Warning: Contains spoilers for Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood #1!

Every Miles Morales just offered a fascinating alternative that expands on the idea. The iconic quote was first featured in Spider-Man’s very first appearance in 1962’s Amazing Fantasy #15 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and now a Spider-Verse hero has reinvented it.

Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood #1 contains the story “Spider-Prowler” - written by Mat Groom, with art by Federico Vicentini - which introduces an alternate universe’s Miles Morales, who is humanity’s last hope against a Kree invasion.

This world’s last Spider-Man hears vital last words from his Uncle Aaron, the Prowler, before he’s killed: “When the rules give our oppressors all the power… it’s your responsibility to break those rules.” It is a powerful update on the classic message, one that is incredibly relevant for modern readers.

Miles Morales' Uncle Aaron Offers The Best Twist Yet On The Webslinger's Iconic “Great Responsibility” Line

Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood #1– “Spider-Prowler” Written By Mat Groom; Art By Federico Vicentini; Colors By Matt Milla; Lettering By VC’s Joe Caramagna

The message may not roll off the tongue as well as the original quote, but it’s a poignant reminder that a real hero doesn’t need great power to accept the responsibility of standing up for what’s right. In fact, when power is being taken away by the people at the top, society’s so-called rules must be broken to stop the oppression, which is pretty relevant to how many people are currently feeling in the real world. In this sense, it is a perfect contemporary twist on the timeless wisdom which has formed the core of Spider-Man lore.

Though there have been many variations of the “great responsibility” quote in Spider-Man lore, it’s most famously attributed to Peter’s Uncle Ben, and Miles’ own uncle has another take on responsibility that might actually be more inspiring than the original line. The version of the quote that sticks with Peter speaks to what he must do after he unlocks his powers as a superhero, which is an extremely important message for those who find themselves empowered or privileged in any situation, related to crime-fighting or not. However, what Uncle Aaron tells Miles is a lot more relatable for the underdog.

This version of Miles may have been bitten by a radioactive spider and given great powers, but in his universe, he’s still fighting against a major domineering force that is working to keep him and all of humanity subjugated. Aaron already knows that his nephew has become a strong hero, but Miles’ strict moral code forces his uncle to remind him that it’s not enough to just be a hero while under severe oppression. When the game is rigged, Aaron makes it clear to Miles that it’s not only okay to break the rules, but it’s actually his true responsibility.

Spider-Prowler’s Alternate Universe Makes Him The Last Hero Standing During an Alien Apocalypse

Earth-2501 Falls Victim To A Kree Invasion

Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood’s newly introduced versions of Miles and his uncle Aaron live on Earth-2501, in a universe where a Kree armada successfully invaded and took over the planet during their war against the Skrulls. What results is a kind of post-apocalyptic world that the uncle and nephew are desperately trying to survive in, and Miles’ version of Spider-Man here is the only hero left alive, along with The Prowler. However, when Aaron is devastatingly killed by a Kree soldier, he delivers his important final message to Miles and Spider-Man is officially humanity’s last hope in this universe.

The Prowler’s death helps Miles finally understand what his uncle tried to tell him for the majority of the story, and it is officially hammered home when Aaron gives his final message to Miles about his responsibility. While the Prowler has been a major adversary for Miles in other timelines, Miles and his uncle are true allies and partners during the Kree invasion, and Aaron’s death inspires Spider-Man to be more like him. Though he was busy trying to be like the man he never knew, Peter Parker, Miles' story ultimately sees him blend two ideologies to become the Spider-Prowler.

“Perhaps Not A Hero”: The Spider-Verse Spotlights The Most Hardened Version of Miles Morales

Even The Web-Heart Knows He’s Special

The anthology issue’s premise saw the Web-Heart, the essence of the Great Web of Life and Destiny, choosing a hero to a battle against the Venomverse, and Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood ends with the Web-Heart claiming that Miles’ Spider-Prowler is “the one”. The issue introduced other versions of heroes connected to the Great Web, like a Spectacular Spider-Hulk and a Dracula-fied Spider-Man adventure with Count Parker and Mary Jane Van Helsing. Still, the Spider-Prowler is the hero who is selected as the Web-Heart’s new champion, likely due to his reinvigorated sense of responsibility making him a stronger choice.

At the end of the Spider-Prowler story, Earth-2501’s Miles Morales becomes a hero that’s quite different from his identity in any other universe, as a warrior who is willing to fight viciously in order to protect humanity. The Spider-Prowler is Miles hardened and tougher than ever before, taking his uncle’s advice to heart, and breaking his old moral code to fight the oppression of the Kree invasion. As the last protector of his planet, with a renewed sense of rule-breaking responsibility, Miles may not only be Earth-2501’s last hope, but he could be the Spider-Verse’s best fighter against the Venomverse.

The Prowler’s Uncle Ben Moment Makes Spider-Man’s Responsibility Both Radical & Relevant

Uncle Aaron’s Words Inspire The Spider-Verse’s New Champion

Miles’ story in Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood continues the trend of a Spider-Man getting an important life lesson from their uncle before his death, and does so with an updated line that is essential to Spider-Prowler’s future. Uncle Aaron’s message isn’t just for superheroes, and is a great reminder that if there are rules in place that are meant to oppress others, they must be broken. What’s great about Aaron’s advice is that it can easily coexist with the “great responsibility” quote, and Miles blending the two is what makes Spider-Prowler such a strong addition to Marvel’s Spider-Man lore.

As Earth-2501’s Miles Morales perseveres under tyrannical rule in his universe, the Prowler gives a thoughtful update to Spider-Man’s famous lesson that could be truly inspirational.

Of course, calling this issue’s quote actually better than the iconic line about great power and great responsibility might be considered sacrilegious, especially among Spidey fans. However, while Spider-Man’s original motto works as a call to action for those who find themselves empowered, the message given to Miles here is more relevant and important to those who feel totally powerless, telling them there’s another way. As Earth-2501’s Miles Morales perseveres under tyrannical rule in his universe, the Prowler gives a thoughtful update to Spider-Man’s famous lesson that could be truly inspirational to both readers and the characters in Marvel’s Multiverse.

Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood #1 is available now from Marvel Comics!