Becoming The Wraith: Yuri Watanabe And The Nature Of Crime-Fighting Vs Law Enforcement

If you’re a gaming fan then I’d wager Insomniac’s Spider-Man has been at the top of your list to play. I’m happy to confirm it lives up to the hype, putting you in the tights of New York’s friendly neighbourhood webhead. It’s everything a Spider-Man game should be and the awesomeness extends to Spidey’s cast of side characters. One of the standouts is Yuriko Watanabe, a police captain who acts as Spider-Man’s ally within the NYPD.

Yuri’s role within the game is great, but she actually has an even more interesting history in the comics. The comic version operates as the vigilante, Wraith, an identity that’s been used by several characters. Wraith serves as a representation of what happens when a police officer takes the law into their own hands.

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Does Killing Criminals Make Red Hood A More Interesting Character?

Comic characters are always changing, whether through personal choice or the experiences that shape them. No one can stay the same forever, otherwise it leads to repetitive stories. Red Hood is a character that’s gone through a lot of changes, developing from a murderous anti-hero into a trusted member of Batman’s inner circle. Jason Todd’s progression was built up over years, as he needed to earn back his mentor’s trust and overcome his personal demons.

At his core, Red Hood has always been motivated by his own sense of justice. His willingness to kill criminals set him apart from other members of the Batman family. But as he developed, Jason chose to honour Batman’s wishes by no longer killing. But did taking that aspect away make Red Hood less intriguing?