Miles Morales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Miles MoralesSpider-Man |
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Miles Morales as Spider-Man from Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man
Art by Sara Pichelli |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Ultimate Fallout #4 (August 2011) |
| Created by |
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| In-story information | |
| Full name | Miles Gonzalo Morales |
| Species | Human mutate |
| Place of origin | Earth-1610 |
| Team affiliations | Avengers Young Avengers Champions The Ultimates Spider-Army/Web-Warriors |
| Partnerships | Peter Parker (Spider-Man) Spider-Woman (Gwen Stacy) Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) Tiana Toomes (Starling) |
| Notable aliases | Spider-Man Spin Shadow Spider Captain Universe Jersey Spider-Man |
| Abilities |
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Miles Morales is a cool superhero known as Spider-Man in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created in 2011 by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli. Miles is a modern version of the famous Spider-Man character.
Miles is a teenager with a Black American father and an Afro-Puerto Rican mother. He became the second Spider-Man in a special part of the Marvel universe called the Ultimate Universe. This was after the first Spider-Man, Peter Parker, passed away in that universe. Miles first appeared in a comic called Ultimate Fallout #4 in August 2011.
Miles got his powers after being bitten by a genetically engineered spider. This spider was created in a lab, similar to how Peter Parker got his powers. Miles starred in his own comic series, Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man. Later, he moved to the main Marvel Universe, where he continued his adventures as Spider-Man. Many people, including Spider-Man's co-creator Stan Lee, were happy to see Miles become a positive role model for kids of different backgrounds.
Miles Morales has become very popular. He has appeared in many cartoons, movies, and video games. He was a main character in the animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and its sequels, where he was voiced by Shameik Moore. He also stars in the Marvel's Spider-Man video game series by Insomniac Games, voiced by Nadji Jeter.
Contents
How Miles Morales Was Created
The idea for a Black Spider-Man started around 2008. Marvel Comics wanted to create new and exciting characters for a modern audience. Axel Alonso, who was an editor at Marvel, thought it was a good time to introduce a new hero. This was around the time the United States elected its first African-American President.
Marvel had a special comic book line called Ultimate Marvel. This line told new stories about Marvel characters in a different universe. Writer Brian Michael Bendis had been writing the Ultimate Spider-Man comics since 2000. When the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker, was going to be written out of the story in 2011, the idea for Miles Morales came to life. Miles was the first Black Spider-Man. However, another hero named Miguel O'Hara, who was part Latino, had been Spider-Man before in a different series.
Miles Morales was created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and Italian artist Sara Pichelli. Bendis was inspired by actor Donald Glover, who once wore Spider-Man pajamas on a TV show. Bendis thought Glover looked great and imagined a new Spider-Man.
Sara Pichelli designed Miles' look. She thought about his personality and background to create his unique style. She also designed his cool new costume, which is mostly black with red webbing and a red spider symbol. Pichelli used special digital tools to make her artwork look "pop" and exciting for the series.
Miles was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York City. He was 13 years old when he first became Spider-Man. His father is Black American, and his mother is Afro-Puerto Rican. Miles is a smart kid who loves science, just like Peter Parker. In 2024, it was confirmed that Miles' mother, Rio Morales, and his grandmother, Gloria Morales, are Afro-Puerto Rican, with a mix of Taino, African, and Spanish heritage.
Miles' Early Adventures (2010s)
Miles first appeared in Ultimate Fallout #4 in August 2011. He then starred in his own comic series, Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man, starting in September 2011.
Miles faced different challenges than Peter Parker. After getting his powers, Miles learned that his uncle, Aaron, whom he looked up to, was involved in some bad activities. Miles' father, Jefferson, had also been in trouble when he was younger but had changed his life. This made Miles wonder about his own future and if he was a good person. These thoughts bothered Miles even more after a difficult event where Aaron was accidentally caught in an explosion during a fight.
In 2012, Miles met the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker, from the main Marvel Universe in a series called Spider-Men. This was a big moment for Miles!
Later, in 2015, the Ultimate Marvel universe was destroyed in a big comic event called "Secret Wars". But Miles and his friends survived! They were then brought into the main Marvel Universe (Earth-616). This meant Miles became a part of the same world as the original Avengers and other famous Marvel heroes.
Miles continued to have his own comic series, simply called Spider-Man, starting in 2016. He patrolled New York City and dealt with new villains and challenges. He even had a brief romance with Spider-Woman (Gwen Stacy). In 2018, a new series called Miles Morales: Spider-Man began, written by Saladin Ahmed and drawn by Javier Garron. This happened around the same time his first animated movie came out!
Miles' Recent Adventures (2020s)
In 2021, Miles got a cool new costume designed by Chase Conley for his tenth anniversary. It even included his trademark sneakers!
The Miles Morales: Spider-Man series by Saladin Ahmed concluded with issue 42 in September 2022. A new series, also called Miles Morales: Spider-Man, started in December 2022. This new series is written by Cody Ziglar and drawn by Federico Vicentini.
