- Spider-Man (Miles Morales)
-
Spider-Man 
Miles Morales as Spider-Man. Art by Sara Pichelli.Publication information Publisher Marvel Comics First appearance Ultimate Fallout #4 (August 2011) Created by Brian Michael Bendis (writer)
Sara Pichelli (artist)In-story information Alter ego Miles Morales Abilities - Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, and durability
- healing factor
- Ability to cling to most surfaces
- Invisibility
- Precognitive spider sense
- Spider Stinger
Miles Morales is a fictional comic book superhero published by Marvel Comics. A teenager of African American and Latino descent, Miles is the second character to go by the name of Spider-Man in Marvel Comics' Ultimate Marvel line of books. First introduced following the death of Peter Parker, the original Spider-Man, Miles became the subject of the new Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man.[1] Despite Miles portraying Ultimate Spider-Man in the comic book series, he will not be the lead for Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man animated series in 2012 on Disney XD.[2]
Contents
Publication history
The concept of an African American Spider-Man was first discussed a few months before the November 2008 election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Axel Alonso said, "We realized that we were standing at the brink of America elected (sic) its first African American President and we acknowledged that maybe it was time to take a good look at one of our icons".[3] This new Spider-Man was considered a possible part of Ultimatum, a story arc that restructured much of the Ultimate Marvel universe, but those early thoughts were abandoned because the story for that character had not yet been developed.[3] Bendis said thoughts about the character were further enforced by African American actor Donald Glover's appearance wearing Spider-Man pajamas on "Anthropology 101", the second season premiere of the television comedy series Community. This was a reference to Glover's unsuccessful attempts to secure the lead role in the upcoming film The Amazing Spider-Man. Bendis said of Glover, "I saw him in the costume and thought, 'I would like to read that book.' So I was glad I was writing that book."[4]
The first appearance of Miles Morales as Spider-Man, from the fourth issue of the Ultimate Fallout series in August 2011.
When the Marvel Comics staff decided that the Ultimate universe's Peter Parker would be killed in the 2011 storyline "Death of Spider-Man", the plans were revived and the character Miles Morales was created.[4] Miles Morales was created by comic book writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli.[3][5] The Morales character made his debut in the fourth issue of the Ultimate Fallout limited series, which was released on August 3, 2011. Starting in September 2011, Miles will be the star in the relaunched Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man series, written by Bendis and drawn by Pichelli.[4][6] Pichelli also designed Spider-Man's new costume, a mostly black outfit with red webbing and a red spider logo. Pichelli had worked on four issues of Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man before she was approached to work on the new title with Miles Morales.[7] Pichelli, who works with a Cintiq 12wx graphic tablet,[5] added more screentones to her illustrations to give what she called "a more 'pop' feeling to the book, because I think it would fit perfectly with the new series".[7]
Although Morales is the first black Spider-Man, he marks the second time a Hispanic character has taken the Spider-Man identity. Miguel O'Hara, who is of half Mexican descent, was the title character in the series Spider-Man 2099.[8] Peter Parker remains alive and still portrays Spider-Man in the main Marvel Universe; Morales has replaced Parker as Spider-Man only in Ultimate Marvel, a parallel universe that re-imagines the characters.[3]
Fictional character biography
Artist Sara Pichelli, who drew Morales' first appearance, holds up a sketch of him at the 2011 New York Comic Con.Miles Morales was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City. He is the son of an African American father and a Puerto Rican mother. Axel Alonso has described Miles as an intelligent nerd with an aptitude for science similar to his predecessor, Peter Parker.[3] Miles first appears a short time after the death of Peter Parker during a battle with the Green Goblin. Miles makes his first public appearance as Spider-Man when he fights Kangaroo, stopping him from killing a man who Kangaroo claims owed him money.[9] He originally wears a red Spider-Man suit similar to Peter Parker's, but considers changing it when spectators tell him it is in "bad taste".[10]
A flashback to events eleven months earlier reveals Miles' origin. Norman Osborn had continued to experiment on spiders with various strains of the Oz formula. However, one of the spiders escaped. A few days later, the Prowler (Miles' uncle) infiltrates the facility and breaks into Osborn's personal safe, failing to notice the spider climbing into his bag. When Miles goes to visit his uncle a few days later, the spider bites him and he passes out. After the accident, Miles discovers he has the ability to turn invisible.[11] While walking down the street Miles' is taunted around by street thugs and zaps one of them on the chest with a new ability called "Spider Stinger".
Powers and abilities
Bitten by the same type of genetically-engineered spider that granted Peter Parker his powers, Miles possesses similar abilities. During his confrontation with the Kangaroo, he displays enhanced strength and agility, as well as Peter's trademark "Spider-sense", which gives Miles the ability to sense oncoming danger. However, Miles is apparently unaware of exactly what function this ability serves, as he is shown confused when it activates during the battle.[12] After initially being bitten, Miles also displays the ability to render himself invisible.[13] Another ability he has displayed is called "Spider Stinger", allowing Miles to paralyze a person with the touch of his hands, and later sticking on solid surfaces.[14]
Reception
People who say this is a PC stunt miss the point. Miles Morales is a reflection of the culture in which we live. I love the fact that my son Tito will see a Spider-Man swinging through the sky whose last name is "Morales". And judging from the response, I can see I'm not alone.
