Spider-Man

The Spider-Men: Miles (left) and Peter (right)

Spider-Man (originally called The Spider) is the superhero alias utilized by both Peter Parker and Miles Morales while fighting crime and defending the citizens of New York City from supervillains.

Their powers came from a genetically engineered radioactive spider from Oscorp Enterprises. The powers appear to be transferred by said spider biting the individual, which then alters their DNA to the extent that they develop numerous spider-like powers. These include enhanced speed, dexterity, stamina, strength, durability, reflexes, precognition (dubbed 'spidey sense') and the ability to fasten on to and crawl up and down walls without falling (called 'wall crawling'). Initially, Parker was the only individual with spider-like powers but Morales later developed similar powers when bitten by a radioactive spider as well. However, their powers are not completely identical. Morales notably has a unique "venom" striking power and is able to camouflage himself to practical invisibility.

Characteristics and personal traits

Peter, the first Spider-Man

The driving force behind the Spider-Men's heroism are their key beliefs. Peter in particular is driven by the belief that his Uncle Ben taught him: "With great power comes great responsibility". No matter how insurmountable the odds or how potent the opponents, the pair push themselves far beyond their own recognizable limits. For instance, Parker managed to break free from Mister Negative's corruption via his own strength of character, a feat only he demonstrated. His strength of mind enabled him to eventually come to terms with the senseless death of his Aunt May, with Peter having fully adjusted to normal life several months later. This trait stems from the immense guilt he harbors for his role in Uncle Ben's death, which forced Peter to accept the correlating responsibility that comes along with his powers. Morales also shares this trait, using his father Jefferson Davis' demise to inspire him to push harder and become Spider-Man to honor him, with Morales seeking out Parker for assistance in crime fighting.

Miles, the second Spider-Man

Spider-Man held many core beliefs. For instance, they were a big believer in doing things for the benefit of others, like when Spider-Man would teach civilians how to protect themselves which pays off. Another one of Spider-Man's key beliefs is that "a hero's just a guy who doesn't give up" and that "with great power, comes great responsibility". Above all this meant protecting others, especially the citizens of New York, even if it meant endangering themselves. This protection would even extend to their villains, with Spider-Man saving Doctor Octavius' life even after the damage they inflicted on the city and both Spider-Men desiring to help and prevent Marko from hurting himself. This self-sacrificial nature would even extend to when it would personally affect them, with Spider-Man believing that saving the lives of the majority was worth of the sacrifice of an individual.

Peter has a tearful farewell with Aunt May.

The Spider-Men also fixate on keeping their identity a secret, believing it best to keep their personal lives detached from their lives as Spider-Man to protect the people they care about. Harlem residents protected Miles' identity, declaring him their Spider-Man and refusing to give up his identity to the press. However, they would reveal their powers to select individuals, such as Mary Jane Watson, Ganke Lee, Rio Morales and to each other.

Beyond their serious side, the Spider-Men share a sense of humor, which they often use as a defense mechanism in dangerous situations. Their humor also agitate their opponents, making them more susceptible to attack and oblivious to their impending demise. While their wisecracking nature can make them appear unprofessional or childish, demonstrated in how it irritates their allies. Captain Watanabe remarked that she barely "tolerates" Parker.

Fighting skills

While his more numerous experience means Parker is more adept overall in crime fighting, Morales can still hold his own in combat, having come into his own under the original Spider-Man's tutelage. Both Spider-Men are versatile hand-to-hand combatants, owing to their respective radiation-infused spiders altering their physiology and granting them several abilities, such as enhanced strength, agility, speed, as well as a "spider-sense" that alerted him to any danger. They can display proficiency in martial arts and show prowess in execution wrestling maneuvers, even against much larger opponents. Parker in particular has utilised certain lucha libre maneuvers in his fights, such as dropsaults, headscissors takedowns, reverse frankensteiners, and the famous hurricanrana.