In 2021, a special graphic novel for young readers, Miles Morales: Shock Waves, was released. It was written by Justin A. Reynolds and had art by Pablo Leon.
Miles Morales' Story
Miles Morales first appeared as Spider-Man shortly after the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker, passed away. He stopped a villain called Kangaroo. At first, people thought his costume was in "bad taste" because it was so similar to Peter's.
The first comic stories showed Miles as a school kid living with his mother, Rio, a nurse, and his father, Jefferson. He got his powers after visiting his uncle Aaron's apartment. A special spider, created in a lab, bit Miles. He developed amazing abilities, but he kept them a secret from his parents because his father didn't trust superheroes. He only told his best friend, Ganke Lee.
Miles didn't want to be a superhero at first. He just wanted a normal life. But after seeing Spider-Man die while trying to save people, Miles felt guilty. He realized he could have helped. With encouragement from Ganke and learning about Peter Parker's reasons for being a hero, Miles decided to become the new Spider-Man.
His first time out in costume, he faced people who didn't like him using the Spider-Man name. He was even stopped by Spider-Woman and taken to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. There, Nick Fury revealed he knew about Miles and his family, including his uncle's past troubles. After Miles helped S.H.I.E.L.D. stop a villain named Electro, they gave him a cool new black-and-red Spider-Man costume. Peter Parker from the main Marvel Universe even gave Miles his blessing to be Spider-Man!
Miles' uncle Aaron soon figured out Miles was Spider-Man. Aaron offered to train Miles, but he also tried to use Miles in his own conflicts. Miles realized this was wrong and refused to help his uncle. This led to a confrontation where Aaron was accidentally caught in an explosion from his own weapons and passed away. This was a very sad and difficult moment for Miles.
Miles later became friends with Peter Parker's loved ones, like May Parker and Mary Jane Watson. They gave him Peter's web-shooters. He also worked with the Ultimates, a team of superheroes.
In a later story, Miles faced a terrible loss when his mother, Rio, was caught in a dangerous situation during a battle with the villain Venom. Rio passed away, but before she did, she told Miles not to tell his father his secret. Miles was so heartbroken that he quit being Spider-Man for a while. But his friends and Spider-Woman convinced him that the world still needed a Spider-Man, and he eventually returned.
Facing a Big Threat
In a major storyline called "Cataclysm," a giant being named Galactus from the main Marvel Universe came to Miles' Earth to consume it. Thinking the world was ending, Miles told his father his secret. His father was very upset and needed time to understand. Miles even traveled to the main Marvel Universe to find a way to stop Galactus.
New Beginnings in the Main Marvel Universe
In his second solo series, Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man, Miles met Peter Parker again, who had mysteriously reappeared. Together, they defeated the Goblin. Peter then decided to retire from being Spider-Man, acknowledging Miles as a worthy successor.
Miles' father, Jefferson, also reappeared. He explained that he had worked for a criminal organization in the past, but was secretly helping S.H.I.E.L.D. He had fled after learning Miles was Spider-Man because it brought back painful memories. He told Miles he no longer blamed him for his mother's passing and regretted leaving him.
When Miles told his girlfriend, Katie, his secret identity, it was revealed that Katie's family was involved with a secret organization called Hydra. Miles, his father, and Ganke were kidnapped. But with help from friends and other heroes, they were freed.
After the "Secret Wars" event, Miles and his family were brought into the main Marvel Universe (Earth-616). His mother, Rio, was also brought back to life! Miles and Peter Parker now both share the Spider-Man name. Miles, now 16, protects New York City, while Peter works globally. Miles also joined a new team of heroes called the All-New, All-Different Avengers.
In this new universe, Miles eventually remembered his past from the Ultimate Universe. His father knows his secret, and eventually, his mother also learned the truth. Miles made new superhero friends like Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) and Fabio Medina. He also joined a team of young heroes called the Champions.
Recent Adventures
In his third solo series, Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2019–2022), Miles met Tiana Toomes, a hero known as Starling, who is the granddaughter of the villain Vulture. They fought the crime boss Tombstone and later started a romantic relationship, sharing their secret identities.
In the current Miles Morales: Spider-Man series (2023–present), the Vulture tried to hurt Miles after learning he was dating Tiana. But Tiana defeated her grandfather and proudly declared Miles her boyfriend!
Miles recently faced a strange transformation into a vampire during the “Blood Hunt” storyline in 2024. Luckily, he was quickly helped back to normal by the powerful being Bast.
Miles' clone brother, Shift, who is learning English, was named Jaime Morales after Miles' late grandfather.
Miles Morales' Amazing Powers
Miles Morales was bitten by a special genetically engineered spider. This spider was a little different from the one that bit Peter Parker. Because of this, Miles has powers similar to the original Spider-Man, but with some unique twists!
- Superhuman Strength and Agility: Miles is much stronger, faster, and more agile than a normal person. He can lift heavy objects and move with incredible speed and grace.
- Wall-Crawling: He can stick to walls and ceilings with his hands and feet, even through his clothes!
