MILES MORALES: THE POWER OF THE INVISIBLE

Written by C Hues

February 28, 2022

Miles Morales’ unique powers reflect his status as a teenager and the changes that he undergoes because of puberty. Miles has the powers of invisibility and electric shock, which none of the other Spider-people in the film seem to possess. His power of invisibility relates to the feelings that many teenagers have, particularly those who are bullied and ostracized. His powers of electricity show that we all have a “spark” inside of us which makes us unique. We can only find our “spark” if we believe in ourselves.

Miles Morales’ unique powers are directly connected to his character development. The school that Miles attends is ironically called “Visions Academy”, but Miles prefers to remain unseen. He is embarrassed by his dad before he goes to school, where the other students mock his situation by mimicking his dad. He fails one of his true/false tests purposely to get himself kicked out of school, but the teacher is quick to his game. Even after getting bit by the spider and gaining his powers, Miles remains awkward and almost pulls out all of Gwen Stacy’s hair. The more Miles tries to remain invisible, the more visible he becomes. He gets teased and called a “weirdo” by his peers, leading him to feel alone. Right after Miles becomes the unwanted center of attention, he runs across a platform at the school with the words “VISIONS” in capital letters. Miles tries to explain the situation to Gwen as being the result of “puberty”. In one scene, Stan Lee cameos as a store owner who gives Miles a cheap Spider-Man costume and discusses the death of the Peter Parker of Miles’ universe. The exchange follows,


Stan Lee: I’m…going to miss him.
Miles Morales: Yeah.
Stan Lee: We were friends you know.
Miles Morales: Can I return it if it doesn’t fit?
Stan Lee: It always fits…eventually.


This meta-scene confirms the original theme that Stan Lee wanted to convey with Spider-Man: puberty. This theme of puberty correlates to Miles’ powers because just as it would take him time to grow into his suit, it takes him time to grow into his powers. When the other Spider-people meet up with Miles in Aunt May’s basement, they demand that Miles turn invisible and show them his powers. Miles wants more than anything to be invisible, to not stand out, and to be a “normal kid”, yet he can’t will himself to be invisible. The idea of Spider-Man as a reluctant hero is corroborated by the writer Douglas Wolk, who writes that Spider-Man is defined by “the amazing powers he never asked for” and that “he’s gained a responsibility that he never wanted but accepts anyway.” He goes on to write that Spider-Man is “alienated from everyone” and that “the popular kids in his school mock him.” Miles’ power of invisibility and the theme of “Vision” is also tied to Peter B. Parker’s statement that he won’t know when he is ready, but he needs “a leap of faith”. Miles may not be able to see or know when he’s ready to be a hero, but the first step to being a hero is confidence. Miles believes that he suffers from being socially awkward or has a commonsense problem, but the truth is that he has a confidence problem. When Miles believes in himself, then he realizes that he is ready to be a superhero. When he finally is ready for the world to see him, that is when he can ultimately turn invisible. It is only through Miles’ repeated failures that he eventually finds success. Stan Lee believed that “the key to Spider-Man…was failure”. Although Miles fails on his first attempt to use the move that his uncle Aaron taught him (to impress Gwen), by the end of the film he successfully uses the move on Kingpin to defeat him.


The electric power that Miles manifests seems to be a metaphor for the “spark” that Jefferson Davis (Miles’ dad) tells him that he is waiting for him to let out. The electricity, or “spark” is a power that connects to Miles Morales’ limitless potential and creative genius. Just as Miles’ teacher would not let him quit, a key theme of Spider-Man is that he “never gives up”. Miles’ spark is also tied to the theme of his essay, “Great Expectations”. Miles incessantly buckles under the pressure that his parents, teachers, and the other Spider-people place on him, and feels like a failure because he thinks he cannot live up to their expectations. However, Miles realizes that he must define what he expects from himself and set his own goals. Therefore, Miles eventually spray-paints all over the original Spider-Man costume because he is not Peter Parker. Miles realizes he must live to the standards of Miles Morales alone; not Peter, Gwen, Penny, his father, his teachers, or anyone else. He gives the costume his own unique color scheme of black and red, and spray paints it in honor of his uncle (the one person who he felt placed no expectations on him).

