Miles Morales: Spider-Man #5: Trial by Spider Finale

As the finale for Cody Ziglar’s first arc on Miles Morales comes to a close, I have to say he rocked this book. Everything from the pacing, his voice for Miles, and the low-stakes yet high-octane story contributed to a debut story that felt fun, emotionally honest, and whole. It has undoubtedly been the best Spider-Man arc in the last year and a half, exuding the kind of small-scale superhero shenanigans and personal stakes that the character has been known for, Miles included. The writing here isn’t revolutionary but well-refined, focused, and atmospheric.

This issue starts with our big finale fight between Rabble and Miles, Vicenti drawing the ever-loving heck out of each panel and frame. The fight is well-placed, Rabble cementing herself as one of Miles’ most unhinged villains with motivations that don’t quite make much sense, which Miles himself points out. However, to her, causing misery to make up for her own is the most logical thing she can do, making her this persistent threat that Miles will always have to be aware might be coming. It’s reminiscent of Eddie Brock’s persona as a villain during his debut.

Every plotline running through this issue is wrapped up nicely here as well. Seeing Miles successfully save his parents from Rabble in the first few pages of this issue (in a very Amazing Fantasy #15 way) and continue having a healthy relationship with their parents is heart-warming to read. Ziglar writes interpersonal relationship dialogue well, and seeing that skill set guide the arc to an amazing close here is very satisfying. This issue also promises to have Cindy Moon work closely with Miles in the future, a development that I did not expect but a welcome one.

Frederico Vicenti truly brings the fights in this issue to another level. While Ziglar’s writing is excellent and entertaining, what makes this finale fight so great is everything Vicenti brings to the table. Miles actively develops a new quirk to his power set in this fight that was very anime, but that exudes raw, epic storytelling; Vicenti and Ziglar are a team that brings about magic when working with one another. Their ideas elevate each other’s work, and I need the two to work together consistently on this series.