Warning: contains spoilers for The Spectacular Spider-Men #1!
Marvel’s new Spectacular Spider-Men begins a joyous new era in the relationship between Peter Parker and Miles Morales. The two have crossed paths numerous times over the past decade, and the relationship between them has changed in that time as well. In Spectacular Spider-Men #1, their friendship enters a new phase, one built on trust and respect, in the process creating one of the best Spider-Man books in recent memory.
Spectacular Spider-Men #1 is written by Greg Weisman and drawn by Humberto Ramos. The issue, taking place across two different time frames, highlights this new relationship between Peter and Miles. In one segment, the two meet for coffee in their civilian identities while they fight a hulked-up Jackal in another. The quips (and thwips) flow thick and free through the issue, making it a fun read.
Yet more importantly, Spectacular Spider-Men #1 makes it clear that Peter views Miles as an equal and not as a sidekick, which helps elevate Miles’ status even further in the Marvel Universe.
Miles Morales Is One of the Best New Marvel Characters of the Past Decade
Miles Morales Has Nowhere to Go But Up in the Marvel Universe
Miles Morales’ star has been on the rise since his first appearance over a decade ago. Introduced in the first iteration of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, Miles took over the mantle of Spider-Man after the death of that Earth’s Peter Parker. When the Ultimate Universe was destroyed in Secret Wars, Miles was given a place on the new Earth created in the wake of that event. Since then, Miles and Peter Parker of Earth-616 have existed side by side, with Miles keeping Brooklyn safe while Peter manages Queens.
The Spectacular Spider-Men #1 is a joyous celebration of all things Spider-Man. Weisman and Ramos understand humor is a key part of both Peter and Miles’ lore, and thus fills Spectacular Spider-Men #1 with some sidesplitting jokes and one-liners. Both Peter and Miles get in on the wise cracks, and in doing so, it helps reinforce this amazing new dynamic between the two Spider-Men. Peter and Miles insult each other, but they are playful and good-natured, and never come from a mean-spirited place. Instead, their barbs are signs of trust and confidence and of a strong friendship between equals.
“Spider-Samurai”: Miles Morales Is Carving His Own Identity Away from Peter Parker
Now that Miles Morales finally has a handle on who he is, the young hero is getting ready to show that he’s more than just another Spider-Man.
Peter Parker Sees Miles Morales as an Equal and Not Competition
Spectacular Spider-Men #1 is the Birth of a Beautiful New Dynamic Between Peter and Miles
This new approach to the Peter Parker/Miles Morales dynamic is refreshing. Peter has been Spider-Man for much longer than Miles, and it could be easy for Peter to look down on him. That is not what happens in Spectacular Spider-Men #1, however. Instead, Peter respects Miles, and vice versa. Peter initially reaches out to Miles in this issue simply because they are friends. Despite their pledges not to team-up and fight bad guys, that is exactly what they do. Peter Parker and Miles Morales make a great team, and The Spectacular Spider-Men #1 gloriously celebrates this.
The Spectacular Spider-Men #1 is now on sale from Marvel Comics!
Spectacular Spider-Men #1 (2024) | |
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