Miles Morales Spider-Man #2

[Kasper Cole]

And Am I the only one that caught what they were doing with the Asian cop?

[Mr MajestiK]

And Am I the only one that caught what they were doing with the Asian cop?

I noticed that as well. :smh:

[Grimm911]

Tony gave a " I got an idea" look in the last panel of his appearance. Any ideas on what he may have in stored for Miles?

[CrimsonEchidna]

Tony gave a " I got an idea" look in the last panel of his appearance. Any ideas on what he may have in stored for Miles?

"I'm so calling him Trademark Infringement Kid next time I see him."

[kurenai24]

I again enjoyed this issue, was a little surprised that my fellow Tumblr folks didn't get it, was unsurprised at the hive mind that Bendis is against.

Maybe it's b/c I totally and completely understand Miles POV, and can infer that he'll come to realizations later, or maybe it's b/c I can give Bendis the benefit of the doubt, when talking about his adopted children Bendis seems to understand the importance of it all, so it doesn't make sense to have Mile saying the opposite without it later meaning something.

Btw, Miles grandma looks young, and people's wishes are about to be granted!

Also, Bendis addressed this on his Tumblr in his response to an ask, people are right to assume that Miles will have a learning experience. I can't link or copy/paste, since I'm on my phone tho.

[StaticShock99]

I enjoyed the issue as well and Sara art is amazing. Miles reaction wasn't really what I wanted so I agree with you Double.

I think Miles is going to learn past the faux-colorblindness through the course of the story.

Or at least I hope.

Also Bendis addressed this on his Tumblr in his response to an ask, people are right to assume that Miles will have a learning experience. I can't link or copy/paste, since I'm on my phone tho.

I got you Kurenai http://brianmichaelbendis.tumblr.com...lways-have-but, and yeah it does sound like this will be a learning experience for Miles which sounds fine to me.

[Tien Long]

Bought the latest issue of Spider-Man. I did enjoy it, though it did provoke some interesting thoughts:

- Great fight scene between Miles and Blackheart ago, though again, I did feel it was a little odd to see Miles so casually beating the son of Mephisto, again. Something special about Miles? Perhaps we'll see in the future.

- I don't know about you, but did anyone else feel that Pete was coming off as a little..............whiny in the opening scenes with Miles? Complaining that people might mistake Mile's faults for his seemed a little petty. I'd expect Pete to be a bit more accepting and a bit more positive (to be fair, he was much more complementary towards the end of the issue). Still, a little odd.

- Love the family tension between Miles and his grandmother. Seems like some great comic soap opera and totally true to what a teen goes through.

- I'm glad others caught the Asian cop scene. As a Chinese-American, the recent Peter Liang case hits hard and brings up some uncomfortable questions. Still, as for the scene in the book itself, well, I'm not too sure how to interpret that. Was Bendis trying to bring serious attention and discussion to this? Was he making light of a serious situation? Should I be offended by this? Again, not too sure.

I believe Bendis is showing a very real world thing. Similar to the topics of how black actors are cast as traditionally white characters, most recent example is Idris Elba being casted as the gunslinger Roland Deschain in the upcoming Dark Tower movie, or the reactions people had to Finn being a "black" storm trooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. You will always have people on both sides of the spectrum showing their disdain or advocating their excitement for diversity. But while one side does have their hearts in the right place their message may not come out in the way they were hoping. Even a message of positive diversity and be muddied by unintentional labeling. And while race can't be ignored in some of these issues, making it the focal point can at times be a minefield and could accidently do more damage than good. I think Bendis' message kind of like this, the character of a person first, with their race being a secondary thought. And if you are ever the subject of such a message don't be so swayed by opinions of others and just keep being "you" first and foremost.

Good points Grimm. I'll be honest, I at first agreed with Miles. Something like a brown Spider-Man shouldn't be a big issue. It did remind me of people (myself included when I talk about Amadeus Cho) making a big celebration when a minority gets the attention. The person's inner qualities should matter. I liked the point that Miles made that he wanted to be known as just "Spider-Man," not the "black Spider-Man."

HOWEVER, thinking it over, and reading some of the comments here, I can see and understand why people would be frustrated with that sentiment. As colorblind as we strive to be, there is a big reality out there, where race and sexuality matter. These things can both deny and uplift. Trying to forget about them would be an insult. Thus, alright, if Miles has to go through the ringer, be broken of his naviete, and see the world as it is, then so be it. Perhaps a lot of other readers need to learn this lesson as well.

