Long gone is the age of spandex and tights in the superhero genre as new designs reinterpret iconic costumes. Especially in a game like Marvel’s Spider-Man, characters excel scientifically and technologically and that is demonstrated in the gadgets, armaments, and suits they choose to equip themselves with. Marvel’s Spider-Man’s Peter Parker is one exceptionally gifted scientist being mentored by another in Dr. Otto Octavius, and it is interesting to see how they approach science and technology in terms of their goals as a superhero and a supervillain respectively.
Looking ahead at how new villains may look in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and in future sequels, it will be interesting to see Insomniac’s take on at least Venom, as well as Kraven, if it is truly him being teased in the game’s cinematic reveal trailer. Fans know that Venom’s features look remarkably similar to his appearance in the comics, but the costumes that Insomniac decides upon for human enemies may be largely different. Green Goblin’s design in Marvel’s Spider-Man could make or break the player’s immersion if and when he is introduced, and as a result he should not be given a suit of armor.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Has a Pattern of Armored Villains
Rhino, Vulture, and Electro were all shown with comic-accurate costumes at the ESU Halloween campus party to represent their original looks. Their costumes in the present day, however, are much more representative of an armored, mechanical design. This is not inherently bad, but it is less iconic or unique than their original looks, even if those designs are considered outdated or corny. Electro’s new look can hardly be called a costume, since it is a simple circuit vest, though the scarring pattern on Max Dillon’s face is a cool throwback to his original mask.
That said, there is narrative significance to the Sinister Six’s mechanical armor costumes in that they were all conceived by Doctor Octopus and seemingly manufactured by AIM. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Tinkerer costume was also narratively significant since the Underground’s technology and armor was all powered by a synthetic, programmable matter.
Mysterio’s original costume was also shown during the campus party while the actual character did not appear during the present day. Therefore, fans may suspect that he would also have a new armor aesthetic if he was reprised in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Insomniac’s Green Goblin Outfit Should Stick to the Character’s Classic Roots
Green Goblin’s medieval attire is highly identifiable, but when looking at Marvel’s Spider-Man’s potential Green Goblin tease in Norman Osborn’s penthouse, fans may have seen the direction that Insomniac wishes to take with the antagonist’s design. Players find a prototypical Oscorp helmet on a table in the penthouse that appears beside a blueprint schematic.
If this is meant to allude to what the face shell for Green Goblin’s mask will look like, then it is certainly a departure from the comics. Oscorp seems entrenched in the idea of robotics and technology, and it may be a pipe dream now to hope that Green Goblin would look anything like his comic book counterpart. This is unfortunate since Insomniac’s take on the comics-accurate suit could be incredible, adding intricate detailing to it like chain mail lining the purple tunic.
Further, it would be fantastic to see the eerie Goblin mask’s facial features emoting in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s PS5 fidelity. The glider would obviously be something that could come from Oscorp’s advanced technology division, as well as pumpkin bombs, but the costume should resist an armored aesthetic as much as possible.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is scheduled to release in 2023 on PS5.