Miles Morales: Stranger Tides

Miles Morales: Stranger Tides by Justin Reynolds & Pablo Leon (Scholastic - Graphix) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN: 9781338826395

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

I’m going to put this out there now that if you’re not normally a follower, reader or viewer of the Marvel franchise, you’ll possibly find this book a bit hard going – mainly because, right from the start, it relies on the reader having more than a little background knowledge.

That being said, as a graphic novel aimed at midgrade readers – and the second in the Spider-Man series – Miles Morales: Stranger Tides, is a light and entertaining read in a style that will appeal to its target audience and fans of Marvel.

Stranger Tides continues to follow the adventures of reluctant new Spider-Man, Miles Morales, as he faces up to ‘The Stranger’ – a villain bent on exacting justice on all humankind for their failings as a society.

Assisted by teenage supervillain wannabes, Trinity and Vex, The Stranger’s plan involves freezing anybody who plays re:LIVE, the world’s newest video game, which is being launched by none other than Spider-Man and celebrity, Aaliyah Cole. Once everyone across the globe is frozen, the plan is to turn one half of the population against the other – in a fight to the death.

Saving the world is a huge ask for Miles Morales; he is only just finding his way as a superhero. Luckily, he has his mate, Ganke, by his side – until Ganke is also inexplicably frozen, along with Miles’ parents, uncle, and other friends.

He’s on his own. Even when one of the teens, Trinity, has a change of heart – will Miles be able to get his superhero on and save the world? It’s a mammoth task, to say the least.   

Justin A Reynolds has managed to put his own unique spin on the character of Miles Morales, with a deft combination of humour, inner reflection and lessons learned. Pablo Leon’s illustrations are vibrant and full of energy and life.  

Miles Morales: Stranger Tides is an easy and fun read for fans of Spider-Man and Marvel who are in the target audience group of 7 to 12 years of age. Perhaps grab a copy of the first book as well, Miles Morales: Shock Waves and read them as a set.