MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Miles Morales and Moon Girl #1

Around ten years ago, when I started reading the earliest issues of Miles Morales, I instantly knew that he was going to be the next big thing in the Marvel Universe. And, boy, I was right. Along with most of the hardcore fans, we knew that Marvel hit gold when they created Miles Morales. He was the perfect hero for the newer generation, somebody that can bring both youth and the classic flavor of Spidey to our doorsteps. Now, years after, Miles Morales is helping another young hero shine. It is his turn to play the role of the older brother figure, as he mentors and takes care of Moon Girl, as she struggles to find where her Devil Dinosaur went missing. Moon Girl is a genius, probably the smartest girl you’ll ever find, but that only makes life, both as a student and as a superhero even harder. It is a good thing Miles Morales is around to show her the ropes… if he can handle her.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

By Mohale Mashigo & Ig Guara, cover by Alitha Martinez

Join Lunella Lafayette – aka Moon Girl – and her trusty T-rex sidekick, Devil Dinosaur, in their biggest adventure yet! In the first of three one-shots, Moon Girl takes on the whole Marvel Universe alongside Miles Morales, the Avengers and the X-Men. Don’t miss this new story from acclaimed writer Mohale Mashigo!

PROS:

• The plot for this story may be simple, but it is actually very relevant to what any normal kid would experience in their earlier years: getting attached to a pet, an imaginary friend, or even a toy, then having to deal with it going missing. And for Moon Girl, although she may come off as strong, confident and invincible, we see a side of her that shows vulnerability. After a comedic run-in with a petty criminal, Devil Dinosaur goes missing, and this leads Moon Girl to cross paths with Miles Morales.
• Miles Morales is really having an excellent and prolific year right now, popping up in various titles and comic books, getting ready for his next upcoming movie… and now he gets to share the spotlight with Marvel’s brightest young star: Moon Girl. Moon Girl is also going to get some mainstream media love very soon in the animation side of things, so this tandem between Miles Morales and her seems like a perfect starting point for new and long-time fans and readers alike. Whether it be as students, or as superheroes, Moon Girl and Miles Morales always seem to be running into each other, and their attitudes are a complementary mix. Moon Girl may be the smartest girl in the world, but she is still young and vulnerable in her own way. She still needs the guidance of an older brother figure like Miles Morales, who is also pretty smart himself, by the way. Great minds think alike!
• The art in this installment is top-notch, and it captures the spirit, the vibe, and the vibrant energy that goes hand-in-hand with younger characters like Miles Morales and Moon Girl. This is the same kind of style we have seen in comics like Ghost-Spider, which is also a continuation of the overall aura of the Miles Morales movies. The clash with Taskmaster and Black Ant make for a wild, roller-coaster ride of a battle, and the revelation that they tried to clone the Devil Dinosaur makes the stakes even higher for Moon Girl, on a personal level.
• The structure of this series is well planned out, as Moon Girl first teams up with Miles Morales, then moves on to even bigger things, literally, when she joins forces with the Avengers. This kind of storytelling is sure to keep readers hooked for as long as this event lasts.

CONS:

• Moon Girl’s intelligence makes me feel so basic. But that’s my own personal insecurities coming out. You go, girl!

FINAL GRADE: A

I really enjoyed this first chapter of Moon Girl’s new epic tale, and I will definitely be jumping on her next installments when she works with the likes of the Avengers. I highly suggest this to comic book fans who have children of their own, as this may be the new revolution, and the start of the next wave of bright, young superstars.