When Miles Morales first donned the Spider-Man suit in Ultimate Fallout #4, the comic world held its breath. Was there room for another wall-crawler? Could a teen from Brooklyn, of Afro-Latino descent, truly stand beside Peter Parker’s legacy? The answer wasn’t just yes—it was absolutely. Over the years, Miles has gone from a bold idea to one of Marvel’s most beloved characters, carving out a legacy that’s every bit as impactful as Peter’s.
But Miles isn’t just another Spider-Man—he’s a Spider-Man for a new era. His stories are rich with cultural nuance, emotional weight, and explosive action. He’s battled cosmic threats, lost family, changed dimensions, and still managed to maintain the grounded, heartfelt tone that makes the best Spider-Man stories resonate. These game-changing arcs didn’t just push his character forward—they reshaped the Marvel Universe around him.
#10: The Birth of Miles Morales – Ultimate Fallout #4 (2011)
It all began in Ultimate Fallout #4, when the Marvel Ultimate Universe was still reeling from the death of Peter Parker. In a shocking twist, a new kid in a black-and-red suit stops a criminal—and the world meets Miles Morales. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, Miles’ debut was more than just a narrative shift—it was a seismic cultural moment.
This issue introduced not just a new Spider-Man, but a new vision of what legacy means in superhero comics. Miles wasn’t a carbon copy of Peter. He was younger, less confident, and still grappling with what it meant to be a hero. The emotional weight of Peter’s death hung over him, and that reverence made his journey feel earned.
This origin story also planted seeds for later world-building. It hinted at deeper familial ties, complex mentorship arcs, and broader political and social themes. For many readers, seeing a Black and Puerto Rican teen take up the Spider-Man mantle was life-changing—and for Marvel, it marked the beginning of a new era where representation and storytelling merged with incredible momentum.
#9: Spider-Men – Spider-Men #1–5 (2012)
What happens when Peter Parker meets Miles Morales? Pure magic. In Spider-Men, the Peter Parker from Earth-616 is accidentally transported to the Ultimate Universe, where he comes face-to-face with the teenage hero wearing his symbol. This crossover was everything fans hoped for: emotional, funny, and deeply meaningful.
Peter initially feels skeptical, even threatened. But as he watches Miles in action—and sees the grief and responsibility he carries—Peter comes to respect him. Meanwhile, Miles is overwhelmed by the chance to meet his idol, and the two forge a bond that’s equal parts mentorship and brotherhood.
This series legitimized Miles in a big way. It wasn’t just a one-universe story anymore—Miles was now recognized by the Spider-Man. It bridged two worlds and gave readers a touching validation of Miles’ journey. And when Peter learns about Miles’ relationship with Aunt May and Gwen in the Ultimate Universe, the emotional resonance hits hard. This crossover was the start of a lasting legacy, proving that two Spider-Men can exist—and thrive—side by side.
#8: Venom War – Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #16.1–22 (2012–2013)
In the Venom War storyline, Miles Morales faces one of Peter Parker’s deadliest enemies: Venom. But this version isn’t Eddie Brock—it’s a monstrous version of the symbiote that targets Miles for reasons tied to his father. The confrontation is brutal, terrifying, and ultimately tragic.
What sets this arc apart is the personal cost. During a deadly encounter with Venom, Miles’ mother, Rio Morales, is shot and killed. The emotional fallout is devastating. For a time, Miles quits being Spider-Man, unable to bear the guilt of his mother’s death. It’s one of the darkest and most defining moments in his early tenure.
This arc changed Miles forever. It introduced real, irreversible consequences and solidified that his stories wouldn’t shy away from trauma and sacrifice. The loss of Rio added depth to Miles’ character and set the tone for future arcs where emotional stakes would remain just as high as the physical ones. It also emphasized one of Spider-Man’s core themes: with great power comes personal loss.
#7: Spider-Verse – Spider-Verse (2014)
Spider-Verse threw every Spider-hero from across the multiverse into battle against the vampiric Inheritors, and Miles Morales was thrust into the chaos alongside Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, and dozens of other variants. While Peter Parker of Earth-616 took the lead, Miles emerged as a breakout star.
Despite being one of the youngest heroes involved, Miles quickly proved his tactical worth and moral clarity. He bonded with alternate Spider-people, formed friendships with characters like Gwen Stacy, and stood firm against overwhelming odds. His empathy and creativity became essential to the team’s survival.
What made this storyline game-changing for Miles was its scale. He was no longer confined to the Ultimate Universe—he was now part of a multiversal Spider-family. It laid the foundation for events like Spider-Geddon and Across the Spider-Verse, where Miles would eventually take the lead. From here, he wasn’t just a new Spider-Man. He was the Spider-Man in the eyes of many fans.
#6: Secret Wars and the Collapse of the Ultimate Universe – Secret Wars #1–9 (2015)
When Secret Wars obliterated the Marvel multiverse, the Ultimate Universe—home to Miles Morales—was among those erased. But Miles didn’t just survive the cataclysmic event. He became one of its emotional centers. As the multiverse collapsed, Miles joined the heroes who entered the mysterious Battleworld, a patchwork planet governed by God Emperor Doom.
During the chaos, Miles teamed up with 616 characters, including Peter Parker and the Maker (an evil Reed Richards). But it was his small acts of kindness—like sharing a cheeseburger with the Molecule Man—that had the biggest impact. That one gesture earned him and his family a place in the new, post-Secret Wars continuity.
This storyline marked a colossal shift for Miles: he was no longer a “parallel” Spider-Man. He was now part of the main Marvel Universe. His continuity merged into Earth-616, giving him access to a broader world, deeper relationships with other heroes, and a permanent seat at Marvel’s core table. It redefined his place in the cosmos—and proved that his presence was too important to lose.
