Spider-Man has a very large catalog of villains to draw from whenever a new entry is added to any of the media involving the wall-crawling, web-slinging hero. These villains come in a slew of different categories, each making them dangerous in different ways. Some have political influence, some have vast amounts of wealth, some have deadly abilities in a direct fight, and a lot of them have combinations of these categories.
Martin Li is one such villain featured in many adaptations of the Spider-Man franchise, including Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Although, he is more commonly known by his other moniker, Mister Negative. Awareness of Mister Negative spiked due to his involvement in the Marvel’s Spider-Man game franchise.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Franchise
- Spider-Man
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
- Released
- October 20, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Martin Li In The Comics
Before becoming the supervillain Mister Negative, Martin Li was a member of a gang in China known as the Snakeheads — under the influence of the notorious crime boss Shen Quinghao, more commonly referred to as “Silver Fang.” While attempting a smuggling operation to the US, Martin would be captured and experimented on with a substance known as “D-Lite,” named after the English word “Delight.”
Previous subjects had met fatal outcomes, but Martin was one of the few who was able to survive after being exposed. This would grant Martin super-powered abilities but also break his mind into two different identities. While these may be the events from the original comic, the character has seen changes to his backstory, personality, and the nature of his powers depending on the media and universe being focused on.
Martin Li In Marvel’s Spider-Man
Martin Li makes an appearance in Marvel’s Spider-Man as a wealthy philanthropist, as well as the owner and founder of F.E.A.S.T. — where Peter Parker’s Aunt May can frequently be encountered. F.E.A.S.T. acts as a homeless shelter where the less fortunate can have access to housing, food, and other basic human needs. However, underneath the kind-hearted Martin Li lies his other identity, Mister Negative. Mister Negative is able to call upon a special type of energy known as Negative Energy.
This energy behaves similarly to electrical currents and can be used to fire out blasts from his body. Any weapons he pleases can act as conduits for this energy to become even more dangerous. As Mister Negative, Martin possesses enhanced traits and physical abilities such as strength, agility, and durability. Unlike the comic book version, he would get his powers from being a test subject of Norman Osborn, while in the comics, it is the crime lord Silvermane who is responsible.
Mister Negative is also the head of the criminal organization known as the Inner Demons, but when these numbers are not enough, he is able to control the minds of innocent citizens. In order to accomplish this, Mister Negative first needs to establish some form of physical contact, such as touching them with his hand. These people can then be triggered later to do his bidding, making the threat of a large-scale mind control attempt undetectable until it’s too late. While under the control of Mister Negative, these victims can have their own negative emotions enhanced.
These negative emotions make negative energy even stronger, and if Mister Negative has embedded some of his power within his victims, then they will possess similar — albeit weaker — abilities akin to Mister Negative. One of the most dangerous aspects of being controlled by Mister Negative is that he can force his victims to see and hear what he wants — usually in the form of something to grow their negative emotions. Mister Negative is one of many antagonists featured in Marvel’s Spider-Man, with another key figure being Otto Octavius. Both of them seek revenge against Norman Osborn and form a partnership using a deadly serum known as “Devil’s Breath.”
He also serves as a member of the game’s version of the Sinister Six, with other members, including Rhino, Scorpion, the Vulture, Electro, and Doctor Octopus. His driving force for revenge would bear fruit in the form of Martin exposing the connection between Devil’s Breath and Oscorp — ultimately leading to the shattered reputation of Norman Osborn and his resignation from his Mayoral position. Martin Li is revealed to have been arrested after the events of confronting Doctor Octopus in the game’s final fight.
Martin Li In Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
While Martin Li does not appear in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, he is mentioned. Mister Negative played a part in the resulting death of Police Officer Jefferson Davis, the father of Miles Morales. It is also mentioned that his former organization, the Inner Demons, has disbanded due to his absence. Martin Li would continue to reside in prison during the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.