

Writer: John Ridley
Artist: Farid Karami
Colorist: Chris Sotomoyer
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Groneman
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 13th, 2022

Previously in What If Miles Morales: Miles was taken from everything he ever knew, his family, his home, his life and transformed into the most dangerous, immortal weapon of war the world has ever seen, Wolverine.

LOST AND FOUND

What if Miles Morales #2 opens in the early 80s Atlanta. A wave of child abductions is terrorizing the city. At home Miles is trying to speak to his parents about some recent changes he’s noticed, specifically claws coming out of his hands. Unfortunately, his family is too concerned with their own problems and sends Miles away. Things then jump to present day with Miles on the run from a set of sentinels, who he dispatches quickly. A mysterious man in an adamantium suit appears and overpowers Miles. Before he can finish the hero, he recognizes him and reveals that he knows Miles. When he hesitates, the mastermind behind it all reveals himself while also introducing another familiar face. The three then fight to the end.

NOT ENOUGH TIME

Having Miles be Wolverine, works surprisingly well. There are elements from his origin that match well with wolverine’s and the way they mash them together is entertaining and effective. Where the problems begin is that this story is set up to be a deeply personal and emotional one. This would’ve been fine in a longer series, but trying to not only set up the premise of this universe, introduce the characters, and make the main tension come from emotional strife is just too much to ask for from one issue. Without enough build-up, the climax feels flat, forced, and reads a little cheesy. Everyone in this issue speaks in overly dramatic declarations based on very strange emotional reactions to the events of the story. The final page though was a little surprise that was fun to see though and makes me wish the rest of the issue had that sort of tone.

LOOKING GOOD, MILES

The art in this issue is good all around, but Mile’s Wolverine suit deserves special mention. It utilizes Miles’s normal red and black color scheme while incorporating the most iconic parts of Wolverine’s traditional costume, resulting in something unique.

BOTTOM LINE: AN AMBITIOUS STORY THAT FALLS FLAT

What If Miles Morales #2, succeeds in envisioning a plausible way for Miles to become Wolverine, after that though it attempts to tell a heart-wrenching story but doesn’t put in the legwork to make any of those emotional beats have impact. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

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