2018 kicked off with the superhero Black Panther and is set to wrap with yet another black superhero being introduced on the big screen. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” introduces a Brooklyn teen called Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where anyone can wear the mask.
Based on the comic book characters created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli in 2011, the movie centers on the adventures of African-American/Puerto Rican Miles Morales as he tries to fit in at a new private school in Manhattan. Miles’ life becomes even more complicated when he is bitten by a radioactive spider, and he finds himself developing super powers, which includes venom strike, camouflage, sticking to objects, incredible Spidey sense.
Bendis was inspired to make Miles African-American by his own two adopted black children, the election of then-U.S. President Obama. For his Spider-suit, Miles spray-paints the colors to black and red instead of keeping them the traditional red and blue colors.
Featuring the voices of Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, Jake Johnson as Peter Parker, Hailee Steinfeld as Spider-Gwen, Mahershala Ali as Miles’ uncle Aaron, Brian Tyree Henry as Miles’ father Jefferson, Lily Tomlin as Aunt May, Luna Lauren Velez as Miles’ mother Rio, John Mulaney as 7 Spider-Ham, Kimiko Glenn as Peni Parker, with Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man Noir, Kathryn Hahn, and Liev Schreiber as Kingpin.
A movie which explores the superhero experience from a fresh diverse angle, it also deals with larger universal themes such as coming of age, father/son relationships and brings a completely new take on Marvel’s beloved webslinging superhero, which was first introduced by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1962.
Featuring a diverse cast and a revolutionary approach to the classic Spider-Man mythos, it is directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman. A film that pays homage to the classic look and feel of the comic-books, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” releases in theaters December 14.
By Samantha Ofole-Prince/Photos by Debra Orols for Royalty Images
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