EDITORIAL: Why I Think Miles Morales Was Introduced Too Soon!

EDITORIAL: Why I Think Miles Morales Was Introduced Too Soon!

The new Spider-Man Miles Morales has been hit with a mix of skepticism, neglect, willingness, hatred, and racism. So whats my problem with our new successor to Peter Parker? Hit the jump to find out...

Editorial Opinion
By bleedthefreak - Aug 24, 2011 07:08 PM EST
Filed Under: Other



When DC Comics made the controversial decision to kill(?) off Batman/Bruce Wayne at the hands of Darkseid, the comic world was left with one question, who was going to don the Batman Cowl and kick some bad guy ass out of Gotham City? We as you may know were given Dick Grayson as the new Batman. This idea was accepted by most of comic community, but why?

Dick Grayson for years was the rambunctious boy sidekick to Batman, growing popular enough even to hold his own fame outside of Batman's shadow. With the death of Bruce Wayne and Gotham in need of a new caped crusader, who best to take over the mantle then the boy turned man who proved to be at times an equal to his trainer/surrogate father. Who else could walk into the role of Batman without causing a great deal of controversy as to why this person is the new Batman instead of someone else. Dick was a member of the DC Universe for nearly as long, and was trained by Bruce himself, so everybody knew he could fill his shoes until his inevitable return (because who really stays dead other than Gwen Stacey and Uncle Ben in comics?).

Now we have a new Spider-Man, a thirteen year old half Black/half Spanish kid from New York named Miles Morales taking over for the recently killed of Peter Parker. Though race has been a reason behind most peoples reluctancy, My problem stems out of a question of why the hell is THIS kid out new Spider-Man? What the heck does he have to do with Peter Parker? Its not the change of Spider-Man's identity that gets under my skin, its the fact that it is someone we don't know, or even know how he came to be Spider-Man. I know we are clearly set to learn more about Miles, but why choose to stick some random kid we don't know yet into the role of a prominent and iconic hero?

We have never been introduced to Miles Morales before hand, which makes him some stranger to the comic world. The flaw with Miles' introduction is the fact that we were forced to except him as the new Spider-Man, before we ever had so much as a glimpse at him before.

Personally I, and many more people would have warmed up to Miles Morales should he have had any role in previous stories. He could have been someone or Peter took under his wing and gotten him prepared to replace him. But instead we are left wondering why some kid we have never heard of also has similar powers to Spider-Man (I believe I heard he does not have ALL of the original Spider-Man's powers) and has never even been so much as whispered about. Why would he just conveniently appear out of thin air directly after Peter's death.

So what is my main problem with Miles Morales? I think we not only needed to get to know him sooner before he jumped right up into the role of taking over an A list hero. Also I think we needed more time to absorb Peter Parker's death and let it unfold as a story, I mean we knew months before that the second Peter died a new Spider-Man would just pop up weeks later. It is more a flaw with super hero deaths in general, if you kill them, why do you feel the need to replace them? Aside from Batman (who mainly had to defend Gotham alone) these heroes could be left dead in order to build tension in stress and add character depth when showing characters handle the death of a hero instead of combing through back issues for his/her replacement or creating a new one that doesn't quite make sense yet.

By: TwitterButtons.com

By TwitterButtons.com
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Deathlok
Deathlok - 8/24/2011, 7:29 PM
Ultimate Marvel sucks anyways.
Ghostt
Ghostt - 8/24/2011, 7:31 PM
good points bro, who is this kid. He's thirteen? pretty frackin young.
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 8/24/2011, 7:39 PM
You guys don't read before you comment do ya? I point out it isn't the race right away, I comment on his race for background, but as clearly stated in the rest of the article, my problem is we don't know who he is not his friggin skin color or ethnicy.
LordHuck
LordHuck - 8/24/2011, 7:40 PM
So you thought just commenting on or in one of the other half dozen articles about Miles Morales wouldn’t get you the proper attention? So you had to make an entire article to guarantee your opinion a spot light?
adamrich81
adamrich81 - 8/24/2011, 7:40 PM
Well written John- You really make some valid points outside of race. Maybe i'm just naive but I don't see the race as an issue- I do feel like I don't know the kid, which bugs me.
WellDrawn
WellDrawn - 8/24/2011, 7:40 PM
It's just sad and ironic that almost EVERY black superhero either has the word 'Black' in his name, or have a mostly black cotume:

