Warning! Spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man #81 by Marvel Comics
The Beyond Corporation is using Marvel's newest Spider-Man to make sure Miles Morales doesn't continue using his usual superhero name as a potential legal battle continues to build up. In Amazing Spider-Man #81 by Marvel Comics, the corporation tells Ben Reilly needs him to protect the Spider-Man name and that he's contractually obligated to enforce their trademark against Brooklyn's web-slinger. Reilly begrudgingly agrees, setting up a conflict between Marvel's new Spider-Man and Miles Morales.
With Peter Parker out of commission, Ben Reilly has taken over his responsibilities and become the newest Spider-Man in the Marvel Universe. The clone is corporately backed by the Beyond Corporation, which is financing his adventures and closely monitoring his heroics. Bizarrely, he represents the brand as much as he represents being a hero - but the corporation has given Reilly access to incredible tech and resources. Meanwhile, the Beyond Corporation has the rights to the Spider-Man and is making sure their trademark is protected - even if that means telling other heroes using the moniker that they aren't legally allowed to do so anymore.
In a brand new preview for Amazing Spider-Man #81 by Saladin Ahmed, Carlos Gomez, Bryan Valenza, VC's Joe Caramagna, the Beyond Corporation shows Ben Reilly a villain who's causing mayhem in Brooklyn. They tell him he needs to take him down to make a good impression in Brooklyn. However, Reilly is also informed Miles Morales (who they call the "unauthorized Spider-Man) will likely also show up - and that if he does, Spider-Man will need to enforce their trademark against him.
So, how does Spider-Man enforce the trademark? He's told to suggest a potential rebrand to Morales as they want him to know they are serious about protecting its intellectual property. The Beyond Corporation even already picked out a couple of replacement names that have tested well, revealing both "Stinger" and "Striker" has been well-received among their focus groups. Reilly visits Brooklyn, discovering the villain has already been dealt with. As Reilly wonders what to do, Morales shows up, setting the stage for a confrontation among the Spider-Men.
It seems unlikely Morales will change his name from Spider-Man to something like "Stinger" because the Beyond Corporation wants him to - even with a legal trademark. However, readers will soon find out how far the corporation is really willing to go to enforce the trademark after Reilly likely struggles to convince Miles in their upcoming confrontation. Spider-Man will do his best to make sure Miles Morales drops his heroic name when Amazing Spider-Man #81 comes to comic book stores on Wednesday.