School Library Journal Review
Gr 6 Up--Miles Morales, a scholarship student at Brooklyn Visions Academy (and, oh yeah, Spider-Man) struggles to balance his schoolwork, family obligations, and superhero activities. When a pair of criminals with surprising superpowers of their own elude him, he is left with a mysterious glowing blue rock, which his new classmate Kyle recognizes because her dad, an employee of Serval Industries, has one as well. But now her dad is missing, and Kyle will stop at nothing to find him--and Miles realizes that the glowing blue rock has something to do with the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico. Miles is pulled in many directions but has a supportive community, including his parents, his roommate Ganke, Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, and the other Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Panels use the full color spectrum and often take interesting perspectives, especially as Spider-Man crouches atop buildings and swings through the city; Leon renders cell phone and computer screens realistically and accurately captures facial expressions and body language. Miles is Black and Puerto Rican, Kyle is Black, and Ganke is Korean American. VERDICT Reynolds delivers a well-balanced story with action, relationships, and humor. Those who enjoyed Jerry Craft's New Kid or Jason Reynolds's Miles Morales: Spider-Man will devour this graphic novel addition to the Spiderverse in one sitting; it also works as a stand-alone.--Jenny Arch, Lilly Lib., Florence, MA
Kirkus Review
Rising star Reynolds draws on devastating real-life experiences to relate how the teenage Afro-Latinx superhero must discover a renewed balance of self even as he negotiates his immense responsibilities. Puerto Rico, where Miles' mother grew up, has experienced a very intense earthquake. Just as the family launches a community fundraiser to help, Spider-Man must attend to a mischievous new superpowered duo who elude his capture. Simultaneously, Miles and his best friend, Ganke, who's Korean American, welcome a new friend when new female classmate and techie Kyle, who's Black, joins the scene at Brooklyn Visions Academy, as her father has come to town to work for the mega-rich, ultrapowerful Harrison Snow. Yet just a few days later, Kyle's father seems to have gone missing. Might there be a connection among it all: the mysterious disappearance of Kyle's father, the new superpowered duo shaking things up, and the earthquakes threatening his mother's beloved island? And will Miles ever be able to get a good night's sleep? The graphic novel sensitively grants agency to those who can't shoot webs from their wrists, as Miles' friends' skills, wisdom, and cunning all contribute to finding a solution. Leon's panels equally deftly juggle humor, action, and emotional truth. At its heart, the story lifts up the real-world consequences of a series of natural disasters to the proud people of Puerto Rico, challenging us all to recognize our shared responsibility. Big heart and enduring life lessons make this a cherished addition to a viral character's legacy. (Graphic adventure. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
After a quick refresher on Miles Morales--here, one year into being Brooklyn's teenage, Afro-Latino Spider-Man, with the bonus powers of turning invisible and shooting venom blasts--the story kicks off with news of a devastating earthquake in Puerto Rico, home to Miles' maternal family. Desperate to help, he organizes a fundraiser block party, and a classmate's father arranges for a sponsorship with his employer, the (evil) corporation Serval Industries. When the man goes missing, however, Miles' investigation reveals a sinister plot to create a superpowered army. It's a short but complete episode, feeling like a solid cornerstone of ongoing collaborations between Marvel and Scholastic (enhanced by cameos of Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl). Reynolds brings humor and energy to the script, with plenty of classic webslinger banter. Despite its lighter tone, the story's premise of an earthquake in Puerto Rico and its fallout hits close to home, lending real weight to the cartoony adventure. That, and the immense and ever-expanding popularity of Miles Morales, will ensure that this is a sought-after title.
