Rio Morales

Rio Morales is a supporting character in the Marvel's Spider-Man series. She is a school teacher who grew up in Harlem, before moving to Brooklyn with her husband Officer Jefferson Davis, where they raised their son Miles Morales. Her strong connection to and passion for her community led her to return to Harlem and run for a city council seat representing them.

History[]

Early history[]

Rio was born and raised in East Harlem, New York City,^[1] around the year 1977.^[a] After college, she moved to Upper East Side, while she and Jefferson Davis were dating, and would spend time with him and Aaron Davis.^[3] Eventually, she moved to Brooklyn with her then husband Jefferson, where she continued teaching.^[1]

Rio had her first teaching job around the time Jefferson became a police officer and Aaron assumed the identity of "the Prowler".^[3] Rio became a middle school science teacher, which inspired Miles' love of science.^[4] Though the family were originally close, when Jefferson and Aaron's jobs crossed paths, Jefferson and Rio severed Miles' contact with Aaron.^[3]

Marvel's Spider-Man[]

During "And the Award Goes to...", Rio attended the awards ceremony for her husband, Jefferson, when the Inner Demons arrived and set off explosions. Not knowing the fate of her husband, she rushed into the debris, only to become pinned. She was then rescued by her son, Miles, and attended the funeral for her husband thereafter.^[5]

Sometime after the funeral, Rio was contacted by May Parker, on the advice of her nephew Peter, to have Miles volunteer at F.E.A.S.T. to help him process his grief. Supportive of the idea, Rio convinced Miles to volunteer, the alternative being more therapy.^[6] Rio later aided in the distribution of the Devil's Breath antiserum, and was last seen at May's funeral.

Miles Morales[]

Rio and Miles moved back to East Harlem, setting in her mother's former apartment.^[7] During this time, she began campaigning for a seat on the City Council, promising to hold Roxxon accountable for their move in Harlem.^[8] Though Miles had become a Spider-Man, despite wanting to tell Rio, he he kept it from her, on advice by Peter.^[1]

In "La Nochebuena", Rio invited Miles' friends Ganke Lee and his old friend Phin Mason for dinner.^[7] Later, during "Time to Rally", she held a campaign rally for her seat, but was interrupted by an attack from the Underground. In the panic, Rio fell and injured her arm, and was brought to the hospital by Ganke. Though Miles thought she would quit the campaign after her injury, she declined to, saying "Our family doesn't give up".^[8]

Much later, after "Curtain Call", Rio discovered Miles' secret identity as Spider-Man, when he arrived wounded following a confrontation with the Tinkerer. He explained that Phin was the Tinkerer and the attack on Roxxon Plaza. Rio was worried at first, recalling her talks to Miles as to how to keep himself safe, but reassured him that nothing he could do would stop her loving him, and that he reminded her of Jefferson every day. She and Ganke then organized an evacuation of Harlem before Phin's bomb would go off.^[9]

During "The Battle For Harlem", Rio coordinated the evacuation, aided both by Spider-Man and also by Aaron Davis. She was then present to help Miles escape from public view after he drained the Nuform reactor. Weeks later, Aaron Davis' testimony against Roxxon brought the authority to arrest Simon Krieger for his crimes,^[10] and Rio was elected to the council. She was later interviewed by J. Jonah Jameson, who praised her run at first, until she tried unsuccessfully to convince him that Spider-Man is not an enemy, leading him to abruptly end the interview.[citation needed]

After the event, as Miles reflected on Phin sacrificing herself but having put everyone in danger, Rio told Miles that people were complicated and that Miles need not make a judgment on it. In "Memory Lane", for Miles' birthday, she left him a scavenger hunt that she and Jefferson had left before his passing.^[11]

Marvel's Spider-Man 2[]

Characteristics[]

Miles Morales:

I thought you'd quit after last night?

Rio Morales:

Why would I quit? I said I'd fight for my home; I meant it.

Miles Morales:

You could've... You could've died.

Rio Morales:

Our family doesn't give up. You know that.

Miles Morales § "Time to Rally"

Rio is a middle-aged woman of Puerto Rican origin. She is kind, resilient, and dedicated. In the aftermath of Jefferson's death, she showed compassion by caring for Miles and being kind to Peter and others at the funeral when she herself was grieving.^[5] She also showed bravery during the City Hall attack when running into wreckage,^[5] and standing firm against Roxxon despite their power and influence.^[8] Miles described her as a tough teacher,^[1] and got his love of science from her.^[4]

Rio is driven to support her family and community. This fueled her city counil run, as she campaigned against gentrification of businesses driven away by Roxxon.^[8] Her leadership skills were evident even before winning the election, as she organized an evacuation, showcasing both care for others and effective decision-making.^[10] Rio emphasized her unwavering commitment to family as she assured Miles of unconditional love for him when he revealed himself as Spider-Man,^[9] and promised that Jefferson's presence would always be felt.^[11] Despite initial reservations,^[12] she forgave Aaron for his past as the Prowler, supporting his efforts to reconcile with the family by co-signing an apartment lease to bring him closer to them, after being inspired by Miles.^[13]

Original appearance[]

Rio Morales first appeared in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man vol. 2 #1 (November 2011).

Notes[]

Annotations[]

Citations[]

References[]

Video games

• Insomniac Games (2018). Marvel's Spider-Man [Game]. Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation 4.
• Insomniac Games (2020). Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales [Game]. Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation 5.
• Insomniac Games (2023). Marvel's Spider-Man 2 [Game]. Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation 5.