Miles Morales Is Failing Peter’s Spider-Man Legacy in One Crucial Way

Miles Morales is almost as popular as Peter Parker – but he’s falling short of the Spider-Man legacy by failing to measure up in one big way.

Warning: SPOILERS for X-Men Annual #1Marvel’s Miles Morales is nearly as popular as Peter Parker, but he’s failing the Spider-Man legacy in one big way. The Spider-Man from Brooklyn became a massive hit when he debuted nearly ten years ago, and in that time has accumulated his share of allies, villains and supporting characters. But X-Men Annual #1 suggests that no matter how popular Miles becomes, he can’t attain the mantle of Spider-Man – because he’s just not annoying enough.

In current comics continuity, Miles is from the 616 universe, but that wasn’t always the case. Initially, Miles debuted in the Ultimate universe line of comics, hailing from Earth-1610. When Peter died in the Ultimate universe, Miles took his place as the local Spider-Man, but during the events of 2015’s Secret Wars crossover, he was officially brought into the 616 universe through the reality-warping powers of Molecule Man. This makes Miles the only character to originate from two universes at once – and unlike his universe of origin, Earth-616’s version of Peter Parker is alive and well.

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In X-Men Annual #1, written by Steve Foxe with art by Andrea Di Vito, the X-Men are engaged in battle with the villain Brainchild and his army of dinosaurs. Miles Morales swings onto the scene, attacking with powerful venom blasts (powers which Peter Parker does not possess). Miles is also perfectly comfortable with the X-Men stealing his powers so long as he’s allowed a visit to the Krakoan treehouse in Central Park. “Deal” responds Magik. “You’re much less annoying than the other one.”

Even The X-Men Know Miles Morales Isn’t As Annoying As Peter Parker

The diehard Marvel faithful and casual fans alike know that Peter Parker is one of the most talkative superheroes when it comes to banter during battle. Peter’s constant wisecracks are so well-known that when he says nothing at all, it’s a sign Spider-Man is serious and truly incensed. But Miles, while still vocal himself, often talks during fights in another way: by trying to get the villain of the week to cease their evildoing ways. Peter, for the most part, usually insults his enemies again and again until they’re defeated.

In some ways, Miles is not precisely following the legacy of Spider-Man as set up by Peter Parker. Miles is so successful in part because he’s a completely different person than Peter and not just a carbon copy. It is indeed true that Miles Morales isn’t following Peter Parker’s legacy – but in this case, it is a positive development, one that the character’s many fans will see as a reason why Miles is the stronger Spider-Man.

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