Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PlayStation 4 was a groundbreaking and emotional game. Miles Morales is a normal teenager who grew up with a loving family in New York. Like the many Spider-Men to come before him, he has suffered tremendous loss at a young age. Miles lost his father who was a Police Officer and a hero to the community. Because of that loss, his family moved back to East Harlem where his mother is from. This story is deep rooted in community and has a strong emphasis on family. Miles mother is a politician who is running for a position on the New York City Council in order to protect Harlem from gentrification. Miles dad is a strong source of inspiration and strength in the community and his selfless actions encouraged Miles to become a good man like him. Miles continuously channels that energy and takes inspiration from his father’s acts of kindness. Miles Morales' upbringing highlights how he is a kind, intelligent, and wholeheartedly selfless person. This is why he exemplifies being the friendly neighborhood Spider-man.

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Miles community backs him up throughout the story line and he eventually learns that while he represents his neighborhood, it’s okay to need support from them as well. Towards the end of the game Miles falls to the ground without his mask and a handful of people from his community discover his true identity. They are all shocked to find out that this sweet boy from their neighborhood is the new Spider-Man. Reporters swarm to the scene trying to get a glimpse of Spider-Man’s true identity but his community makes it a priority to protect him. They don’t do this because he is Spider-man, they do this out of pride and respect. His community knows that Miles Morales has been through the wringer and he doesn't deserve to be exposed until he is ready to share that information with the public. The community knows that if his identity is revealed this will change his life forever. It would force him to be Spider-Man 24/7 and his family's safety would be at stake. They understand he has a great deal of responsibility on his shoulders but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get to enjoy being a teenager. When reporters question the community about the identity of Spider-man, they claim him as “our Spider-man,” making it clear that they will support and protect their own.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) begins at the end of Captain America: Civil War when Tom Holland makes his first appearance as Spider-Man. It’s interesting because the Tom Holland Adaptation of Spider-Man is the first one to not have an origin story. I think it speaks to the popularity of the Spider-Man franchise, even if you’re not familiar with the specifics of the story, you’re familiar with the background. A young teenager from New York who lost both his parents and his uncle at a very young age. We get to meet Spiderman after he has discovered his powers and had time to adapt to his new role. I really enjoyed the beginning of the movie because it really highlights how young Peter is. He is so excited to meet the Avengers even if he is fighting half of them. He also is recording every little thing that happens from the car ride to take a break in the middle of fighting to comment. Spider-Man is so popular because he’s relatable and I think Tom Holland does an amazing job at coming across as a young, impressionable, and determined Spider-Man.

This movie does a great job at highlighting the struggle between balancing Peter Parkers life and the life of Spider-Man. He is so determined to prove himself to Tony Stark that he begins to neglect his personal life. Giving up parties, friends, and experiences in order to do what he thinks is best for his community. Peter Parker is struggling because he is seen as a loser at school, but he hears people gush about Spider-Man. He is proud of his accomplishments, but he also grapples with the idea of people hating the person behind the mask. He even goes as far as to use his hidden identity to make him self seem cooler at school, that's until his plan is interrupted and he has to save the day. This version of Spider-Man really shows the vulnerability of someone that young being forced into this kind of role. He pushes himself so far to be the perfect hero that he forgets that there is more to life than being Spider-Man. A cornerstone of Spider-Man is the constant struggle between saving people when he is in the mask, and still living life as Peter Parker while keeping those that are important to him safe.

Spider-Man is constantly gaining popularity because of the person behind the mask. Whether it’s Peter Parker or Miles Morales the person behind Spider-Man is kind and selfless. Continuously putting others safety above their own personal wants. Miles Morales is such an inspiring character that shows that you can draw strength from your family and community, and you don’t have to stand alone. Peter Parker’s story almost contradicts with that of Miles Morales. Peter Parker hides himself away from his community and rarely relies on them, instead reaching further out into other heroes to find inspiration. What links the two, besides the obvious points like their similar powers, is their mental strength. Both of the characters in these adaptations have suffered unimaginable loss and instead of closing off from the rest of the world they embraced it. Spider-Man is, and will always be, a hero of the people and that will never change.