Johnson said that although this movie is the first of its kind of terms of showing diverse female superheroes and superheroes of color, he thinks that very soon this will be the norm with big blockbusters. He continued, “I think it’s really great that this franchise has branched out and decided to really explore what it would be like if a 13-year-old biracial, bi-lingual boy from Brooklyn took the mask on himself, because anyone can be a hero wearing the mask and that’s what we need to show more of.” Henry said that the diversity shown in this film stays true to why Lee created the Marvel Universe: “To champion for those who felt oppressed and those who felt they were receiving prejudice and bigotry and it just didn’t feel like there was anyone to stand in their corner, so that has to extend beyond just white superheroes.” Miles Morales is the first black Spider-Man, and teams up with Gwen Stacy, a Spider-Woman of sorts, as well as Peni Parker, an Asian female crimefighter.
Aside from Lee’s guest spot, Into the Spider-Verse is also making waves as the first time diversity has been seen inside of the iconic Spider-Man costume.