My only hope is that if Miles goes through this experience, that he'll still go "nonetheless." Not everything is hunkie dorie and a-ok. People are oppressed discriminated, and hurt because of how they look. A person's identity is important and shouldn't be forgotten. NONETHELESS, I'm still going to do my best to protect and strive for a world where differences don't matter. I hope that Miles comes out saying, "Yes, I'm a 'black' Spider-Man. NONETHELESS, I'm also Spider-Man."

[marcotheblerd]

I kind of dont understand the anger from some people about this issue, other than the fact that Miles isnt a real person, and his words were written for him. Other than that, I completely agree with Miles, and it got real personal for me. If I was in his position, I would have had the same thoughts because many minorities have to deal with the same thing in the workplace, and in schools. If you are the only guy in of color in your office, sometimes you hope that it was your merit and skills that got you there, and not because of a quota, or diversity points. Same thing with school. I am a proud black comic book nerd, but I also dont let my race completely define me as a person, and it can get annoying having it brought up alot, even when it doesn't have to be. There is no such thing as colorblindness, no matter what people say. The fact of the matter is, my race is the first thing that people about me, but there is no need for anyone to bring it up. I'd rather be more known for my personality and charisma, and not just being black. So on that note, I identify with Miles wanting to be known as Spider-man, and not just the black one. Even when it comes from a well meaning place, like the girl in the video was doing, it can still be annoying. I just dont want this to become some big thing, where Bendis gets criticized, for having the nerve for a black character to say that he wont be defined by his race. That is not something that is out of the ordinary, and is actually a reasonable reaction from someone of color.

Edit: Now I wouldn't be surprised if there is a later issue, where Miles learns that its not that easy to not be defined by race, and I wouldn't be surprised if he learns a lesson by that. It already seems they were going that way with the cop holding the gun up to him.

[UltimateTy]

Heh

The thread title is ironic considering what happened in the issue.

[Ebony]

Nobody is going to say much about "Bad Ass Grandma" because I particularly LOVE "Bad Ass Grandma". I want her to have her own series! Move over Amanda Waller, there's a new bad girl in town!

[Double 0]

I think the part that bothers me the most about this issue is that despite I know the upcoming issues will change this, I've heard that some gamergate ass marks have been cheering on that scene because of how it "makes fun of Tumblr".

Like, is that the audience Bendis wants? Definitely not.

[kurenai24]

I got you Kurenai http://brianmichaelbendis.tumblr.com...lways-have-but, and yeah it does sound like this will be a learning experience for Miles which sounds fine to me.

Thanks, yes this is what I was talking about. To add on to my earlier comment with Miles interacting with young heroes, especially Kamala who's hailed for what she represents, him being mentored by Sam Wilson, the close relationship he has with his black father who does know he's spider-man, he's surrounded by too many self aware people for me to think this subject would not be addressed later on.

I think the part that bothers me the most about this issue is that despite I know the upcoming issues will change this, I've heard that some gamergate ass marks have been cheering on that scene because of how it "makes fun of Tumblr".

Like, is that the audience Bendis wants? Definitely not.

I also feel the "colorblind" crowd is not getting it either, they think Bendis is drinking their koolaid.

But, Bendis is going about his day like people don't want his head on a stick or as if he didn't just gain some fans from the "wrong crowd".

Nobody is going to say much about "Bad Ass Grandma" because I particularly LOVE "Bad Ass Grandma". I want her to have her own series! Move over Amanda Waller, there's a new bad girl in town!

Miles grandma looks young. I was expecting the grandma to show in the third issue, not the end of this one, got a little surprised.

She looks so no-nonsense while being stylish. The way Miles reacted to her was hilarious, he's gonna have a hellish weekend.

Ugh, now I really do want the "Miles grandma takes him to Puerto Rico for the summer" storyline idea even more

[KOSLOX]

It makes sense Miles' Grandmother would be young his parents both seem/are pretty young.

I'd peg his mom to be late 30s maybe 40. I assume the same for his father.

[Double 0]

It makes sense Miles' Grandmother would be young his parents both seem/are pretty young.

I'd peg his mom to be late 30s maybe 40. I assume the same for his father.

Yeah, I'm thinking the same.

[Some Guy]

I'm no "gamergate" guy (Internet activism is the new pissing contest.) But I was happy to see Tumblr peeps get a joke thrown at them, especially one that isn't a real stab, just light hearted and realistic. And as someone who's appreciated Miles' general colorblindness, I both enjoyed his initial reactions to being "black Spider-Man" and what I viewed as consistency with his characterization. NOW with that being said I know this is just the starting point. He'll learn a lot no doubt. His opinion will change. And that's fine. I understand, to an extent, why people push away from total "colorblindness." But as someone who doesn't even remotely feel defined by being a WSM, I wonder why others wouldn't also want to be NOT defined by similar characteristics.