“There’s gotta be a Black Spider-Man out there somewhere.” – Electro
New York City is home to some of the globe’s most iconic figures, including our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. In Brooklyn, the enthusiasm surrounding the early film screening of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” beside Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and the La Borinqueña graphic novel arrived (Dec. 14) as no surprise. With a musical introduction from the Bombazo Dance Company, the MC and award-winning graphic novelist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez reminded attendees of the significance of storytelling and believing in the ability to create something bigger than yourself.
“The pandemic brought forth tragedy. We have experienced loss… We are at this premiere to celebrate our neighborhood but also to bless those and the memory of those that we will always carry on. The holidays are a time to remember — whether you believe in modern religion or not. Again, the end of the year is a reflecting period,” Miranda-Rodriguez explained.
In tandem with his introspection, the viewpoints of self-awareness and utilizing one’s power to enhance community became pictorial pillars of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Stars Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), his girlfriend Zendaya (MJ), their best friend, Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds), and mentor Benedict Cumberbatch’s (Doctor Strange) evildoer combats center how all people adventure differently. Further, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is one of the most inclusive productions to come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe — from its Sorcerer Supreme Benedict Wong (Wong) — to villains such as Jamie Foxx (Max Dillon/Electro). Each blockbuster scene aims to mirror the world we live in and is based upon Marvel comics authored by Stan Lee.
“I grew up with the character [Spider-Man] like most of us. We prayed that with great power came great responsibility. That is really what fueled me to become the activist that most of you know. Yes, I enjoy the characters and these films. Tonight is also a reflection of why I got into publishing superhero comics myself,” announced the La Borinqueña creator.
A recurring message of the evening was to recognize the everyday heroes who have helped the collective survive a fatal spreading virus. The Marvel reunion of 2021’s exemplars has inspired artworks beyond the movie. While its wall-crawling possibility of being bitten by a radioactive spider is slim to none, the notion that observers facing challenging circumstances can overcome rang authentically. Still, none of Holland’s shine came through a Puerto Rican-led event without acknowledging the movie’s reference to Miles Morales.
The Latinx character’s arrangement of courageous events sent the New York preview a nudge that there are several Spider-Man models through the multiverse. Previous Parker film prototypes include Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Morales made headway this month prior to “Spider-Man: No Way Home” hitting theaters today in Marvel Voices Comunidades #1. Even so, the common thread of having arachnid abilities has enabled web-spinning bravery between universes since Marvel Comics’ Amazing Fantasy, No. 15 (1962).
Now, director Jon Watts obliged loyalists by navigating the high-schooler’s life following him being accused of murder. Additionally, Watts aided in scripting the aftermath of Parker’s identity reveal in the preceding movie. The orphan-turned-superhero becomes an easy target for this winter’s opposition. Spider-Man’s on-screen team is equipped with gadgets galore. Complicating matters — the trio of seniors MJ, Parker, and Leeds attempt to save the world — while reaching for college acceptance letters from MIT.
All film spectators are requested to reevaluate what they deem unbelievable. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” analyzes the history of those who fear mediocrity and the cost of being extraordinary. Parkers’ support system cued up from the last movie’s impossibilities beside Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan) and Marisa Tomei (May Parker). Together, their chosen family witnesses devastating loss near emerging foes such as Willem Dafoe (Norman Osborn/Green Goblin) and Alfred Molina (Dr. Otto Octavius/Doc Ock). Still, do not get too alarmed — the film features a few unlikely redemptions. But The Knockturnal has no intention of completely spoiling today’s movie release.
Among the associated Marvel illustrations of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” was a keepsake La Borinqueña-sponsored Spider-Man design by animator Emilio Lopez. The comic book heroine tied her shared sentiment of resistance to this morning’s accompanying 5th Anniversary issue, La Borinqueña, No.3. Ahead of the film’s surprise announcements, a bomba beat opened the floor for both hometown superheroes to shine and dance alongside their fans.
“We started La Borinqueña 5 years ago. We first premiered her here in Brooklyn, and then we took a plane to Puerto Rico. Our comic book is independently published. We are not on the big screen yet. We put out our energy — not into the possibility of a movie — we put our energy into a movement.
The comic books and merchandise we sell support our philanthropic work in Borikén. We have donated one-hundred-fifty-five thousand dollars to nonprofit [organizations] across the island. We believe in philanthropy because it is a part of our activism… because we are here on the U.S. mainland, while second-class citizens live in Puerto Rico. If you are going to create superheroes that fight for social justice, you need to apply that in the real world,” concluded Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez to his “Spider-Man: No Way Home” early screening audience.
Check out your local listings to catch the latest Spider-Man movie and support La Borinqueña’s charitable causes here.