Miles Morales: Spider-Man #28, the second part of the “Webs of Wakanda” storyline, kicks things up a notch. Or rather, several notches as the Black Panther and his sister Shuri continue their quest to cure Miles of his vampirism. Part of that quest includes bringing Miles before Bast, the Panther Goddess who empowers the lineage of the Black Panther. But in true Spider-Man fashion, it’s easier said than done.
Something I have to give kudos to Cody Ziglar and Daniele Di Nicuolo for is tapping into the balance of mysticism and science that was brought up in J. Michael Straczynski’s Amazing Spider-Man run. Many Spidey fans cried foul when the possibility of mysticism was brought up, but I saw it as a deepening of the Spider-Man mythos. Nothing changed – Peter Parker was still bitten by a radioactive spider – but now he was a part of something bigger, as is Miles and the other Spider-People in the Marvel Universe.
Ziglar’s script touches upon that, and how it interferes with Bast. Like any deity, the Panther Goddess is fiercely defensive of her territory, and does not suffer those who trespass upon it. Even before Miles comes face to face with Bast, Shuri warns him that as an outsider, he’s coming in at a disadvantage. Ziglar knows how to build conflict while also respecting his characters’ roots: this becomes clear when Shuri offers Miles the heart-shaped herb that grants her brother his powers. He also continues to make Ganke and Shift’s dynamic stand out – which is no mean feat considering this issue has literal gods in it!
Marvel
Di Nicoulo brings all of this to life with an ease that borders on the astonishing. When Bast first appears, it’s given all the gravity you’d expect when a mortal and a deity first meet. She towers over Miles, her entire body a canvas of night skies and African garb. It’s an image that’s as impressive as it is terrifying, and it continues throughout the issue. What makes this feel truly big is the colors from Bryan Valenza, which bring a richness to the night sky – and the overwhelming feeling of coming face to face with a god.
The anime-esque vibes of Di Nicuolo’s work continue to shine through, especially in a sequence where Shift has to change into Miles to save a baby in danger. That transformation results in a massive poof of smoke a la Naruto, but it’s not just the action sequences that receive a similar treatment. Most of the facial expressions have an animated tinge to them; Miles, especially, has a face that can only be read as “starstruck” when he meets Bast.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #28 is one of the few comics to truly lean into the links between superheroes and mythology, as it brings the young web-slinger face to face with gods. Miles, and readers, would do well to remember that gods can be just as fickle as the mortals they observe, especially if the ending is any indication.
You must be logged in to post a comment.