Miles Morales
Spider-Man (Miles Morales)[1][2] (/məˈrælɛs/) is a superhero and the second predominant Spider-Man to appear in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, created in 2011 by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli, along with input by Marvel's then-editor-in-chief Axel Alonso. Born as a modern reimagining of the popular character, Miles Morales debuted in Ultimate Comics: Fallout #4. Originally from the alternate Ultimate Marvel Universe Earth-1610 before being retconned to the main Marvel Universe Earth-616, he was bitten by a model spider that was specially and genetically engineered by Oscorp Industries biochemist, Dr. Conrad Marcus, who used the Oz Formula at the behest of Norman Osborn to create "enhanced spiders" in an attempt to duplicate the abilities of the original Spider-Man of the Earth-1610 Ultimate Universe.
This article is about Spider-Man (Miles Morales), the second and neoteric version of the superhero. For other uses, see Spider-Man (disambiguation). For alternate versions, see List of incarnations of Spider-Man and Spider-Man in other media.
Miles Morales
Spider-Man
Ultimate Fallout #4 (August 2011)
- Brian Michael Bendis (writer)
- Sara Pichelli (artist)
- (Based on Spider-Man by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko)
Human mutate
Spider-Man
Shadow Spider
Captain Universe[4]
- Superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, and durability
- Camouflage (invisibility)
- Bio-electric manipulation
- Precognitive spider-sense
- Ability to cling to solid surfaces
- Genius-level intellect
- Skilled hand-to-hand combatant
- Utilizes wrist-mounted web-shooters
The biracial teenage son of an African-American father and a Puerto Rican mother, Miles Morales is the second Spider-Man to appear in Ultimate Marvel, an imprint with a separate continuity from the mainstream Marvel Universe called the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610), first appearing in Ultimate Fallout #4 (August 2011), following the death of the Ultimate Peter Parker.[5] He was featured in the Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man comic book series, and after Marvel ended the Ultimate imprint in 2015, Miles was made a character in the main Marvel Universe (Earth-616), beginning with stories under the All-New, All-Different Marvel branding that debuted that same year, with Miles' original Earth-616 counterpart, the villainous Ultimatum, introduced in Spider-Men II in 2017.
Reaction to the character was mixed. Some, including Spider-Man's co-creator, Stan Lee, approved the creation of a positive role model for children of color. Others expressed displeasure at the replacement of Peter Parker, with The Guardian, Fox News, and Culture Map Houston reporting that some fans viewed the decision as an attempt by Marvel Comics to exhibit political correctness, and that the introduction of a minority Spider-Man was simply a publicity stunt to attract more readers,[6][7][8][9] a charge Alonso denied.[6] Alexandra Petri of The Washington Post called for the character to be judged on the quality of his stories, which garnered positive reviews.[10]
As a result of the character's popularity, Miles Morales has been adapted in numerous media outside comics. The character was not the lead protagonist in the Ultimate Spider-Man animated television series, but was later added to the main cast, as an alternate Spider-Man from another universe voiced by Donald Glover[11] in season three and Ogie Banks in season four, named Kid Arachnid for a time.[12] Nadji Jeter first voiced the character in the Disney XD animated series Spider-Man (2017–20), and went on to reprise his role in the Marvel's Spider-Man video game series developed by Insomniac Games, and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (2019). The character is the protagonist of the animated Spider-Verse film franchise produced by Sony Pictures Animation, with Shameik Moore voicing the character in the Academy Award-winning feature film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), as well as its sequels Across the Spider-Verse (2023) and Beyond the Spider-Verse, in which Jharrel Jerome voices Miles' Earth-42 counterpart, the villainous Prowler.[13]
Fictional character biography[edit]
First appearance[edit]
Miles Morales first appeared in Ultimate Comics: Fallout #4, which was published in August 2011, in which he foils an assault by Kangaroo a short time after Peter Parker's death. He wears a Spider-Man costume similar to Parker's, but considers changing it when spectators tell him it is in "bad taste".[44][45]
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man[edit]
The opening story arc of Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man, which premiered in September 2011, is set prior to Ultimate Fallout #4, and establishes the character of Miles Morales, a grade-schooler[46] who lives with his mother Rio Morales,[47][48] a nurse,[2] and his father Jefferson Davis,[47] and details how he received his superhuman abilities. After scientist Dr. Conrad Markus[a] uses Parker's blood to recreate the formula that created Spider-Man, the Prowler[49] (Aaron Davis, Miles's uncle[46]) steals the formula, and in the process, one of the spiders created by Markus crawls into the Prowler's duffel bag. Days later, Miles[49] is bitten by the spider during a visit to Aaron's apartment. Morales develops superhuman abilities similar to those Peter has,[49] but does not tell his parents, due to his father's distrust of superheroes,[22] confiding only in his best friend Ganke Lee.[22][48]
