Bold headline-worthy controversy aside, the first look at Spider-Man: Brand New Day is already stoking excitement among Marvel fans. The upcoming trailer is highly anticipated, not just for the return of Hulk (played by Mark Ruffalo) and Punisher (Jon Bernthal), but also for the flood of rumors about which Spider-Man villains might appear. With official footage still unseen, fans scour every corner of the internet, and early glimpses of Brand New Day characters have started to surface.
On Reddit, a user shared several pieces of Brand New Day promo art. One image shows Spider-Man and Hulk in the foreground—Hulk back in his iconic jorts—with silhouettes of possible villains (likely Boomerang, Scorpion, and Tarantula) set against a moonlit backdrop. Additional shots reveal close-up looks at Boomerang and Tarantula in their costumes. Another post from X user SM Vision features Marvin Jones III as Tombstone lifting Spider-Man during a confrontation. Here’s a summary of what these early images suggest:
What the First Looks Hint At Brand New Day
Marvel has kept Brand New Day’s plot tightly under wraps, but a persistent rumor points to Savage Hulk making an appearance. This would mark a notable shift from the Smart Hulk version prominent since Avengers: Endgame. While we still don’t have action footage, the promo art strongly hints at Savage Hulk’s presence, portraying him as a formidable, rage-fueled threat rather than a trusted ally. The way Hulk is framed—looming behind Spider-Man and the visible villains—implies a potential Spider-Man vs. Hulk showdown may appear later in the film.
In terms of the villains, Boomerang and Tarantula appear to be wearing designs that stay true to their comic-book roots. The notable exception is Tarantula, who lacks the spider emblem on his suit, though the color palette and overall aesthetic align closely with the source material. This move mirrors Marvel Studios’ recent trend of embracing comics-accurate appearances while adapting details to fit a live-action format. The emphasis on faithful design suggests Marvel values the visual language of the comics as a touchstone for fans.
However, Brand New Day’s crowded rogues’ gallery raises familiar concerns. Fans may recall Spider-Man 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, where too many antagonists diluted the narrative. Those worries are legitimate, and it remains to be seen how Brand New Day balances its lineup. A plausible approach could involve brief, montage-style appearances—perhaps a quick sequence highlighting Spider-Man’s life since No Way Home—rather than giving every villain a substantial role. Such a montage would efficiently bring audiences up to speed while preserving focus on Peter Parker’s ongoing struggles.
There’s real potential for Tombstone to have a standout role. Like Boomerang and Tarantula, his look echoes his comic-book incarnation, and a strong, street-level antagonist could fit a New York crime-focused storyline. Tombstone might not reach the iconic status of Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus, but he could emerge as a compelling main threat within Brand New Day’s urban, crime-driven premise. If the trailer drops soon, it could clarify whether Tombstone steps into a primary villain position or remains part of a broader ensemble.
Thoughts? Do you think Savage Hulk will become a central conflict, or will his presence be more of a looming threat? Are you optimistic about the comics-faithful costume choices for Boomerang and Tarantula, or do you fear they’ll be sidelined in favor of flashier foes? Share your views in the comments and join the discussion in theComicBook Forum.”}
