Miles has been going through it and just when he could use his friends and family the most, they become targets. Your Major Spoilers review of Miles Morales: Spider-Man #4, awaits!

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #4

Writer: Cody Ziglar
Artist: Federico Vicentini
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Groneman
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 15th, 2023

Previously in Miles Morales: Spider-Man: After already being sent through the wringer by Scorpion and a group of anti-vigilante cops, Miles is introduced to a new villain Rabble, who makes it clear they want to destroy Miles completely.

ON HIS OWN

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #4 opens with Miles mid-fight with Rabble. The two trade blows and quips until finally, Rabble gets the upper hand by revealing they know Miles’ secret identity plus all of his family and friends’ names. Being thoroughly rattled, Miles is blasted by Rabble and falls into the river. Back at Rabble’s base, she goes back and forth with Starling, before revealing that she also has Ganke captured. Back in the river, Miles is rescued by Misty Knight, the two discuss the benefits of having help and coming up with a plan, while Miles seems set on sacrificing himself to save everyone if he has to. He eventually relents to Misty and the two set out to enact their plan, but Miles learns that he might be too late to accomplish his goal.

A TRADITION, THUS, OVERDONE

Spider-Man facing one villain after another without much rest, as if he’s in a boss rush stage at the end of a video game, is a well-trodden plotline. Peter Parker and Miles have both faced their fair share of gauntlets in multiple universes. At this point, I have my doubts about whether there is anything new to say with this type of plotline, but it’s as if Miles Morales: Spider-Man #4, isn’t even trying. This feels more like a greatest hits album than anything new for the character. There’s talk about whether or not the protagonist deserves the good life they have, there’s a threat revolving around a secret identity, and there’s a hard lesson to be learned about asking for help. But, while Cody Ziglar may struggle with coming up with a fresh storyline, he does have a knack for establishing unique and distinct voices for the characters. Sometimes when slang is thrown into comics it can feel odd and forced, but it’s done with care here and sparingly. Just enough to give each character a distinct flare to their speech but not so much that they come off cartoonish.

FLASHY AND STYLISH, A BIT MUDDLED THOUGH

The art in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #4 is something akin to the Speed Racer film from 2008. Everything is shiny and flashy and there’s artistic flair everywhere. It’s really enjoyable to look at and it sells the action in a bombastic way. There are a few moments though when it gets a bit overwhelming and it’s not completely clear what is happening on the page. But these few moments don’t detract from what is otherwise a stylish and exciting-looking issue.

BOTTOM LINE: DOESN’T UTILIZE ITS PIECES EFFECTIVELY

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #4 is just another issue in a series that has so far not tried to do anything unique or new with the character. This is a shame because it has both a voice and a look that is begging to be applied to a plotline that serves them better. 3 out of 5 stars.

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