Miles Morales: Spider-Man #4: Trial By Spider Part 4

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #4 picks up exactly where the last issue left off, throwing readers right into Miles’ climatic battle with Rabble.

From the jump, Federico Vicenti’s art begins to fire on every possible cylinder it possibly can. Smooth action with background details and speed lines that add atmosphere and weight to the act creates a sense of story momentum that is exhilarating to follow. This never gets in the way of panel clarity, which is a bonus since there is quite a good amount of unspoken story happening in this issue. He’s not afraid to mess around with dynamic panel angles either, leading to not just fantastic action scenes but moments of conversation that feel equally stylized. The style may draw some ire for not being mainly in line with the expectations of western comic book art, but good art is good art, and Vincenti draws the hell out of Spider-Man.

On the plot side, this issue bridges the second act and finale of Ziglar’s first Miles Morales arc, Trial By Spider. As such, it is hard to love from a constructional standpoint, an unavoidable consequence that occurs when writing for the trade. However, the moments that happen to serve the broader narrative established in issue one set up the next issue well enough for a satisfying finale.

With Ganke being abducted and Rabble’s jealous motivations all on the table, there won’t be any fat or rush going into the finale, which is a testament to Ziglar’s skill when writing an issue-to-issue arc. Issue 4, while a bridge, is equally essential to the story as all the rest have been because those things were injected in between the action of this issue. Little is left on the cutting room floor, the team working at a pace that is equally controlled and exciting.

Ziglar’s voice for Miles, as always, is top-notch. His Miles’ is brash and angry but not at the world with dejection. He’s compassionate, his rage bubbling from what harm may fall upon others if he can’t help them. His dialogue is so rich and enjoyable to read, Ziglar peppering moments of both fun and anger throughout this issue.