Grimlock ♥ Ultra Magnus

I really like Miles Morales - he's complex, and he has realistic reactions to a lot of stressful and strange situations.   He's got flaws and weaknesses, as well as a really good heart.   He's the everyboy Spider-Man was originally conceived of - and he's also a little nod to diversity.   A black Spider-Man?   Gotta love that Marvel wasn't afraid to replace whitebread Peter Parker with a black high school student. 

I also like that Miles isn't drawn super-super buff, isn't a lady magnet - at least so far - and isn't as geeky as the original Spider-Man was.   It just makes things like the webs harder, and that adds a little more realism.  Not only due to a high school kid being able to figure that out, but it also adds an element of hero-worship for Peter Parker, and that rings true, especial given Parker's huge funeral service and how the city - and the world - did view him as a hero.  

Miles' family situation is a little more complicated, though.   HIs parents are alive, and his father hates superheroes, while his mother approves.   His father used to be a criminal, along with his brother (Miles' uncle Aaron.)   The family dynamics start to shift in this volume, in a way that promises tension in later volumes without cluing us into how that tension will play out.  I can't wait!   Bendis is great at smart-alecky humor, and this shows in scenes with villains and in the school setting and at home, and the first two volumes show that; I'm certain further volumes will follow suite.   

Speaking of school... Miles is in a special charter school, where the kids sleep in dorms.   It makes it a little harder for him to explain why he's out and about sometimes, and while one of his roommates is his best friend, the third could be a problem already.   But, then again, this is perfect - more tension, more problems, and more ways that Miles will have to find to cover his secret identity.   It just adds another dimension to the story in my opinion. 

And while Miles does fight Omega Red and the Ringer, amongst other villains portrayed in this issue, the best parts so far are him struggling to figure out his powers, and the limits of his abilities.   Or trying to fit his double life into his home and school life, or trying to figure out how to deal with Aaron and the assorted issues Aaron brings along wherever he goes. 

The art was far different than the first volume, but just as lush, and just as satisfying despite the vastly different style.   Looking forward to volume 3!