Miles Morales, or the second Ultimate Universe’s Spider-Man, came into existence when Ultimate Peter Parker met his end. Miles is a half black half Hispanic young man from Brooklyn who got his spider powers from the actions of his uncle (stole from Osborn industry where a genetically enhanced spider got into his bag and later bit Miles) and wanted none of it. He wanted none of it but ended up being heroic in many ways.
Miles’ powers are similar to any other Spider-Man’s (wall crawling, increased agility, increased strength, increased durability, spider-sense, etc.) and he even uses webs like them. The difference is that he has 1 particular power that most of the other Spider-Men don’t have and 1 that NOBODY else has: invisibility/camouflage and his Venom Sting/Blast.
Miles gains the ability to turn invisible and thus surprise attack opponents that include his uncle The Prowler and the mainstream 616 Universe Spider-Man (the one we all know and love), as well as escape from situations he wants no part of (like escaping from a battle or some cops).
His Venom Sting is a strange electrical-like attack (but it’s not electricity as it shocked even Electro) that is activated through touch and can be conducted through many materials, including Miles’ webs. The attack ‘stings’ the opponent and often incapacitates them by locking their muscles up and/or paralyzing them. It’s an ability unique to Miles (and Ultimate Taskmaster who fought Miles and is a mimic) and is very mysterious as to just how it works.
Miles is involved with SHIELD and Nick Fury far more than his 616 (mainstream) counterpart, being monitored more closely and even becoming a SHIELD agent.
Miles has taken on many villains: from Omega Red, to Scorpion, to Electro, to RHINO, to Venom, to War Machine, to Hydra, to Giant Woman, and more. He’s worked with Nick Fury, Captain America, Spider Girl/Woman, and has even had a battle with Peter Parker from the 616 universe (a fight that Miles won).
Despite just wanting to be normal, Miles has achieved a lot. He’s defeated a multitude of villains and has proven to be one of the more powerful Spider-Men. He shares a lot with most Spider-Man stories: the shyness, dealing with his powers (wanting to be normal), growing with and learning his powers, working with various heroes, and most of his powers, but it’s his differences that make him who he is.
One could almost say that he’s the Ultimate Spider-Man.
Copyright © WarWithWords 2014