Miles, who wants a normal life, is unhappy about having these abilities and resistant to the idea of risking his life to engage in superheroics,[50] a reaction that Bendis wrote to further contrast Miles with Parker.[23] However, after witnessing Spider-Man's death at the Green Goblin's hands, the guilt-ridden Miles realizes he could have helped. After Ganke suggests he assume the Spider-Man mantle, and learns from Gwen Stacy why Parker did what he did, Miles is inspired to try costumed crimefighting.[51]
His first time out, he is confronted not only by those who feel his use of the Spider-Man costume is in bad taste,[44][51] but also by Spider-Woman over his use of the Spider-Man identity.[51] She unmasks and arrests Miles and takes him to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, where Nick Fury reveals that he knows about Miles and his family, including the criminal activity of Miles' uncle. After Miles helps S.H.I.E.L.D. subdue the escaped supervillain Electro, S.H.I.E.L.D. releases Miles and gives him a modified black-and-red version of the Spider-Man costume, which Ganke feels makes Miles "officially" the new Spider-Man.[46] He also receives the blessing of the Earth-616 Peter Parker during the 2012 Spider-Men miniseries, in which Parker briefly visits the Ultimate Marvel universe and meets Miles.[52] After the media report the emergence of a new Spider-Man, Aaron deduces that it is Miles,[53] and offers to train Miles and work with him. After Aaron uses Miles in his ongoing conflict with the Mexican crime lord Scorpion, Miles realizes he is being exploited, and refuses to assist his uncle further, despite Aaron's threat to inform Jefferson of his secret. This leads to an altercation that results in the malfunction of Aaron's weapons, which explode,[54] killing Aaron.[24]
In subsequent storylines, Miles becomes acquainted with Parker's loved ones, May Parker, Gwen and Mary Jane Watson, who know of his secret identity and give him Parker's web shooters. He also work alongside the Ultimates superhuman team's various members.[3][24]
In a 2013 storyline, when investigative journalist Betty Brant incorrectly concludes that Miles' father, Jefferson, is the new Spider-Man, she is murdered[55] by Markus, who has become the Venom symbiote's newest host. In the subsequent "Venom War" storyline, Venom critically injures Jefferson. When Venom confronts Spider-Man at the hospital, Rio learns her son is Spider-Man. During the battle, both she and Markus are killed by police gunfire, though before she dies, Rio tells Miles not to reveal his secret to Jefferson.[56] Miles quits being Spider-Man as a result. A year later he has a girlfriend, Kate Bishop, and plans to tell her about his former life as Spider-Man. S.H.I.E.L.D. pressures him to return to that role,[57] and he reluctantly does so, after Ganke and Spider-Woman convince him that there needs to be a Spider-Man.[58][59]
"Cataclysm"[edit]
In the "Cataclysm" storyline, the mainstream Marvel version of Galactus comes to Miles' Earth to consume it for its energy. Believing the world is ending, Miles reveals his double life to his father, who holds Miles responsible for the deaths of Aaron and Rio, and disowns him.[60] Miles also journeys to the mainstream Marvel universe with Reed Richards to acquire information on how to repel Galactus.[21][26][61]
Miles Morales: Spider-Man[edit]
In his second solo series, Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man, Miles encounters the presumed-dead Peter Parker, who cannot explain his reappearance, and who does not intend to return to his former life. Together, the two Spider-Men defeat the Goblin, who is also revealed to be alive, but who is killed during the course of the story. After witnessing Miles courageously battle the Goblin, Peter acknowledges Miles a worthy successor, and decides to retire from superheroics for a life with family and Mary Jane.[62]
Miles' father Jefferson reappears, revealing to his son that as young men, Jefferson and Aaron worked for a criminal in the organization of Wilson Fisk, though Jefferson was spying for S.H.I.E.L.D. He afterward declined an offer to join S.H.I.E.L.D., and went on to marry Rio and have Miles. He explains he had fled after learning Miles was Spider-Man because it stirred unresolved issues from that time, and tells Miles he no longer blames him for his mother's death, and regrets abandoning him.[63]
When Miles reveals his secret identity to Katie,[62] the Bishop family is revealed to be sleeper agents for the terrorist group Hydra[64] who then kidnap Miles, his father and Ganke, as part of a plan involving Dr. Doom. Miles and the other prisoners are freed, however, in part with help from Judge (Miles's dorm mate), Maria Hill and other superhuman colleagues.[65]
End of Ultimate imprint and merge with Marvel-616[edit]
During the events of the 2015 "Secret Wars" storyline, both the Ultimate Marvel universe and the mainstream Earth-616 universe are destroyed. Miles survives the destruction by infiltrating an escape ship designed by the Cabal.[66] After eight years in stasis, Miles awakens on the planet Battleworld, created from the remains of destroyed alternate Earths. He reunites with Earth-616's Peter Parker and the other surviving heroes from that former mainstream-Marvel Earth. They battle Doctor Doom, who with his new powers, appointed himself God Emperor of the planet.[67] At the conclusion of the storyline, the Molecule Man, in gratitude for Miles' earlier compassion, restores Earth-616, with Miles and his family, including his mother, restored to life in the process, among its inhabitants.[68] Aaron is also later revealed to have been restored to life, retaining his knowledge of Miles's dual identity, and becomes the villainous Iron Spider.[69] Both Miles and Peter share the Spider-Man mantle in the new universe,[68] though the now-16-year-old Miles patrols New York City, while Peter acts globally.[18][70] Miles also joins the latest team of Avengers in the 2016 series All-New, All-Different Avengers,[71]