Black in the Name:
Black Panther
Black Goliath
Black Lightning
Black Manta

Mostly Black Costumes
Blade
Mister Terrific
Myles Morales
Spawn
'Zack' The Black Ranger from Power Rangers
SageMode
SageMode - 8/24/2011, 7:41 PM
See now, this is a valid and understandable reason why I could see the reason why people would be iffy on Miles Morales taking over the Spider-Man role, rather than that stupid race issue.
bigshow2312
bigshow2312 - 8/24/2011, 7:48 PM

I dont think getting to know the character is such a huge deal especially when its only in a comic book... its not like he's running for office or anything. Plus his age should'nt make people skeptical even after they've seen what kids can do ((Hit Girl from Kick Ass)) in comics. I mean, its ok for writers to take a different rout than the ol Batman and Robin partnership (who copied who?)... Im pretty sure he'll be introduced well even though I myself dont like the idea him being gay/brown/black... Its like Marvel is trying to draw minorities (gays as well) to read their comics in a cheap fashion! If they wanted to impress the masses then make a character that they/we (I) can relate to... Just my 2 cents.
OanMaster
OanMaster - 8/24/2011, 7:49 PM
We were also forced in the late 50's to accept Hal Jordan as Green Lantern, Barry Allen as the Flash, Ray Palmer as the Atom and more recently Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern. Now mind you we'd never seen any of them before either. They were not made to appeal to the fanboys of the 30's and 40's. This is a new time and possibly room needs to be made for new heroes. Who cares whether he is white, black, yellow or polka dot. Miles Morales is now Ultimate Spider-Man. Marvel and Disney would be willing to do such things in their main universe...
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 8/24/2011, 7:50 PM
I am not saying he won't work, infact I have faith that Bendis will turn him into something good and fun to read, I'm more than willing to read this series (infact I'm willing to guarentee I will). I just was explaining most fans hate for this new kid stems out of his random arrival.
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 8/24/2011, 7:54 PM
Oanmaster has just proven my editorial can be countered logically when actually given a read through, instead of people assuming I was hating on his race. Cudos sir, you are smarter then most here!

BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 8/24/2011, 7:55 PM
You know, I think I completely agree. It was pretty much "Peter is dead, so here's your new Spider-man!" We didn't even get through the funeral before they introduced Miles. It's like your dog got hit by a car and then the next day your dad is like "Surprise! Got you another dog!" I might be able to love this new dog eventually, but you can't expect me to be excited about it so soon after losing a dog that I really cared about.
Griffinso
Griffinso - 8/24/2011, 7:58 PM
I think the fact that Miles and Peter have no connection is awesome it just shows how much impact spider-man had, and how much of an inspiratoin he was for someone to want to fill his shoes and carry on his name and show that no matter what spider man will live on. I for one can't wait to see what happens
BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 8/24/2011, 8:04 PM
In defense of his point, like he said Bruce Wayne was replaced by a long time memeber of his supporting cast. Steve Rogers was replaced by Bucky, a significant person in his life who has been known for a long time and had a major pressence in the series leading up to the death. With these replacements, the audience is already somewhat invested in the character so it eases the transition and makes them feel like it's a connected continuation of the story they've been following. Personally, I've been following this series for a while. While I realize that they want to bring in new readers, I also want to know that Ultimate Spider-man is continuing in some form other than just the name.
ClarkFarley2012
ClarkFarley2012 - 8/24/2011, 8:10 PM
@SuperGuy, great points. That's why ppl were attracted to Peter Parker. He wasn't from Kyrpton, he didn't inherit a billion dollars. He was a flawed newspaper photographer who got fired every other day. Smart as hell, but choice to dumb himself down to have time to be Spidey.

