Miles Morales (Spider-Man), Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), Shuri (Black Panther) and other burgeoning young superheroes will soon find themselves in an exciting new world: the world of original graphic novels thanks to a brand-new program instituted by both Marvel Entertainment and the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books in the world, Scholastic.
Starting next spring the star of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will kick off Scholastic’s Graphix Media line with Miles Morales: Shock Waves, written by best-selling author Justin A. Reynolds (Opposite of Always and upcoming novel, Early Departures) with art by Eisner Award-nominated artist Pablo Leon (The Journey).
Miles Morales: Shockwaves will follow the trials and tribulations of young Miles as he tries to find a balance between being a student at Brooklyn Visions Academy and web-swinging throughout New York City as its protector, Spider-Man. More specifically, an earthquake has struck Puerto Rico, the home country of Miles’ mother, Rio Morales, and Miles has decided to set up a fundraiser to help the victims in need. However, when a new student’s father goes missing, Miles begins to make some startling and unsavory connections between the giant corporation helping to sponsor his fundraiser and the mysterious disappearance. Who is really behind the disappearance and how will it involve Spider-Man?
“Ever since he entered the Marvel Universe a few years ago, Miles has struck a deep and personal chord with fans around the world,” said Lauren Bisom, Editor of Marvel’s juvenile publishing. “As Spider-Man, he embodies that classic coming-of-age story. But as Miles, he represents so much more—and his life experiences, his culture, and his ability to embrace his inner strength make him one of the most important and inspirational heroes in the Marvel Universe.”
Follow-ups to Miles Morales: Shock Waves will include all-new adventures starring the aforementioned Kamala Khan, written by rising graphic novel writer Nadia Shammas, and Shuri, written by New York Times bestselling author Roseanne A. Brown. Earlier this year, in the first collaboration between Marvel and Scholastic, Shuri: A Black Panther Novel, written by New York Times best-selling author Nic Stone, launched to critical acclaim.
“After launching our prose novels with Scholastic earlier this year, we’ve seen a huge demand for more Marvel stories and entry points into the Marvel Universe,” said Sven Larsen, Vice President, Licensed Publishing, Marvel. “These middle grade OGNs are the perfect next step to bring more readers in with the visual storytelling Marvel fans know and love. We’re thrilled to build our collaboration with Scholastic and tell brand-new stories that represent the world around us, both through our characters and the creative teams behind them. We can’t wait to introduce you to this next chapter for Marvel’s heroes.”