In this new continuity, Miles and his loved ones initially have no memories of their origins in the Ultimate universe, though Miles eventually learns of his past there, including details such as Rio's "death".[72][73] Jefferson is aware of his double life, but Rio is not,[74] nor is S.H.I.E.L.D.,[75] though Rio eventually learns the truth.[76] Miles' circle of fellow superheroes who know of his double identity expands to include Kamala Khan, the fourth Ms. Marvel,[77] and the former X-Man Fabio Medina, a school roommate of Miles and Ganke.[78] This group of confidants later includes the teen superhero Bombshell.[79] His relationship with Bishop apparently did not occur in this continuity, as Miles begins seeing classmate Barbara Rodriguez, whom he calls his "first serious girlfriend", who is unaware of his double life.[80] Miles becomes a central figure in the 2016–2017 "Civil War II" storyline.[81][82] Afterward, Miles joins other teen superheroes to form a new incarnation of the Champions, who star in their self-titled series.[83]
In a 2019 story, Jefferson tells Miles he has his mother's surname because Jefferson's physically abusive father was "not a good person" and not having his grandfather's name gave Miles a "clean start".[84]
Powers and abilities[edit]
Bitten by a genetically engineered spider known as specimen 42, which is slightly different from the one that granted Peter Parker superhuman powers, Miles Morales possesses abilities similar to the original Spider-Man's, including enhanced strength, agility, and reflexes, the ability to adhere to walls and ceilings with his hands and feet (even through clothing),[22][85] and a "spider sense" that warns him of danger with a buzzing sensation in his head.[44][51] Though his strength and agility are similar to those of the original younger Spider-Man, his spider-sense is not as strong, as it only warns him of immediate danger.[23]
Miles has two abilities that the original Spider-Man does not have: the ability to camouflage himself, including his clothing, to match his surroundings, making him effectively invisible,[23][49] and a "venom strike" that can temporarily paralyze almost anyone with just a touch.[22] The venom strike does not employ actual venom, but is a type of directed energy that can be conducted through Miles' gloves,[46] and can be used against an opponent at a distance by conducting it through a material in which both Miles and his opponent are in contact, such as the webbing of the Earth-616's Spider-Man.[86] It can break chains being used to restrain Miles[87] and even repel non-ferrous objects, such as plastic Lego bricks.[22] The venom strike is powerful enough to render unconscious a person as large as Hank Pym's Giant-Man.[88] It is powerful enough to drive away the symbiotic villain Venom during Miles's first encounter with the creature,[89] but by their second encounter, Venom has developed such a tolerance to the strike that Miles has to be completely enveloped by the symbiote before the venom strike is able to separate the symbiote from its host.[90] Doctor Octopus also developed a set of tentacles that would not conduct the venom strike.[91] The effect of the venom strike manifests itself a few seconds after it is implemented, and is described by Bendis as being comparable to the feeling of being kicked in the testicles.[23] Miles can effect a more powerful version of the strike, which he calls a "mega venom blast".[79] When Miles employs this ability, his eyes glow with yellow energy, which then explodes outwards in a radiant burst that can not only repel a large group of opponents,[92] but also destroy thick ropes and chains that have been used to restrain him. This application of the strike leaves him "dizzy and useless",[79] and cannot be used multiple times in rapid succession without a "recharging" period for Miles, though he can still make use of the conventional strike against people during this period.[73][87] The conventional venom strike is mostly useless against the supervillain Armadillo, but during Miles' encounter with that villain, his venom blast manifests itself in a form similar to his webbing, which he uses like a lasso to pull Armadillo towards him and knock him unconscious with a venom strike-powered punch.[79] In Miles Morales: Spider-Man (Vol 2) #5 (May 2023), he gains the ability to manifest an energy sword,[93] apparently composed of the same energy with which he manifests his Venom Punch,[94] which he calls a "Venom-Saber".[95]
Miles' body also possesses a significant resistance to injury. During an altercation with the Roxxon mercenary Taskmaster, Miles is thrown through a brick wall without any apparent serious injury, though the experience is painful for him.[85][96]
Miles wears a costume given to him by S.H.I.E.L.D.,[46] and initially uses Peter Parker's web shooters, which are given to him by May Parker.[3] He is eventually given a new set of webshooters by S.H.I.E.L.D. as well.[57]