Miles Morales: Shock Waves

Miles Morales Graphic Novels #1

by Justin A. Reynolds, Pablo Leon (Illustrator)

An original middle-grade graphic novel starring Brooklyn's Spider-Man, Miles Morales, from bestselling author Justin A. Reynolds and Eisner nominee Pablo Leon!
Miles Morales is a normal kid who happens to juggle school at Brooklyn Visions Academy while swinging through the streets of Brooklyn as Spider-Man. After a disastrous earthquake strikes his mother's birthplace of Puerto Rico, Miles springs into action to help set up a fundraiser for the devastated island. But when a new student's father goes missing, Miles begins to make connections between the disappearance and a giant corporation sponsoring Miles' fundraiser. Who is behind the disappearance, and how does that relate to Spider-Man?

A true middle grade graphic novel starring one of Marvel's most popular characters, bestselling author Justin A. Reynolds (Opposite of Always) and Eisner award-nominated artist Pablo Leon (Refugees) create a riveting story that will connect with new and well-versed comics readers alike.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Comics, Fantasy, Marvel, Superheroes, Young Adult

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2021

About the author

justin a. reynolds has always wanted to be a writer. The earliest documentation of this desire was recorded on a sheet of green, learn-how-to-write-with-a-jumbo-pencil ruled kindergarten paper, which can be found prominently displayed in his mom’s office. OPPOSITE OF ALWAYS, his debut novel, was an Indies Introduce Top Ten Debut, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2019, translated in 17 languages, and is being developed for film with Paramount Players. He hangs out in northeast Ohio with his family, and is probably somewhere dancing terribly, or as his sister likes to say "doing the sports". His second novel EARLY DEPARTURES will publish in September 2020.


It's far more likely you can reach justin via Twitter (@andthisjustin) IG (@justinwritesya) or his website. Thank you so much for your support!

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some solid Miles Morales action for kids. The story is kid friendly but pretty standard super-hero stuff if a little light on story. Pablo Leon's art was interesting. It's got a lot of animation vibes to it.

[Noura Khalid (theperksofbeingnoura) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Scholastic for the gifted review copy!

This was the greatest little graphic novel ever! Justin A. Reynolds is one of my favourite authors and at this point I'd read anything he writes. Miles Morales is also a favourite Spider-Man. Paired together, this was absolutely perfect. And don't get me started on the art. It was so fun and full of color I fell in love immediately. The story was interesting to read and follow. There was plenty of adventure and an abundance of witty banter. I truly can't recommend this enough. I love that we had the familiar characters, as well as some new ones. My only complaint is that I wanted more and it ended so soon. I'm really hoping that we get more in this series because I'm definitely hooked now.

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

a graphic novel written by one of my all time favourite authors, about one of my all time favourite superheroes/the best spider-man (and no, this isn't up for debate)?! of course this was going to be brilliant and that’s exactly what it was, absolutely brilliant.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you, like me, love the movie Into the Spiderverse, this is the book for you. A fun adventure with Miles and Co. ("Co" being his roommate, but also the Young Avengers like Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl), some tricky villains, and some real world struggles, too. The art is to die for, and there's set up for a sequel.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great graphic novel for kids, great action, super diverse and good natured heroes. I love that Miles is so ordinary but with extraordinary skills. After all, he is Spiderman. There are lots of nice ties to the importance of family and caring for others and the culture of Puerto Rico. It is a jolly good time, the art is slick and it's very appealing. A good time.

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit that it wasn't till I read all the way through this that I realized it's written by a Justin Reynolds --not Jason Reynolds. Oops. Lol. Cute story, cute art, light, fresh and fun. Not so different, really, from the other Reynold's Miles Morales novel. To Spidey fans, I recommend both.

[Roman Zarichnyi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Комікс «Майлз Моралес: Ударні хвилі» — це історія від сценариста Джастіна А. Рейнольдса та художника Пабло Леона. Ми читали цей комікс разом із сином, якому подобається Людина-Павуку — без різниці чи це класичний Пітер Паркер, чи більш сучасний Майлз Моралес. Персонаж йому цікавий через поєднання супергеройських пригод і буденного життя — школа, друзі, родина, боротьба зі злом. Тож цей комікс одразу потрапив до нашого спільного списку «на читання».

Історія розгортається навколо Майлза, підлітка з Брукліна, який намагається поєднати навчання, родинне життя та обов’язки Людини-Павука. Після руйнівного землетрусу в Пуерто-Рико, на батьківщині матері Майлза, хлопець долучається до збору коштів для допомоги постраждалим. Але зникнення батька нової учениці Кайли та підозрілість головного спонсора події зі збору коштів змушують Майлза розпочати власне розслідування.

Комікс приємно читається, він динамічний і достатньо легкий для сприйняття, як для мене, так і для дитини його віку. Є й супергеройські сцени, і щоденні проблеми, що робить історію більш приземленою та близькою. Для сина — це захопливе поєднання пригод, для мене ще й стосунки із сім'єю та друзями.

