Miles Morales: In the defense of the next Spider-Man
Hi, friends. Today, I want to finally do what I have meaning to do for a while which is make a solid case as to why Miles Morales is not a token replacement for Peter Parker as well as how he truly is Spider-Man too.
Firstly, the biggest accusation Miles gets is that he is just a token alternate universe version of Peter Parker which is and has been nonsense since he was introduced. In every timeline and reality where Miles resides, there is also a Peter Parker existing alongside with him. I think that alone is proof that Miles is not even an alternate universe version of Peter because there already is one who he always winds up meeting, so the writers make it extremely clear from the get-go that while there is an AU of Peter where Miles lives, Miles himself is his own person.
Secondly, Miles is different from Peter and not just visually. Sure, they’re both nerds, they both excel at science and they’re both every-men, but even all that is not cookie cutter. Just to give you an idea, while I relate to both Spider-Men, I relate significantly relate more to Miles than I do Peter because like Miles, I grew up in an immigrant household and our family culture played a huge role in our upbringing, lifestyle and values. Miles represents the other type of everyman; the one who comes from a different world yet doesn’t choose between that and the American one. Also, Miles’ lifestyle is different in terms of standard of living. Peter was just above the poverty line, while Miles tends to be just below being well-off though his family lives frugally and humbly which again is very common in families with at least one immigrant parent. Also, he’s an artist, he adores music and is kind of a fashionista as he is always well dressed even when he is going casual. Even his field of study in science is night to Peter’s day since Mr. Parker tends to delve into medical science and genetics. Miles is more into robotics, electronics (a foreshadowing of his electrical powers) and renewable energy. Most notably, Miles’ parents are alive, and they are nothing like Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Ben and May were quiet and just other faces in the crowd, while Jefferson Davis (dad) and Rio Morales (mom) are people of action and outspoken. Jefferson is a cop and in the video games, Rio runs for mayor of her community. So even on the inside in his household, Miles is clearly not a copycat because while he is similar to his predecessor (and in some realities, mentor), he is very different just like how each of the Flashes of DC (Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West) are similar yet different from each.
Thirdly and most importantly, Miles’ struggles, impactful relationships and challenges are different. In most versions of his life, despite his dad being a good well-meaning father, he and Miles do not see eye to eye due to both being stubborn, hardheaded and having conflicting views (this is also another reason I identify with Miles as I went through this a lot growing up with one of my parents). Then he faced the hard reality that his beloved Uncle Aaron who he looked up to and really understood him in ways even his dad didn’t was a criminal known as the Prowler. I don’t think Peter ever had a relative who turned out to be a criminal. Sure, the father of his best friend Harry turned out to be the Green Goblin, but it is not the same and you cannot compare that how much Miles loved his uncle Aaron and how terribly the truth broke his heart. Eventually, Prowler dies and though Miles tried to save him, he could not because his uncle willingly sacrificed himself to save him. I should also mention that this loss impacted Miles in the opposite way Peter losing Uncle Ben did. Miles initially wanted to quit being Spider-Man anymore because he thought he failed and needed convincing to keep donning the mask. And even after he did, Miles constantly struggled with his confidence and whether he had the right to bear the mantle. With that said, Miles’ struggle wasn’t “with great power comes great responsibility”. It was “get back up when you fall” which was also the message in his movie debut Into the Spider-Verse. With the support of his mentor and after finally finding common ground with his father, he found the confidence to keep going.
So there you have it. He is not a racebend, he is not a token AU, he is not a copycat, and he is not a knock off. He is Peter Parker’s successor, and I will let him say it as he said it best...
Now, I will give my theory on why people are really so resistant towards him. Also, I mean it as a friend who has made that mistake too, so I’m not being hard on anyone. I think what people really mean when they say Miles isn’t really Spider-Man is that he’s not Peter Parker and they don’t want Peter Parker replaced, but even that is nonsense. Miles will be the next Spider-Man one day, but Peter Parker will always be Spider-Man too and he will always have a place in the lore. After all, going back to the each of the different Flashes in DC, even though only of the three men can wear the mantle, each of them is still the Flash and each of them still appear, get referenced, get honoured and are adored. Accepting Miles doesn’t mean we’re crumpling up Peter and throwing him away in the bin. It means Peter had an influence, so powerful and so positive that when the day comes where he can’t be there to protect New York anymore, someone else will be and that is a good thing. In fact, I think it’s a great thing.
Now... if you still like Peter Parker better, that is a different story and that is ok. I just hope I convinced people to not to be so hard on Miles and to see him being different as something to celebrate rather than frown at.
Thank you for reading and as always, stay safe.