Their fighting also incorporates and takes full advantage of his proper use of physical forces, momentum, and leverage, with the heroes staying low and mobile while utilizing the momentum of frequent spins to come crashing down on their opponents. Peter states that he is largely self-taught, having learned many of his fighting techniques from watching movies. Morales, however, learned directly from Parker, even being taught basic boxing stances and counter punches from the man before he gained Spider-like powers.

Despite these similarities, there were some differences in their abilities. For instance, Miles' Spider-Man had more stealth and action capabilities owing to his unique Venom Powers move set granting him bioelectricity and invisibility.

Equipment

Spider-Man utilizes wrist-mounted web-shooters to shoot spiderweb material.

Spider-Man's arsenal primarily consists of a wide array of web-based gadgets that complement his powers. Most notably, he makes use of mechanical web-shooters to help navigate and trap his enemies. Both Spider-Men are scientifically gifted from a young age. Therefore, they construct their technology themselves, namely the Impact Web, the Spider-Drone, the Electric Web, the Web Bomb, the Trip Mine, the Concussive Blast, the Suspension Matrix, the Gravity Well, the Holo-Drone, and the Remote Mine. The gadgets have unique features and abilities, allowing them to be used in combination with one another. In addition to aiding Spider-Man in fights, the Electric Web gadget can also be used to power certain electronic conduits.

Spider-Man employing a Spider-Bot.

They also designed and use the Spider-Tracer, a tiny electronic device that is programmed to emit a radio signal. His spider-sense is capable of picking up frequencies emitted by the Spider-Tracer and let it guide him to his object of interest. Peter also makes use of several Spider-Bot gadgets that he has developed. These small surveillance devices are capable of sending him transmitted recorded images and information through the lenses in his mask, and can be used to crawl in spaces Peter can't and emit harmless subsonic or EMP blasts.

The Spider-Men designed technologically advanced armored suits equipped with built-in headsets, earpieces, cameras, and radio systems to achieve this. For Peter's Spider-Man, the primary costume is called the Advanced Suit, which he crafts after his original suit is damaged early in the story. Each color on the outfit has a different function. The blue material is the most flexible and is where Spider-Man requires the most flexibility, such as his limbs. Red is flexible but thicker for protection from minor scuffs and scrapes, and the white parts are similar to carbon fiber and offer the most protection. Peter also builds an armored version of the Advanced Suit, dubbed the Anti-Ock Suit, in order to counter the mechanical appendages of Doctor Octopus.

Attire

In line with their desire to keep their identity a secret, the Spider-Men wear skin-tight body suits, which both conceal their identities and provide additional protection. While they can choose one of several suits, they are all spider-themed, and generally have a red, black, and blue color palette with white teardrop shaped eyepieces. For instance, while dubbed "The Spider", Peter fashioned a rudimentary costume for himself out of a shirt, pants and a mask and engineered his own homemade web fluid and web-shooters.

Resolving to use his powers for good, Peter designed a new suit for himself, one with a red and blue pattern and web designs, and began calling himself "Spider-Man".

He also builds himself an armored suit designed specifically to defeat Doctor Octopus - example of high intelligence and technical skills in making it.

Powers and abilities

Spider physiology

After getting bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter attained the proportionate powers and capabilities of a spider, altering his physiology and consequently granting him superpowers and newfound heightened senses. In addition to gaining the ability to effortlessly cling to walls and a sixth sense (dubbed "spider-sense") that alerts him to immediate danger, Peter acquired considerable superhuman strength, thereby enabling him to accomplish spectacular feats using his raw strength, such as lifting a portion of concrete roof to save civilians trapped underneath. It is stated that Spider-Man can lift up to 10 tons. As a result, the Spider-Men had a lean but muscular physique.

Peter's anatomy is significantly more resilient and durable compared to a normal human, allowing him to withstand vigorous amounts of impact and endure collisions that would otherwise pulverize an average human. His speed, agility, balance, and bodily coordination are all enhanced to high levels beyond the peak of human potential, with his connective tissues twice as elastic than the average human, which, combined with his great strength, allows him to jump great distances and heights and perform many acrobatic maneuvers with no difficulty whatsoever.

