Comics
Published March 22, 2019

Four of the Most Emotional Marvel Super Hero Reveals

When a hero has their cover blown, it can have earth-shattering consequences!

In the debut issue of MAGNIFICENT MS. MARVEL, Kamala Khan discovers that her father finally knows her secret identity (thanks, MOM). From the looks of it, balancing home and Super Hero life isn't going to be as "easy" as it once was (especially following that cliffhanger).

On Wednesday, April 17, fans will begin to see the repercussions of this reveal when MAGNIFICENT MS. MARVEL #2 goes on sale. In the meantime, let's take a look back at some other times a hero revealed their identity, with good and bad results.

Spider-Man: Aunt May

Peter and Aunt May
Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #35

Over the last few years, Spider-Man and his friends from the Spider-Verse have dealt with Morlun and his family of Inheritors. This rivalry began years ago when Morlun went after Spider-Man. Spidey was (barely) able to defeat Morlun in their first confrontation, but it left him battered and broken. He returned home and took a well-needed rest, only to be discovered by a worried Aunt May checking in on her nephew.

While getting over the shock of seeing what Peter has gone through, Aunt May decided to be there for her nephew and supported him through the Super Hero Civil War. She even got to live in Avengers Tower for a time! Eventually, she lost her memory of Peter's other life during the "One More Day" storyline, but it's good to know that should she learn the truth once again, she will be there for him.

Daredevil: The Kingpin

Karen reveals Daredevil's identity
Daredevil (1964) #227

The Kingpin has the distinction of being a top-tier villain for two heroes, Spider-Man and Daredevil. Even though Wilson Fisk has been a consistent thorn in the side of the wallcrawler (he made his debut against him), it was Daredevil that drew the most of his attention.

In "Born Again," after a down-and-out Karen Page sold Daredevil's secret identity to buy drugs, the information eventually found its way into the hands of the Kingpin. He then methodically took away everything that meant anything to Matt Murdock. His assets were frozen, and the Kingpin helped frame him for witness tampering. The Kingpin even had Murdock's home firebombed.

Most comic fans enjoy the journey through the pages. Even though they are pretty sure the hero is going to win every time, it's still a fun ride. The Kingpin discovering the truth about Daredevil was one of the first times fans questioned whether the hero was going to come out on top, or finally see ultimate defeat.

Miles Morales: Rio Morales

Rio confronts Miles
Spider-Man (2016) #15

Miles was the heir to the mantle of Spider-Man after the death of Peter Parker in the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610). He went through the same trials and tribulations as his predecessor, including hiding his identity from his parents, Jefferson Davis and Rio Morales.

When Rio is shot and killed during a battle between Spider-Man, the police, and Venom, the tragedy caused Miles to shed his role as Spider-Man for an entire year. Thanks to the converging of universes during SECRET WARS, Miles' life is merged with Earth-616. Not only is he a part of the 616, but his mother returned to life.

While Miles adjusted to his new life/universe, Rio discovered who her son is. Not only that, but she also found out that her former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent husband Jefferson returned to duty to help look over Miles.

This reveal was necessary because just like Kamala, Miles has to juggle fighting Super Villains with easing the minds of his concerned parents. It was also necessary for Rio, who had to work through knowing the two most important people in her life lied to her.

Spider-Man: Mary Jane

Ultimate Peter Parker and MJ
Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #13

Remember when you were in high school, and you wanted to tell your crush that you really (we mean really) liked them? And how you knew that once it was out, there was no going back? Your crush would either reciprocate or kick you to the curb. Now imagine that same scenario but replace "telling them your feelings" with "telling them you are a famous Super Hero.”

That's what Peter Parker went through when he told his best friend, Mary Jane Watson, about his powers. The reveal wasn't one of those "heroic defining" moments, like when his 616-counterpart unmasked during the first Civil War. Peter was a teenage kid who barely understood what was happening to him, who wanted to share something important with someone he cared about very much. Bendis and Bagley took a subject so fantastic, a secret identity, and made it into something real.

MAGNIFICENT MS. MARVEL #2, written by Saladin Ahmed with art by Minkyu Jung, goes on sale Wednesday, April 1st. You can pre-order your copy today, online and at your local comic shop!

MAGNIFICENT MS. MARVEL #1 is on sale now!

Magnificent Ms. Marvel #2

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