Untold Tales of Spider-Man
5 characters who could be in a Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel
by Phil Perich for the Capes and Lunatics Blog
After seeing and enjoying the thrill ride that was Spider-Man: Homecoming this weekend, I was imagining what a sequel to the movie would look like. Inspiration hit me this morning when I had the thought “Spider-Man is in high school now. Why don’t they use some material from the Untold Tales of Spider-Man series from the mid-1990’s?” Untold Tales was a series written by Kurt Busiek and featured stories taking place between the early issues of Amazing Spider-Man. Some issues featured classic Spider-Man foes, but the rest introduced new villains created by Busiek. I think some of them would make great Spider-Man movie villains.
Scorcher (Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1, September 1995)
Steven Hudak was wrongly fired from his workplace for false accusations of embezzlement. Hudak then donned flame shooting armor and attacked his former employers as the villain Scorcher. He then battled Spider-Man when he attempted to steal top secret plans for Norman Osborn. Spider-Man got an armored ally in Homecoming, why not an opponent in the sequel?
Batwing (Untold Tales of Spider-Man #2, October 1995)
In the tradition of tragic figures like Curt Conners and Michael Morbius, Jimmy Santini wasn't a villain, but an innocent transformed into a monstrous menace. Jimmy tagged along with his father investigating an illegal toxic waste dump in a cave. After his father dies, Jimmy is trapped and forced to drink tainted water which later transforms him into a man shaped bat creature. Promising Jimmy’s mother he would bring the boy home, Spider-Man eventually cures Batwing towards the end of the series 25 issue run.
Headsman (Untold Tales of Spider-Man #8, April 1996)
Cleavon Twain was a mysterious figure that attempted to take control of the New York area crime scene using a flying platform and mechanical axe connected to a power pack on his back. It was later revealed that his equipment was supplied by Norman Osborn. Due to his weaponry and appearance, Headsman seemed to be an early attempt by Osborn to refine his own identity as the Green Goblin. Years later when Osborn was operating as head of the Thunderbolts, he used the Headsman to create the appearance that he and the Green Goblin were separate people. Headsman was later killed. This would be a fresh take on a Osborn created Goblin type villain that isn't the Green Goblin (again)!
Commanda (Untold Tales of Spider-Man #9 (May 1996)
One area where all Spider-Man movies have been lacking is the inclusion of a female villain. International jewel thief Catherine D’Antan operated under the identity of Commanda and used thought controlled drones to help her in her crimes and conceal her identity. She originally escaped Spider-Man by using her feminine wiles to try to seduce then teenager Peter Parker in his first few months as Spider-Man. Peter is eventually able to think past his raging teenage hormones and stop Commanda’s New York crime spree.
Bluebird (Amazing Fantasy #15 as Sally Avril, Untold Tales of Spider-Man #11 as Bluebird)
Sally Avril was a classmate of Peter Parker’s who attempted to become a news photographer until she discovered Peter was already a step ahead of her. She next attempted to become a costumed crimefighter named Bluebird and wanted Peter to photograph her the same way he did for Spider-Man. When Peter refuses, Sally convinces another classmate to follow and photograph her. Armed with no actual super powers and mainly only using her “Ether Egg” gas attack, Spider-Man tries to convince Sally to give up the life of a costumed hero. Sally persists until her and her photographer get into a car accident when they run a red light and Sally is killed. Since we got no mention or flashback appearance of Uncle Ben in Homecoming, Sally and her tragic tale would help hammer home the lesson that “With great power, comes great responsibility”.
Even though the next solo MCU Spider-Man movie is way off in our future (at least until after Infinity War), I can’t wait to see Peter Parker and Spider-Man continue to grow as a character in this universe for years to come. What do YOU want to see? Let me know!
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You can hear me discussing all things TV, movie, comics, music, gaming and more every week with my friends on the Capes and Lunatics Podcast. You can find my podcast, blog and those of others at www.southgatemediagroup.com. You can also find all my creative endeavors at www.philperich.wordpress.com.