WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, in theaters now.
Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a game-changing origin story for Miles Morales that allows him to exist both on his own and in the context of other Spider-heroes. That in itself is a triumph, achieved in what's perhaps the film's standout scene.
After his uncle Aaron Davis, the Prowler, dies in his arms and Miles is benched by the other Spider-heroes in their mission to return home, he returns to the secret lair of the deceased Peter Parker of his universe. Now fully accepting of his potential, Miles gets both a new costume and pair of web-shooters from Aunt May before he does what he couldn't do before: He becomes Spider-Man.
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Until that point, he'd worn a Spider-Man costume he purchased at a souvenir shop. But the black-and-red outfit he's long sported in Marvel comics finally makes its cinematic debut in this scene.
On the surface, there really isn't much to the Into the Spider-Verse version of his costume. But the significance is that the film's suit is actually his. In the comics, his black-and-red ensemble was furnished by S.H.I.E.L.D. after the organization learned Miles was trying to be Spider-Man following the death of his world's Peter Parker. It wouldn't be an understatement to say that it, in some ways, felt like just another costume Peter could've made for himself.
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Into the Spider-Verse retains the same basic origin of Miles' costume, but with some flourishes. Namely, he's wearing shorts, a jacket and hoodie and a pair of Jordans over his suit to keep him warm during the winter. It's a small thing, but it allows Miles' personality and history to shine through. He actually looks like the street hero he's supposed to be, one who can be spotted swinging around Brooklyn. It's a look that is unmistakably his. It's Miles embracing the two parts of his life that were previously at war.
To make things better, after he gets to finally be Spider-Man, it's immortalized in the best way possible.
And then there's the spider symbol; rather than being a part of the costume, it' s painted on by Miles. Like the extra layers, it's a choice that should be permanent. The sprayed-on emblem adds flavor to the costume, and serves as a reminder that whether he's in school or saving the city, Miles is an artist who loves to advertise himself all over Brooklyn. The spider is just another way of building his brand. If for no other reason, Into the Spider-Verse deserves praise for giving Miles a look that is truly his own, one that perfectly reflects his youth and the future he has ahead of him.
Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse stars Shameik Moore, Brian Tyree Henry, Jake Johnson, Mahershala Ali, Hailee Steinfeld, Liev Schreiber, Luna Lauren Velez, Lily Tomlin, Nicolas Cage, John Mulaney and Kimiko Glenn. The film is in theaters nationwide.