The following contains spoilers for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, now playing in theaters.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is only loosely connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yet -- like its predecessor, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse -- it's swiftly climbed the ranks of fan affection to rank alongside the MCU's best. That comes from the fundaments of the storytelling as much as any sophisticated flourishes. Across the Spider-Verse makes viewers care deeply about hero Mile Morales, then throws him against challenging moral dilemmas for which there is no clear-cut right or wrong.
That plays out in Across the Spider-Verse's exploration of the Multiverse, as a well-meaning Miguel O'Hara tries to explain to Miles that his father has to die. His argument echoes that of a very similar -- and controversial -- one from the MCU. Captain America tries to save one soul at the risk of everything during the events of Avengers: Infinity War, and Marvel fans continue to debate the impact of that decision to this day. Spider-Man 2099 may have just added fuel to the fire.
Captain America Refuses To Kill Vision in Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War culminates with Thanos arriving in Wakanda to claim the Mind Stone and complete the Infinity Gauntlet. Destroying the Stone is an option, though it will kill Vision -- as the Stone comprises part of his soul -- in the process. Vision is prepared to die rather than risk the devastation of The Snap, but Steve Rogers refuses to let him. Shuri attempts the complicated process of removing the Mind Stone safely while the heroes try to hold off Thanos' forces.
It's the MCU's version of the classic "needs of the many" dilemma from Star Trek, which works brilliantly as a narrative conundrum. Steve believes that he can save Vision and prevent The Snap, causing him to side with the needs of the one. It's not the first time. His efforts to save Bucky Barnes from Hydra's brainwashing led him to put his friend's need over perceived public safety in both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. His dedication to Vision is no less and even feels expected after everything he went through in his previous two MCU appearances. He fails -- and sadly, because Thanos already possesses the Time Stone, any efforts to stop him from killing Vision are meaningless -- but it still fuels debate among MCU fans about the rightfulness of his actions.
Across the Spider-Verse Delivers the Same Dilemma
Across the Spider-Verse presents an identical dilemma for Miles. As Miguel O'Hara explains, there are certain "Canon Events" that need to happen to every Spider-Hero in any given reality for that reality to unfold as it should. For Spider-Man, that includes things like the death of an Uncle Ben figure or the murder of a police captain like George Stacy. Miles' father has just been promoted to captain and is fated to die as part of such a Canon Event. Leaving Captain Morales alive could trigger a paradox that will destroy that entire reality.
Miles refuses to sit by and let it happen, leading to his wild escape from the Spider-Society that kicks off Across the Spider-Verse's finale. Like Cap, he believes that he doesn't have to sacrifice one for the needs of the many and sets out to prove it. The film's cliffhanger ending leaves the question unresolved, though, in the meantime, Spider-Gwen learns that Canon Events can be altered without destroying that reality. 2024's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse will reveal how it all comes out.
Regardless, it speaks volumes about Miles that he shares Rogers' sentiments on the matter. It may be impossible to save everyone -- something Steve himself acknowledges when he speaks to Wanda in Civil War -- but that won't stop them from trying. That's what makes them heroes, as well as forming the core of their personalities. Whether or not it's the right choice is a matter of circumstance, but both figures thrive by testing their beliefs with the odds stacked against them. As with Star Trek, the results are usually too good to resist.
See how Miles aligns himself with Captain America in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, now playing in theaters.