When Spider-Man: Homecoming ushered in Tom Holland’s fantastical reign as the MCU Spider-ManI was pleasantly surprised to see him facing, of all villains, Michael Keaton Vulture. But credit is due: the unassuming Vulture has always been a huge threat, and now his comic book showdown with Miles Morales emphasizes just how badass the Vulture can really be.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #25 by Cody Ziglar, Federico Vicentini, Bryan Valenza and Cory Petit is a big win for Vulture. After being beaten by Miles and his newfound vampiric strength in the previous issue, Toomes sets out to seek revenge in a new costume of his own design. Despite the Vulture’s advanced age, it’s presented as an epic showdown when the two face off, with the art paying homage to yet another classic showdown.
The poses and onomatopoeia of this fight are taken directly from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure specifically the dramatic confrontation between protagonist Jotaro and his rival, Dio – equating the Vulture with one of the biggest badasses in anime.
The Vulture has always been one of Spider-Man’s best villains
Adrian Toomes is a force to be reckoned with
Of all the Spidey villains, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Vulture. Adrian Toomes may not have the same background as Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus, but he has managed to remain one of Spider-Man’s oldest and most persistent enemies – literally, as he first appears in the second edition of The Amazing Spider-Man. There’s a basic shrewdness about Toomes that’s a hallmark of his age and that I can’t help but respect: It gives the impression that he stays out of the spotlight not because of a lack of skill, but because he’s smart enough not to get caught. .
Let’s examine the genius of the Vulture. He is lethal enough to have been in almost every iteration of Sinister Six. He is a brilliant engineer, strategist and thief. He is madly devoted to his family, and while he doesn’t force them to follow his criminal path, he will raise hell for anyone who offends them. The Vulture flies quickly and silently and often defeats enemies that are decades younger and more vigorous than it. Adrian Toomes may not be one of Marvel’s heavyweights, but he doesn’t have to be: he’s found his niche where he’s the undisputed champion.
The MCU’s version of the Vulture is a top-notch take on the classic Spider-Man villain
Keaton reveals what it means to be the Vulture
This overview brings us to Keaton’s excellent portrayal of the Vulture in 2017 Spider-Man: Homecoming. Although I thought this casting was a dubious choice at first, Keaton brought the perfect energy to the role, capturing the Vulture’s darkness, his protective nature, his opportunism and his skill. Holland’s Spider-Man versus Keaton’s Vulture became a generational clash, pitting the best of wide-eyed youth against the peak of cynicism that comes with age. Both actors gave brilliant performances, but I must commend Keaton for conveying to modern MCU audiences what makes an old man in a lime green bird suit so menacingly cool.
It’s easy to underestimate the Vulture, but few people in the supervillain game reach his age, let alone prove to be a match for younger generations.
Vulture was truly the perfect villain to bring a new generation’s Spider-Man to the big screen. The character’s age and cunning play perfectly against Holland’s young and relatively naïve Spider-Man, while also being low-key enough to be a viable challenge for the unproven hero. There’s symmetry here, too: pairing a rookie Spider-Man against one of Spider-Man’s earliest canonical foes. Keaton’s portrayal of Vulture in the MCU effectively captures all the characteristics that make him one of my favorite Spider-Man villains in the comics.
2024 was a great year for the Vulture at Marvel Comics
Marvel embraces what makes one of its oldest villains great
I was very happy with Marvel increased inclusion of Vulture in recent years. There’s that epic showdown with Miles Morales, yes, but also his role as a villain alongside Nightcrawler in 2023 The strange Spider-Man and the deeply disturbing Renaissance notebook-style iteration of the critically acclaimed film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It’s a shame he was replaced by Mole Man in Ultimate Universe’s new Sinister Six, but Ultimate Universe can be forgiven for trying something new. In fact, the Ultimate Universe seems even more eccentric and disturbing due to the Vulture’s absence.
It’s easy to underestimate the Vulture, but few people in the supervillain game reach his age, let alone prove to be a match for younger generations. I love how many recent comics have highlighted the Vulture’s strengths without making him feel overpowered or out of character, and it speaks to the strength of Toomes’ character that he can consistently command so much respect. The original Spider-Man the film may have debuted with the Green Goblin, but I think the MCU was right in pitting a new generation’s Spider-Man against the Vulture: He provides the high caliber of villainy that any hero must achieve if they want to fly.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #25 is now available from Marvel Comics.