In the universe of Earth-65, also known as the home of Spider-Gwen, the villainous landscape presents a fascinating twist on familiar Marvel characters. While some antagonists mirror their prime Marvel Universe counterparts, a significant number are distorted, dark reflections of iconic heroes, all existing within a reality profoundly shaped by the absence of Earth 65 Peter Parker. Though Peter Parker himself is not a villain in this world, his tragic fate casts a long shadow, influencing the origins and motivations of many who oppose Spider-Gwen.
One striking example is Matt Murdock. In the main Marvel Universe, Matt Murdock is the heroic Daredevil. However, Earth-65’s Matt Murdock embraced his heightened senses and martial arts skills to become a ruthless force of evil. He rose through the ranks of the criminal underworld, ultimately usurping Wilson Fisk to become the Kingpin. Murdock developed a particular obsession with Gwen Stacy, seeking to corrupt her, adding a personal and sinister dimension to his villainy. This corruption contrasts starkly with the heroic trajectory of the prime universe’s Daredevil, highlighting the divergent paths individuals can take in the absence of key figures like Earth 65 Peter Parker who, in other realities, might have inspired heroism.
Similarly, Frank Castle’s Earth-65 counterpart took a villainous turn. Instead of becoming the Punisher, Captain Frank Castle of the NYPD was driven by a relentless pursuit of Spider-Woman after Captain Stacy was removed from the case. His excessively violent methods, including employing mercenaries like Kraven the Hunter, pushed him beyond the boundaries of law, transforming him into a fugitive. This aggressive and unlawful approach, far removed from the Punisher’s vigilante justice in the main universe, underscores how the absence of a moral compass figure like Earth 65 Peter Parker can lead to darker outcomes for those meant to uphold justice.
Even figures from the Fantastic Four mythos are warped into antagonists in Earth-65. Sue and Johnny Storm, known as young adventurers in their world’s Fantastic Four TV show, fell under the influence of Doctor Doom. They attempted to seize control of New York, demonstrating a thirst for power that deviates sharply from their heroic counterparts. Sue Storm even briefly dethroned Doctor Doom, showcasing a level of ambition and villainy rarely seen in the main universe’s Invisible Woman. This power grab illustrates how the heroic ideals often associated with figures like Earth 65 Peter Parker in other realities are absent, allowing for unchecked ambition to flourish in others.
Cindy Moon, in the prime Marvel Universe, is the hero Silk, empowered by a spider bite. In Earth-65, Cindy Moon narrowly avoided this fate, leading to an obsession with what could have been. This obsession drove her to manipulate events, culminating in the spider bite that gave Gwen Stacy her powers. Moon further solidified her villainy by forming S.I.L.K., a criminal organization dedicated to collecting Multiversal artifacts and launching attacks against Spider-Woman. Her actions, fueled by a sense of missed destiny, stand in stark contrast to Silk’s heroic endeavors, revealing how the absence of a positive, transformative event like the spider bite experienced by Earth 65 Peter Parker can lead to bitterness and villainy.
The creation of Venom on Earth-65 is also tied to the altered circumstances of this reality. Doctor Elsa Brock developed the Venom symbiote using spider-isotopes derived from Jesse Drew’s blood and the Lizard formula. When Harry Osborn, seeking revenge for Peter Parker’s death, attempted to use the Lizard formula, Gwen inadvertently injected him with the isotopes, unleashing Venom. This tragic sequence of events, rooted in grief over Earth 65 Peter Parker’s death, resulted in the emergence of one of Spider-Gwen’s most formidable adversaries. Even the brief transformation of Em Jay Watson into Carnage due to Knull’s influence further underscores the chaotic and dangerous world shaped by the absence and memory of Peter Parker.
In conclusion, the villains of Earth-65 are not simply evil counterparts; they are often products of a world profoundly affected by the absence of Earth 65 Peter Parker. His death and the ripple effects it caused have created a reality where familiar heroes can become twisted villains, and where the fight for justice is a much darker and more complex struggle for Spider-Gwen.
