Venom's inclusion in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 carries a lot of weight. The presence of the symbiote will no doubt force both Peter Parker and Miles Morales to face the darker aspects of themselves. There is also the chance that one of the Spider-Men will eventually don the symbiote suit. But those that are in the biggest danger of Venom are those closest to the two protagonists.
The main characters in Marvel's Spider-Man franchise are integral to its plot. Be it through their actions, inactions, or deaths, they all play a significant part in shaping the titular heroes and the world they inhabit. Since Venom's modus operandi is to break Spider-Man both physically and emotionally, there is a high chance he will go after one of Spider-Man's closest connections in Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
Rio Morales Is Integral To Miles Morales' Story
Wife to the late police officer Jefferson Davis and mother to Miles Morales, Rio is a former teacher and current councilwoman of New York City. After the untimely death of her husband during an awards ceremony, Rio urged Miles to join F.E.A.S.T. at the behest of Peter's Aunt May. This not only helped Miles forge strong connections with the people at the establishment but allowed him to preoccupy his mind with helping others rather than dwell on the death of his father.
Rio's role as Miles' parent and guide continues in Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Despite not knowing of her son's double life as the new Spider-Man, Rio was patient regarding Miles's absences and was understanding of him when he finally revealed his secret identity to her. With her counsel, Miles was able to reason with his longtime friend turned adversary Phin Mason and become his own Spider-Man.
Rio's Comic Book Death Could Hint Insomniac's Plans for Venom
While she isn't a teacher or a politician in the Ultimate Marvel Comics, Rio Morales is still supportive of her husband and son. Her work as a nurse helps her provide for her family. She also approves of superheroes despite not knowing Miles' secret identity and realizing Jefferson's dislike of them. Like her Marvel's Spider-Man counterpart, Rio's personality is very warm and contrasts the rigid upbringing Jefferson wants to impose upon their son. Sadly, Rio Morales is fatally shot by the police as they were trying to apprehend the new Venom. This occurrence deeply affects Miles Morales and makes him quit being Spider-Man for more than a year.
While Rio is revived alongside the rest of the Multiverse much later on, her indirect death at the hands of Venom could be an indication of what might happen in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Miles already lost one parent to the hands of a supervillain, so the loss of Rio would hurt him even more. Even with friends like Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, and Ganke Lee, losing a family member would leave Miles an orphan. Considering his uncle Aaron Davis might still be in prison for whistleblowing on Roxxon Energy, this would leave Miles without family for the rest of the sequel.
Players have already seen one Spider-Man lose their mother figure, so Rio's survival would be integral to differentiating Miles from Peter Parker. Her motherly presence and advice guide Miles in his daily activities as well as his Spider-Man life and provides him with a balance Peter never had with Aunt May. This doesn't include her duties as a councilwoman, which could prove beneficial to both the Spider-Men as they combat new threats. The comics may have temporarily killed Rio Morales, but this doesn't mean the video game has to do the same thing with the same supervillain.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is scheduled to release in 2023 for PS5.
