‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Prequel Novel ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales - Wings of Fury’ Re-Introduces A Familiar Villain

Before you swing into the action of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, find out what happens before that with the prequel novel, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Wings of Fury!

Written by bestselling author Brittney Morris, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Wings of Fury

picks up shortly before the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Miles Morales finds himself coming to terms with what it means to be Spider-Man, and a mix-up with the law leaves him questioning everything when people are ready to believe the worst in you. If that’s not enough, Miles is also dealing with moving to a new neighborhood, the loss of his father, and his newly acquired superpowers. After Vulture and his accomplice Starling unleash experimental tech on Marvel’s New York, Miles must decide what kind of hero he wants to be.

Marvel.com talked to Morris, who also wrote the critically acclaimed SLAY, about Miles, Spider-Man, and how the character comes to life on the page before he does in the game! Read on to find out all this and more, along with a novel excerpt!

Marvel.com: Before this prequel novel, what was your knowledge and relationship to Miles Morales?

Brittney Morris: Like everyone else, I fell in love with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (saw it in theaters 4 times). That was really my first introduction to Miles’ character. As I delved into his role in the comics and in the greater Marvel universe, I only fell more and more in love. His story is so complex and honest, full of personal growth and self-discovery. I knew writing Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Wings of Fury would be a huge honor.

Marvel.com: And going off of that, what was your relationship to Marvel’s Spider-Man?

Brittney Morris: Before writing this novel, I’d seen several playthroughs of Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS4. Loved the story, loved how multifaceted it was, and how the content just kept going!

Marvel.com: What about Miles’ powers were you most excited to write about?

Well, without spoiling anything, I was excited to explore creative new ways for him to use the expected Spider-Man powers – the web-slinging, sticking to vertical surfaces, etc. I really wanted to open up new ways of using what already existed, since Miles is such a creative character.

Marvel.com: Miles eats a lot of pizza in the novel. How much research did you have to do on NYC pizza places, and other food establishments?

I like to think of myself as an amateur pizza connoisseur, but somehow NYC pizza is a complete black hole for me. Haven’t really experienced it for real just yet. But I did a lot of googling, and I named the pizza place in the book Nonna’s to imply that somebody’s experienced grandma knows what they’re doing in the kitchen.

Marvel.com: Peter Parker has a big presence in the novel, as Miles’ mentor. What kind of dynamic and/or partnership were you eager to show between the two of them?

Brittney Morris: Both a brotherly one and one of mentorship, and specifically one of intersectional mentorship. Peter can coach Miles through what it means to be Spider-Man. But his expertise stops at coaching Miles through what it means to be an Afro-Latina Spider-Man, and even a Spider-Man who hails from two very different neighborhoods in New York. There’s so much respect and love between them, and I was eager to explore that.

Marvel.com: The novel also dives into Ganke learning Miles is Spider-Man. What was it like writing that big reveal, and how much freedom did you have to work with telling that story?

Brittney Morris: If there’s one thing I love writing, it’s a big reveal. I had total freedom when writing that. Writing the resistance until that point was quite rewarding – the lengths Miles went to in trying to keep his identity secret were pretty hilarious.

Marvel.com: Vulture is back, and now he’s got another accomplice with him. Without spoiling too much, what was it like writing for this new character and having them interact (and ally) with Miles?

Brittney Morris: Oh, it was great – it worked kind of like a mirror. In the book, Peter’s got a new Spider partner, and Vulture’s got a new bird villain partner. Both super folks are passing the baton to an apprentice while also fighting each other like old times. Vulture’s new apprentice isn’t nearly as cut and dry as I think he’d like. They, like Miles, are discovering their place in the universe and deciding for themselves what kind of tech-oriented resistance they want to lead.

Marvel.com This novel comes out as the country faces a cultural reckoning. In one instance, Miles is accused of a crime he didn’t commit and handcuffed. Knowing Miles’ background as an Afro-Latino teen from NYC, what did you want to convey with this inclusion?

Brittney Morris: I felt this inclusion was important because as Spider-Man, under the cover of the Spidey-suit, Miles gets a bit of free reign to fight crime as needed, going where he needs, positive intent assumed and all. But in plainclothes, there’s a fine line between being in the right place at the right time, vs. being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And navigating that nuance is something Peter can’t help Miles with. It’s something Miles has to navigate on his own.

Marvel.com: What are you most excited for readers to discover in the book?

Brittney Morris: There’s a lot of nuance in this book – lots of small references and easter eggs. I can’t wait to see who discovers what!

Marvel.com: And considering the book leads directly into the game, what are you excited for fans to then discover about Miles in the game?

Brittney Morris: I’ll just leave it at this: I’m excited for people to find out exactly what Miles is capable of.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales will launch both physically and digitally on the PlayStation Store on November 12, 2020.

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