Spider-Man has always been one of the most beloved superheroes of all time. The web-slinger has a rich history of comic book adventures, live-action films, and animated series. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, released in 2018, featured the hero and became one of the most popular animated films. Audiences praised the film for its stunning animation, emotional story, and unique take on the Spider-Man mythos. When a sequel was announced, fans were thrilled. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is slated for release in 2023. However, fans can experience another glimpse of the Spider-Verse sooner with the upcoming animated short, The Spider Within, set to debut at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June.
What is The Spider Within About?
Sony’s new mentorship program called LENS (Leading and Empowering New Storytellers) includes The Spider Within as a part of it.. The short will see Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) trying to find a balance between his new superhero identity and his everyday teenage life. However, what makes this short unique is that it will have Miles dealing with a panic attack after a stressful day when the pressure of both worlds gets to him. The short will be all about finding the strength to ask for help and confronting your own anxiety.
Why is The Spider Within Important?
More so than any other comic book hero, whether it be Peter or Miles or Gwen under the mask, Spider-Man has always been the most relatable hero. Despite their great power, they’ve always been depicted as deeply human. This short is taking the Web-Slinger back to his roots and having the hero deal with his teenage problems head-on. There’s nothing more relatable to a young person than a panic attack or crippling anxiety. This short is sure to be a great vehicle for kids and frankly people of all ages to know that they’re not alone. Even our favorite superheroes deal with everyday issues, and real heroes aren’t afraid to acknowledge that.
The Significance of The Spider Within in the Spider-Verse
The Spider Within sounds like it will be a separate story from its cinematic counterpart, but the classic Spider-Man theme of balance is sure to be alive and well in Across the Spider-Verse. This bombastic sequel will see Miles and Gwen further exploring their relationship in an even bigger multiverse adventure. An adventure that will have Mile’s Spider-Man take on other Spider-People sworn to protect the multiverse when they can’t agree on how to handle a new threat.
The new threat is most likely the classic villain Spot and the massive number of Spider-People featuring both friends and foes include Spider-Man 2099 (voiced by Oscar Isaac), Spider-Woman (voiced by Issa Rae), Spider-Man India (voiced by Karan Soni), and Spider-Punk (voiced by Daniel Kaluuya).
The Possibilities of The Spider Within
The Spider Within is sure to be an important addition to the Spider-Verse canon. It will give fans a deeper look into Miles Morales’ struggles as a teenager and a superhero. It will also give viewers a chance to see how the Spider-Verse can be explored in different ways through different mediums.
The short is also an important part of Sony’s new mentorship program. It is an opportunity for new storytellers to learn and grow under the guidance of industry professionals. The LENS program is a vital step forward in creating a more diverse and inclusive entertainment industry. It gives opportunities to underrepresented voices and allows them to tell their own stories.
The Spider Verse: Trailer
Conclusion
The Spider Within is an exciting addition to the Spider-Verse. It promises to deepen fans’ understanding of Miles Morales’ character, who has always been a relatable character for younger audiences. His struggles with anxiety in this short will only further solidify that. It is important for children to see their favorite heroes dealing with everyday issues, as it can make them feel less alone in their struggles.
