Sam Wilson and Miles Morales have a lot in common. Both inherited the mantle of an iconic Marvel character—red and blue suits and all—after the original hero either died or retired. Both represent the same values as their predecessors and stand for the same ideals, yet their personalities and origin stories differ greatly. During Marvel’s “All-New, All-Different” era (2015-2019), both became fan favorites, gaining significant popularity. However, while Miles has been embraced by fans, starring in two successful movies and his own video game, Sam still struggles to be fully accepted as Captain America, even after starring in his own show and movie. So, why is one embraced, and the other still isn’t?
Historical Context and Background
Both Sam Wilson and Miles Morales took on significant superhero roles, but their journeys to being accepted were very different. While both shared similar arcs in inheriting the mantle from their predecessors, the path to fan acceptance diverged significantly.
Miles Morales debuted in the “Ultimate Universe” (Earth-1610), which gave Marvel the creative freedom to reinvent iconic characters. Introduced as a completely independent superhero after the death of Peter Parker in that universe, Miles quickly became a beloved character without the baggage of being a sidekick or junior version of Spider-Man. His journey as Spider-Man was immediate, and he was never seen as “Spider-Man Jr.”—Miles was Spider-Man from the start.
Sam Wilson, on the other hand, has a much longer and more complicated history. Debuting in the late 60s as the Falcon, Sam was often portrayed as a supporting character—specifically, Captain America’s sidekick. His identity as the Falcon was deeply tied to Steve Rogers. Even when Sam did wield the shield temporarily, it was always seen as a placeholder for Steve, never as a permanent shift in the mantle of Captain America. Fans saw Sam as a sidekick, not as an independent hero.
Initial Introduction of the Characters
Sam Wilson:
Sam’s debut in the 1960s marked him as Captain America’s sidekick. He made his first appearance in a Steve Rogers comic, and throughout his early years, he was never portrayed as an independent hero. His first solo comic series in 1993 lasted only four issues, reinforcing the perception that Sam was always better as a sidekick. The idea of Sam Wilson as Captain America only became prominent in the 2010s, especially in the comics when Steve Rogers passed on the mantle to Sam due to his aging and loss of superpowers. However, this was always a temporary arrangement, and Steve Rogers’ eventual return through the Cosmic Cube cemented the idea that Sam would never be a permanent Captain America.
Miles Morales:
Miles’ introduction in the “Ultimate Universe” made him an independent hero from the get-go. His origin story mirrored that of Peter Parker—bitten by a radioactive spider—but from the beginning, Miles was his own Spider-Man. He never played second fiddle to Peter Parker and wasn’t introduced as a sidekick or junior hero. His immediate introduction as Spider-Man allowed him to establish himself as an independent, full-fledged superhero, unburdened by the legacy of being “Spider-Man Jr.”
Temporary vs. Permanent Mantle
Sam Wilson:
Historically, Sam Wilson has been viewed as a temporary replacement for Steve Rogers. Whether in the comics or the MCU, Sam’s role as Captain America was always framed as a short-term solution. For example, in the comics, after Steve lost his powers, Sam briefly became Cap, only for Steve to return, rejuvenated, and reclaim the title. The same storyline unfolded in the MCU: Sam took up the shield after Steve Rogers’ retirement, but fans expected Steve’s return in “Secret Wars,” further weakening Sam’s acceptance as the permanent Captain America.
Miles Morales:
In stark contrast, Miles has never been seen as a temporary Spider-Man. His role as Spider-Man is permanent, and no one ever expects Peter Parker to come back and replace him. While Peter Parker’s death in the Ultimate Universe left a void that Miles filled, he quickly established himself as a permanent, independent Spider-Man. Marvel’s commitment to making Miles a mainstay Spider-Man has helped him gain wide acceptance, and fans expect no less than that. Whether it’s in the comics or films, Miles is the Spider-Man for his generation.
Impact of Alternate Universes
Miles Morales:
The fact that Miles debuted in the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) allowed fans to enjoy his story without feeling like he was replacing Peter Parker. The Ultimate Universe was an alternate timeline where Marvel’s creative team had the liberty to reimagine their characters. Since Peter Parker was still alive in the main Marvel Universe (Earth-616), readers had the option of enjoying both versions of Spider-Man without the pressure of one replacing the other.
Later, when Marvel decided to bring Miles into the main Marvel Universe, they managed to integrate him as a second Spider-Man, allowing both heroes to coexist without diminishing either character. The success of this approach is evident in the movies as well. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man exists in the MCU, while Miles enjoys his own animated Spider-Verse films, giving fans the option of which Spider-Man they want to follow.
Sam Wilson:
Sam’s introduction as Captain America was framed as a natural continuation in the same Marvel Universe. There was no alternate reality where Steve Rogers could continue while Sam took up the mantle. When Steve retired, Sam became Cap, but with Steve Rogers’ eventual return through the Cosmic Cube, Sam’s role as Captain America was always seen as temporary. In the MCU, this dynamic is mirrored. Sam has been viewed as a placeholder for Steve, leading to the perception that his reign as Captain America is only temporary.
Narrative and Character Development
Sam Wilson:
In the MCU, Sam’s internal struggle with the Captain America mantle is a major narrative element. Throughout the Falcon and the Winter Soldier series, Sam grapples with the responsibility of being Captain America. His reluctance to accept the shield, as shown in the first episode, directly invites fans to compare him to Steve Rogers. This comparison weakens Sam’s status as Cap because he himself doesn’t fully embrace the mantle, often questioning whether he is worthy of it. His arc is about overcoming self-doubt, but it makes him feel more like a sidekick than the true successor to Steve Rogers.
Miles Morales:
In contrast, Miles Morales never questioned his role as Spider-Man. Though he faced many struggles, including doubting his abilities early on, he was always confident in his identity as Spider-Man. Unlike Sam, Miles didn’t need a series to justify why he was worthy of the mantle. He embraced the responsibilities of being Spider-Man right from the beginning, without constantly comparing himself to the original hero. This confident acceptance of his role helped fans to quickly embrace him as Spider-Man.
Fan Expectations and Future Possibilities
Fans have long speculated that the MCU’s Secret Wars might feature a soft reboot, where older characters like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers could be recast by younger actors. This fuels the idea that Sam Wilson’s time as Captain America is limited, with fans eagerly awaiting Steve’s return. In contrast, Miles Morales’ status as Spider-Man is permanent, with no need for a reboot or replacement. Marvel has set the expectation that Miles will remain Spider-Man for the long haul, without the looming shadow of Peter Parker’s return.
Conclusion
Sam Wilson’s struggle to be fully accepted as Captain America stems from the temporary nature of his role in the comics and the MCU. Fans have always expected Steve Rogers to return, and Sam’s self-doubt further undermines his position as the permanent Captain America. Miles Morales, on the other hand, was introduced as an independent hero with no expectation of being replaced. His identity as Spider-Man has been solidified in the comics, movies, and animated series, making him a hero in his own right. The key difference lies in how each character was introduced and developed: Sam was always seen as a sidekick, while Miles was always a hero. This distinction has shaped fan perception, and it’s clear that Miles Morales’ permanent status as Spider-Man is one of the reasons why he is more widely accepted than Sam Wilson as Captain America.
