Marvel’s Age of Comics Explores How Spider-Man: Miles Morales Changed Marvel Forever

Spider-Man is one of the most recognizable characters in all of comic books, and the adventures of Peter Parker redefined what a hero could be. Enter: Miles Morales — a character who has since proven to be the perfect successor to the Spider-Man mantle.

Marvel Age of Comics has been on a roll with a series of books that do an incredible job of diving deep into the characters and stories that made Marvel Comics such an influential publisher. Marvel Age of Comics Spider-Man: Miles Morales by Ytasha L. Womack continues that trend grandly. It's a genuinely touching look into one of the most important comic characters of the modern era, and Womack goes to great lengths to explore that importance.

Ytasha L. Womack Writes With Love And Appreciation For Miles Morales

Marvel Age of Comics Spider-Man: Miles Morales writer Ytasha L. Womack does an incredible job of getting across exactly why the Miles Morales character is so endearing to so many people. She is effortlessly able to translate the love she has for Spider-Man on every page, delving into every aspect of the character's career since he shows up on the scene in the final pages of 2011's Ultimate Fallout arc. Womack takes readers on a journey worthy of Spider-Man as she dives into Miles' origins, his uncle Aaron, and his rise as a hero. Of course, she also covers the seemingly endless other characters and moments that helped make his Ultimate Spider-Man run and beyond so great — reminding readers of the several unforgettable iconic stories that revolved around Morales.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Womack's Age of Comics entry is how Miles Morales affected her on a personal level. Having discovered Miles Morales while writing her book Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture, Womack explains how easily she was able to relate to Miles on both an emotional and cultural level. Spider-Man fans can expect to read all about how Womack's cultural background aligned with Miles' own and how that inspired her in her own artistic ventures. In that regard, Ytasha L. Womack was the perfect person to write this Age of Comics book — she perfectly represents all the people who saw themselves in Miles and truly understands how a comic book character like him can change lives for the better.

Miles Morales' Influence Has Been Felt Since His First Appearance

From the moment Miles Morales appeared in a classic Spider-Man costume, lifting the mask from his face to reveal the first major Afro-Latino superhero in Marvel Comics history, he was immediately a star. It was a stunning decision from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli to shift the focus of the Ultimate Spider-Man series from Peter Parker to Miles — but also a genius one. It opened several new avenues for storytelling — including the opportunity to explore a heritage not featured as often in the pages of Marvel at the time, while also introducing a whole new cast of characters to fill the pages. With that said, it was still a familiar tale of a New Yorker dealing with growing up as a teenager in a hectic world — something Peter Parker was all too familiar with.

Miles Morales represents a generation of comic book readers who needed a breath of fresh air, and he has continued to deliver just that in every appearance he's made. Whether it be in the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man, acting as a core member of the Champions or the Avengers, or starring as the leading man in Sony's wildly popular and impressive Spider-Verse animated movies, Morales continues to break boundaries to make comic fans both extremely happy — and endlessly proud.

Ytasha L. Womack and Marvel Age of Comics Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a sincere, heartwarming exploration of one of the most influential characters in modern comics, and will be available for all to enjoy on June 25 via Bloomsbury's website.