Miles Morales is a teenager who carries on the legacy of Peter Parker and represents someone that the underdog can identify with and understand. He also embodies the courage, creativity, and intellectual genius that the original Spider-Man had, while having his own individual sense of personality and motivations. Although Miles begins his story lacking confidence, he “grows into” who he really is and can tap into and control his powers.

CITATIONS

  1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Rating: PG (Mild Language|Frenetic Action Violence|Thematic Elements)
    Genre: Action, Kids & Family, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Animation. Original Language: English. Director:Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman. Producer: Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Christina Steinberg. Writer: Phil Lord, Rodney Rothman. Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 2018 Wide. Release Date (Streaming): Mar 19, 2019. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spider_man_into_the_spider_verse

    2. The Ultimate Guide to Spider-Man. Entertainment Weekly. “Along Came a Spider-Man.” Douglas Wolk. P4.

    3. The Ultimate Guide to Spider-Man. Entertainment Weekly. Sara Vilkomerson. P 36

    4. The Ultimate Guide to Spider-Man. Entertainment Weekly. Sara Vilkomerson. P 39.

KILLMONGER: THE MEANING OF A NAME

Written by C Hues

February 28, 2022

Erik Killmonger’s American name reveals his heritage as a member of the Wakandan royal family. His name also connects to his status as an outsider to the Wakandans, and the tragic circumstances that led him to harbor such hatred toward his blood relatives. Killmonger’s name is shared with the main antagonist to one of Marvel’s greatest team of superheroes, and the commonalities that the two characters share further establish Killmonger as a wily leader who is marred by oppression, subjugation, and abandonment.

In Black Panther, Killmonger’s (American) birth name is tied to his origins as a descendant of the Wakandan royal family and confirms his motivations and ambition for power. Killmonger’s name is Erik Stevens.[1] The name Erik is an alternative version of Eric, which “Means ‘ever ruler’, from the Old Norse name Eirikr, derived from the elements ei “ever, always” and rikr “ruler, mighty”.[2] As Killmonger finally becomes King of Wakanda after defeating T’Challa in combat and takes the heart shaped herb, he demands that all of the other heart shaped herbs are destroyed. When a Wakandan woman tells him that he cannot destroy the herbs because he will need to give them to his descendants, Killmonger furiously chokes her and declares himself the only King. Killmonger’s actions reflect the meaning of his name, that he intends to always be the ruler, and further substantiates the selfishness of the character because he puts his own vendetta before the good of Wakanda as a nation. Killmonger also establishes that he values power and might over wisdom, as he aligns himself with W’Kabi, who pleaded with T’Challa to police other countries and enact imperialist policies throughout the world.[3] Erik’s surname, Stevens, is a variant of the last name Stephens. Stephens is derived from the given name Stephen, which means “‘crown, wreath’, more precisely ‘that which surrounds’.”[4] Killmonger’s last name further corroborates his royal lineage and serves as a condemnation of Wakanda’s role in ignoring the outside world. Killmonger literally represents “that which surrounds” Wakanda because he was born in the United States and is part of the African diaspora that the Wakandan people chose to neglect. Wakanda has force fields that shield them from the world around them, and decided not to share their advanced technology, resources, and vibranium with black people in other countries who needed it.[5]

Killmonger also shares the same first name as the supervillain and X-Men archenemy, Magneto (who also was not born with the name Erik, but later uses it as an alias and it becomes the name with which he is most associated with), who has lead and ruled the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Magneto has some similarities to Killmonger because of their shared ideologies, motivations of revenge, and their merciless rage directed towards oppressors. Killmonger and Magento are both cunning, master tacticians, and expert strategists who will use any method and make any sacrifice to accomplish their goals. Killmonger became a Navy SEAL and fooled the U.S. government and military into believing that his loyalties lied with them, while Magneto deceived Professor X and the X-Men copious times in his attempts to fulfill his goal of exterminating humans.[6] Both men also come from marginalized and mistreated groups of people, and both seem to have an unfortunate habit of mistreating women (particularly their lovers).[7] Killmonger murders his girlfriend when she becomes too much of a liability, and in Days of Future Past, a young Magneto attempts to murder his lover, Mystique, when he believes it will preserve mutantkind.[8]

Killmonger’s American name substantiates his legacy as a descendant of Wakandan Kings and Queens. His name confirms his connection to the Wakandans, while simultaneously establishing his disconnect to the Wakandans because of his status as an outsider. Killmonger’s name is shared with Magneto, with whom he also shares many personality traits and plans of action.


