Across the Spider-Verse: Faithfulness to the comics

These last two weeks have been an incredible one for Spider-Man fans. After Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hit theatres on June 2, 2023, the movie took over social media. No matter where you look, irrespective of platform or app, everyone seems to be talking about this film.

While there is no doubt that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is an incredible cinematic experience, a lot of people—particularly ones who have not read the original comics—might wonder if the movie has remained faithful to Brian Michael Bendis' character.

Now, I know a lot of people are obsessed with adaptations remaining faithful to the original material, it has to be cleared up that the plot for both Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse are not adapted from any comic story arc. In that manner, there is very little to stay faithful to.

Yes, it is influenced and inspired by some arcs like the Amazing Spider-Man arc Spider-Verse and the Ultimate Marvel's Spider-Men. What they have, however, remained faithful to is the character of Miles.

Unlike Peter Parker, Miles Morales isn't the typical Spider-Man who we know and have come to love. He isn't charismatic or motivated in the same way that Peter was. He might have one or two cooler powers than the original Spider-Man, but at Miles' core, he isn't the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man we have known forever.

Both Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse do an excellent job of showcasing why Miles is different from Peter. In the former, we see how even after getting his powers, Miles is reluctant to become Spider-Man, because he feels overwhelmed and anxious. It isn't until the final act of the movie that we see him accept the role. In the comics, Miles gets his powers but refuses to use his powers until the original Spider-Man dies. The timelines are a little different, but the essence is the same.

In fact, Bendis intentionally put a stark difference between Peter and Miles, so that comic book fans would not feel that their favourite web-swinger was being replaced by just another goody-two-shoes, just with a racial make-up switch.

Now, one aspect where the animated films decided to take a different route is with Miles' Uncle Aaron. While the Into the Spider-Verse version of Uncle Aaron aka The Prowler seems to be a kind and caring uncle, who loves his nephew; the comic book version is a much more evil and vile man.

In the comics, Aaron is also The Prowler and a criminal, but he is much more sadistic and cruel. Even after finding out that Miles is the new Spider-Man, he fights his nephew and tries to blackmail him into carrying out illegal activities. He threatens to reveals Miles' superhero alter-ego to his parents if he does not do his bidding.

Eventually, the two face-off, with Aaron dying due to his own equipment exploding. With his last breath, he tells his nephew that he is "just like him", playing into Miles' inner-conflict about whether he too, like his uncle, would use his powers for evil someday.

While some comic fans might moan and groan over this shift, I believe that the animated film version of Uncle Aaron is a much better version. Not only does his love for Miles help inspire him on his journey to taking on the mantle of Spider-Man, it also acts as the perfect catalyst for the film's plot.

In the same vein, Miles and Peter also have quite different fighting styles. As the more experienced Spider-Man, Peter is a natural at using his web-swinging and movement to zoom around the city and fight villains. Miles, on the other hand, lacks fighting experience and thereby uses the type of movement he is more comfortable with. Similar to The Prowler, Miles likes to parkour and jump around while fighting or moving through the city, rather than relying on his web-swinging.

This contrast is also present in the comics as well, but not as detailed as the animated version lets us observe.

While not exactly canon, a big part of Miles Morales' story is how many Spider-Man fans hated him initially. Whether it be due to their love for Peter Parker or just a racial bias, many fans were not big on Miles Morales when he was introduced. However, a core message of Stan Lee's creation was how anyone could be underneath the mask. This is a core theme of both movies, with Miles even saying it out loud at the end of the first movie. Similarly, Across the Spider-Verse showcases how Miguel O'Hara refuses to let Miles join the Spider Society.

Even though it isn't racial prejudice that makes Miguel react like this, rather it being due to Miles being an 'anomaly', it gives the story a chance to prove why Miles is worthy of being Spider-Man. It also gives the opportunity for Miles to showcase why he is so different from all the other versions of Spider-Man.

While both Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse have unique storylines in comparison to the original text, both of them serve as excellent examples of taking inspiration from literary material and making something that is your own. Much like how writers are influenced by their predecessors, the writers of these films make gracious changes to existing comic-book stories.

I am sure the creators of these films could have taken any top-selling Miles Morales story from the comics, adapted it panel by panel and seen success. But it is their decision to stay faithful to Bendis' characteristics for Miles, while giving their own modern take on a story involving multiple Spider-Man, that makes both Spider-Verse films such successes.

Aaqib Hasib is a subeditor at Arts & Entertainment, The Daily Star.