So Peter Parker of the Ultimate universe was prominently featured recently in the Death of Spider-Man storyline, and – here’s a shocker – bit the bullet in the end. Nobody saw that coming, really. Anyway, Marvel just recently debuted the brand-new Spider-Man for the alternate Ultimate Universe, and I’m really loving this little development.

Welcome, Miles Morales. Hope Marvel doesn't shit on your life... much.

Here’s an except from Marvel’s announcement in USA Today:

Revealed in Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Fallout Issue 4, out Wednesday, the new Spider-Man in the Ultimate universe is a half-black, half-Hispanic teen named Miles Morales. He takes over the gig held by Peter Parker, who was killed in Ultimate Spider-Man Issue 160 in June.

In his first appearance, he simply breaks up a fight. But readers will learn the true origin of Morales and how he became the new Spider-Man when Ultimate Spider-Man relaunches in September with a new No. 1 issue [...] In addition to an alliterative name, Miles has a connection to his predecessor in how he received his powers. But he will have different abilities, too. Supporting characters such as Peter’s Aunt May and Gwen Stacy also will give Miles nuggets of wisdom to help his transition from young kid to New York City superhero.

I’m just afraid that with Brian Michael Bendis writing a half-black, half-hispanic Spider-Man, his signature heavy-handedness might get too unbearable. Let’s just see, alright?

Welcome to the (Ultimate) Marvel Universe, Miles Morales. Hope you become popular enough to not get killed and be replaced by your (non-minority) predecessor.

YES! My first post after a hiatus and my first Marvel related post at the same time. Looking at the current Disney buying Marvel context, I wonder if the 2011 movie Hands of Shang Chi will have Disney’s say on it? (continue reading…)