[1] Black Panther. Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Action Violence|A Brief Rude Gesture). Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure. Original Language: English. Director: Ryan Coogler. Producer: Kevin Feige. Writer: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole. Release Date (Theaters): Feb 16, 2018  Wide. Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2018. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_panther_2018

[2] Behindthename.com. “Eric”, “Erik”. Accessed February 27, 2022.

[3] Black Panther. Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Action Violence|A Brief Rude Gesture). Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure. Original Language: English. Director: Ryan Coogler. Producer: Kevin Feige. Writer: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole. Release Date (Theaters): Feb 16, 2018  Wide. Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2018.

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_panther_2018

[4] Behindthename.com. “Stevens”, “Stephens”, “Stephen”. Accessed February 27, 2022.

[5] Black Panther. Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Action Violence|A Brief Rude Gesture). Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure. Original Language: English. Director: Ryan Coogler. Producer: Kevin Feige. Writer: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole. Release Date (Theaters): Feb 16, 2018  Wide. Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2018.

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_panther_2018

[6] Black Panther. Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Action Violence|A Brief Rude Gesture). Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure. Original Language: English. Director: Ryan Coogler. Producer: Kevin Feige. Writer: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole. Release Date (Theaters): Feb 16, 2018  Wide. Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2018.

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_panther_2018

X-Men: Days of Future Past. Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sci-Fi Violence|Intense Sci-Fi Action|Language|Nudity|Some Suggestive Material). Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adventure. Original Language: English. Director: Bryan Singer

Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker. Writer: Simon Kinberg. Release Date (Theaters): May 23, 2014  Wide. Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2014. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/x_men_days_of_future_past

[7] X-Men: Days of Future Past. Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sci-Fi Violence|Intense Sci-Fi Action|Language|Nudity|Some Suggestive Material). Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adventure. Original Language: English. Director: Bryan Singer

Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker. Writer: Simon Kinberg. Release Date (Theaters): May 23, 2014  Wide. Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2014. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/x_men_days_of_future_past

Black Panther. Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Action Violence|A Brief Rude Gesture). Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure. Original Language: English. Director: Ryan Coogler. Producer: Kevin Feige. Writer: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole. Release Date (Theaters): Feb 16, 2018  Wide. Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2018.

[8] X-Men: Days of Future Past. Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sci-Fi Violence|Intense Sci-Fi Action|Language|Nudity|Some Suggestive Material). Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adventure. Original Language: English. Director: Bryan Singer

Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker. Writer: Simon Kinberg. Release Date (Theaters): May 23, 2014  Wide. Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2014. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/x_men_days_of_future_past

Representation

Written by C Hues

February 25, 2022

When seeing two sistas transform tennis, then
More black women will win at Wimbledon
A man defying gravity, on his back is 23
And the bigots said it would be his life expectancy

Seeing nurses, physical therapists, physicians
All in my family gave me dreams of ascension
Soldiers and sailors, sacrificing their lives and saving others
But treated like a stepchild because they were brothers

I go to the movies and see a mirror
Miles swings through trial and error
And whether you prefer legacy or new
You see a hero and know that can be you

Unsung

Written by C Hues

February 23, 2022

Hosea Williams went to war
He lost his squad to blood and gore
Society kept shut the door
More stranger home than at the tour

Rustin made the movement run
Convinced a King to drop his gun
His legacy became undone
For who he loved, folks had their fun

Parks did more than take a seat
The lie said it was aching feet
She stood for Recy and did not retreat
History’s ignored her greatest feat

Black at Beijing

Written by C Hues

February 15, 2022

Black at Beijing
That’s a feeling that’ll sting
To be visible yet invisible
Representin’ the indivisible dream
If you succeed, it’s impossible
And when you fail, it’s a meme
But what nobody understands
Everyday for us is Black at Beijing

If you Black at Tokyo, they give you the red light
But ROC at Beijing, heyyy, it’s alright
Still, with a will of steel we fulfill the dream
We are the GOLD that we win for our team
We transcend and transform, with intelligent reaction
Break barriers for the youth like Erin Jackson
And we can see Robinson inspirin’ Marino 
Cuz Jackie is a classic, jus ask Tarantino

[  Citation: Olympics.com. “Julia Marino”. Olympic silver medalist and snowboarder, Julia Marino, says she is inspired by Jackie Robinson and that he is one of her heroes. ]