Besides the interesting will be when Peter comes back to life, because you know comic deaths don't last as stated in this article. Where does that leave ole Miles?
EastcoastAvenger
EastcoastAvenger - 8/24/2011, 8:15 PM
He's not a man! Yet... Why are we calling a thirteen year old kid Spider-MAN? Arachnid Boy... Spider Lad? The Creepy Crawly Kid?
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 8/24/2011, 8:15 PM
Part of me hopes Bendis keeps Parker dead for a while. It would show some real balls.

MrEko, all the characters you named are new, dead, or replaced again with better received original version, so your argument is actually somewhat irrelivant as many of those characters, like Miles were greated with hostility until changed back to form.
ironknight
ironknight - 8/24/2011, 8:16 PM
I don't hate him because he's black, I just hate that he's not Peter Parker.
SpiderFan35
SpiderFan35 - 8/24/2011, 8:20 PM
I think there is always some adjustment when an unknown takes on the mantle of a beloved hero. But I think it is kind of refeshing in a way too.
Having the side kicks or other known characters take over is like a manager of an office retiring and the assistant manager takes over. Kinda boring and predictable.
TheNameIsBetty
TheNameIsBetty - 8/24/2011, 8:20 PM
I'm not opposed to him being black. It's kinda like an Elseworlds thing, but I am DEFINITLEY opposed to him being gay.

No gay Spider-Man. Bring back Peter Parker the second he's gay, or he's not Spider-Man anymore. He's Gay-Man. Fag-Man if you will lol I don't mean to be anti-gay or whatever but that's just not what Spider-Man is.
Furthermore, if they were going to make a gay Spider-Man, why would the gay guy be Black/Mexican anyway? Why couldn't they have a gay white guy, or Asian guy? This new Spider-Man is gonna be the biggest cluster[frick] in Marvel history if he's gay
MatchesMalone1989
MatchesMalone1989 - 8/24/2011, 8:22 PM
Just Keeping It Real. WHO THE [frick] READS ULTIMATE MARVEL????
krooklyndodger
krooklyndodger - 8/24/2011, 8:22 PM
That is one stupid editorial. "We don't know him"? We'll get to know him just as we have gotten to know many characters. Either this works or it doesn't, but either way, you are trying to cancelling him out before he hit's the shelves.

The only thing I don't care for about this iteration of Spiderman is his age. He seems awfully young to take on such a responsible; saving day and concealing his identity from the world.
Griffinso
Griffinso - 8/24/2011, 8:31 PM
dont get why people dont like the Ultimate Universe it just allows for new opportunitys for character and more storys and i love that they keep characters dead it gives us more sense of urgency
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 8/24/2011, 8:39 PM
I never read the interview with Bendis were he said Parker was staying dead, and I don't read ultimate Daredevil, though I know it is a recent change. As for if I read Ultimate universe, I only read a handful of them.
captquirk
captquirk - 8/24/2011, 8:42 PM
Some good points throughout the article and comments. Age and race aren't even an issue, or the fact that someone new has taken the name of a prior hero. That has happened often in DC and Marvel. Almost anybody can wrap themselves in a flag, carry a shield, and be Captain America. Or put on a powered suit of armor and become Iron Man. But to be Spiderman, you sort of need to have...well, spider like abilities of some sort? Just like, if you take the name Human Torch, you damn well better catch on fire, and not just flick a Bic.

Now, I'm not an avid reader these days, just occasionally, when I buy them for my sons. I have been sort of out of the loop, and didn't really know much about Parker's death. But yeah, who is this kid, and how did he get said spider like powers? Not really a common thing... unless there was a swarm of radioactive spiders running amok?
Ranger14
Ranger14 - 8/24/2011, 8:45 PM
He isn't gay.
drykillogic22
drykillogic22 - 8/24/2011, 8:59 PM
MrEko..You are the Man..:)
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