'Marvel's Spider-Man 2' Explained: Who Is Wraith?

Among the most complicated allies in Peter Parker’s life is his contact in the Police Department of Marvel’s New York, Captain Yuri Watanabe. A constant presence in the Marvel’s Spider-Man story, Yuri‘s stance on how to address crime in Marvel’s New York begins to take a darker turn in Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City that Never Sleeps—a stance that shakes her and Spider-Man’s dynamic to its core. Frustrated by the bureaucracy of operating within the police, Yuri creates a costumed persona for herself, taking on crooks as the lethal vigilante Wraith, putting her at odds with her web-slinging associates.

Here is everything you need to know about Yuri Watanabe, from her close partnership with Spider-Man in the 2018 game and its expansion, her heartbreaking turn in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and how it compares to her extensive history in the comics.

Yuri Watanabe’s Impact Before Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

At the start of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Peter Parker already has a close working relationship with Yuri, helping her apprehend the Kingpin in the game’s opening sequence. This effective crime-fighting partnership continues throughout the game, from Spider-Man repairing the transponders at police stations across Manhattan, to Yuri introducing Peter to Miles Morales’ father Jeff Davis. Yuri and Spider-Man share information in the wake of Doctor Octopus unleashing the pathogen Devil’s Breath on Marvel’s New York, which leads to Peter helping to develop a cure in time to save Yuri after she is infected.

In Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps, Spider-Man joins Yuri on a massive police chase against the Maggia crime syndicate, only to discover that it has been taken over by the vicious Hammerhead. In a separate raid, Yuri’s team is ambushed and killed by Hammerhead, leaving a vengeful Yuri to shoot a restrained Hammerhead and be placed on administrative leave for the incident. After killing a Maggia enforcer who was responsible for a string of murders across town, Yuri resurfaces in a message to Spider-Man, confessing to her actions before deciding to continue acting as a vigilante.

Yuri Watanabe’s Role in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

While Peter investigates civilians trapped in a hospital after the Sandman attack, he crosses paths with Yuri, who is now fighting crime as the costumed figure Wraith and currently on her own vendetta against The Followers of the Flame. The cult’s leader, who we later learn is Cletus Kasady, lures Spider-Man and Wraith to one of the cult’s bases where, despite Spider-Man’s concerns, Wraith rushes in and nearly kills Cletus. Spider-Man defends him, which causes a frustrated Wraith to fight Spider-Man, allowing Cletus to escape.

Wraith and Spider-Man attempt to foil the “Crimson Hour,” a day of reckoning for The Followers of the Flame. They discover the group’s plan to smash an oncoming train into explosives to wreak havoc on the city. During the chaos, Spider-Man is pinned under the train and Cletus reveals his true plan—to steal a piece of the Symbiote from Oscorp. Yuri saves Spider-Man from Cletus, allowing him to escape in the process. Though disappointed to have let the madman go, Yuri understands that having Spider-Man around is ultimately good for Marvel’s New York. The two finally agree to work together to track down and stop Cletus for good whenever he returns.

Yuri Watanabe’s History in the Comics

Yuri Watanabe was introduced in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) #600, created by Dan Slott and John Romita, Jr., as a captain within New York City’s Police Department who followed in her grandfather and father’s footsteps to become a cop. A supporter of Spider-Man, Yuri and the webslinger worked together to stop an explosive gang war between the Maggia and Mister Negative. Following this, Yuri and Spider-Man shared information as they combatted different criminals and costumed villains surfacing around New York.

After confiscating some of Mysterio and Chameleon’s old gear, Yuri decided to become a costumed hero herself, debuting as Wraith in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) #663. Initially appearing as the ghost of her late colleague Jean DeWolff, Wraith took a harder-hitting, more vengeful approach to crime-fighting than Spider-Man. Yuri began working with fellow police officer Carlie Cooper to combat crime as Wraith, discovering Otto Octavius had temporarily seized control of Peter Parker’s body, and going up against a resurgent Green Goblin for the fate of the city.

In the wake of her mentor Teddy Rangel’s death in the midst of helping to take down Tombstone, followed by the villain’s release due to rampant corruption in the justice system, Yuri became frustrated. This led to her coming to blows with Spider-Man over the lengths Wraith went to to bring the corrupt Judge Howell down, with Mister Negative becoming involved. Though Spider-Man managed to save Wraith from Mister Negative’s trap for her, the two former friends and allies had a major falling out over Wraith’s willingness to employ lethal force.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is available now only on PlayStation 5. Order the title on PlayStation Store, PlayStation Direct or your friendly neighborhood retailer!

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