Miles Morales: The End #1 Review
Writer: Saladin Ahmed
Artist: Damion Scott
Colourist: Dono Sánchez-Almara
Letterer: Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Who doesn't love a good post-apocalyptic story? Well, not the characters stuck in the scenario. Usually.
Elderly Miles Morales, though, is different. As the Alcalde (Mayor) of Brooklyn, a bubble-shielded oasis of civilization, he swings through the wasteland bringing hope and joy to the survivors under his care.
Like a good zombie story, this one-shot focuses more on the survivors than the monsters. The world's been wrecked by giant-sized germs and Miles throws down with a few of them in the first scene, but the story's attention is otherwise reserved for human interactions.
Damion Scott brings it all to life with a busy, dynamic art style. That first fight scene is something of a shock; Mr. Scott stuffs the panels completely full of action and it can be hard to parse. But once the pace eases up and the characters grow familiar, the visuals become something to celebrate.
Colourist Dono Sánchez-Almara picks a bright, high-contrast palette that suits the heavy linework. The setting's germ-monsters get neon Silver-Age colours: purple, green, and orange. Valiant Brooklyn is set apart from the wasteland by twisting the intensity dial a little further; colours are brighter and more optimistic beneath the dome.
Though there is a great deal of optimism to this post-apocalyptic story, Miles's characterization is deepened with strong twinges of regret. Making Brooklyn an island of safety where life can go on leads Miles to consider the parts of his own life that he neglected. Paths not chosen; children he didn't have.
The plot mirrors that regret with a nice (albeit potentially frustrating) tease. The second act makes it clear that Ms. Marvel is alive and well. She's apparently turned Jersey City into a safe zone like Brooklyn. But this story doesn't have the time or space to bring Miles and Kamala together. And that's fitting; it echoes Miles's regrets.
Instead, Miles's heroic attention is occupied by the One America Army, a vicious band of raiders led by a monster named Captain Last. The villain's got some significant super-soldier upgrades so that their struggle will test Miles to the utmost.
Miles Morales: The End may not quite qualify as "essential reading." But it's a self-contained story with a simple message, and its creators deliver it powerfully. As long as you come in with even a little curiosity as to how Miles Morales is holding up decades after the end of the world, you won't be disappointed.
Artist: Damion Scott
Colourist: Dono Sánchez-Almara
Letterer: Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Who doesn't love a good post-apocalyptic story? Well, not the characters stuck in the scenario. Usually.
Elderly Miles Morales, though, is different. As the Alcalde (Mayor) of Brooklyn, a bubble-shielded oasis of civilization, he swings through the wasteland bringing hope and joy to the survivors under his care.
Like a good zombie story, this one-shot focuses more on the survivors than the monsters. The world's been wrecked by giant-sized germs and Miles throws down with a few of them in the first scene, but the story's attention is otherwise reserved for human interactions.
Damion Scott brings it all to life with a busy, dynamic art style. That first fight scene is something of a shock; Mr. Scott stuffs the panels completely full of action and it can be hard to parse. But once the pace eases up and the characters grow familiar, the visuals become something to celebrate.
Colourist Dono Sánchez-Almara picks a bright, high-contrast palette that suits the heavy linework. The setting's germ-monsters get neon Silver-Age colours: purple, green, and orange. Valiant Brooklyn is set apart from the wasteland by twisting the intensity dial a little further; colours are brighter and more optimistic beneath the dome.
Though there is a great deal of optimism to this post-apocalyptic story, Miles's characterization is deepened with strong twinges of regret. Making Brooklyn an island of safety where life can go on leads Miles to consider the parts of his own life that he neglected. Paths not chosen; children he didn't have.
The plot mirrors that regret with a nice (albeit potentially frustrating) tease. The second act makes it clear that Ms. Marvel is alive and well. She's apparently turned Jersey City into a safe zone like Brooklyn. But this story doesn't have the time or space to bring Miles and Kamala together. And that's fitting; it echoes Miles's regrets.
Instead, Miles's heroic attention is occupied by the One America Army, a vicious band of raiders led by a monster named Captain Last. The villain's got some significant super-soldier upgrades so that their struggle will test Miles to the utmost.
Miles Morales: The End may not quite qualify as "essential reading." But it's a self-contained story with a simple message, and its creators deliver it powerfully. As long as you come in with even a little curiosity as to how Miles Morales is holding up decades after the end of the world, you won't be disappointed.
A Look Inside
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