'Marvel's Spider-Man 2' Explained: Who Is Sandman (Flint Marko)?

Not every villain can be disposed of so easily with a well-aimed punch or timely quip. Some are elemental forces capable of shaking New York City to its very foundation. In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker and Miles Morales face off against an enemy capable of leveling entire city blocks as they combat the fiendish Sandman. Possessing the power to make his physical form as malleable and unstoppable as a living sandstorm, Sandman will push the Spider-Men to their limits as the heroes team up to stop him and his latest schemes.

One of the most formidable foes in a game full of them, Sandman is ready to leave his mark on Marvel’s New York, with only the Spider-Men standing in his way. Here is what to keep in mind about Sandman as he appears in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and how the sandy Super Villain compares to his comic book counterpart—including Sandman’s biggest moments from the comics!

What to Expect from Sandman in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 reveals that Peter fought against Sandman several times early into his crime-fighting career as Spider-Man. Using his unique abilities, Flint Marko became a deadly bank robber and gave Spider-Man some of the most harrowing fights he ever endured as Spider-Man. After Sandman attacked the F.E.A.S.T. shelter run by his Aunt May, Peter trapped him in a small vial. Flint pled guilty to his crimes in court, with the villain paroled some time later, resurfacing just in time for a rematch against the Spider-Men in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

As in the comics, Sandman can turn his body into a soft and airy form or harden it in an instant to the point where he can smash through concrete walls and dent even the hardest metals. Sandman can change his size and shape at will, becoming a literal force of nature and nigh-unstoppable. Sandman can also use his unique abilities to create minions out of the sand, effectively building his own army to combat anyone who stands in his way. Not completely invulnerable, Sandman does possess a weakness to water as it affects his physical composition.

Sandman’s History in the Comics

Sandman was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #4, introduced as prison convict Flint Marko, who stumbles into a nuclear testing site during his escape. After coming into contact with the irradiated sand, Flint’s body changes on a molecular level to sand while maintaining his sentience. Now known as the Sandman, Flint uses his new powers to resume his criminal career, frequently pitting him against Spider-Man and other heroes around the Marvel Universe.

Faced with a formidable opponent, Spider-Man often devises ingenious ways to defeat Sandman, going as far as to take him down with a vacuum cleaner during their first major battle. Sandman expanded his villainous ambitions to include targeting the Fantastic Four, becoming a co-founding member of the Sinister Six to seek revenge on Spider-Man and co-founder of the Frightful Four, a team dedicated to the destruction of the Fantastic Four. Even with super-powered allies, these attempts at vengeance proved just as fruitless, leaving Sandman to question his life choices for a time.

After a conversation with the Thing, Sandman tried to earnestly redeem himself and reposition himself as a Super Hero in New York City. Flint saw a surprising amount of success with this endeavor, going as far to become a reserve member of the Avengers and receive a presidential pardon for his past crimes. However, after he was brainwashed by the Wizard, Sandman turned back to villainy and once again swore to destroy Spider-Man, even forming his own version of the Sinister Six in a failed attempt to renew his vendetta.

Since then, Sandman has become one of the more nuanced and complex characters among Spider-Man’s enemies, a villain with a pronounced conscience rather than the defiant criminal he was introduced as. Deadly and powerful, Sandman is never to be underestimated given his mastery over his powers, no matter where his moral compass is pointing. Peter Parker has endured some of the worst beatings of his life at the hands of Sandman and the villain is back with a vengeance in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 releases October 20th, 2023 only on PlayStation 5. Pre-Order the title now on PlayStation Store, PlayStation Direct or your friendly neighborhood retailer!

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