The Significance (or Lack Thereof) of Marvel's Wolverine in Marvel's Spider-Man's Universe

Article Key Points

The connection between Marvel's Wolverine and Marvel's Spider-Man was confirmed by Insomniac, but it is unsure how this will affect the established Spider-Man universe.

The game Marvel's Spider-Man features a multitude of well-known Marvel nods, although they are not meant to be the primary focus.

Insomniac has refrained from offering any inside information on the inclusion of Wolverine, potentially because the specifics of the character's design and the game's storyline have yet to be finalized. Consequently, it would be unreasonable to anticipate a significant role for Spider-Man in Marvel's Wolverine, even though the possibility of the two characters crossing paths appears to be almost inevitable.

Fans of Marvel's Wolverine were initially unsure whether the game would exist within the same universe as Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man franchise, given the shared developer and Marvel banner. However, it has since been confirmed by Insomniac themselves that the two games are indeed connected. This revelation, although not presented as an in-game tease, failed to generate much excitement due to its unclear implications for the Spider-Man universe. Given the limited impact of indulgent Marvel references on Spider-Man's character, it is reasonable to assume that Wolverine may not significantly affect the established universe. Nevertheless, there will inevitably be fans on both sides of the argument, making it difficult to avoid disappointing some when more details about Marvel's Wolverine are revealed.

Marvel’s Spider-Man Refers to Marvel Characters Explicitly, But Never Shows Them

Insomniac’s New York City is Rife with Iconic Marvel References

The associations between the Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise and other Marvel lore are not hidden. It's interesting to see how each iconic Marvel character hinted at is actually an Insomniac iteration, even if they are only represented as noteworthy landmarks and not the actual characters themselves. Wong even sends a note to Miles that mentions Dr. Strange, which is the closest thing to direct communication in the franchise since Tony Stark's job offer letter to Peter in the original game. However, only Tony's initials were seen and his identity was never clarified afterwards.

The presence of landmarks like the Avengers Tower, Fogwell's Gym, Wakandan Embassy, Rand Industries, Sanctum Sanctorum, and more serve as evidence that Insomniac didn't want Spider-Man to be the sole Marvel character established in its universe. However, it's also evident that these landmarks are not intended to be the main focus of the Marvel's Spider-Man franchise, as they are absent for various reasons.

That’s why, despite the sight of a Fantastic Four logo being painted on a rooftop or the intriguing situation of Insomniac omitting and then replacing the Nelson and Murdock building sign, it wouldn't be logical for those characters to suddenly appear and have an impact on Spider-Man's life. Additionally, it wouldn't make sense for Spider-Man to disrupt Wolverine's life.

Marvel’s Spider-Man Has Resisted the Urge to Tease Wolverine In-Universe

Marvel’s Wolverine Could Follow Spider-Man’s Lead and Not Indulge in Cameos

Insomniac had the chance to tantalize fans with a potential connection between Marvel's Wolverine and Marvel's Spider-Man 2, whether it be a passing comment or a scene after the credits. However, Insomniac may have opted against doing so because they have not yet finalized the character's design or the events of the game. This means that Insomniac did not have any material prepared to tease eager fans with.

However, the only thing that entices Wolverine at the moment is the unlockable suit inspired by Wolverine for Miles. This is an amazing treat for fans eagerly waiting for the game. However, it's crucial to note that this is not a hint within the game's universe. It's simply a cosmetic addition that doesn't hold any significance in the story or the world. As a result, Wolverine has not yet become a part of Marvel's Spider-Man universe, and there is currently no reason to expect Wolverine to cross paths with Spider-Man in Marvel's Wolverine.

The mention of Madripoor and Trask Industries has sparked speculation about a potential connection, but at this point, they have no relevance outside of what is assigned to Scorpion in the document. Marvel's Spider-Man has done an excellent job of focusing on its main characters without unnecessary cameos. If Marvel's Wolverine were to suddenly include an abundance of cameos, it would detract from the captivating character development that Wolverine could experience.

Despite Wolverine and Spider-Man sharing the same universe, Insomniac's treatment of the character should not be any different. It would be illogical to announce their coexistence without any interaction, so fans can anticipate eventual encounters between the two iconic characters. Currently, Marvel's Wolverine is being developed.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the significance (or lack thereof) of Marvel's Wolverine in Marvel's Spider-Man's universe. On the one hand, I am excited about the potential for these two iconic characters to interact in the same universe. I think it would be really cool to see how their different personalities and abilities would play off of each other. On the other hand, I am also worried that Marvel might try to force too much of a connection between the two characters. I don't want to see Wolverine overshadow Spider-Man in his own game. I think it's important for each character to have their own unique identity and story.

Ultimately, I think it will depend on how Insomniac handles the situation. If they can find a way to balance the two characters and give them both enough room to breathe, then I think it could be a really great addition to the Marvel's Spider-Man universe. However, if they try to force too much of a connection, then I think it could end up being a disappointment.