MILES MORALES: THE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #3
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by David Marquez
Published by Marvel Comics
Release Date: July 2, 2014

Bendis & Marquez are wasting no time ramping up the intensity of this series as Norman Osborn starts to unleash his crazy ways in issue #3.

Brian Michael Bendis is delivering the best work of his career with his take on Miles Morales, one of the most likable characters in comics today. His work with Miles is absolutely fantastic, and issue #3 of Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man showcases everything that is fantastic about this character and series. Bendis is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at this kid, and how he handles it, the strength of character that Bendis infuses Miles with, is downright inspiring. This kid will stare down the barrel of whatever is pointed at him and do what is right, and the world could use more of that.

In this issue Miles deals with a supernatural threat that is off the charts, but he also deals with the awkward situation of being a teenage boy with a girlfriend who is trying to break the news that he is also Spider-Man. These “regular life” challenges are written so well that they are just as powerful as seeing the imposing figure of Norman Osborn flying through the air and the balance between the action heavy aspects of this issue and the slower “character” moments is exceptional. Bendis’ work with the entire cast in this issue is superb and you’re not going to find a better written comic in shops. Period.

The emotions of Miles and the entire cast are sold by the fantastic work of David Marquez. This Marvel Young Gun delivers rock solid work from start to finish, injecting this comic with so much heart and soul that at times you can’t help but believe that Miles is a kid going to school down the street from your house. His characters are so expressive that dialogue is not needed for their emotions to be fully expressed and his action sequences are excellent. Norman Osborn has never, in the history of comics, looked more psychotic or imposing than he does in this issue and never before have I seen his character as the threat I do after reading this issue. This is masterful superhero artwork from an artist that seemingly can’t miss.

Three issues into Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man readers are being treated to a Spider-Man tale for the ages. Miles and his cast and crew are some of the most entertaining characters in comics to read and the events of this issue can simply be described as explosive. The final pages are setting one hell of a next issue, and if you haven’t been reading this series, it’s time to catch up. This comic is as must-read as it gets.

The Verdict: 10/10