Miles Morales, the dynamic successor to Peter Parker as Spider-Man who first appeared in issue 4 of Ultimate Fallout in 2011, embodies a rich tapestry of experiences and powers that set him apart in the Marvel Universe. Despite being one of the newer faces to don the Spider-Man mantle, Miles’s journey is layered with intriguing secrets and transformative events. For those who haven’t kept up with the latest comic book releases, there’s a wealth of fascinating insights to discover about this groundbreaking character. From his origins in the Ultimate universe to his unique abilities and significant cultural impact, Miles Morales represents a fresh and compelling evolution of the Spider-Man legacy. Miles Morales may be one of the newer Spider-Men to come along, but that doesn’t mean that his history doesn’t hold a few secrets. If you haven’t been buy weekly comics from an online comic book store for a while then you might not know the following facts.
1. Miles Morales Is A Multiverse Traveler
While Miles is presently a key figure in Marvel’s Earth-616, it wasn’t always that way. As some fans may know, Miles initially started out as a figure in the Ultimate universe, a universe where Marvel’s characters were given a much more grounded background.
Though he was just an ordinary high school kid making his way through life, after a fateful encounter with a genetically modified spider and the death of his universe’s Spider-Man, Miles felt he had no choice but to pick up the mantle of Spider-man. In addition, he’s been known to travel the multiverse with other Spiders fighting villains. For more awesome stories, consider checking out the comic books we have in our online comic book store.
Miles’s role as a multiverse traveler is not just a testament to his adaptability but also highlights his critical involvement in the “Spider-Verse” and “Spider-Geddon” storylines. These events underscore his importance in connecting different Spider-People from across the multiverse, showcasing his leadership and bravery.
Ultimate Fallout 4
2. Miles Has Upgraded Spider-Powers
Miles may have picked up the mantle of Spider-Man, but just because he took on the mantle and wore the same (and then a similar) costume, doesn’t mean that he was the same old Spider-Man that fans were used to having around. Not only was Miles vastly different as a character, but his powerset was also quite different.
For starters, Miles had the ability to activate a camouflage that would hide his presence from enemies. Alongside that, Miles also had an enhanced spider-sense and bioelectric charges he could release which he deemed his “venom blasts”. Miles’s venom blast and camouflage abilities are not only unique but also serve as strategic advantages that have saved him and his allies in numerous battles. These powers reflect his distinct identity within the Spider-Man legacy, offering new storytelling possibilities and combat strategies.
3. He’s Potentially Immortal
Though Miles has a whole plethora of powers that the original Spider-Man never had, there is, perhaps, one power that stands above the rest. One power that could come through for the young Spider-Man in a way that none of his other powers can. Immortality.
Though it has not been strictly confirmed or denied, it has been hinted that because Miles’ body was altered by the OZ formula, he, in theory, has become immortal. The hint at Miles’s potential immortality, linked to the OZ formula, opens up discussions about the ethical implications and personal challenges of such a power. It’s a narrative thread that could explore the psychological impact on a young hero dealing with the prospect of outliving loved ones.
4. Molecule Man Saved The Morales Family
During the events of 2015’s Secret Wars, which saw Dr. Doom capture and siphon off the powers of Molecule Man, Owen Reece, Miles was introduced to many of Marvel’s heroes from across the multiverse.
After Miles and Spider-Man, Peter Parker, discover the captive Molecule Man, and a fateful exchange of a cheeseburger that Miles just so happened to have on his person, Molecule Man finds himself indebted to Miles. The prize for this cheeseburger? A resurrected mother and a shiny new life in the newly-reformed Earth-616.
This fact underscores the interconnectedness of personal actions and cosmic consequences in the Marvel Universe. It also highlights the often-overlooked importance of character relationships and seemingly small gestures, like sharing a cheeseburger, in shaping the universe’s fate.
5. Miles Morales Was Inspired By Barack Obama and Childish Gambino
There are a number of factors that brought about Brian Michael Bendis’ creation of Miles Morales. Yes, it was definitely time to give Spider-Man a bit of an update. But beyond that, two major influences for the characters were none other than Barack Obama and Childish Gambino himself, Donald Glover.
