Bloomsbury Academic Previews ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ By Ytasha L. Womack

by Olly MacNamee

Spider-Man: Miles Morales, by the writer, cultural critic, and filmmaker Ytasha L. Womack, is the latest paperback book from Bloomsbury Academic that takes a retrospective look at Miles Morales, originally of the Ultimate Universe. What I like about these books is the writers they have chosen for each one. As fans, and comic book insiders themselves, they write as both fans and professionals with a keen eye for detail. Thus making each book entertaining and informative and a must for Marvel fans. I looked at Marvel Age of Comics – Daredevil: Born Again and The Mighty Avengers Vs. The 1970s and on the strength of these two alone, I will definiteley looking for more.

And it seems like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, continues in that vein. Albeit with a more culturally critical eye:

“Ytasha L. Womack examines Miles in the context of Ananse and Trayvon Martin, Ralph Ellison and Richard Wright, Sun Ra and Kendrick Lamar. Miles is a symbol of the dynamism of Afro-Latine culture. She explores the core themes in the first 15 issues of Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man and how they detail the evolution of one of the most compelling arachnid lores of the new ages, the pressures of legacy,and the power of shapeshifting.”

Here’s an example of one of Womack’s observations:

“Womack spends time examining the cultural and historic significance of Miles’s new powers, particularly the power of invisibility. While it’s an asset for a vulnerable teen whose physical strength is underestimated and useful for a new super hero unknown to police and the citizenry, Womack cites culture critic Seve Chambers observation that in Black and Brown communities, invisibility is about ‘erasure of identity and individuality.'”

I, for one, enjoy this kind of take on superheroes. A more sociological study, recognising that all media reflect the times they are produced in, while also exploring Miles’ evolution and the pressures of legacy.