Did Spider-Man 2 Actually Buff Peter Parker?

Spider-Man 2, the extremely anticipated sequel to Insomniac Video games’ blockbuster 2018 action-adventure sport, is out at this time, October 20. And although there’s loads to be mentioned concerning the impossibly quick fast-travel, the implausible opening scene, and the story to this point, there’s one factor that I can’t get off my thoughts: Peter Parker’s muscle mass.

Once I performed by Spider-Man 2’s opening scene, which continuously has Peter and Miles Morales preventing side-by-side, I seen that the previous appeared extra beefed up than within the authentic sport. And I’m not alone: The replies in my submit on X (previously Twitter) questioning if Peter acquired on that protein grind are full of individuals remarking on his physique.

The time period “caked up” is being thrown round, and never simply when he’s in that skin-tight go well with. Even when he’s not sporting the Spider-Man costume, Peter boasts a neck so thick he seems like a WWE wrestler. There’s actually a minimum of the phantasm of a buffed-up Peter, however is that this simply the results of the sequel being a PS5-only launch, and subsequently capable of profit from the current-gen consoles graphical rendering energy?

Or maybe Insomniac, realizing that there are extra tag-team fights within the sequel, determined to make Peter a bit thicker so you can higher delineate between him and Miles mid-battle. Possibly Peter, regardless of struggling to maintain a job, clear his lately deceased Aunt’s home, and in any other case dwell a well-balanced life, determined to up his creatine consumption and begin meal-prepping some floor turkey and rice.

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However hypothesis with out proof is irresponsible, particularly for a journalist. So I attempted to show that Peter Parker is extra muscular in Spider-Man 2 than he’s within the authentic sport. I’m an novice weight-lifter myself, and I can acknowledge when a lat unfold seems decidedly extra spread-y than earlier variations. However that’s not sufficient—I requested different journalists who’re specialists within the area (“an actual twink to twunk second IMO,” mentioned io9’s James Whitbrook, who seen Peter’s neck and chest definition essentially the most). I texted an ex who as soon as chided me for not mixing creatine into my food plan. I pored over a video evaluating the visuals from the primary and second video games, lingering far too lengthy on his gluteal fold. That final one helped me see the variations in Peter’s base costume (coloration modifications, changes to patterns, and so forth.) in addition to the slight modifications to his physique, which could possibly be the results of him ageing, spending extra time as Spider-Man fairly than Peter, or a brand new exercise routine.

Right here’s what I seen. His neck is unquestionably thicker, which could possibly be the results of a rise in weighted shrugs (each dumbbell and Kirk) and/or weighted neck extensions. His lat unfold, or latissimus dorsi (which covers the width of your center and decrease again), is unquestionably bigger and extra outlined, doubtless the results of lat pull downs and/or pull-ups.

Most significantly, his butt and hamstrings are extra outlined and juicy, which could possibly be due to Romanian deadlifts, sumo squats, and/or glute bridges. The truth that he’s a superhero doubtless contributes to him having a far simpler time gaining and firming muscle than your common particular person—although you’ll positively see some outcomes if you happen to begin mixing the aforementioned exercises into your every day routine. You’re welcome.

I reached out to Insomniac Video games for remark concerning Peter’s physique, however didn’t obtain a response in time for publication. Regardless of this, I can say with some confidence that Spider-Man 2’s Peter Parker is a little more of a beefcake than he was within the earlier sport. Case closed. I’ll await my Pulitzer.