These 10 Characters From Insomniac’s Marvel Universe Should Get Their Own Games

Like many great stories, Insomniac’s trilogy of Spider-Man games is chock-full of great characters. Some of them are members of the supporting cast, some are villains, and some are hinted at through Easter eggs. Whatever role these characters play, many of them feel like the heroes of their own stories.

Some of these stories feel like they can take place after Spider-Man 2, while others could occur before or concurrently with the other games. With Insomniac poised to create their own take on the Marvel universe, they have plenty of existing characters that can help expand what they started with Spider-Man.

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10 Dr. Strange’s Gear Was Stolen By Black Cat

Real Name: Stephen Strange

Though he never appeared in any of the Spider-Man games, Dr. Stephen Strange’s house has been present in all three entries. Spider-Man 2 made this more than an Easter egg when Black Cat stole his Wand of Watoomb. Felicia used the wand to perform magic for the first time in the series, confirming that magic is real in this Marvel universe.

After Miles helps Felicia and retrieves the wand, it is magically replaced with a thank-you note from Strange’s assistant Wong. The note reads, “The Doctor and I owe you one,” giving fans confirmation that Doctor Strange is an active player in Insomniac’s Marvel universe. With that brief taste of magic, fans are eager to see Insomniac tackle Doctor Strange.

9 MJ Views The Marvel Universe Through A Different Lens

Real Name: Mary Jane Watson

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While Mary Jane was playable in Insomniac’s first Spider-Man game, her stealth sequences were widely considered to be the weakest part of the game. Thanks to receiving weapons and training from Silver Sable, MJ’s sequences in Spider-Man 2 received a much warmer reception. With a bit more polish, these sequences could make for a compelling game on their own.

Spider-Man 2 ended with MJ quitting her job at the Daily Bugle and striking out on her own as a journalist. This leaves the story open for plenty of adventures that enable players to see the Marvel universe through the eyes of a civilian. That aside, journalism is an exciting and unique profession that isn’t viewed through the lens of video games very often.

8 Daredevil Has Plenty Of Hints At An Upcoming Appearance

Real Name: Matt Murdock

Like Doctor Strange, Matt Murdock has yet to appear in any of Insomniac’s games. However, the Nelson & Murdock law offices can be found in Hell’s Kitchen, and Spider-Man 2 makes mention of Peter’s lawyer friends. While these could be dismissed as mere fanservice, fans have found numerous hints that suggest a Daredevil spinoff may be closer than expected.

Fans have found that the Nelson & Murdock sign has been removed in Spider-Man 2, as well as a secret room that looks like a staging area for Daredevil’s classic foes, the Hand. Speculation has run rampant that these signs all point to Insomniac doing a Daredevil story in the near future, and Insomniac has done little to discourage it.

7 Kraven The Hunter Is A Veteran Of Many Adventures

Real Name: Sergei Kravinoff

Kraven The Hunter is an impossibly cool villain, with many fans calling Insomniac’s version the best take on the character. Seeking a worthy death before he succumbs to cancer, Kraven comes to New York and kills at least four of Spidey’s biggest villains in the process. While his story sadly ends in Venom’s jaws, Kraven has been through many hunts that would be worth exploring in a prequel.

Eavesdropping on Kraven’s henchmen will reveal many stories of Kraven’s exploits, including the time he snuck in and out of Wakanda. This gives a Kraven game the potential to take place in exotic locales and fight lesser-known foes. With Kraven being such a loved character, Insomniac would do well by exploring these adventures more.

6 Wraith Has A Fascinating Origin Waiting To Be Explored

Real Name: Yuri Watanabe

A former police captain and Spider-Man’s closest friend on the force, Yuri Watanabe became fed up with rampant crime and quit the force. Becoming the masked vigilante Wraith, Yuri goes outside the law to stop criminals. While she still considers Spider-Man a friend, the two often butt heads over their differing stances on justice.

