Warning: Contains potential spoilers for Miles Morales: Spider-Man #28!Shortly after his new Vibranium suit made its big debut Miles Morales is getting another big Wakanda update, courtesy of Black Panther. Like Brooklyn Spider-Man makes the journey to the futuristic African nation in an effort to eliminate his vampirism, with T'Challa by his side, the young hero is receiving many powerful gifts from Wakandan royalty that could truly shake his abilities and status in Marvel Comics.
The preview for Miles Morales: Spider-Man #28 – written by Cody Ziglar, with art by Daniele Di Nicuolo – features Shuri greeting her brother and Miles in Wakanda, while the brothers teach Spider-Man about Bast. After testing the previous edition of the series Miles officially receives a heart-shaped herb to prepare for his mission.
As he tries to cure his vampire bloodlust, Miles needs help from the gods, and T'Challa and Shuri trust him to take Wakanda's precious plant in their efforts. While the effects of the herb aren't the same for everyone, the journey could fundamentally change Miles' Spider-Man.
Miles Morales receives the heart-shaped herb, an important source of Black Panther's powers
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #28 – Written by Cody Ziglar; Art by Daniele Di Nicuolo; Color by Bryan Valenza; Lyrics by Cory Petit from VC
The Heart-Shaped Herb is an important piece of the Black Panther comic book history and part of what makes T'Challa a superhero, which means Spider-Man receiving the powerful plant is an important next step for the character. The herb gives T'Challa and those of his royal bloodline who ingest it enhanced abilities, including superhuman strength, agility, healing, and special kinesthetic senses. Although Miles is not part of T'Challa and Shuri's bloodline, they postulate that the Heart-Shaped Herb will be an important tool as he tries to communicate with Bast, and there is still a chance that it could have powerful side effects on Miles.
The Heart-Shaped Herb was given to Peter Parker once while he was battling his own mysterious illness in 2005. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2 – by the creative team of Reginald Hudlin, Mike Wieringo, Karl Kesel and Paul Mounts. Ultimately, the herb didn't help Peter much, but Miles' power set as Spider-Man has always been unique, and the two heroes could have had wildly different outcomes. Regardless, as something that has been a part of Black Panther's history since the character's first appearance, the Heart-Shaped Herb granted to Miles Morales along with Vibranium technology further deepens the character's ties to Wakanda.
Marvel has given Miles Morales several Wakanda updates as he bonds with Black Panther
T'Challa, Shuri, and Marvel readers considered Miles Worthy
Miles' various enhancements in Wakanda help control his vampire urges and make him a more powerful Spider-Man, but they also prove the strength of his bond with Black Panther. The heart-shaped herb wouldn't work and could be deadly if Miles wasn't a noble heroand the preview proves that both T'Challa and Shuri trust him to be worthy of the honor. From the trust of the priceless plant to the gift of a new suit featuring Vibranium material and webbing, Miles' new connections to Black Panther lore speak to his position as one of the most likable heroes in Marvel's current continuity.
As the lore of Spider-Man and Black Panther continues to be intertwined in their new team, Miles Morales' adventure in Wakanda is making him an even more powerful and important hero in Marvel Comics.
Even though the Heart-Shaped Herb is one of the sources of Black Panther's superpowers, what Spider-Man's experience with it will be like is still a mystery. Whether he manages to unlock new abilities, cure his vampirism, or just develop a closer connection to the culture of Wakanda, the webslinger will seemingly be forever changed by his quest with T'Challa. As Spider-Man and Black Panther the tradition remains intertwined in its new team, Miles Morales' Wakanda's adventure is making him an even more powerful and important hero in Marvel Comics.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #28 will be available January 1, 2025 from Marvel Comics.