Особисто мені здалося, що для коміксу, орієнтованого на молодшу аудиторію, тексту було забагато. Деякі діалоги розтягнуті, і подекуди відчувається, ніби текст уповільнює динаміку, яка закладалася в основу цієї історії. Крім того, сюжет досить передбачуваний — без особливих поворотів, що дорослому читачу може здатися дещо простим. Малюнок від Пабло Леона має доволі простий стиль, але добре пасує до історії.

Хоча мої відчуття є посередніми після прочитання, але сину було цікаво: він уважно стежив за сюжетом, вболівав за героїв і радів кожній сцені з Павуком. Іноді цього достатньо, аби історія справді спрацювала для свого читача.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

SCORE: 60 | C+ / B-
TRIGGERS: n/a
REVIEW: What first hit me with this is how badly it will age in the future when it comes to references. There are just too many, all of which are probably going to age like milk. This is not helped by the bland and unoriginal story which gave me the same feeling of disappointment I felt whilst playing the Miles Morales videogame story. However, it's not all doom and gloom. The art style is beautiful and so different from most of the other art you'll find in a marvel comic. Most of my complaints come from the fact that I'm not the target audience, and this is clearly meant for younger readers, I just wish it could have been more universal with its appeal.

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure I'm not a Marvel reader, I'm not familiar with Mile's origin story, and I've never seen Into the Spiderverse. Though I do remember when Marvel was originally launching this character. So I came in as a new reader getting an intro to this comic from this graphic novel.

I liked how just enough info about Miles was given at the intro to establish who he is and what kinds of powers he has.

This story really combined everything you expect from comic heroes while also involving real life events like the earthquakes Puerto Rico was hit with. Mile's has family on the island as his mother grew up there and she's fundraising to send aid. Miles is so pre-occupied with balancing school and being a hero that's he's really neglecting his family life. So this story is really about him finding that balance between being Spider-Man and spending time with family and friends.

The arc I received from Scholastic starts off fully illustrated in color, then it switches to Black and white, and then it's rougher sketches. So I did get a preview of what the art would be like and it's vibrant and beautiful.

I think this easy to read graphic novel format will be good for reluctant readers especially young Black readers who will be happy to see someone who looks like them on the pages of a book.

[Brandie Bridges-Sells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I read it to my kids and they loved it especially since it was Miles Morales Spider man. I also enjoyed the mystery around the story and also the importance of community and what it means. This story was amazing and I like how to Miles and the other character Kyle came together even though they had their differences. I always tell my kids no matter If you disagree with your friends you can always work it out and soon enough you will come together again. I also told my kids that it is normal to get into arguments with your friends, but still let them know that you are always there whenever they need you.

[₊˚ ⁀➴ kenzie ⠀❦ jacks’ version · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are really well-done, and I like the characters.

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Miles Morales is juggling a lot, trying to stay on top of schoolwork, hanging out with friends and family, and fighting crime, and feeling like he’s coming up short repeatedly.
When a hurricane devastates Puerto Rico, birthplace of his mum, Miles decides to raise money for rebuilding with a fundraiser. Also, a new classmate’s father is missing, and two criminals just got superpowers, and he’s got no ideas for an art project, so Miles is losing sleep trying to keep up with everything.
I liked this! Miles Morales is a sweetheart. He’s caring, and conscientious and funny, and the family and friends surrounding him are great.
The author makes sure that mystery and action are nicely balanced with small, personal moments, and leaves us with a nice opening at the end for more story. I was so happy to also see Ms Marvel and Squirrel Girl in the story, to remind us of how Miles and the other two are in-training at Stark Tower to get a better handle on their abilities and improve their teamwork.
The artwork has a lot of energy, and I loved all the colour, reminiscent of the Spiderverse movie. I hope we get more story soon!

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achava que esta graphic novel original do Miles Morales era uma adaptação do livro de prosa que foi publicado anteriormente por outra editora. Acontece que o sobrenome dos autores do texto era o mesmo, Reynolds. Mas eles têm nomes diferentes. Desfeita minha confusão, achei esta graphic novel original do Miles Morales tão divertida e bem engendrada quanto a da Ms. Marvel. Entretanto, achei menos cativante, talvez por se focar mais na ação super-heróica e menos nos problemas comuns dos adolescentes super-herois. A arte da graphic novel de Kamala Khan também me agradou mais do que esta da novel do Miles Morales. Mas é muito bom ver que a Marvel aos pouquinhos tabém está mirando no público young adult em graphic novels originais que também servem para todas as idades. No Brasil saíram só essas duas, mas numa pesquisa rápida no Google vi que tem outros títulos com SHuri, Garota-Esquilo, Capitão América e com os Vingadores formados nestas duas Graphic Novels. Vamos ver se a Panini Comics Brasil traz para nós os outros títulos dessa empreitada...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the world’s most memorable/groundbreaking plot, but this is still pretty much everything you could want out of a middle grade Miles Morales OGN. It does a great job of introducing his powers & origin story to a new audience without too much exposition, and it’s very sweet and heartfelt. Also I love the brief but cute Ms Marvel & Squirrel Girl cameo.

[sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

el arte es adorable e incluso hay momentos en los que me recuerda al de spider-verse 🥺🥺

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

*** if this wasn’t a kids book I would have given it a 2.

[Hooper Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really good book. A good start to a graphic novel series. I enjoyed it and I hope you do too!

[Rachel]

The dialogue was corny, but I love Spiderverse so much I had to give it a shot.

[pucklies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Spider-Man

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miles Morales is a Brooklyn middle schooler who also happens to be Spider-Man. He is not to be confused with the older, more experienced Spider-Man from Queens, although they are pals. And he has some unique powers – he can go invisible and stun bad guys with a blast of venom. Bad news hits close to home when earthquakes hit Puerto Rico, where his Mom is from. Miles helps to organize a fundraiser for those affected by the quake, and while he is handing out flyers, he meets a new student, Kyle. When Kyles’ father goes missing at the same time as earthquakes continue in Puerto Rico AND two mysterious superhero types keep appearing around Serval Industries, where Kyles’s father works, Miles has to go into overdrive to keep up with everything – school, family, the fundraiser, and helping find Kyle’s Dad. It’s funny to see a superhero trying to find time to sleep.

It’s also refreshing to see a young Black superhero, who is aided and abetted by his bestie, Ganke, who’s Korean American. Ganke is the stay-at-home tech genius behind Miles’s acrobatic antics. I like that a real life disaster is featured, tying super hero activism to a humanitarian cause. The story is fast moving, full of action and has lots of satisfying spidey-stuff.

The art warmly depicts an urban setting, using white gutters between panels in lots of different shapes, giving it a modern, fun, young feel.

Plot changes are many and abrupt, and no character besides Miles has any depth. For super hero fans, however, this may not make a difference.

[Jaclyn Hillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel was a great mix of a superhero story with real life mixed in. The theme of finding work, school, and home life balance is important to invoke in young readers, and also how you can find ways to help your community at any age. Art was a big part of the story, as it was the fundraiser, and Pablo Leon did an amazing job imagining the art projects. The art style throughout was just so vibrant and fun, like what you saw in the ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ movie. The best part of this book, though, is kids can see superheroes that look like them. Miles is Black and Puerto Rican, and his tech genius bestie, Ganke, is Korean American.

[Kaitlynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so disappointing. I watched Into the Spider-verse and I loved it. I was hoping this book would be like it because it has the same main character, but it wasn't very interesting. I was very sad because I was so excited to read this book.

[Maddy (maddysreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading superhero comics is new to me. I loved this one. The art was beautiful, and the story was engaging, and funny. All around a great read. Can't wait to put this in my classroom library!

[Tess]

A teenage Spider-Man has to balance his life as a superhero with being a student at a prestigious private school.

Main character: Miles Morales, who splits his time in the book between planning a fundraiser for his mother’s homeland of Puerto Rico which has recently had devastating earthquakes, and investigating the mysterious disappearance of his friend’s father.

Side characters:
- Ganke, Miles’s roommate, “guy in the chair”
- Kyle, Miles’s new classmate, who shares his interest in art, whose father goes missing
- Harrison Snow, wealthy CEO of Serval Industries, who has been exposing people to Terrigen to turn them into super-powered servants, including Kyle’s dad, and his two “interns” Vex and Trinity

Art style: vibrant and engaging, clearly inspired by “Into the Spider-Verse” without being derivative.

Personally I loved:
- Miles is a role model who cares about people and wants to help them
- Lots of diverse representation

Personally I didn’t love:
- The plot isn’t particularly complex or emotionally resonant

Who would I give it to? Marvel stans.

[Abi Copple · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the art. It was a good premise, and had a basic super hero story with a cliff hanger ending. I thought it was a little predictable, and didn’t like how the skill of the enemy changed during the story. There wasn’t enough time for miles to improve as much as he did, and the villains didn’t get better at all. It looked like different rates that didn’t fit how they would have realistically improved.

[Zeke Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was not the best i've read but it was good. I read this in about an hour or so. I thought the storyline was cool but It could have been better. Overall, it's pretty good and I would recommend you read this if you want a graphic novel/book that doesn't require too much thought. Its just a nice book to relax and read when you want to change up what you're reading. I've been reading wicked and I just needed a break from it so I read this.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vibrant art work, witty banter between the characters, a community coming together to support the people of Puerto Rico after an earthquake…lots for middle grade readers to enjoy in this graphic novel. Will be buying for my 4th/5th grade ELA classroom.

[joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, this was so fun! What a great introduction to what I hope is a series. Miles is such a great character and I loved the inclusion of Kamala! Can’t wait to see where this goes. Also, the art work in this one is incredible.

[Cherith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good start to the series and I need to read Ms. Marvel now!


I read this with my 7yo and she would make the sound effects while I read aloud. She reads so much on her own now that this was a treat. <3

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually bought this because I thought it was written by Jason Reynolds (as he wrote the first two books). However, it was a pleasant surprise that Justin Reynolds is also a black author whose writing was interesting. I really enjoyed the plotline of this book.