This article contain spoilers for Savage Avengers #8, now on sale from Marvel Comics.
Many of Marvel’s heroes have taken on multiple identities throughout their superhero careers. However, recent events in Savage Avengers revealed that the new Deathlok from the future was Miles Morales -- a truly shocking revelation. And since joining the team, Miles has relied extensively on his Terminator-like abilities as Deathlok. However, thanks to a familiar ally, Miles is now able to swing back into action.
Before leaving for the 2099 timeline, Flash Thompson (aka Agent Venom) acquired a pair of web shooters. He gifted them to Miles in Savage Avengers #8 (by David Pepose, Carlos Magno, Espen Grundetjern, and VC's Travis Lanham). And it may be the only bit of peace Miles has felt since becoming a cyborg killing machine. Furthermore, he is renewed with a sense of familiarity and safety from his past identity that serves to be invaluable in dealing with his current savage status quo.
Miles Morales’ Spider-Abilities Make Him the Best Deathlok
As the team goes into battle against Ultron’s army of evil Deathloks, they are confronted by Ultimo -- one of the most powerful androids in the Marvel Universe. And as Ultimo turns the tide against the Savage Avengers, Miles Morales swings into action with new web shooters and a rediscovery of his invisibility and venom powersets as Spider-Man. And as Miles delivers a crippling venom blast to the massive android, he is reminded of his heroic past.
As the Deathloks are traditionally manufactured from the deceased, few of the cyborgs rarely remember anything of their former lives. But even before receiving the web shooters, this Deathlok was able to regain a portion of his true self. Miles Morales is arguably one of the most sincere and selfless heroes in the Marvel Universe. And now armed with the spirit of Miles Morales and his abilities as Deathlok, his new web shooters have given rise to a new kind of hero.
Miles Morales' Deathlok is the Greatest Hope for the Future
The future of the Marvel Universe is often depicted as a grim and bleak place. It was inspirational heroes like Peter Parker and Miles Morales that made the past a place worth fighting for. And though, given this future timeline it may seem like that fight was lost, the universe does still have Miles. On the surface, it may seem like Miles’ new web shooters are simply insignificant relics of the past, but they represent a tie to a more hopeful time and a sense of purpose.
Ultimately, by the end of the issue, the entire Savage Avengers team is seemingly killed off, leaving only Punisher 2099 and Miles Morales alive. But strip away all of Miles’ powers, and even in his prime as Spider-Man, his greatest power was character and moral certitude. And though it may have taken the web shooters to revive it, Miles Morales’ spirit still lives on inside this nearly indestructible machine. And now the future is in the hands of arguably the one person most equipped to save it.