This article contains spoilers for Injustice: Gods Among Us.
The Injustice franchise 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 the Mortal Kombat franchise, but Injustice was 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 in Injustice's story is between Batman 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.
A NetherRealm Marvel Game Could Actually Be Darker Than Injustice
For years now, many fans have wanted NetherRealm to tackle a Marvel fighting game, and if it ever happened, it could be even darker than Injustice.
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 of Marvel's anti-heroes over 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 in Amazing Fantasy #15, which was published in August 1962.
NetherRealm Could Look to the MCU for Marvel Inspiration
Captain America: Civil War was 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 have the same pull that DC does with its main duo.
Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938, while Batman first appeared in Detective 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 in a 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 from Injustice will remain a pipe dream.
