Summary
With the release ofMarvel’sSpider-Man 2, comic readers and gamers alike can swing through New York City, and feel the inspirations taken from the comics and placed directly into the game. WhilstMarvel’sSpider-Man 2holds its own stories and twists on iconic characters from the Marvel franchise, it’s easy to spot the comic storylines that inspired their decisions.
Spider-Man has a longstanding with comic books, and the character easily features in some of the best Marvel comic stories of all time, so it’s no surprise that Insomniac Games has looked to this expansive mythos to help them craft theirSpider-Manuniverse for their own game.
This article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
6Ultimate Spider-Man
There are a few interesting comparisons to be made withUltimate Spider-ManandMarvel’sSpider-Man 2. Firstly,Ultimate Spider-Manwas theorigin point for Miles Moralesand the new Spider-Man, and it’s easy to see the similarities between the characters, even with how smart Peter Parker is from both sources. However, another important storyline from theUltimate Spider-Mancomics comes from Venom.
InUltimate Spider-Man, the Symbiote was created to heal wounds, and cure and treat disease and illness, rather than being an alien that Peter Parker finds duringSecret Wars. However, this suit becomes a bioweapon, and Peter quickly sees the damage it could cause. Another interesting note is the Symbiote’s desire for Peter Parker, as it leaves Eddie Brock helpless and begging for its return the moment it can latch onto Peter, just like how it does inSpider-Man 2.
5Absolute Carnage
Absolute Carnageis a fairly recent addition to the Marvel Comics, but one where the influence only feels right. There are many aspects of theAbsolute Carnagecomic that feel missing fromMarvel’sSpider-Man 2, such as Green Goblin and Carnage combined into Red Goblin and other important comic characters that are absent in the game. However, one influence is clear, and that’s the fact that a Symbiote has created an invasion of New York City.
TheDark Carnage Symbiotehas infected New York, and anyone it comes across will be turned into a Carnage Doppelgängers. The city is in total chaos as the Symbiotes grow in strength and numbers. There’s even a resurrection of Scream, a Symbiote character seen later inMarvel’sSpider-Man 2. Hopefully, the game has more stories for Venom, especially sinceAbsolute Carnage, and perhapsMarvel’sSpider-Man 2, awoke Knull, God of Symbiotes.
4King In Black
The Spider-Man mythos was forever changed with the introduction of Knull. Knull’s influence is everywhere, from the powers of Gorr the God Butcher to the creation of all Symbiotes. The most notable aspect of Knull fromMarvel’sSpider-Man 2comes from the spiral seen on the Venom meteorite, and on the humans that have been infected by other Symbiotes. Knull is the king of the hivemind, and afterAbsolute Carnage, Knull awoke to further his conquest for destruction and darkness, requiringSpider-Man’s help from friendsand other Marvel heroes.
SinceMarvel’sSpider-Man 2had Venom attempt to “heal the world” with his meteorite, and an infection of New York City, this doing is perhaps at the request of Knull. TheKing In Blackstoryline was a Marvel event that saw the world almost end due to a Symbiote threat, and hopefully, this means more Symbiote stories for a potentialMarvel’sSpider-Man 3.
3Kraven’s Last Hunt
Whilst Kraven has served as a primary antagonist to Spider-Man for decades in the comics, he only gets to have a fight with Spider-Man once inMarvel’sSpider-Man 2. Their origin and battle might have been fun, but lacking in the long run. However, this fight and Kraven’s fate are very much inspired byKraven’s Last Hunt, which sees Kraven return to New York City for one last bout with Spider-Man.
InKraven’s Last Hunt, Kraven is dying. He declares that he will kill Spider-Man and take his place, only for a time. Kraven takes up the mantle of Spider-Man, and by capturing the one villain that bested Spider-Man, he reveals that Spider-Man was only in a medically induced coma for 2 weeks. He declares that he will never hunt again,and kills himself, contempt that he has untangled his anger. InMarvel’sSpider-Man 2, Kraven is also dying but wishes to be bested in combat by a superior hunter, which he finds from the Venom Symbiote.
2The Amazing Spider-Man #569
Whilst just a singular issue in the comics,Amazing Spider-Man#569 is noted for being the first appearance of Anti-Venom, and it’s clear how Insomniac Games used this story for their own game. Whilst Eddie Brock may not be in the game, his presence in this comic is essential, and as he holds onto the remains of a dying Venom Symbiote, it is only through being touched by Martin Li that his cancer is cured, and the Symbiote transforms into Anti-Venom.
The origins of Anti-Venom come directly from the comics, except Martin Li didn’t lose hispowers as Mister Negative. Anti-Venom is essential toSpider-Man 2, and Peter Parker takes up this mantle, with traces of Venom still inside him to help turn him back into the hero who wields the Symbiote for good with no corruption.
1The Spider’s Shadow
A more indirect influence,The Spider’s Shadowwas aWhat If?storyline, an alternative universe telling in which Peter Parker never removed the Symbiote, and he would eventually succumb to his fate as Venom.The Spider’s Shadowshows the terrors of the Symbiote and the effect it has on Peter Parker’s mental state, his powers, andwhat it does to his relationships.
The struggle with addiction and dependency on this power makes for a horrificSpider-Mancomic that has the hero succumb to the influence of Venom, and begin murdering his villains. This comic is clearly a reference point for Insomniac Games, as Peter becomes more aggressive the longer heuses the Black Suit, to the point where Venom tries to influence him to start killing.