Bendis was inspired by the changing times in America and wanted his Spider-Man to reflect that. And, oddly enough, when an internet petition for Donald Glover to land the role of the new Spider-Man, Bendis took some inspiration from this as well. The inspiration drawn from Barack Obama and Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) speaks to Miles’s creation as a response to and reflection of contemporary societal shifts. This fact emphasizes the character’s role as a modern hero who mirrors real-world diversity and challenges traditional superhero molds.
6. Miles Has A Powerful Spider-Sense
As mentioned previously, Miles Morales has quite a different powerset than his predecessor. One of the key differences between him and Peter Parker is how sensitive and reactive their spider-senses are.
It has been stated that while Peter’s spider-sense warns him of immediate danger and gives him a chance to react, Miles’ spider-sense not only warns him of immediate danger while giving him near-complete awareness of his surroundings, but it is attuned to such a level that it borders on precognition.
7. He Was Once Controlled By A Symbiote
Though Carnage and Cletus Kasady had long been removed from Miles’ life, when the Grendell symbiote began its quest to free Knull, Miles was caught in the crossfire. While attempting to save Mac Gargar from the Grendell symbiote Miles happened to become bonded to the symbiote, making him a slave to its will.
Miles, would, however, temporarily free himself from its control, only to willingly submit himself to the symbiote in order to spy on Carnage. Though he was able to fight off the influence of the symbiote at first, it would not last long enough to fulfill his plans which would necessitate his saving by Eddie Brock.
8. Miles Formed A Team Of Champions
Civil War 2 was a crazy time for a lot of Marvel’s most famous heroes. Captain Marvel essentially went full minority report. Hawkeye killed Bruce Banner. Tony Stark kidnapped an inhuman and led a revolt against the (seemingly) power-hungry Captain Marvel. And, well, after all that, it’s hard to blame the younger generation of heroes for being disillusioned with their heroes.
So, when it came time to clean up the mess that was left in the wake of Civil War 2, Miles, Ms. Marvel, Amadeus Cho, Nova, Viv Vision, and the time-displaced younger version of Cyclops decided to break away from the Avengers and create a team of their own. A better team. A team of Champions. The formation of the Champions reflects a generational shift in the Marvel Universe, with young heroes seeking to redefine what it means to be a superhero.
9. Miles Morales Has Organic Electro-Webbing
Another one of the big enhancements that Miles has when compared to Peter is that of his organic webbing. It may not actually be a physical organic webbing in the way that most people think, however.
Instead, Miles creates a thread of energy, which has the same tensile strength as his web-fluid. This thread of energy can also be used to deliver a shock to his enemies via his venom blast. So, not only does Miles have organic webbing, but it’s also electric webbing. Nice.
10. There’s An Evil Miles Morales From Earth 616
Though Secret Wars had reached its conclusion and Miles, along with the rest of his family had been sent into Marvel’s Earth-616 identities and histories intact, apparently Molecule Man forgot to remove the Miles Morales that was already living in this universe. This Miles, unlike his heroic counterpart, had not led such a good life.
In fact, this version of Miles had spent a lot of time working for the one and only, Wilson Fisk. This version of Miles eventually found himself in conflict with his younger, superpowered counterpart, along with Peter Parker. Oddly enough, this Miles would eventually make his way to the Ultimate universe where Miles Morales Spider-Man had originated.
Miles Morales is not just a new Spider-Man; he is a symbol of change, diversity, and the endless possibilities that the Marvel Universe offers. His story is a vibrant mosaic of groundbreaking powers, multiverse adventures, and a deep connection to contemporary cultural icons. As Miles continues to weave his path through the challenges and triumphs of being Spider-Man, he does so as a beacon of innovation and inclusivity. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the Spider-Man universe, the saga of Miles Morales invites you to explore a world where heroism is boundless and every individual can make a difference. Discover more about this fascinating character and his adventures by diving into the comic books available in our online store, where the legacy of Spider-Man is continuously redefined.
