The Hero's Journey in Spider Man: Into the Spiderverse

The hero's journey is a key part of Spider-Man narratives and Death Of The Mentor as a plot device is even brought up by the characters in the movie.

PART ONE- DEPARTURE

• An Unusual Birth

Because the essence of Spider-Man is that anyone can wear the mask, an unusual birth is not relevant and would go against the themes of the film.

• Call To Adventure

Multiple events in the start of Spider-Verse could be considered The Call to Adventure for Miles Morales, and overall become the formative events for the hero.

- Being bitten by the radioactive spider
- Awakening to his powers in school
- Returning to the place he was bitten and seeing the particle collider.
- Talking to Parker in his last moments
(DIRECT- given orders and magical object- override key.)
- Hearing MJ's speech at Peter Parker's funeral 
(DIRECT call to action- "Everyone's counting on me.")
- Meeting the alternate universe Peter Parker
- Escaping from the police

• Crossing The Threshold

This event isn't so clearly defined as Miles' life is changed irreversibly the moment he obtains his powers, but i believe the moment that best fits this is when Peter Parker accepts his request to help to destroy the collider and becomes his mentor.

PART TWO- INITIATION

• Challenges or Trials

- Escaping the collider through the subway station
-Escaping the police with Peter Parker
- Stealing the information for the override key
- Escaping the compound
- Fighting Fisk's henchmen at Aunt May's house
- Gaining his companions' support

• Supernatural Helper or Mentor

Miles has 4 father-figure mentors, with varying purposes and lifespans.

- His dad
(A very literal father figure, gives him the push he needs for his transformation.)
- Aaron Davies
(Someone he trusts and looks up to greatly, in dying pushes Miles to his greatest potential as he reveals a weakness in Miles' character that must be amended.)
- His universe's Peter Parker
(Gives him the magic object, the override key, and in dying puts pressure on Miles to succeed through his own power and instinct rather than through strict guidance.)
- Alternate Universe Peter Parker
(His true mentor, allows Miles to realize his own potential through lax tutoring and friendship. His investment in Miles develops both characters significantly.)

• Abyss or Temptation

The death of Aaron Davies takes a great toll on Miles, and he blames himself and his attitude for leading him to Aunt May's house (and effectively, to his death). Furthermore, the other Spider-People reject him and Peter Parker binds him to his desk chair as he believes Miles is not ready and would only endanger his life by joining them.

• Transformation

The transformation of Miles into a true Spider-Man is an incredibly satisfying event after the long buildup and his initial rejection of the call. The undoubtable catalyst is hearing his father speak to him through the door, reassuring him of his talent and ability as he is bound and unable to reply in his lowest moment- He breaks through his bonds with a concentrated venom strike, showing he is finally in control of his powers (later, Parker exclaims - "You're doing it on command!") and ready to join the others in his place. He returns to Aunt May's house and creates his outfit, transforming in a fairly literal sense, but his true transformation is shown in his leap from the highest building- where before, he had chosen the easier route and still failed, he leaps with confidence and ease. There is a breathtaking shot of him falling upside-down, cementing his growth into his role as the hero of the story, and he joins the others at the collider. After proving he has surpassed his mentor by sending him back through the rift, he defeats Fisk and destroys the collider, completing his ultimate objective and saving the city.


PART THREE- THE RETURN

• Reconciliation With The Father Figure

Still in his spider-suit, Miles calls his father and reassures him that he is safe. In person, as his father is a policeman on the scene, he hugs him and even says "I love you", to his dad's confusion. It is clear that the tension between the two of them that had been present throughout the film is dissipated as his change in attitude and the loss of Aaron Davies has given Miles a new appreciation for his father.