- Spider-Sense: Miles has a "spider-sense" that warns him of danger. It feels like a buzzing in his head, letting him know when trouble is near. His spider-sense mostly warns him of immediate threats.
Miles also has two special powers that the original Spider-Man doesn't have:
- Camouflage (Invisibility): Miles can blend into his surroundings, making himself and his clothes effectively invisible! This is super useful for sneaking around or surprising villains.
- Bio-Electric Manipulation (Venom Strike): He can deliver a powerful "venom strike" with just a touch. This isn't actual venom, but a burst of bio-electric energy. It can temporarily paralyze almost anyone! He can even send this energy through objects he's touching, like webs, to hit opponents from a distance. A stronger version, called a "mega venom blast," can repel many enemies at once, but it leaves him tired.
Miles' body is also very tough. He can be thrown through a brick wall and not get seriously hurt, though it's still painful!
Miles wears a cool costume given to him by S.H.I.E.L.D. He also uses web-shooters on his wrists, which were originally Peter Parker's, but he later got new ones from S.H.I.E.L.D. In 2023, Miles even gained the ability to create an energy sword, which he calls a "Venom-Saber," from his bio-electric power!
Other Versions of Miles Morales
Sometimes, in the world of comics, there are different versions of heroes from other universes. Miles Morales has a few interesting alternate versions:
- The Adult Miles Morales: In one story, an older version of Miles Morales from a different universe appeared. He had a tough past but eventually found a way to start a new life. He even helped the younger Miles.
- Spider-Ham: There's a funny animal version of Miles called Miles Morhames, who is a spider-ham! He became a hero after his universe's Peter Porker passed away.
- Married Miles: In another universe, Miles and Gwen Stacy are married and have two children!
- Meows Morales: There's even a feline (cat) version of Miles named Meows Morales!
- Miles Morales: The End: In a special comic called Miles Morales: The End, an elderly Miles Morales is the last hero in a future Brooklyn.
- Heroes Reborn: In a changed timeline, Miles became a new version of the hero Falcon, using his smarts to build a flight suit. He even formed a team called the Champions with other young heroes.
- What If...? Miles Morales: This comic series showed different "What If?" versions of Miles, where he became heroes like Captain America, Wolverine, Hulk, and Thor.
Miles Morales in Other Media
Miles Morales is a very popular character, so he appears in many TV shows, movies, and video games!
Television
- Miles Morales appeared in the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon. He was first voiced by Donald Glover and later by Ogie Banks. In the show, he was an alternate Spider-Man who joined the Web Warriors team and was called Kid Arachnid.
- He also appeared in Marvel Super Hero Adventures, voiced by Zac Siewert.
- In the Spider-Man (2017) cartoon, Miles was voiced by Nadji Jeter. He was a student who got spider powers and was mentored by Peter Parker. He later took on the name Spy-D.
- Miles Morales appears in Spidey and His Amazing Friends, voiced by Jakari Fraser and later by Carter Young. In this show, he goes by the name Spin.
Film
Many people wanted Miles Morales to appear in a live-action Spider-Man movie. While he hasn't been the main star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) yet, he has been mentioned! In Spider-Man: Homecoming, a character named Aaron Davis (who is Miles' uncle in the comics) hinted that he had a nephew. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, the villain Electro even wondered if there was a Black Spider-Man out there. In 2023, a producer confirmed that a live-action film starring Miles is being developed.
Spider-Verse Animated Movies
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Miles Morales is the main character in the amazing animated Spider-Verse film series! He is voiced by Shameik Moore. In these movies, Miles gets his powers after being bitten by a special spider that traveled to his universe.
There's also an alternate version of Miles from Earth-42, named Miles G. Morales, who becomes the Prowler. He is voiced by Jharrel Jerome.
Video Games
Miles Morales has appeared in many video games:
- His Spider-Man suit was an alternate costume for Peter Parker in games like Spider-Man: Edge of Time and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
- He is a playable character in games like Marvel Super Hero Squad Online, Spider-Man Unlimited, Marvel Avengers Alliance, Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, Marvel Contest of Champions, Marvel Avengers Alliance 2, Lego Marvel's Avengers, Marvel Avengers Academy, Marvel Heroes, and Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.
- Miles Morales is a playable character and boss in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, voiced by Nadji Jeter.
- He is a main character in Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man video game series, also voiced by Nadji Jeter.
- In Marvel's Spider-Man (2018), Miles gets his powers and Peter Parker starts to train him.
- In Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Miles has mastered his powers and helps Peter. When Peter leaves New York, Miles has to become his own Spider-Man to protect his home, Harlem, from a conflict between a big company and a criminal group.
- In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Miles deals with his feelings about the villain Martin Li, who was involved in his father's passing.
Miscellaneous
Miles Morales is also the main character in the novels Miles Morales: Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Suspended, both written by Jason Reynolds.
Merchandise
In March 2018, Sideshow Collectibles released a cool Miles Morales Spider-Man statue. It was 17 inches tall and showed Miles jumping over a giant Venom symbiote.