Spider-Man's enhanced physiology also grants him a limited but advanced healing factor. He has been shown to be able to quickly recover from fourteen broken bones, and has survived being slashed open by a katana in the past. Furthermore, his vision has been amplified to superhuman levels thanks to his healing factor, leading him to relinquish the use of his spectacles a long time ago. His field of vision has been augmented with impeccable clarity and infallible detail, enabling him to aim accurately with his web-shooters and as notice things other people fail to observe.

After being bitten by an experimental Oscorp spider, Miles begins developing superhuman powers similar, if not identical, to those of Spider-Man, including the ability to stick to surfaces. Peter later teaches Miles how to web-swing, along with designing a new pair of web-shooters for him. As of the events of Miles Morales, Miles also displays superhuman abilities like camouflage, which makes him effectively invisible, and a "venom blast" that can administer a bio-electric shock to his enemies. Intelligence, strength, durability, energy projection and speed all link together to form the Spider-Men's fighting capabilities,

Peter defeats both Electro and Vulture at the same time and did likewise when fighting Scorpion and Rhino at the same time.

Miles' radioactive spider bite in Marvel's Spider-Man granted him superhuman abilities and spider physiology, including exceptional agility, durability, wall-crawling, and heightened reflexes. Uniquely, Miles possesses "venom powers," a form of bio-electricity that allows for offensive techniques and defenses. Notably, his tolerance for bio-electricity was tested with a 300-kilojoule electrified barrier. Additionally, his "camouflage" power enables him to become virtually invisible.

Both Spider-Men speak English, but Miles can also speak Spanish and is learning American Sign Language.

Teamwork

Miles reveals his powers to Peter.

While tending to work alone, Spider-Man does occasionally work with other individuals within New York from time to time. Initially, this was predominantly Mary Jane Watson, whose investigative journalism allowed Spider-Man to learn about enemy's actions, such as Martin Li's search for the Devil's Breath. Spider-Man also worked with the police, liasing with Yuri Watanabe to learn about criminal actions in the city, such as King Pin's actions, Martin Li and the Devil's Breath and also Tombstone. However, the Spider-Men didn't always agree on liasing with the police; Mile's Spider-Man could be wary of the police while Peter's was quite supportive of them, desiring them to do their own research and investigations.

After Miles gained spider-like superpowers as well, the two Spider-Men would also ally together to fight crime and protect New York. Their alliance ranged from fighting criminals together to practicing their web-swinging. Peter would even trust Miles to fight crime in the city in his absence while in Symkaria. When together, the pair worked well to cover the entirety of New York; when patroling together, they co-ordinate with one another to each prioritize a different area of the city. Furthermore, they can also arrange to link up with each other so they both deal with the pressing threat simultaneously, such as super-villain encounters like the Rhino, Sandman and Venom. With this new partnership, the Spider-Men notably stopped liasing with the police as much, except to help with a prison transfer concerning the Scorpion and Martin Li from the Raft. However, the Spider-Men did start a liasing relationship with Fire Chief Clarke, helping the fire service clear up debris from the battle with Sandman and recue construction workers in a building site using their Spider-Bot.

The two Spider-Man training together.

With Miles' addition also came support from fellow science-expert Ganke Lee, who provided unwavering emotional support and also helped design a new spider-suit and developed the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man App to support the Spider-Men during missions. Later on, he also made the Focussed Relay Neighborhood Data Spots (FRND) application and also helped the pair search for the Lizard and fight Kraven's hunters after hacking one of their drones.

The Spider-Men would not only work with each other but also other individuals as well. They worked with other similarly powered individuals such as Felicia Hardy, the Prowler, Wraith and Phin. Prowler would assist them in battles against super-villains like Roxxon soldiers. However, these alliances tended to last only as long as the individual wanted it so, demonstrated in Phin betraying Spider-Man when he stopped her harming Rick. Felicia would also abandon the Spider-Men in New York to flee Kraven, using Miles to help her escape.

