Fans are already drawing theories about another classic villain showing up inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, one that might have been present since the very first game. Insomniac’s well-receivedMarvel’s Spider-ManandSpider-Man: Miles Moraleswere filled with updated versions of classic comic book characters, from titular Spider-heroes Peter Parker and Miles Morales to infamous villains like Norman Osborn, the Sinister Six, and the Tinkerer.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2will continue this trend when it launches this October by pitting players against brand-new takes onfan favorites like Kraven the Hunterand Venom.OneMarvel’s Spider-Mansupporting character that players might have overlooked is Dr. Morgan Michaels, a scientist who worked for Oscorp and played a key role in developing the Devil’s Breath serum that becomes a major threat later in the game. When the only sample of the serum is stolen and used as a bio-weapon by Doctor Octopus and the Sinister Six, Michaels works with Spider-Man to develop an antidote, setting upSpider-Man’sheartbreakingly bittersweet ending. While he appears to be an original character created for Insomniac’s Marvel universe at first glance, Morgan Michaels actually has roots in the comics as one of Spidey’s most tragic foes.RELATED:Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Seemingly Confirms Venom’s IdentityAs it turns out, Morgan Michaels was originally an alias for Dr. Michael Morbius, aka Morbius the Living Vampire. This bit of trivia is pretty easy to miss while playingMarvel’s Spider-Man, so fans like Twitter user Julian Santiago are surprised when they discover that the unassuming scientist is actually a legendary Marvel anti-hero. WithSpider-Man 2on the horizon, some of these fans have started to speculate that Michaels could mutate into the Living Vampire at some point in the upcoming sequel - either as a traditional vampire or a monstrous bat/human hybrid similar toBatman: Arkham Knight’s take on Man-Bat.
While Sony’s live-actionMorbiusmovie was met with mockery and derision, the Living Vampire recently gained goodwill among gamers as aDLC playable character inMarvel’s Midnight Suns. As some fans have pointed out, having him appear inSpider-Man 2would mirror his earlier role in the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii versions of the 2007Spider-Man 3tie-in game - which also featured Venom, Kraven, and the Lizard as villains in addition to adapting the famous Black Suit storyline.
Of course, it’s just as likely that Morgan Michaels’s name is simply meant to be a nod to Morbius instead of a sign that theLiving Vampire will appear inSpider-Man 2, or he will instead return in a future Insomniac sequel. On the other hand, Morbius would fit in well withSpider-Man 2’s more monster-centric rogue’s gallery, and fans are already excited at the prospect of Peter and Miles battling the Living Vampire when the game swings onto the PlayStation 5 this fall.
Spider-Man 2launches October 20, exclusively for PlayStation 5.
MORE:With Kraven in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Another Classic Villain Might Not Be Far Behind
