Alternative or Affirmative?

Pressing on with our Obama-centrec topic I present you readers with a character named Miles Morales. Starting out as a regular fourteen year old high school student in New York City, Miles' life would change after a radioactive spider bite gave him the powers needed to become New York's Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. But wait, there was already a Spider-Man. Lets take a closer look at this character's introduction and how he relates to our counties' president.

The year is 2008, a few months before the election of Barack Obama. Realizing this new era to issue in monumental changes to our country, editor-in-chief Alex Alonso decided he'd take Marvel Comic's poster boy and reinvent him for this new age. Within the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man-which was a alternate retelling of the classic character-Peter Parker had died defending his family and friends from his arch nemesis, The Green Goblin. The entire Marvel universe was effected by Spidey/Peter's death, but unknown to everyone, a new web-slinger was born. Miles was visiting his uncle when a spider crawled out of his uncle's duffel bag and bit him. As it happens, Miles' uncle is a master thief who had stolen a new batch of spiders designed specially to create an army of Spider-Men. Miles had a rough start not only trying to prove himself as the new Spider-Man to heroes and citizens, but by becoming Spider-Man Miles had turned his father against his alter ego and caused the death of his mother. There were times when Miles teamed up with other heroes, times when Miles was confronted by them and a time when Miles gave up the suit entirely. But it was through the motivation of Peter's allies that Miles stuck by his title and continued to be the hero of his city.

When Peter died and was replaced by Miles many fans were outraged believing the entire situation to be a publicity stunt. Killing off Marvel's most popular superhero simply to put someone-of the same race as our newest president-into the suit. In his first couple of comics Miles faced controversy from characters as well, but among the real-world public it was simply political. In fact, Miles introduction as Spider-Man remains one of the few times Comic Books have been brought up in national news, along with the short-lived death of Captain America and the temporary female replacement for Thor. Odds are, the people who find this decision political haven't read Miles story and his start as Spider-Man. As his story is reminiscent of the relatable origin of Peter Parker. Regardless of outcry, Miles has become a strong character on his own and instead of tarnishing the Spider-Man legacy, he has only added another layer of respect to it.