“”When it was announced in April 2011 that someone else would replace Peter Parker as Spider-Man, rumors began circulating immediately that it might be a woman or ethnic minority. The character Miles Morales was first reported by the USA Today on August 2, 2011, shortly before the character officially debuted in Ultimate Fallout #4.[1][6] The announcement received international coverage in the mainstream media and was met with mixed results by audiences.[8] Some readers felt the decision was an attempt by Marvel Comics to be politically correct,[3][8] while others felt that a non-Caucasian Spider-Man would set a positive example for minority readers, particularly children.[15] Some believed the introduction of a minority Spider-Man was simply a publicity stunt to attract more readers.[8] Many Spider-Man fans were disappointed that Peter Parker was killed, regardless of who replaced him.[8] The wide-ranging critical reception prompted The Washington Post to run an article called, "Sorry, Peter Parker. The response to the black Spider-Man shows why we need one", in which writer Alexandra Petri wrote the character should be based on the quality of its stories rather than his appearance or ethnicity.[15]
Prominent radio host and conservative pundit Lou Dobbs expressed outrage over the original Spider-Man being replaced by the new biracial hero. Political comedian Jon Stewart subsequently mocked Dobbs' reaction on The Daily Show, while also pointing out that Morales replaced Spider-Man only in the Ultimate universe, and that the original Peter Parker would still be appearing in several titles.[16] Similarly, conservative talkshow host Glenn Beck was parodied by comedian Stephen Colbert for expressing a dislike for the new character. However, unlike Dobbs, Beck said he didn't care about Miles' race, and also pointed out that this was not the mainstream Spider-Man.[17] Axel Alonso denied the character was created out of political correctness: "Simple fact is Marvel comics reflect the world in all its shapes, sizes and colors. We believe there's an audience of people out there who is thirsty for a character like Miles Morales."[3]
In other media
- Miles Morales' Spider-Man suit will be available as an alternate costume in Spider-Man: Edge of Time.[18]
- The Miles Morales Spider-Man design will also be available as a playable character in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.[19]
References
- ^ a b Truitt, Brian (August 2, 2011). "Half-black, half-Hispanic Spider-Man revealed". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/614OVWKBN. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- ^ "Marvel’s New Ultimate Spider-Man Miles Morales: A Significant And Safe Leap Forward". Inside Pulse. August 4, 2011
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Axel Alonso: Reinventing Today's Heroes". LatinRapper.com. August 8, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/610OqAiUw. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ a b c Truitt, Brian (August 2, 2011). "A TV comedy assured new Spidey's creator". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/614NnHFPG. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- ^ a b Cavna, Michael (August 16, 2011). "Miles Morales: Check out Sara Pichelli inking the new Ultimate Spider-Man". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/61136yjAY. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ a b Ching, Albert (August 2, 2011). "Identity of the New Ultimate Spider-Man". Newsarama. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/612sbhOKT. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
- ^ a b Richards, Ron (August 16, 2011). "Exclusive: Ultimate Spider-Man Interview with Sara Pichelli with Video!". iFanboy. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/6112mFe80. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Robinson, Bryan (August 16, 2011). "Remembering the First – and Forgotten – Latino Spider-Man". Fox News Latino. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/614OyqzPr. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (August 3, 2011). "Ultimate Comics: Fallout #4 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/614R6Yq0S. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
- ^ "This Week In Geek: Different Shades of Spider-Man". The Salt Lake Tribune. August 16, 2011. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/614RK3UVO. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
- ^ Brian Michael Bendis (w), Sara Pichelli (a). Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man Vol. 2 #1 Marvel Comics.
- ^ Ultimate Fallout #4
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man (vol. 2) #1
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man Vol. 2 #2
- ^ a b Petri, Alexandra (August 3, 2011). "Sorry, Peter Parker. The response to the black Spiderman shows why we need one". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/614Q5Z5z2. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
- ^ http://www.businessinsider.com/jon-stewart-spiderman-lou-dobbs-2011-8
- ^ http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/08/04/drudge-report-thinks-new-spider-man-could-be-gay-glenn-beck-a/
- ^ http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/09/14/spider-man-edge-of-time-slips-into-ultimate-spidey-s-costume.aspx
- ^ https://www.heroup.com/2011/09/enter-for-a-chance-to-win-ultimate-comics-spider-man/
External links
Categories:- Marvel Comics characters
- Spider-Man
- Comics characters introduced in 2011
- Ultimate Marvel characters
- Fictional American people of Puerto Rican descent
- Fictional African-American people
- Fictional genetically engineered characters
- Fictional characters who can turn invisible
- Marvel Comics superheroes
- Marvel Comics mutates
- Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
- Characters created by Brian Michael Bendis
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