(Image source: Pakistan's Express Tribune)

BY LEXA DECKERT
 

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

You're watching multisource video news analysis from Newsy

Peter Parker -- the beloved Spiderman -- is dead -- and the new Spidey is making waves. CNN reports...

“This is Miles Morales -- the comic book super hero goes multi-cultural in Marvel Comic’s Ultimate Universe series -- this is set for all of you comic fans you know what this parallel universe is where Peter Parker dies, is replaced by this teenager and this new teenager is half black, half Latino.”

The new comic debuted Wednesday -- to mostly positive feedback according to Marvel editor in chief -- Alex Alonso. CBS interviewed the comic boss about Marvel’s inspiration.

Alex Alonso (Marvel Comics): “We’ve been talking about this for a while. The first discussion I remember that was very concrete was right before Obama was elected -- when we started to realize we very well might be looking at the first African-American president.... (FLASH) You know we’ve got a president of mixed ethnicity right now... so why not the most recognizable super hero in the world?”

And in addition to being biracial -- rumors are circulating-- the new hero might be gay. A writer for Pakistan’s Express Tribune says that:

“...it would be tremendous for youngsters feeling alienated because of their genetic code, to be able to identify with a comic book character as iconic as Spider Man. But a superhero of color, who also happens to be gay? That just seems exploitive. Why not make him part Chinese, Muslim, and give him a disability as well, and call him Super Minority Man?”

But Marvel claims they have nothing but good intentions. The Chicago Sun-Times reports...

“Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s most popular superheroes, a treasure not to be messed with lightly. Marvel insists this is no publicity stunt..."

Skin color and sexuality aside-- what about the story line? The IB Times reports.

“Beyond the fact that the story line will remain true to it’s overall theme -- centered on learning to accept the responsibility that comes with great power -- the new character will be nothing like his predecessor. He’s younger, he comes from a completely different background, has a completely different world view and even has different powers.”

Marvel’s editor-in-chief believes readers will fall in love with Miles Morales just as they did with Peter Parker.

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