The game makes it clear that Wraith has been through many adventures and has many more still to come. With the kusarigama-wielding ninja being such a far cry from the by-the-book cop from Marvel’s Spider-Man, a prequel explaining her transformation may be the best bet. Even though Wraith is an obscure character, the Insomniac and Marvel names combined are powerful enough to ensure it would sell.

5 Mysterio’s Redemption Arc Is Begging For A Spinoff

Real Name: Quentin Beck

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Though his previous battles against Spider-Man are alluded to in the first game, players first meet Quentin Beck a.k.a. Mysterio in Spider-Man 2. Recently released from prison, Quentin is eager to leave his life of crime behind. Though it appears he’s returned to his villainous persona during a side quest, this is revealed to be a frame-up.

The resolution of his questline leaves it ambiguous as to what Quentin plans to do next, but many fans are intrigued by the idea of a heroic Mysterio. Though Quentin insists Mysterio will always be seen as a villain, seeing him try to be a hero would be a fascinating new take on the classic character. His use of illusion and misdirection would lend itself to some creative gameplay.

Real Name: Silver Sablinova

In Insomniac’s games, Silver Sablinova is a Symkarian mercenary and head of Sable International. While she and her mercenaries are initially opposed to Spider-Man, she and the web-head eventually become allies. She left New York before the climax of the first game, and Spider-Man: Miles Morales reveals that she returned to her home country to fight in its civil war.

This is an off-screen event so major that Mary Jane even wrote a book about it. This exciting premise would make an excellent setting for a Silver Sable video game, perhaps using MJ’s book as a framing device. With Silver’s impressive combat skills and advanced weaponry, she would make an excellent protagonist.

3 Prowler’s Past Adventures Would Make A Compelling Game

Real Name: Aaron Davis

The uncle of Miles Morales, Aaron Davis used to be the high-tech thief-for-hire known as the Prowler. After making some questionable decisions, Aaron came to Miles’ defense during the climax of Spider-Man: Miles Morales and turned himself in to the police to put away corrupt CEO Simon Krieger. Though Aaron is well and truly retired by the time of Spider-Man 2, his checkered past is worth exploring.

Both Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Spider-Man 2 are filled with stories about Aaron’s past exploits as the Prowler. Any of these exploits, including his falling out with his brother Jeff, would make an excellent story for a prequel game. Being able to play on the other side of the law would also make for a fun experience.

2 Black Cat Could Be An Awesome Superhero Heist Game

Real Name: Felicia Hardy

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Black Cat is a mainstay of Spider-Man stories, and Felicia Hardy is just as much of a complicated ally to Peter in the Insomniac games as she is in the comics. A thief-turned-hero-turned-thief-again, Felicia plays both sides to get what she wants. This moral complexity, coupled with her fighting, acrobatics, and burglary skills, would make her a compelling protagonist.

Heist games are always a lot of fun, and one set in the Marvel universe would be an absolute blast. In Spider-Man 2, Felicia leaves for Paris to help her unnamed girlfriend with “trouble with some bad people.” That sounds like the perfect set-up for a Black Cat spinoff in an exciting new locale.

1 Venom’s Playable Sequence Makes A Strong Case For A Spinoff

Real Name: Harry Osborn

One of the most surprising parts of Spider-Man 2 was a short sequence where the main antagonist Venom was playable. This exhilarating sequence fit right in with Spider-Man 2’s established gameplay, while still making Venom feel like a completely different kind of character. It was so good that it sparked fan demand for a Venom spinoff game.

While the game ends with Harry Osborn falling comatose, Venom has a history of having multiple hosts, and with symbiotes spread all over the city, it’s possible that a piece of him survived. With Venom making such a strong gameplay impression, many fans are eager to see him star in a game that sees him become an anti-hero.

 The Marvel universe is full of awesome heroes that developers could use for future games — it’s time they branch out from Spider-Man and Wolverine.  Read More