'Marvel's Spider-Man 2' Explained: Who Is Spider-Man (Miles Morales)?

Miles Morales may not be the first person to hold the mantle of Spider-Man, but he has more than proven himself worthy of the title as he steps up to defend Marvel’s New York after receiving his own super powers. After headlining his own video game to successfully launch the PlayStation 5 in 2020 with Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Miles swings back into action in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, on sale for the PS5 on October 20 from Insomniac Games in collaboration with Marvel Games. Despite being younger than his mentor Peter Parker, Miles is an experienced Super Hero in his own right, having thwarted evil corporations and costumed Super Villains alike on his own.

Coming from two strong parents who have each dedicated their lives towards defending the vulnerable in their own ways, Miles keeps civic duty as something of a family tradition. With so much having occurred to the character across the previous games, here’s a quick overview of Miles’ background and role ahead of his return in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Be sure to check out Miles Morales’ comic book history as well to see how the two versions of the character are both different and similar.

What Happened to Miles Morales in Marvel’s Spider-Man?

Marvel’s Spider-Man finds a super-powered crime syndicate known as the Inner Demons taking advantage of the void left by the Kingpin’s arrest, often targeting Mayor Norman Osborn’s assets. At a mayoral reelection event honoring Officer Jefferson Davis for his heroism in the line of duty, the Demons attack, killing Jefferson in the chaos. Peter Parker befriends Jefferson’s son Miles Morales and his mother Rio Morales, helping the teenager overcome the grief of losing his father.

Peter’s on-again/off-again girlfriend Mary Jane Watson accidentally smuggles a genetically engineered spider out of Oscorp headquarters, which ends up biting Miles. The bite causes Miles to gain super powers, matching Spider-Man’s but with the additional abilities to generate bioelectric attack and go invisible. After Miles shares his developing powers to Peter, Peter reveals he is Spider-Man, with powers of his own. Peter agrees to mentor Miles into following in his footsteps as his own Spider-Man.

What Happened to Miles Morales in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales?

Approximately one year after the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Peter has trained Miles extensively on how to master his powers and use them to defend Marvel’s New York as Spider-Man. After stopping the Rhino together, Peter reveals to Miles that he is leaving with Mary Jane for several weeks as Mary Jane covers the European nation of Symkaria as part of her journalism career. Entrusted with taking care of the city alone in Peter’s absence, Miles reunites with his childhood friend Phin Mason, while Miles’ mother runs for a City Council position.

Miles clashes with a rebel group known as the Underground, who are armed with advanced technology provided by their masked leader the Tinkerer. The Underground is targeting an experimental power source called Nuform, developed by the nefarious Roxxon Corporation. Roxxon is headed by immoral businessman Simon Krieger, who had Phin’s uncle killed when he attempted to report on Nuform’s instability and destructive potential. As Miles’ battles with the Underground escalate, he learns that the Tinkerer is secretly Phin, and that Miles’ own uncle Aaron Davis is a costumed criminal known as the Prowler, who is working directly for Simon.

Phin plans to destroy Roxxon Plaza with the stolen Nuform to avenge her uncle, despite the blast radius from the substance poised to obliterate all of Harlem in the process. After discovering Miles is secretly Spider-Man, Rio encourages her son to continue on as Spider-Man and protect his community. With newfound confidence, Miles defeats the Prowler and reminds him of his late brother’s dedicated morals. Miles succeeds in stopping the Nuform from annihilating Harlem but it comes at the cost of Phin’s life. Meanwhile, Aaron turns himself in and provides the authorities with enough evidence to have Simon arrested.

Miles Morales’ History in the Comics

Miles Morales was created by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli in ULTIMATE FALLOUT (2011) #4, set in the Ultimate Marvel Universe. In this world, Aaron steals the genetically engineered spider, developed from Peter Parker’s blood, and Miles is bitten by it while visiting his uncle. In the aftermath of Peter’s death in ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN (2000) #160, Miles steps up to become the new Spider-Man and honors Peter’s legacy.

In the crossover event SECRET WARS (2015), Miles and his supporting cast are integrated into the primary Marvel Universe after the multiverse is recreated by Reed Richards. Miles and Peter maintain a mentor-protégé dynamic, though Miles is based out of Brooklyn, as opposed to the games placing him and his family in Harlem.

One important constant in both games and comics is Miles’ mixed heritage as African-American and Puerto Rican. Whether seen celebrating the holidays with traditional Puerto Rican recipes in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, or showing off his bilingual skills in MARVEL’S VOICES: COMMUNIDADES (2021) #1, Miles shows that being bicultural is another aspect of his identity that he draws strength from.

Miles has proved himself worthy of the mantle of Spider-Man, and although he has proven himself a capable hero by saving Harlem, he’s in for an even bigger battle in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Miles’ friendship with Peter Parker will be tested as they take on more nefarious Super Villains such as Venom and Kraven the Hunter, and Peter’s exposure to a strange symbiote will only escalate the super-powered showdown. But even with the situation going from bad to worse, Miles has never been one to back down from doing what’s right.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 releases October 20th, 2023 only on PlayStation 5. Pre-Order the title now on PlayStation Store, PlayStation Direct or your friendly neighborhood retailer!

For the latest news on Marvel's Spider-Man 2, follow Marvel Games on X (formerly Twitter)!

Celebrate Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month by reading more comics with Miles Morales and amazing Super Heroes below!