Marvels Spider-Man 2 Proves Why a Spider-Slayer Arc May Not Be Viable

by

As a long-time fan who’s seen more Spider-Man comics than I can count, I must say, it’s high time Insomniac Games unleashed the mechanical menace of Spencer Smythe and his spider-slayers in the Marvel’s Spider-Man universe! These robotic bad boys have been lurking on the fringes for far too long, and with drones being all the rage these days, it seems like a perfect fit.

Spencer Smythe, his son Alistair Smythe, and the robotic spider-killer machines have been a lesser-known but interesting part of Spider-Man’s villain group for some time. The game adaptation based on The Amazing Spider-Man did a great job updating these characters, but since then they haven’t made a significant impact in any other way, perhaps most notably in the 90s animated series. The spider-killer machines are not often used in games, even in the Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise, and given how popular technology and drones are in this universe, it seems unusual that Insomniac Games haven’t tried to incorporate them yet.

In one way, the Marvel’s Spider-Man series has always been overflowing with villains in each installment, making it difficult to introduce a swarm of lethal robots, considering that the Spider-Men have previously faced off against the Sinister Six and a symbiote invasion. However, another possibility could be that the characters in Marvel’s Spider-Man are portrayed as being so intelligent and resourceful that any adversary with a high level of intelligence is likely to be countered or even outsmarted by them.

Marvel’s Spider-Man’s Original Universe is Teeming with Comically Intelligent Minds

One way to rephrase this in a more natural and easy-to-read manner is: For quite some time now, Marvel has faced a common issue, and it’s highlighted by the game “Marvel’s Spider-Man“. This game showcases how Marvel characters are often exceptionally intelligent, regardless of their age, background, or whether they possess powers. Characters like Peter Parker and Miles Morales, who don’t have abilities to cling to walls or lift vehicles, can still create web shooters, sophisticated gadgets, and even an intricate mask lens HUD and augmented-reality training simulations that they can physically manipulate.

It’s more plausible that characters like Norman Osborn and Otto Octavius could have conceived and developed what they did in the story, given their age and background, as they were already remarkably gifted scientists even during their university years. However, this portrayal poses a challenge in the narrative as it seems to suggest that either characters have no interest in academia or science at all, or they are full-fledged geniuses, with no middle ground for anyone being moderately intelligent.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always marveled at Phin Mason, Miles Morales’ peer, who put Harlem before herself at just 18 years old. Remarkably, she honed organic nanotechnology that crafted armor and weapons out of thin air. This revelation underscores the fact that age or formal education doesn’t seem to be a barrier for Marvel characters, be they heroes or villains, to transform into some of the most brilliant minds on the planet.

Spider-Slayers Would Be No Match for the Minds of Marvel’s Spider-Man’s Heroes

It’s unlikely that Smythe and his spider-slayers will make an appearance, let alone star in the final chapter, of a future Marvel’s Spider-Man game. Given the current roster of antagonists hinted at, it would be difficult to fit spider-slayers into the storyline. Moreover, introducing a new villain who could outsmart both Peter and Miles is no easy feat. Additionally, since spider-slayers are robots, they could easily be hacked – something that Miles demonstrated in his initial sequence in Marvel’s Spider-Man even before he was bitten by the genetically modified spider.

I must admit, it’s incredible to see how far Ganke Lee has progressed since his days with Speed Nonagon. In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, he demonstrates an uncanny ability to hack and override spider-slayers just as effortlessly as he handles those pesky hunter drones. It’s like he was born for this role!

In the upcoming “Marvel’s Spider-Man 3,” it appears that the narrative will involve Doctor Octopus’ complex personality once more, with Norman Osborn possibly taking on the Green Goblin role. It would be intriguing to observe how these characters are handled within the storyline, especially considering the challenge of justifying why robots, specifically spider-slayers, cannot be hijacked by Ganke or anyone else remotely and blindfolded, despite their potential for adding an exciting new element to the franchise’s predominantly humanoid enemy types.

Read More

2024-10-05 14:34