Within the ever-expanding universe of Insomniac Games’ rendition of Spider-Man, players have come across numerous easter eggs, teases, and intricate storylines that suggest a web of possibilities for future games. One of these mysteries involves the possible appearance of the symbiote deity, Knull.
The first hint at Knull’s potential involvement comes from a closer look at the meteorite central to the plot of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This meteorite, which brought a symbiote to the version of New York City portrayed in the game, bears the unmistakable symbol of Knull. In Marvel lore, Knull is not just another adversary; he’s the creator of the symbiotes and a formidable force who has tangled with mighty figures such as Thor, The Silver Surfer, and the Fantastic Four. He’s the true owner of Gorr The Butcher’s mighty weapon, of the All-Black, otherwise known as The Necrosword. So, yeah, he’s that big of a deal.
Given the level of enemies Peter Parker and Miles Morales have previously encountered in Insomniac’s games, bringing in an adversary like Knull to the franchise hints at a multiversal escalation in threat and scale.
However, to say that Knull’s symbol on the meteorite is a definitive sign of his imminent appearance in the series would be jumping the gun. Insomniac’s Marvel universe is unique. It’s a reality where the game developers have reimagined an entirely new universe to fit their narrative vision. For instance, they’ve taken creative liberties, introducing their unique take on characters, including a Venom that isn’t Eddie Brock. This Earth-1048 universe is a standalone corner of the Marvel multiverse where characters and stories can be molded in unexpected ways.
Of course, we can’t just deny the presence of Knull either. In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the player can unlock a costume for Miles that’s a clear reference to Knull, the King in Black. Moreover, the design of the symbiotes the players face features the distinct red spiral, another symbol of this eldritch god. Knull’s influence in the game is further felt when diving into the comics’ lore. He originally created the symbiotes as instruments to dominate the universe. While a fierce battle with Thor led to a brief reprieve from Knull’s control, the symbiotes eventually turned on him, leading to his imprisonment.
Another intriguing thread in the game is the series of side missions, The Flame. Here, Spider-Man investigates fire-related incidents linked to a cult. By the end of this mission, strong indications emerge that the cult leader is none other than Cletus Kasady, known in the comics as the red symbiote villain, Carnage. While the narrative portrays Kasady as the leader of The Flame, in the comics, after his transformation into Carnage, he headed the Cult of Knull, worshippers of the aforementioned symbiote god. This link suggests a closer connection between the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and the overarching influence of Knull.
Carnage’s inclusion in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, although brief, hints at an expanded role in the future, especially since its portrayal of Kasady is spot-on. From his maniacal demeanor, believing Spider-Man’s rescue as part of a prophecy, to the allusion to the Absolute Carnage storyline where a cult dedicated to Knull resurrects a severely burnt Kasady, the groundwork for an explosive continuation is evident.
A prevalent theme is that the universe Insomniac is building is poised to expand further. The symbiote narrative, while a dominant factor in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, may just be the beginning. With teases of characters like the Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Cindy Moon, and possibly Spider-Gwen, the threequel could explore other facets of the established Spider-Man lore. Carnage’s inevitable return is one such avenue.
The meteorite’s importance, combined with Carnage’s teased transformation and Knull’s various symbols appearing in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, suggests that the narrative is far from done with the symbiotes. But will this culminate with the arrival of Knull? His introduction could transform the game’s landscape, elevating the stakes from the struggles of two young heroes in New York to an epic confrontation with cosmic entities.
Don’t forget that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 contains references to other established Marvel entities such as the Sanctum Sanctorum, Wakandan Embassy, Avengers Tower, and nods to Madripoor and Dazzler, potentially tying in the X-Men. Knull’s introduction would indeed enlarge this universe, bringing in characters like Thor, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and even the Silver Surfer.
Between the possibility of Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Venom teaming up against Red Goblin – in the comic books, Carnage bonds with Green Goblin to create an even more menacing foe – and the arrival of Knull, it’s clear Insomniac has crafted a universe brimming with potential.
Fingers crossed, the all-but-certain upcoming Venom standalone spin-off will shed at least a teeny bit of light into the direction Insomniac is headed with its own Spider-Man universe.
Speaking of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac is teasing “epic” plans for Marvel’s Spider-Man 3. This comes around the same time that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 topped the sales charts in the United Kingdom and set a new record as the fastest-selling PS5 game at launch.
