It will be a couple of years before fans are able to play Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, but the confirmation that both Venom and Kraven the Hunter will be in the game has kicked many fan theories into high gear. The character development of both Peter Parker and Miles Morales has opened up the narrative to some unique possibilities, as has the world building. There are plenty of Spider-Man's stories that can be adapted for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, but there are a couple in particular that could fit the game incredibly well.
One such option could touch on how much Peter Parker does to maintain the mantle of Spider-Man. While it would be incredible to see the adaptation of a storyline like Kraven’s Last Hunt, the one from Spider-Man: Back in Black could also fit the game well. In the story, a botched hit on Spider-Man gravely injures Aunt May, so Peter takes to the more vigilante actions of his character. Back in Black stresses the clear line that Peter maintains between who he is as a private person and who he is as a hero, while also donning Spider-Man’s infamous black suit for an extra touch.
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Spider-Man: Back in Black
Adapting Back in Black could not only introduce characters to new situations, but it could also maintain the relevancy of a longtime Spider-Man villain. Kingpin has been one of the most intimidating villains in Marvel, despite the general normalcy of his character. He’s vicious and brutal in his tactics, often the antithesis of what Spider-Man is supposed to exemplify as a hero.
In recent years, largely thanks to the character’s appearance in both movies and TV shows, Kingpin has become an even more popular villain. His cool demeanor and often stoic personality have made him iconic to many, while his appearance in Into the Spider-Verse and the performance from Vincent D’Onofrio in Daredevil have created an image of a hulking and ferocious figure. Putting this villain up against both Spiders in a storyline that adapts the Back in Black arc could create tense moments and truly show off what it means to both Peter and Miles Morales to be a hero.
An adaptation of Back in Black could also make full use of the other major characters. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2's Kraven could play Kingpin’s hired assassin that misplaces a bullet intended for Peter or Miles. Whether that bullet hits Harry as Venom, Rio Morales, or Mary Jane, it could lead one or both of the Spiders down a dark path. This could also be used to set up either Peter or Miles to don the Venom symbiote, and as a result a version of the iconic black suit could be used in the story.
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Spider-Man's Family
While Kingpin is a major part, the keys to an adaptation of Back in Black are the relationships that Peter Parker and Miles Morales have with one another as well as with their families and friends. Peter’s family isn’t quite as large as it once was, and while he still cares for many different characters, the passing of Aunt May in the first Marvel’s Spider-Man game means that she can’t be the catalyst to adapt the story exactly.
Crafting the narrative around Peter’s relationship with Miles, however, could still provide the same sincere ferocity and emotions that fans see in the comics. An attack that harms Miles or Miles' family could be just as heinous as one on Peter’s own. It would open up the conversation to what Peter thinks should come with the mantle of Spider-Man and what he sees as crossing the line.
While The City that Never Sleeps DLC touched on this idea slightly, it didn’t fully develop into showing the true power and strength that Spider-Man wields. Peter Parker has been noted to often hold back, a fact discovered by Doc Ock as Superior Spider-Man. In Back in Black, Peter takes his mask off and brutally beats Kingpin in a solo fight. With his identity and possibly his life on the line, Peter continues to beat on the villain with minimal effort. This culminates in an open threat to kill Kingpin and anyone else that ever hurts those Peter loves as a means to get to Spider-Man.
Peter and Miles in Spider-Man 2
Depicting a series of events similar to Back in Black in the story for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 could add a new depth to both of the Spiders. It could show how much Peter and Miles have each grown into their roles, but it could also show that at the end of the day they value the lives of people over keeping their status as heroes. This is a character assessment that villains like Kraven the Hunter often fail to understand when they deal with Spider-Man, and it could make for some intriguing scenes.
The heroes’ willingness for self sacrifice while wearing the mask comes with an understanding that they are and should be the target of their bad guys’ ire. While Spider-Man’s friends and family often play supporting roles, acting as Peter and Miles’ sense of what is good and right in the world, they rarely take on responsibility the way the Bat Family does in DC Comics.
The idea often portrayed is that the weight of Spider-Man’s actions should only ever fall onto the character’s shoulders. It doesn’t always happen that way, and plenty of villains have crossed lines in the past, but a story that emphasizes the significance of their families and friends is important. It continues to give them space to be fallible, which highlights the fact that anyone has the potential to be Spider-Man under the mask - something that has always been a major part of Miles Morales' story.
Considering storylines that pull at the roots of Spider-Man like this should be a priority. Marvel's Spider-Man 2's Venom will likely provide his own set of challenges for Peter’s code, whether he’s a foe or antihero, so Kraven and Kingpin should be given space to do the same for both Spiders. A story that sees the Spiders interacting with each other's families and operating as an extension of one another will likely provide the best dual Spider-Man story possible.
Spider-Man 2 is in development for PS5.