Since his creation by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1962, there hasn't really been a point in time where Spider-Man has been too far from the public consciousness. Despite this, Marvel's most iconic superhero has still managed to undergo something of a renaissance over the last five years. In that span of time, two widely popular incarnations of Peter Parker have emerged as firm, all-time fan favorites.
In 2015, Sony and Disney finally put pen to paper, and signed a deal that saw Tom Holland debut as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of Spider-Man for 2016's Captain America: Civil War. Just two years later, Insomniac Games found widespread success with their own Peter Parker, in the PS4-exclusive Marvel's Spider-Man. What's striking is how both interpretations manage to be distinctly different on the surface, yet instantly recognizable when compared under a closer microscope.
The Life of a Spider-Man
The most immediately apparent difference between Marvel's Spider-Man, and Tom Holland's MCU hero, is the fact that both versions depict Spider-Man at different stages of his life. Physically, the version of Peter Parker played by Yuri Lowenthal is 24-years-old at the time of the original game, which means he already has a considerable amount of crime-fighting experience under his belt. That comes hand-in-hand with a more comfortable fighting stance while using his full range of physical abilities and gadgets, on top of an assured air to his quippy sense of humor.
By comparison, the MCU's take on Spider-Man sticks to a more traditional examination of the character; being a lot younger, and still going through the coming of age experience that is the High School experience. Thanks to the in-universe "Blip,"Â his appearance in each movie paints Peter as still being between roughly 15 and 16 years old. When it comes to those looks, both are now admittedly more inline with each other than they once were, due to Insomniac Games' much debated decision to recast their face model for the original game's PS5 Remaster.
Comparing the two on the surface is only part of the equation though, and does the brilliance of the overarching themes of Spider-Man a disservice. At their hearts, both perfectly embody the ideals of sacrifice, loss, heroism, and the weight of responsibility that's always made the hero a global icon. Neither can strike a happy medium in their work-life balance either, which just further adds to the sense that Peter Parker is the most human superhero in any pantheon imaginable.
The Career of a Spider-Man
Even though the MCU version of Spider-Man has already faced off against some considerable universal threats, his lack of experience means his traditional rogues gallery has a lot of noticeable holes in it, at the moment. Beyond the Vulture and Mysterio, there hasn't been any on screen fights with other fan favorite foes. The on and off squabbles between Sony and Disney behind the scenes have placed heavy restrictions on who the hero can face off against onscreen. With the promise of Spider-Man: No Way Home on the horizon, this is all about to change dramatically.
Insomniac's version of the character in Marvel's Spider-Man doesn't have to contend with as many legal battles, which has ensured his career is already star-studded. By the time the original game picks up, the PS4's Peter Parker has already made enough enemies to warrant the creation of his own unique take on the Sinister Six. While there's some noticeable absences like the Green Goblin and Venom, more than enough hints point to both Spider-Men having a busy schedule on their hands with villains in the near future.
The Support Around a Spider-Man
![Spider-Man PS4 Game Will Let You Play as [SPOILER] - Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/spider-man-peter-parker-and-mary-jane-watson.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Spider-Man himself, and a host of outrageous villains, are only two parts of a much more complex puzzle that make up the franchise's success. In many ways, the iconic hero would be nothing without his wide array of recognizable supporting characters. It's no coincidence that both have their own incarnations of Aunt May and MJ, as forces that ground each character and drive Spider-Man's motivations forward. While both the MCU and PlayStation version of the character rely on their respective support circles to pull them through the crime fighting lifestyle, they do differ in one considerable way.
Tom Holland's Peter Parker initially has a lot more support from established heroes like Tony Stark's Iron Man, before striking out more on his own in later movie installments. By comparison, there's a sense that the PS4 version has had to build himself up more over time, with that universe's version of Mary Jane being the only person who really knows about his alter ego. At the end of the original game, there are signs that Peter is ready to share his responsibility with others more openly though, with heroes like Miles Morales coming into play.
The Costumes of Spider-Man
No comparison between Spider-Men would be complete without comparing their respective array of visually striking costumes. Throughout the years, the hero has become synonymous with changing his appearance on a semi-regular basis. Neither the MCU or Insomniac's depictions are any different from this, with both swapping threads like they're at a fashion show.
Both incarnations have their archetype interpretation of a classic suit, as well as a homemade one, and stealth variation. The PlayStation version of Spider-Man does admittedly have the technical advantage of having each of these within his arsenal, on top of Tom Holland's two other onscreen looks. While Marvel's Spider-Man currently has his multiverse doppelganger beaten hands down right now, when it comes to suits and gear, there's a chance the playing field will at least be levelled a little with Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Marvel's Spider-Man is available now on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
