Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 prequel comic: How it connects to the games

A glimpse into what’s to come

It’s not often that we get an insight into a sequel’s storyline before it releases. Thankfully, we have the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 prequel comic written by Christos Gage with art by Ig Guara. This comic will provide clues on which characters we’ll see, and some of the story beats we could witness play out in the highly anticipated game. Here’s a wrap-up of everything that happens in the Free Comic Book Day Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 prequel comic.

An interview with J. Jonah Jameson

The comic first propels us into J. Jonah Jameson’s studio with M.J. Watson getting interviewed by the loon. Just like the last game, Jameson is hosting a controversial podcast called Just The Facts. M.J. Watson is seemingly there to promote her book Perilous: A Journey into War Torn Symkaria. In the comics, this nation has warred against Wakanda and Dr. Doom has been the leader of Symkaria in the past after invading it. Perhaps, this will be a subplot within Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Nevertheless, Symkaria seems to be the place where Peter Parker and M.J. went on a trip to, during the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. 

As you’d expect from J. Jonah Jameson, he ridicules M.J. for the poor sales of the book and is sexist towards her. She doesn’t take his comments lightly and almost immediately leaves the room. But, both Spider-Men are suddenly tackled through the glass in the room where the journalists sit. The villain Tarantula is attacking them, wanting to restore his honor from his first defeat by killing the duo.

How the characters have grown since the last adventure

Both Peter and Miles are able to dispatch the villain quickly and swing out of the studio. It seems to be the summer as Peter is cooking with a BBQ. Mary Jane believes that Peter took the fight to Jameson’s studio to stop the interview in its tracks. If so, that seems a bit reckless on Peter’s part. Peter, since the first game, has worked hard for a Teacher’s Certificate, but he hasn’t been able to find paying work in a short time.

He’s living at Aunt May’s house, but since her death, he’s had to pay the mortgage on the building and he’s struggling to keep up with it. However, he says he can’t sell it. “It’s all I have left of May and Uncle Ben,” he states. They then discuss the idea of May moving in, but she wants to stay close to the city for work.

Miles interrupts the awkward conversation. He hasn’t been performing hero work for a while as he says he’s “just rusty.” The youngster is also considering college and what to major in science or music. While he’s been pondering that topic, Miles says he’s upgraded the lures that distract Peter’s foes. However, he needs a quick trip to the electronics store. As they arrive, they notice car thieves. They attack them, but they claim they’re under a gang under the control of The Hood, a known villain in the comics.

They turn invisible, but M.J. outsmarts them by throwing paint to reveal their location. Despite getting defeated and unconscious, they somehow vanish without a trace after the police apprehend them.

A possible inclusion of Dr. Strange?

After finding these thugs again in a jewelry store, they catch them within webs. The cloaking tech has been created by Phin Mason (otherwise known as the Tinkerer, the antagonist from Spider-Man: Miles Morales) and was stolen by The Hood’s goons. As the comic proceeds, we hear that The Hood is some kind of mage in the eyes of his minions and victims. With the Sanctum Sanctorum being present in the first game, perhaps Spider-Man will meet Dr. Strange for his magical know-how. That is just speculation, however.

Nevertheless, The Hood is trying to find a magical artifact, and it’s apparently heading to New York. Later on, we find out this object’s called the Lifeline Tablet, which can cure disease and raise the dead, according to the antagonist. This could be an important element in the narrative of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 as both Miles and Peter are suffering from the loss of their loved ones.

A conflict between Peter and M.J.

M.J. not moving in with Peter is affecting him. As he’s busting up bad guys, he says “If I’m honest, it shook me when you said you wouldn’t move in with me.” This argument may spill over to the full game. As Peter and Miles search for The Hood, there’s a funny element in their conversation, in which he’s calling the older Spider-Man a boomer. Maybe we’ll see that continue in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. 

As both Spider-Men approach The Hood, they realize that he’s trying to save his elderly mother. She tells The Hood to stop and let her go as she’s dying of age on a bed. Despite this, The Hood tries to cast a spell with the Lifeline Tablet. It relishes in a mystical blue light, but no effect has been made on the elderly relative.  He goes on to fight both of the Spider-Men as he ponders if he needs blood for what he’s trying to do. He eventually gives up but briefly blames both of the Spider-Men for ruining the ritual he was performing. Is this foreshadowing?

The conclusion

Both Peter and M.J. reconcile their issues, and Miles says he’s going to major in Music Technology, “the best of both worlds” with science and music. J. Jonah Jameson at the end of the comic decides to sell the Fact Channel podcast network he’s brought up and buy the Daily Bugle newspaper. We’ll likely see headlines defaming both of the Spider-Men during their adventures in the sequel.

Chris Penwell

Chris is a freelance writer for multiple outlets, including Destructoid! He loves narrative games like Kingdom Hearts, Life is Strange, and Beyond Good & Evil. However, he does enjoy Fortnite and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from time to time.