Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to change Peter Parker's life in big ways, with potential new powers, new enemies, new allies, and more, including, possibly, the introduction of Peter's hybrid spider/human form Man-Spider.
The first trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day shows off what appears to be an evolution of Peter's powers due to the changing nature of his empowered DNA, a plot point that is definitely part of the movie and which ties back to his Man-Spider transformation.
If you're wondering how Peter transforms into Man-Spider, and how it could connect to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, we've got you covered as we'll run down Man-Spider's history in comics, and his even more well-known role in Spider-Man: The Animated series, along with how Man-Spider could potentially appear in the movie.
Man-Spider in Marvel Comics
Though Man-Spider is best known for his appearances in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, his origins lie with comics in 1984's Marvel Fanfare #2, written by legendary X-Men writer Chris Claremont and drawn by beloved Marvel artist Michael Golden.
In that story, Spidey ventures to the Savage Land, a hidden world full of prehistoric beasts and strange inhabitants, where he encounters a group of genetically altered "mutates" working alongside X-Men villain Sauron, a human/pterodactyl hybrid.
Adventuring alongside Ka-Zar, the protector of the Savage Land, Spider-Man finds himself captured by the mutates, who transform him into a bestial half-human/half-spider creature. Though his transformation doesn't last long, it still leads him into a fight with Ka-Zar and his allies.
In comics, Man-Spider is only one of Peter's transformations, which date back to 1971's Amazing Spider-Man #100, in which Peter suddenly grows four extra arms, giving him eight total limbs like a spider. Meanwhile, over 20 years after Peter's comic book Man-Spider transformation, 2005-6's crossover The Other, which is referenced numerous times in the trailer, evolves Peter's powers to include even more spider-y qualities.
Far more well-known is the arc of beloved '90s cartoon Spider-Man: The Animated Series in which Peter Parker is transformed into Man-Spider due to the evolution of his powers and the changing nature of his DNA, leading him to consult with the X-Men among other characters. In the show, Man-Spider sticks around a lot longer than in comics, with numerous transformations for Peter Parker.
Man-Spider in the MCU
Man-Spider hasn't been officially revealed as part of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but some potential hints in the trailer have fans speculating about what could happen as Peter Parker's DNA and powers evolve in the film.
Though the trailer doesn't show off Man-Spider or make reference to the character's specific story, there are some apparent plot points that could indeed lead to Peter's transformation. This includes Peter consulting Bruce Banner about his changing DNA, waking up in a web-coccon, and his eyes turning red.
While those bits may in fact be teasing Peter becoming Man-Spider, there are a few counterpoints. Mainly, all of those elements, including Peter consulting Bruce Banner about his apparent changes in physical nature, the cocoon, and even some of the voiceover dialogue spoken by Keith David all tie back directly to the comic story The Other, which changes Peter Parker's powers significantly without turning him into Man-Spider.
In The Other, Peter's DNA evolves to give him new, more feral spider-powers including venomous fangs, stingers on his wrists, and a heightened spider-sense that gives him a connection to actual spiders.
All of that said, there's a good chance that Spider-Man: Brand New Day could take the story of The Other and run with it, fully pushing Peter Parker into Man-Spider territory as he transforms throughout the film. It would certainly be a more dynamic visual than a slightly more feral human Peter Parker.
We'll find out whether Man-Spider will join the MCU when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31. For more, check out our guide to upcoming Marvel movies and how to watch the Spider-Man movies in order.