Weaknesses

Despite all of their abilties, experience and skill, the Spider-Men did hold notably weaknesses. One notable feature is the fact that, most of the time, they fight alone. While a proven fighter, the Spider-Men are vulnerable when attacked by groups; Peter was overwhelmed when the Sinister Six teamed up to defeat him. Furthermore, while able resist resist Scorpion's poison, the combined efforts of Mister Negative and Doctor Octopus defeated him while fighting in Osborn's secret laboratory. Peter was also knocked unconscious in his rematch with the Rhino.

The Spider-Men's trust in companions could also work against them. For instance, Miles was overpowered by Phin, who betrayed him during their fight in the Roxxon laboratory. Peter's reliance on the symbiote also meant he needed Miles to rescue him from its control, having fallen prey to its ability to manipulate his emotions and mental state. Even the Spider-Men's good nature left them vulnerable, with Miles easily drugged by a construction worker who tricked him into thinking he was an innocent civilian who needed to be rescued.

Their powers also had limitations. Notably, Miles tried to absorb all the electricity from the exploding Roxxon generator, only for it to leave him physically exhausted and having to expel the energy in a dangerous lightning explosion. Peter also struggled to save several individuals when forced to choose between one group or another, leaving him helpless without the likes of Miles or Harry present to assist him to ensure they could save all endangered. The Spider-Men also lack any resilience to bladed weapons, highlighted in how their suits needed repair when damaged and Peter was mortally wounded from a stab wound to the stomach from Kraven and would have died had the symbiote not restored him.

False Spider-Men

While Morales and Parker are the only known individuals with spider-like superpowers, their efforts in New York City have inspired civilians to fight crime in the name of Spider-Man as well. These individuals do not possess any superhuman abilities but do have a drive to risk their own lives to protect the city. Although, some do pose as Spider-Man in an effort to discredit the heroic status the name has gained over the years.

The false Spider-Man fights crime.

A notable Spider-Man impersonator was a self-defense coach. He apprehended thugs trying to rob a bank and later pursued some who ran away to their hideout to fight the rest. Parker caught word of his actions and, appearing as the legitimate Spider-Man, helped the coach fend the thugs off and cleared the area. Parker thanked the man for his efforts but advised him against seeking out further brawls for fear of putting his own life at risk. The false Spider-Man assured Parker he would no longer act in Spider-Man's name and wished him luck fighting crime.

Popularity

Spider-Man defeats Fisk.

The general public recognize Spider-Man as New York's hero, given their actions to stop petty crimes across the city. Their defeats over and imprisonment of notable super-criminals such as Electro, Vulture, Rhino, Scorpion, the Kingpin, Herman Schultz (Shocker), , Mister Negative , Sandman, the Lizard, Mysterio, Doctor Octopus, Tarantula and the Hood gained them a reputation as saviors to the people.

The Spider-Men worked hard to maintain a connection with the public in New York as well, openly interacting with them. For instance, they will talk with residents, have picture with them and even stay in contact with them on social media, such as through the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man App. With the app, members of the public report crime activity for Spider-Men to deal with, showing a high level of trust in Spider-Man responding and resolving the problem. The Spider-Men assisted Parker Robbins with his ailing mother before he was taken into custody.

The public even respected Spider-Man's desire to keep his identity a secret. For instance, Harlem residents protected Miles' identity, declaring him their Spider-Man and refusing to give up his identity to the press despite having seen him unmasked.

Spider-Man also developed an alliance with NYPD captain Yuri Watanabe; however, she remained unaware of his true identity. Yuri would regularly contact and meet with Spider-Man, showing a high level of trust and desire for his support with tackling crime in New York. One notable occasion she called on his help was when Li, Electro, Vulture, Rhino, and Scorpion escaped from their imprisonment in the Raft.

The Sinister Six surrounding Spider-Man.

However, there are some in New York who do not support Spider-Man. Several super-villains do not exhibit support for Spider-Man. Notably, Shocker once said that "[Spider-Man] was young and stupid". Sandman also viewed the Spider-Men as foolish for stopping him, believing they endangered the city further. Kraven would also express disappointment in Peter for failing to challenge him in combat like his reputation suggested he would.

