Miles Morales has become one of the most important players in the ever-expanding Spider-Verse, including a star turn in the hit 2018 animated movie Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. Comic book readers know the second version of Spider-Man from the Ultimate Comics universe has even more dimensions than those shown in the movie.
Miles Morales represents a more modern take on Spider-Man, but he also co-exists nicely alongside Peter Parker, even becoming like a brother to him in many ways. Whether he's in his home universe of Earth-1610 or the main Marvel universe of Earth-616, Miles Morales is one of the most fascinating superheroes of modern comics.
Originally Intended To Debut Sooner
Miles Morales first debuted in the comics in Ultimate Comics: Fallout #4, in 2011. Even comic book readers may not know he was intended to appear much sooner. In an interview with NPR, then Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso looked to introduce a new version of Spider-Man as early as 2008.
Inspired by the election of the first African-American President in Barack Obama, Alonso and Ultimate Spider-Man writer Brian Michael Bendis looked at putting him in the Ultimatum crossover, which featured some of the most shocking deaths in comics. But without a solid plan for the character, they chose to wait until the next big event.
Based On Donald Glover
According to USA Today, Brian Michael Bendis initially based Miles Morales' appearance on Donald Glover, who at the time was a cast member on Community and one half of the iconic Troy and Abed duo. This was also around the time that Glover was campaigning to play Peter Parker in what would become The Amazing Spider-Man.
In a nice bit of symmetry, Glover would eventually find his way on screen in a Spider-Man movie, with a connection to Miles. He appears as Miles' uncle in a great Easter egg in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Different Powers
Though Miles gets his superpowers from a bite from a radioactive spider than same as Peter Parker did, his powers vary somewhat.
In addition to the basic Spider-Man powers that comic book fans know, he has a pair of abilities unique to him. Miles can render himself invisible, able to 'camouflage himself' and his clothes to match his immediate surroundings. He also possesses a 'venom strike,' which is an electrical charge he emits. He can use it to stun others, giving him an extra level of firepower against supervillains.
The Death of Peter Parker
The intention behind Miles Morales was to become Spider-Man in the Ultimate Comics universe, and that's what he did not long after his debut. Miles takes on the mantle after the Peter Parker of Earth-1610 dies in The Death Of Peter Parker event in 2011.
Miles starts out wearing a version of the traditional Spider-Man costume as a tribute to the fallen hero. But when others object, he creates his own version. Miles adopts his now-iconic black and red Spider-Man costume which he's worn pretty much ever since.
Crossing Over
Crossovers have been a huge part of Marvel Comics for decades, so it was inevitable that Miles would eventually cross over into the main Marvel Universe.
Miles meets the Earth-616 version of Peter Parker in the 2012 Spider-Men series written by the co-creators of Miles, writer Brian Michael Bendis, and artist Sara Pichelli. Peter Parker accidentally finds himself in Earth-1610 and has to work with the all-new, all-different Spider-Man of Earth-1610 to get back home in one piece.
Facing Galactus
Galactus is one of the most powerful Marvel Comics cosmic beings, and it's generally not a good thing when he shows up. The arrival of the ancient planet-eater at Earth-1610 would ultimately mark the beginning of the end for the Ultimate Comics experiment in total.
In the course of the 2013 Cataclysm storyline, Galactus tries to consume Earth-1610. Miles teams up with other Ultimate Comics heroes, and eventually saves the day, but not for long. Soon the entire 1610 universe would be destroyed.
Secret Wars
In 2015, the massive Secret Wars crossover brought all of Marvel Comics' disparate alternate universes and realities into one. Miles Morales was transported to Battleworld, a single realm where all of time and space converged.
When reality was reset at the end of the series, Miles Morales found himself a permanent resident of the main Marvel Universe, Earth-616. Though Miles is one of many different versions of Spider-Man from across the multiverse, he is the only one to take up residence in the main Marvel continuity alongside Peter Parker.
Joining The Avengers
Miles Morales fit right into the main Marvel Universe, and in 2016, he became a member of one of the best Avengers rosters of all time. Miles joined the All-New, All-Different iteration of the classic team, which also featured Jane Foster as Thor and Sam Wilson as Captain America.
Given the direction of the MCU toward Sam Wilson as Captain America and a Jane Foster Thor, it's plausible that this version of the team could appear on screen in the not too distant future.
The Champions
After the fallout of the Civil War II event from 2017, Miles leaves the Avengers and joins a team of teenage superheroes called the Champions. This team reunites him with his former Avengers colleague Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan.
It's equally likely a live-action Miles Morales becomes part of this team in the MCU, as he has been a vital part of the comic book squad over the last five years. This team also includes future MCU star Riri Williams as Ironheart as the team battles a new federal law outlawing teenage superhero activity.
Miles Morales, The Falcon
A current major storyline in Marvel Comics is Heroes Reborn, which reimagines the world as if the Avengers had never existed. The Squadron Supreme takes their place and history plays out very differently.
One difference is that Miles Morales doesn't become Spider-Man, but the Falcon. Miles serves as the sidekick to Nighthawk, the Squadron Supreme's homage to Batman, making Miles something like Robin. He's rejected by his idol Nighthawk though, leading Miles to join up with an alternate version of the Champions.