Miles Morales Lore Change Makes His Superhero Brother an Official Family Member

Summary Shift finally finds a family in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #20, solidifying his place as a brother to Miles and Billie.

Shift's past as a failed clone with self-confidence issues is overcome as he is welcomed into the Morales family with open arms.

With his shape-shifting abilities, Shift could play a crucial role in protecting the Morales family in the face of impending dangers.

Warning: Contains potential spoilers for Miles Morales: Spider-Man #20!Miles Morales’ hulking super-powered brother finally gets a proper home and support system in Marvel Comics as the Spider-Man clone Shift officially joins the Morales family. Though he initially debuted under unsettling circumstances, the mutated clone of Miles finally feels like part of a family in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #20. With some of Spider-Man’s powers as well as shape-shifting abilities, the Spider-Clone has serious potential in the Marvel universe.

In the heartwarming preview for Miles Morales: Spider-Man #20 by Cody Ziglar, Federico Vicentini, and Bryan Valenza, Miles and his siblings are about to embark on a special “Sibling Day” adventure. Shift and Miles’ baby sister Billie are already inseparable as the whole family discusses the day ahead of them.

Close

Although he’s a clone, Shift is accepted into the Morales family wholeheartedly and is instantly treated like a brother to Miles and Billie. With a somewhat tragic backstory, Shift’s new living situation is a vast improvement and a wonderful next step for the character as he’s ingrained into Spider-Man lore.

Related Spider-Man's Clone Battle Will Decide Peter Parker's Legacy Two Spider-Man clones, Ben Reilly and Shift, will clash in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #33, as multiple heroes lay claim to Peter Parker's legacy.

Spider-Man’s Clone Brother Officially Joins the Morales Family

Close

Since Shift was originally a failed clone of Miles with serious self-confidence issues, it’s sweet to see him welcomed into the Morales family with open arms. First appearing during Miles’ version of the Clone Saga in Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2019) #25 by Saladin Ahmed, Carmen Carnero, and David Curiel, Shift was created with an unstable form, granting him his tank-like size and shape-altering abilities. He later solidified his brotherhood with Miles and even helped save his new sister Billie, but Shift was self-consciously afraid to meet the rest of the family due to his hulking form and inability to speak.

In the years since his debut, Shift has hidden out in the NYC sewers and occasionally helped Spider-Man with some superhero adventures. Recently, Shift helped Miles and Ms. Marvel take down the villain Rabble, and Kamala even helped him learn how to speak beyond the word “Glurp!” Shift was officially welcomed into the Morales home at the end of Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2023) #19 by Ziglar, Vicentini, and Valenza. Though Rio and Jefferson aren’t sure what to make of him at first, that scene and the opening pages for Miles Morales: Spider-Man #20 are touching as Shift is finally accepted.

Shift Could Be The Key to Protecting the Morales Family in Blood Hunt and Beyond

With his new home, Shift could be key to protecting the Morales family as Miles goes out on his intense superhero missions. With his superhero powers in his own right, Shift can watch over his parents and sister when Miles can’t. With Miles possibly undergoing a sinister vampire transformation over in Blood Hunt and its tie-ins with Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Shift could even protect the family from Miles himself, as Spider-Man turns into a bloodthirsty creature. As a protector and superhero in his own right, Shift has a lot of potential in the Marvel universe.

Taking into account his unfortunate creation and self-conscious attitude, it is truly heartwarming to see Shift finally a part of a family with people to support him. While he learns how to be a part of a family and hones his superhero skills, Shift’s powerful abilities could make him a major player in the Marvel Universe moving forward. As a clone and surrogate brother of Miles Morales, Shift is a new and original type of character in Spider-Man lore and a worthwhile addition to the Morales family.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #20 will be available May 15 from Marvel Comics.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #20 (2024) Writer: Cody Ziglar

Artist: Federico Vicentini

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artist: Federico Vicentini