Just like how the MCU’s rules in preserving the Multiverse, Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse just unleashed the importance of following the ‘canon events’ to keep the peace within the Spider-Verse.
But even if you’ve read the Spider-Man story all over, what exactly are the canon events in the Spider-Verse?
WARNING: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, so READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
What Do ‘Canon Events’ Mean in the Spider-Verse?
The ‘canon events’, by definition, are a pattern of events that always occur in the life of every existing Spider-Man in the Spider-Verse. Otherwise, their universe could risk getting destroyed.
Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099) pointed out that the ‘canon events’ in question are what drive and preserve the Spider-Verse from collapsing into chaos.
Hara then continued on to say how Miles Morales was the first Spider-Man anomaly in the timeline, indicating that he was never supposed to be a part of the Spider Society in the first place.
That being said, Miles’ very existence risks the Spider-Verse. Here’s why.
READ MORE: The ‘42’ Easter Egg: What Does ‘42’ Mean in The Spider-Verse?
What are the ‘Canon Events’ in the Spider-Verse?
The ‘canon events’ revolve around mainly three things as depicted in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: the radioactive spider bite, and the death of every Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben.
Miles Morales technically experienced the spider bite, but it is exactly that he was never supposed to be the next Spider-Man that caused him to be an anomaly in the ‘canon event'.
Miguel showed how many of the previous Spider-people had to suffer losing their next promoted officers on the force, the Uncle Ben’s or the Captain Stacy’s.
Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man losing Uncle Ben and Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man mourning over Captain Stacy were even shown as part of the cameo from Miguel’s discussion.
In this case, Miles would have to lose his dad, Jefferson Davis, in Earth-1610.
You might be wondering, though, how come Miles has to lose two deaths in his lifetime, especially given that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse proved that he was closer to his Uncle Aaron compared to his dad.
How come even after losing Uncle Aaron, his designated significant role model, Miles would have to suffer losing his dad, too?
Not to mention, many fans were even questioning the logic behind this, given that since Miles is an anomaly in the Spider-Verse, shouldn’t his actions in his own reality not affect the Spider-Verse’s canon events?
Well, the Spider-Verse creators have yet to address this little plothole, but based on theory, it is likely that because Miles is an anomaly, any further changes he does could lead to worse fates in the other realities within the Spider-Verse.
But hey, again, that’s just a theory. Take note that even Miguel wasn’t willing to take any chances in potentially destroying the Spider-Verse out of Miles’ attempt to change his Spider-Man story.
ALSO READ: Is The Prowler in the MCU?
Why Are ‘Canon Events’ Important in the Spider-Verse?
Miguel O’Hara explained his story first to Miles. In this case, when Miguel’s other version died in his own reality, Miguel tried to take over his life by taking care of his family.
With Miguel not being meant to stay in that reality, he ended up losing everything, causing corruption and chaos in that specific universe.
As for Miles not being meant to be a Spider-Man at all, Miguel wants things done simple — Miles should not save his Earth-1610 father from getting killed.
Miguel tried to reason with the kid, especially since Miles was already thinking he could save his dad and the universe altogether, somehow, in some miracle.
The ‘canon events’ are important in the Spider-Verse, because this is how every Peter Parker, every Spider-Man was made.
They are part of the journey in growing, such that the excruciating pain of their loved ones led to accomplishing greater things.
The only difference is, Miles wouldn’t understand this since he is aware of what has to happen in his Earth-1610. Of course this would drive the kid to strive and save his father.
In the entire time in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Miles felt he wasn’t treating his family equally by keeping his identity a secret. Not to mention, he was about to lose his father without saying goodbye to him, at least.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is our only hope of ever answering the question whether Miguel O’Hara’s theory on the canon events also apply to Miles or not.
Will Miles be successful in charting his own map, in writing his own story as he said he would? Or would he suffer the same fate Miguel O’Hara had?
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!