Other villains also changed their view towards Spider-Man, like Martin Li, who actually allied with the Spider-Men to escape Kraven's lair and again to face Venom's symbiote army. Felicia Hardy also worked with the Spider-Men on occasion too, albeit when certain there was something to gain from the alliance for herself. Octavius was another noteworthy exception, actually keeping Spider-Man's identity a secret, albeit more out of spite for Norman Osborn.

Villains would also work to discredit people's perception of Spider-Man. For instance, though he successfully saved the civilians, who thanked him, Roxxon branded him a criminal by making it seem that the Manhattan bridge's collapse was because of him.

Furthermore, certain civilians use the media in an attempt to discredit Spider-Man. Notably, James Jonah Jameson speaks out against Spider-Man on his Daily Bugle news network, consistently framing Spider-Man as a menacing vigilante. Whether through osmosis or blind ignorance, Jameson will some times brand Spider-Man a criminal for being in the presence of crime, even though the actions Jameson blames them for are actually the result of the criminal's efforts that Spider-Man was attempting to stop like during Doctor Octopus' raid of the Raft or Roxxon's explosion on Manhattan bridge. This even applied when the two Spider-Men rescued him from his crashed limousine and took him to the hospital; Jameson claimed that the Spider-Men were abducting him rather than saving him.

Norman Osborn also grew to dislike Spider-Man. When the several once imprisoned super-villains escaped from the Raft, Osborn blamed Spider-Man for the incident and branded him a fugitive. However, after Spider-Man defeated Electro, Vulture, Rhino, and Scorpion, Osborn changed his mind and begged for Spider-Man's help when Doctor Octopus abducted him. However, after the Venom incident left Harry comatose, Osborn blamed the Spider-Men for what happened to his son despite Miles' reviving him, saving his life, making it his personal mission to destroy them once and for all.

References

Video games

• Insomniac Games (2018). Marvel's Spider-Man [Game]. Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation 4.
  • Insomniac Games (n.d.) . Marvel's Spider-Man: The Heist. ps4.
  • Insomniac Games (n.d.) . Marvel's Spider-Man: Turf Wars. ps4.
  • Insomniac Games (n.d.) . Marvel's Spider-Man: Silver Lining. ps4.

Books

• Liss, David (n.d.) . Marvel's Spider-Man: Hostile Takeover. Titan Books. ISBN 1785659758. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020.

Websites

• Dom Peppiatt (n.d.) . Insomniac's Spider-Man Will Be Set in an Entirely New Universe, Miles Morales 'More Than a Cameo'. PlayStation Trophies. Archived from the original on July 30, 2018.
• Leo Vader (n.d.) . Exclusive Interview With The Man Playing Spider-Man. Game Informer. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018.
• Tanner Dedmon (n.d.) . Spider-Man's Fighting Style Broken Down in New Video. ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019.
• John Saavedra (n.d.) . Spider-Man PS4: New Spidey Costume Explained. Den of Geek. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018.
• Colin Stevens (n.d.) . Spider-Man PS4 Gets His Own Marvel Comic. IGN. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019.
• Jonathon Dornbush (n.d.) . Marvel's Spider-Man Gameplay, Story Details Revealed. IGN. Archived from the original on March 10, 2019.
• Josh Harmon (n.d.) . Marvel’s Spider-Man review. EGMNOW. Archived from the original on March 10, 2019.
• Dom Nero (n.d.) . 'Marvel's Spider-Man' Is Wholesome and Good—And the Best Version of the Superhero We've Seen. Esquire. Archived from the original on March 10, 2019.
• (n.d.) . 2018 Gamers' Choice Awards. Gamers' Choice Awards. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019.
• George Marston (n.d.) . SPIDER-MAN: VELOCITY Continues Sony Game Continuity. Newsarama. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019.
• (n.d.) . Spider-Man PS4: Ranking Every Character From Worst To Best. WhatCulture.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2019.
• James Stevenson (n.d.) . Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered detailed. PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020.