Summary
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2had Kraven come through and clean out a great deal of Spider-Man villains, but who of that bunch managed to flee or survive is equally as important as who was slain. Doctor Octopus remained safe and sound while locked up at the Raft, for instance, and Sandman only narrowly got away inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2thanks to the Spider-Men. But considering there’s now been three installments of theMarvel’s Spider-Manfranchise and not many antagonists who’ve been hanging around since the beginning, a Kingpin reprisal is due inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3.
Marvel’s Spider-Man’s Kingpin is Still an Excellent Tutorial Boss
Kingpin may not be the most interesting antagonist inSpider-Man’s rogues’ gallery, but the unassuming crime lord can pack a wallop and does so menacingly inMarvel’s Spider-Man. It would be inaccurate to say Peter Parker makes quick work of Wilson Fisk in the ascot-enthusiast’s skyscraper penthouse seeing as how he comes away from their scrap needing a new suit, and putting away someone as literally and figuratively large as Kingpin demonstrates how close Spider-Man is with the NYPD with wonderful world-building.
Putting Kingpin behind bars is evidently the catalyst for the whole story since Mr. Negative’s Inner Demons decide to move forward with their plans once Fisk is more or less out of the picture, too, and therefore his impact is certainly felt. Kingpin is then seen inMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, pulling strings from within the Raft as he’s known to do with such an imposing influence both inside and outside of any prison.
It wouldn’t be the least bit surprising now if Kingpin emerges from the Raft somehow inMarvel’s Spider-Man 3’s story and he truly deserves to withhow extraordinarily Kingpin is portrayed by Insomniac and actor Travis Willingham.
Why Kingpin is Unlikely to Make a Big Splash in Marvel’s Spider-Man 3
Kingpin is guaranteed not to be themain antagonist ofMarvel’s Spider-Man 3with Doctor Octopus and Norman Osbornaround, and he probably wouldn’t be the tutorial boss in a third game since he served that role in the original title. Instead, having him somewhere in the middle would illustrate a throughline for him between each installment and give him the perfect amount of importance and purpose as one of the only antagonists still lingering in the franchise.
To see Kingpin reformed would be unnecessary with Tombstone and Mr. Negative already being developed that way, and Kingpin has a score to settle with not one but two Spider-Men whenever he ends up resurfacing. That alone makes the potential for a rematch boss fight with him at the end of a side quest exciting, even if his role isn’t as vital to the story as it was inMarvel’s Spider-Man.
Kingpin Would Struggle to Belong in Marvel’s Spider-Man 3
On the other hand, it might be difficult to iterate on his original boss fight engagingly since Kingpin is essentially the prototype brute enemy players have taken down now countless times, and yet his place in the story should be rewarded with proper closure to his arc by giving him a poignant beat or something to hold over New York City. Having Fisk thugs return as an enemy type could also be underwhelming if they’re not armed with special weapons likeKraven’s hunter enemy faction inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2.
However, because Insomniac has gone ahead and begun redecorating Fisk Tower as the Baxter Building, theMarvel’s Spider-Manfranchise may have seen as much of Kingpin as it’s ever going to. Fisk Towers indeed finished construction already from what was once the site Peter battles Inner Demons atop, but Fisk rising to power again after having been incarcerated is a plot device Insomniac would need to tread carefully. If New York hasn’t forgiven Osborn for creating Devil’s Breath, as evidenced by anon-the-nose Green Goblin mural inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, it surely hasn’t forgiven Fisk for money laundering and sabotaging businesses in Harlem.
To see Kingpin reformed would be unnecessary with Tombstone and Mr. Negative already being developed that way, and Kingpin has a score to settle with not one but two Spider-Men whenever he ends up resurfacing.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
