Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen: Kissing in the Tree Comic (Full Story Breakdown)

Intro

Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen. Romance. Multiverse chaos. Ninjas. Yeah, this one’s wild.

In Kissing in the Tree, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy find themselves jumping between dimensions, uncovering a sinister version of Silk, and—yes—sharing a kiss that shakes the web of fate. But this isn’t just another whimsical “what-if” tale. It’s a sprawling, emotionally complex story that examines responsibility, family, love, and the identity crisis that comes with being young and powerful in a reality that’s constantly shifting.

This isn’t just another team-up—it’s a multiversal emotional rollercoaster. Let’s break it down from the very beginning and unravel how this unlikely romance blooms in the middle of interdimensional war.

Story Setup

Miles Morales was expecting a quiet night in his dorm room, not a call from his mother in full panic mode. His father, Jefferson Davis, has vanished without a trace, and Miles’s instincts—as both a son and a Spider-Man—kick into overdrive. But the disappearance isn’t your average missing persons case. Jefferson was secretly working with S.H.I.E.L.D. again, off-the-books, chasing down leads involving stolen tech capable of breaching multiversal walls.

Maria Hill shows up, tense and secretive. She admits she might’ve been partially responsible for the tech’s leak. That tech is now being weaponized and sold by unknown players. Jefferson went undercover to trace it—and now he’s gone. In an impulsive, brave move, Miles slaps on a reality-hopping device and jumps through a portal into the unknown.

This setup is more than just a launching pad for a multiverse adventure. It sets the emotional core of the story: a son desperate to save his father, a hero balancing personal stakes with cosmic consequences, and the ticking clock of a spreading dimensional crisis. It’s Spider-Man classic with a new generation’s twist—and it’s about to get messy.

Plot Breakdown – Major Beats

A Not-So-Friendly Neighborhood

Miles arrives in what looks like New York, but it’s immediately off. The skyline’s twisted. The energy’s strange. And the first thing he runs into? A gang of what appears to be street criminals harassing an old woman. Classic Spider-Man moment, right? Wrong. The “victim” turns out to be this dimension’s version of Ringer—a low-tier villain with a flair for chaos and kinetic energy rings.

Before Miles can regain his balance, the real twist swings in—literally. Spider-Gwen (or Spider-Woman in her own world) appears mid-fight. Their banter is sharp, sarcastic, and instantly magnetic. They don’t trust each other yet, but there’s a natural rhythm between them. When Miles explains he’s searching for his dad, Gwen softens. She knows what it’s like to risk everything for a father figure.

Together, they investigate the local criminal network and uncover that this version of New York is crawling with Silk agents—members of a rogue organization run by an alternate Cindy Moon. It’s here we get our first hint that Miles’s father may not just be missing—he may be involved in something far darker.

And then it escalates: ninja attacks, interdimensional chases, and multiversal weapons trafficking. Miles and Gwen are forced to work together, but what begins as tactical teamwork quickly edges into emotional territory. They’re kindred spirits in more ways than one—and the multiverse isn’t going to make it easy on them.

Character Highlights

• Miles Morales: At the heart of the story is a young hero trying to reconcile two identities—Miles the son and Miles the Spider-Man. His emotional vulnerability is on full display here. From the guilt over potentially endangering his father to his budding feelings for Gwen, Miles is caught in a storm of conflicting loyalties and growing responsibilities.
  
• Spider-Gwen: Gwen is fiercely independent, deeply empathetic, and carrying wounds of her own. Her universe isn’t kind, and the loss she’s endured (her own Peter Parker, her strained relationship with her father) gives her a depth that matches Miles. She’s not just a love interest—she’s a mirror, a guide, and at times, a better strategist.
  
• Jefferson Davis: The emotional lynchpin of the narrative. Whether as a loyal agent, a manipulated pawn, or a possible villain, Jefferson’s arc adds layers to the story’s tension. Miles has to grapple with the question every young adult eventually faces: What if my parents aren’t who I thought they were?
  
• Matt Murdock & Silk: In this alternate universe, Matt Murdock is no hero. He’s a cold, calculating fixer working for Silk, whose villainous turn puts her at the top of a dangerous interdimensional crime syndicate. These characters remind us that not every version of a hero is heroic—and not every version of a villain is easily beaten.
  

Themes & Takeaways

Kissing in the Tree isn’t just about Miles and Gwen locking lips—it’s a story that navigates complex themes of identity, choice, and consequence. One of its central questions is: Can love exist when the ground beneath you is constantly shifting?

The multiverse acts not only as a backdrop but as a metaphor. Miles and Gwen don’t just hop through realities—they’re constantly forced to redefine their sense of self. In one world, they’re strangers. In another, they’re married with children. The emotional whiplash is real—and it speaks to the instability of adolescence, especially for those carrying the weight of the world.

We also see a growing commentary on legacy. Miles wrestles with the idea of becoming someone different from his father, while Gwen confronts the echoes of her past trauma. Together, they navigate what it means to fight for people who might never understand them. And in doing so, they model what modern heroism looks like: resilient, compassionate, imperfect, but driven by something deeply personal.

How This Fits the Bigger Picture

Kissing in the Tree is more than a one-off romance or quirky crossover—it threads directly into the fabric of the larger Spider-Verse.

This arc draws from and feeds into several key storylines:

• Spider-Women: The event where Gwen, Cindy Moon (Silk), and Jessica Drew first cross multiversal paths
  
• Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2018): This series lays the groundwork for Miles’s relationships, powers, and emotional core
  
• Edge of Spider-Verse: The anthology that explores alternate Spider-heroes and sets the stage for multiverse events
  

In essence, this story is a puzzle piece. A narrative that not only entertains but enriches your understanding of where Miles and Gwen sit within the larger mythos. For readers who are working their way through the full Spider-Verse or building a reading order, this arc gives vital emotional and narrative context.

Further Reading

If this storyline hooked you, here’s where to swing next:

• Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider (2018–2019)—Explores Gwen’s struggles with identity and her Earth-65 reality.
  
• Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Saladin Ahmed—Builds Miles’s personal relationships, powers, and choices.
  
• Spider-Women—The crossover event with Gwen, Silk, and Jessica Drew.
  
• Edge of Spider-Verse (2014 & 2022)—Discover dozens of alternate Spider-heroes and multiverse plotlines.
  

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re here for the awkward almost-kisses or the tangled timelines, Kissing in the Tree reminds us why Miles and Gwen might be Marvel’s most exciting duo. The emotional stakes hit harder when you’re literally hopping realities—and the creative team behind this arc doesn’t shy away from the tension, the humor, or the heartbreak.

It’s a story that rewards longtime fans while welcoming newcomers with open arms. It shows that love, loss, and identity are themes big enough to stretch across the multiverse. And most importantly—it proves that Spider-Man stories can still surprise us.

What did you think of this storyline? Should Marvel explore more of Miles & Gwen’s multiversal chemistry?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below—and don’t forget to swing through the rest of our Spider-Man stories.

You can also check out our:

• Miles Morales Reading Guide
  
• Spider-Gwen Essentials List
  
• Spider-Verse Timeline Tracker