Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is almost here. We’ve covered Peter Parker, but we have one more Spider-Man joining him: Miles Morales. Played by Nadji Jeter, Miles was a playable secondary protagonist in the original before receiving his own game. Now, he stars alongside Peter as the protagonist in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This comprehensive guide will tell you all you should know about our shockingly amazing new Spider-Man.
As expected, this guide covers everything in the Marvel’s Spider-Man series, so to avoid being spoiled, I suggest playing the games or watching a lets-play of it before reading. Our very own Chris Carter rated Marvel’s Spider-Man a 9 in his glowing review, citing Insomniac’s strong direction and fun traversal through New York. In his Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales review, Chris also gives the game a 9 as it charts a bold start for the future of the series. Now, without further ado, let’s swing into action, shall we?
Who is Marvel Comics’ Miles Morales?
Miles Morales is a fairly new iteration of Spider-Man. Shown briefly in Ultimate Fallout #4 in August 2011, the character would get his full introduction in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man a month later. Created by Sara Pichelli and Brian Michael Bendis, Miles Morales acts as the next mainline Spider-Man after Peter Parker’s untimely death. Over the course of the series, he honors Peter’s legacy, as well as charting his own. Since his conception, Miles has seen success in other media, specifically in the starring role in Sony Pictures Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse, played by Shameik Moore.
Born in Brooklyn to Officer Jefferson Davis and then-teacher Rio Morales, Miles lived a pretty good life. His love of technology blossomed early in childhood, as well as for music. His uncle, Aaron Davis, would hang out with Miles and create hip-hop beats together. However, his father barred him from seeing and being with Aaron for a then-unknown reason. Either way, Miles later gets bit by a radioactive spider and develops similar attributes to Spider-Man. However, he does have the powers of bio-electricity and invisibility, giving him an upper edge over Peter in abilities. With that, he takes up the webbed garb and joins Peter as they save the city.
As a character, Miles Morales doesn’t give up. If he has a goal, he’ll do whatever it takes to see it through. Being involved within his community makes him a more sociable person, willing to listen to people and understand them. His affinity for technology shows in his hacking abilities, which surpass even military-grade devices. Miles can be a bit headstrong, charging into things he can’t handle. Still, his selfless nature, as well as technical prowess, makes him a spectacular Spider-Man.
Insomniac’s Version of Miles Morales
What is Miles Morales’ backstory?
Despite a small gameplay section before this, we meet Miles in Marvel’s Spider-Man at a very vulnerable point. Much like Peter, he loses someone he loves (his father, Jefferson Davis) and finds solace in helping others. This grows further when, after being bit by a radioactive spider from Oscorp, he becomes the second Spider-Man, now getting to aid everyone who needs it. In his own game, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, we see more of what makes Miles different and get a semi-origin story. His backstory holds some semblance to Peter’s, where he feels responsible for his friend Phin Mason becoming The Tinkerer and uncle Aaron Davis, revealed to be the villain Prowler, working for Roxxon leader Simon Krieger. He also still grieves over the death of his father. However, he does reveal his secret identity to more people, like Rio, Prowler, and Ganke.
Miles Morales’s relationships
Miles’ relationship with Peter is akin to a teacher/student dynamic, though with some leeway. Both work together but Peter still keeps Miles out of harm’s way when he can. Still, the two connect on a deeper level due to their shared abilities and relate to each other personally. Miles also confides in Ganke Lee, his roommate and best friend. As Ganke was the first to know about Miles’ abilities, he worked with him to solve the residents of New York’s problems through the ‘Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ app. Another person Miles spends a lot of time with is his mother, Rio Morales. Helping her with becoming a City Council member, she deepens her relationship with Miles after losing Jefferson. This connection goes further when Miles reveals himself as Spider-Man, which she accepts and encourages in the name of his lost father.
Who voices Miles Morales in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2?
Bringing life to Insomniac’s version of Miles Morales is Nadji Jeter. While his background is mostly in TV and film, his first video game role was Henry’s brother Sam in 2013’s The Last of Us. While it may not have been related to him getting the role, he did play Miles Morales in Disney XD’s Marvel’s Spider-Man animated show (not related to the games). Like Yuri for Peter, Nadji also did motion capture for the role. His enthusiasm about the role has spread to him playing Miles in other games outside the series, like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.
Comparisons between Versions
How does Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Miles Morales compare to Marvel Comics?
Insomniac’s version of Miles Morales in Marvel’s Spider-Man is in tune with similar versions of the character. He maintains his Afro-Latino roots and represents them with respect. We see Miles become Spider-Man, down to the spider bite, and gain his powers. In the comics, Aaron Davis accidentally brings the radioactive spider with him when he snuck into Oscorp while, in the game, Mary Jane has it. However, a huge change does happen: the death of Jefferson Davis. In the comics, Davis still works for the NYPD, but he never dies. Instead, his mother, Rio Morales, dies in Miles’ arms after being accidentally shot by police when trying to find Venom. Speaking of Venom, though not directly related (as far as we know), Marvel’s Spider-Man‘s Miles calls his bio-electricity and invisibility abilities his ‘Venom Powers”, which isn’t taken from any other media.
Miles Morales’ relationships in Marvel Comics and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
While a majority of his relationships are the same in other iterations (aside from the Rio/Jefferson swap), Peter’s connection with Miles feels more pronounced. As Peter was ‘dead’ when Miles started out, so we never see the two grow together. Miles learns most of his stuff through seeing Spider-Man pre-death and trial and error. Insomniac still lets Miles learn by himself, especially in Miles Morales, but Peter taught him the basics of superhero-ing in person. Meanwhile, his opponent in the game, The Tinkerer, is a childhood friend of his, Phin Mason. This is a gender-swap of Phineas Mason, the comic book Tinkerer. Still, Miles’ personal connection to the villain builds upon the comics while adding a new spin.
Connections between Marvel Comics and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Miles, in the comics, has connections to S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as the Ultimates. This doesn’t translate into Marvel’s Spider-Man, which goes with a traditional route. Similar to Peter, it seems Insomniac wanted to introduce the characters first and have them develop before adding big heroes like Captain America or Nick Fury into the mix. While it’s unknown if Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will have any Avengers in it, as previously stated in my Peter Parker article, the X-Men, or at least one member, might appear.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 swings onto PlayStation 5 on October 20, 2023.
