This article contains spoilers forInjustice: Gods Among Us.
TheInjusticefranchise has brought two action-packed fighting games to life based around the DC Comics roster. Developer NetherRealm is well-known for its skill at making fun-filled fighting games, thanks to theMortal Kombatfranchise, butInjusticewas a bold new direction for the studio. Not only did NetherRealm get to craft a full-blown DC game, but it also played around with a fun and dark “what if” scenario when it comes to Superman’s role.
The main conflict found inInjustice’s story is betweenBatman and Superman. After the Joker tricks Superman into destroying Metropolis and killing Lois Lane, the iconic hero becomes a tyrant, forming an authoritarian regime that takes over. Batman leads the resistance, setting in motion a head-to-head rivalry. If NetherRealm wanted to expand its superhero portfolio and experiment with Marvel, one of the biggest issues would be that the comic brand doesn’t have two clear heavy-hitters like DC does.
If NetherRealm Made a Marvel Game, the Main Conflict Would Have to Be Different From Injustice
Marvel is Missing the Superman/Batman Dynamic
Despite not having a clear leading duo like Superman and Batman, Marvel’s main star is obvious. Since the character’s debut all the way back in 1962,Spider-Man has consistently been Marvel’s most popular hero. Of course, Marvel is not lacking in major star power with its other heroes. Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor have led the charge for Marvel over the years as well, but Superman and Batman have always seemed to be two sides of the same coin.
Batman serves as DC’s cynical side, while Superman is the optimistic and idealistic version of what a superhero should be. Most of Marvel’s main heroes lean toward a lighter tone, making their differing views of the world not as blatantly clear as Batman and Superman. The rise in popularity ofMarvel’s anti-heroesover the years could set the stage for a similar conflict, but it may not have the clear punch that a Batman and Superman rivalry has.
The first introduction of Spider-Man was inAmazing Fantasy#15, which was published in August 1962.
NetherRealm Could Look to the MCU for Marvel Inspiration
Captain America: Civil Warwas an exciting entry into the MCU, as one of the main conflicts was within The Avengers as a group. Disagreement regarding how the United States government should be involved in The Avengers leads to a schism within the superhero organization, and it might serve as the best source of inspiration for NetherRealm, if the studio ever gets a shot at a Marvel game.
An overall conflict among the group instead of tension between two clear leads is likely the best path forward for such a game. One Marvel character who has Batman’s similar temperament is Wolverine, and while a major conflict between him and Spider-Man isn’t outside the realm of possibility, it still may not havethe same pull that DC doeswith its main duo.
Superman first appeared inAction Comics#1 in 1938, while Batman first appeared inDetective Comics#27 in 1939.
NetherRealm Has Yet to Make a Marvel Fighting Game Official
For years, fans of the fighting genre have been hoping for a Marvel game crafted by NetherRealm. Rumors that have yet to be proven as true persist, leaving many wondering if that day will ever come. There is a lot of potential ina NetherRealm Marvel game, but right now, it seems like such a project is just a pipe dream. Of course, only time will tell, but until NetherRealm makes such a game official, a Marvel fighting game that takes inspiration fromInjusticewill remain a pipe dream.
