Black Cinema at the Oscars: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

This series will profile Black cinema representation at the 2019 Academy Awards.

Within the first ten minutes of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, my initial thought was Spider-Man is moving into the 21st century. Adapted from the comic book series by Brian Michael Bendis, Into the Spider-Verse centers around the story of Afro-Latino teen, Miles Morales. Morales is adjusting to his new private school when a graffiti session leads to him getting bit by a radioactive spider. He returns to the area where he was bitten after waking up with mysterious spider-like powers, finding himself in the midst of a life or death fight. A portal opens allowing different Spider-Men from multiple dimensions to enter Morales’ world.

Although Into the Spider-Verse is animated, it feels like the real world. The new Spider-Man is an awkward, yet gifted Afro-Latino teen who rocks a hoodie and Nikes and it feels authentic. That aside, visually I’ve never seen a comic book film like this. The directors combine multiple animation styles such as film noir and anime as well as give an ode to classic comic book aesthetic.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is nominated for Best Animated Feature.