Miles Chronicles: Spider-Man 240 – Bendis’ Farewell to Miles

Spider-Man Issue 240

Hello true believers! This week we look at Miles’ last issue for a bit. Bendis is leaving the comic (and Marvel all together) and so Miles is going on a hiatus. How will Bendis leave the series? Let’s find out!

Title: Sinister Six Reborn (part 2?)

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artist: Oscar Bazaldua

Color Artist: Brian Reiber

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit

Cover Art: David Marquez and Justin Powzer

Editor: Nick Lowe

Published: May 2, 2018

Overview:

Miles wakes up in a hospital and we find out that even though he was shot multiple times, it actually a viral infection that’s keeping him there. The whole comic is short snippets of when Miles is actually conscious.

Highlights:

This issue was heartwarming, especially when we see that Peter and Ganke have been at the hospital with Miles everyday. Miles’ interactions with his teammates were funny as well (especially Nova). And seeing Miles go and have a fun day at the movies with Ganke was nice.

What was lacking:

There wasn’t really a story. The whole thing was in the hospital. We could have skipped this issue and the plot would not be affected. Not even to mention that this is supposed to be the finale with Bendis. I was expecting a big one-on-one fight with Bardas or going mano a mano with Aaron. Instead we find out that Miles punched Bardas once, passed out, then the Avengers came and saved the day. That is so disappointing. This didn’t feel like a finale at all, and it would be one thing if we were picking up with a new writer immediately, but Miles is on a undetermined break. While unlikely, we may never get a new Miles book. I understand the need for resolution, but not at the cost of a climax of the plot. It left me disappointed.

What’s that?! It’s time for another Misleading Covers?

Wait a minute…… is this a cover that accurately shows what goes on in the comic? I’ve been reading these for so long that I forgot that that was the job of the cover! I actually think this might be the best representation of a comic by the cover because nothing happens on the cover, just like in the comic!  

This comic was so disappointing. It lacked a story. It lacked plot progression. It lacked everything that a grand finale needs. It seemed like the theme for this issue was “let’s not follow up on anything.” Bendis has been teasing Cable for months now, he even teased it in this book, yet we don’t even get to see Cable or the organization he works for. I would’ve liked to see that before the break. Tony Stark even makes an appearance in this issue (which I’m sure George will be pleased about, I know Stark is his favorite), yet Stark doesn’t do anything. He comes in, asks for some samples so he can run his tests, then leaves. We get no payoff. It doesn’t say if those tests helped or not. Ganke gets a girlfriend in this issue, but last time we saw, Danika gave Ganke a note after being offered money on Spider-Man’s identity, then walks away from Ganke, leaving him on the side of the road while they were supposed to get breakfast together. I have a lot of issues with this in particular. For starters, we never found out who was asking for Spider-Man’s secret identity. Second, what Danika did was stupid. Listen, I’m a teenager myself. I know what we do is irrational and stupid, but what she did made no sense. What we’re supposed to believe is that is she had a date with Ganke, gives him a note telling him she’s in love with him, then walks away and leaves him hanging? What?

Spider-Man chilling in the web hammock outside of the hospital window, Miles going to the movies with Ganke, and Nova’s jokes were the best parts of this issue by far. This month’s issue was way better than last months. I can’t wait for a new writer to come and take over and see what they do with Miles. Maybe these new issues even have (dare I say it?) sensible plot progression.

Final grade: D+