#5: Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1–6 (2018) – “Straight Out of Brooklyn”
Saladin Ahmed’s run on Miles Morales: Spider-Man began with a grounded, energetic, and emotionally rich story arc that brought Miles back to his roots—Brooklyn, school life, and balancing hero work with family. “Straight Out of Brooklyn” reestablished Miles’ supporting cast, including his best friend Ganke, love interest Barbara, and his baby sister Billie.
The arc tackled issues like immigrant identity, street-level injustice, and the toll of daily heroism. When Miles faces off against a revamped Rhino and a kidnapped child operation, the story reveals how deeply he cares—not just about beating villains but about saving lives and repairing broken systems.
What made this arc game-changing wasn’t spectacle—it was heart. It reminded readers that Miles’ power doesn’t come from universe-shaking events. It comes from being the hero next door, grounded in love, culture, and community. This version of Miles became a symbol for readers looking for representation that felt real, and a narrative that respected the complexity of being young, gifted, and burdened with impossible choices.
#4: Clone Saga – Miles Morales: Spider-Man #25–30 (2021)
The mere phrase “Clone Saga” sends shivers down many Spider-Man fans’ spines. But Miles’ version took a classic idea and reinvented it with heart-pounding tension and unexpected emotional weight. When a mysterious group of clones begins targeting Miles, he’s forced to battle twisted versions of himself—each representing different distorted aspects of his psyche.
Among them is Selim, a sadistic, ultra-powered clone who seeks to replace Miles completely. The psychological warfare is intense. Miles is pushed to the edge—mentally and physically—and questions whether he can even survive this twisted mirror match.
What makes this story unforgettable is how it challenges Miles’ identity. What does it mean to be the real Spider-Man? How do you prove you’re the hero when someone wears your face and commits atrocities in your name? By the end, Miles not only defeats his clones—he reclaims ownership of his story. And in doing so, he grows sharper, stronger, and more determined than ever before.
#3: Spider-Men II – Spider-Men II #1–5 (2017)
Years after their first meeting, Peter and Miles reunite in Spider-Men II—this time in the merged 616 universe. Their dynamic is more complex now. Miles isn’t a wide-eyed rookie anymore. He’s matured. And Peter, while still a mentor, treats him more like an equal.
The real twist of the series? The revelation that the 616 universe also had a Miles Morales—one whose life took a darker, criminal turn. This discovery rocks Miles. It forces him to ask what separates him from becoming that version. Is it choices? Circumstance? Mentorship? The exploration of fate and identity is as intense as it is philosophical.
While the story didn’t get as much buzz as their first team-up, its emotional layers and character development made it pivotal. It shifted Miles’ internal compass and reminded readers that identity isn’t defined by names, costumes, or even power—but by the decisions you make when no one else is watching.
#2: Across the Spider-Verse – Adapted from the Film and Comics (2023)
Though not purely a comic storyline, Across the Spider-Verse—which draws heavily on previous comic arcs—was a massive cultural moment that pushed Miles to the center of the multiverse. In both the film and supporting comics, Miles grapples with the idea of the “canon event”—that tragedy is inevitable for Spider-Men across realities. But Miles isn’t like the others. He refuses to accept fate.
This storyline took everything Miles stood for—agency, individuality, compassion—and threw it into the most epic multiversal challenge yet. Surrounded by hundreds of Spider-variants and told he doesn’t belong, Miles fights not just for his future, but to reshape the very idea of destiny in the Spider-Verse.
The emotional core—his desire to save both his father and his identity—resonates beyond comics. It’s a story about breaking generational trauma, challenging systems, and saying “not this time.” And it cements Miles as a revolutionary Spider-Man—not just in action, but in ideology.
#1: Into the Spider-Verse – Ultimate Comics and Film Adaptation (2018)
If Across the Spider-Verse lit the fire, Into the Spider-Verse sparked it. This film and the comic arcs surrounding it where the moment Miles Morales became a household name. Blending heart, humor, stunning animation, and true-to-comic storytelling, this storyline introduced the world to a Spider-Man who listens to hip-hop, loves his mom and dad, and paints his own suit.
Miles’ journey in Into the Spider-Verse mirrors his early Ultimate Comics storylines: confusion about power, grief over loss, and fear of not being “good enough.” But by the film’s end, he flips the script—literally and figuratively. He becomes the Spider-Man no one saw coming but everyone needed.
This arc didn’t just change Miles’ trajectory—it redefined what a hero looks like in modern media. Kids saw themselves in Miles. Adults saw a future. And Marvel saw a new cornerstone for its multiverse. No other Miles Morales storyline shifted pop culture so dramatically—and it’s why this one stands at the top.
Miles Morales began as a bold experiment—a new Spider-Man in a world where Peter Parker’s shadow loomed large. But through each of these game-changing storylines, he’s proved time and again that his journey isn’t about replacing anyone—it’s about redefining what a hero can be. From interdimensional battles and identity crises to intimate moments of loss, love, and rebellion, Miles has grown into one of Marvel’s most layered and inspiring characters.
What makes Miles so impactful isn’t just his powers—it’s his heart. He carries the weight of expectation, community, and legacy, and still manages to carve a path that’s entirely his own. These stories didn’t just elevate him—they reshaped the Marvel Universe around him, giving voice to new generations of fans who now see themselves swinging through skyscrapers, facing impossible odds, and still choosing to do what’s right.
Miles Morales is no longer just a part of Spider-Man’s legacy—he is the legacy. And these storylines prove he’s here to stay.
