Marvel’s Spider-Man included no shortage of iconic characters from the Marvel mythos, with the Spidey antagonists Silver Sable and Hammerhead both getting a chance to shine. The webslinger’s encounters with Black Cat also served as the backbone of the DLC, with most fans remembering the expansions fondly for the conversations between Felicia Hardy and Peter Parker. However, one thing occurring in the background of the DLC was the formation of a new anti-hero, and the character may have a big role in the sequel.
With Spider-Man: Miles Morales introducing a new playable character to the mix, it would not be too surprising if the sequel to Marvel’s Spider-Man does the same. While there are plenty of options, ranging from alternate Spider-Men to the supervillain Venom, this new anti-hero could be playable as well. If they are, the character’s brief comic book history gives an idea of how they could play inside Insomniac’s highly anticipated sequel.
How The City That Never Sleeps Sets Up Wraith
Throughout all of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Peter Parker is assisted by police captain Yuri Watanabe. Known best for her entertaining banter with Peter’s hilarious Spider-Cop persona, Yuri takes a dark turn in the game’s DLC content. With the lives of several fellow officers lost due to a conflict with Hammerhead, Yuri is forced to call the families of her deceased friends to report the bad news. Causing her to snap, the likable cop hunts down Hammerhead, shooting the villain in the head. Though he survives, Yuri is placed on leave, with the cop eventually going rogue and hunting down criminals herself. Killing those that escape the justice system, Yuri believes that sometimes death is the only answer — something that will surely put her at odds with Spidey in the next game.
Around the crime scenes where players find recordings from Yuri, Spider-Man can find yellow and black police tape as well as purple ropes. This is a nod to the character’s comic book role as Wraith, an anti-hero that Spider-Man either works with or fights against depending on the situation. A fairly new character considering the webslinger’s incredibly long comic book history, Wraith first appeared in 2011. She sports a tight purple and gold costume, something that will likely be seen in an eventual encounter with the character once Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 arrives. However, while a boss fight with the misguided officer would be fun, playing as her could be even more enjoyable.
How Wraith Could Play In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
If Wraith were to become a playable character in the sequel, players can expect her to have a variety of abilities. Guns and other weapons could be used due to the character’s willingness to kill, while she could also make use of any items from the game’s enemy factions. In the comics, she gets her gadgets and gear from the police evidence lockers, meaning that she could make use of the weaponry from the Inner Demons, Roxxon, The Underground, and any new faction that arrives in the sequel.
Wraith also uses equipment designed by Mysterio to terrify her enemies, which could be a fun way for Insomniac to introduce the beloved villain to the sequel’s story. Further, Yuri’s alter ego makes use of fear gas from Mister Fear, a villain who is essentially a rip off of the DC antagonist Scarecrow. This could make for a fun in-game mechanic where enemies can be stunned or terrified, attacking those around them due to the effects of the gas. Finally, Yuri’s most iconic bit of weaponry is a pair of yellow elastic straps that can be shot from her costume to wrap up enemies. They also allow her to swing through New York City just like Spider-Man, something that would make her much easier to add to the game than most playable characters.
With clear options for gadgets as well as a perfect alternative to web-swinging, Yuri would be a natural fit for a playable character in the sequel. While playing as Venom would undoubtedly be a blast, Insomniac allowing players to control Yuri instead would be safer. Less evil than the Symbiote and more akin to someone like The Punisher in terms of her morals, Wraith is a fine fit for such a role. While this is purely speculation, and players should only expect some missions involving Yuri inside the sequel, it is hard not to think of how memorable it could be to control Wraith in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Marvel's Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales are available now on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. A sequel has yet to be officially announced.
