In the Back To Basics storyline in the Amazing Spider-Man series, we caught the first glimpse of a new and creepy character. Created by Nick Spencer and Ryan Ottley, the demonic villain Kindred, covered in bandages and crawling centipedes, is something out of a nightmare. His eyes are black holes, and he has giant terrifying teeth.
There has been much speculation as to who this mysterious figure could be. After a handful of appearances throughout the series, there are many unanswered questions. How bad is he really? What are his presumably diabolical plans for Spider-Man? And most importantly, who is he? For now, here is everything we know about Kindred so far.
7 Mysterio Is Terrified Of Him
In Amazing Spider-Man #1, while Mysterio stands trial after being arrested, he has a total breakdown. The courtroom is suddenly full of bugs, rats, and all sorts of disgusting things. Kindred then makes his first appearance. At first, it’s unclear whether this is a figment of Mysterio’s imagination, and it seems that it all happens in his mind. This doesn’t make Mysterio’s fear any less real, however, as he is reduced to a gibbering mess and committed to the Ravencroft Institute.
Later on, in a therapy session with his psychiatrist, it is explained Mysterio and Kindred had been in Hell together, it becomes even more obvious that Mysterio is terrified of the as-of-yet unnamed villain. He is so frightened by him he won’t even refer to him by his true name. He begs his therapist to stop asking questions about him, as he is obviously traumatized by his experience.
6 He's Been To Hell And Back
From his outward appearance, it’s pretty obvious that Kindred hails from a place beyond the grave. He is covered in creepy-crawlies and seems to be able to command vermin and other bugs. Mysterio explains a bit of Kindred’s backstory in the therapy session in the Ravencroft Institute, the psychiatric facility for criminals.
After Mysterio’s actual death in Daredevil Vol. 2, he was apparently tortured relentlessly by a man – “another prisoner from Hell who had climbed the ranks to become a demon himself.” This man-turned-demon freed Mysterio from Hell, bringing him back to Earth to do his bidding. Mysterio’s task is pretty mysterious, but it involves finding out more about Peter.
5 Kingpin Obeys Him
In Amazing Spider-Man #7, we see that even Kingpin is powerless against Kindred. It’s unclear whether it’s out of fear or reverence. Kingpin literally bends the knee before Kindred, prostrating himself on the ground.
It is obvious that Kindred is someone Kingpin knows rather well, but they haven’t seen each other in some time. “Don’t you recognize the voice?” Kindred says. “Then again, it has been a while.” Kingpin looks terrified and tells his associates to get out while they can. Kindred tells Kingpin that Peter Parker is off-limits, and not to harm him. Despite his confusion over Kindred’s request, Kingpin kneels before Kindred, showing who’s really in charge. Throughout the rest of the series, it is clear Kingpin heeds Kindred’s word.
4 He Knows All About Peter
Kindred is very familiar with the most intimate details of Peter’s life. He seems to know everything going on in Peter’s head, and a lot about his relationships. In fact, he says he knows Peter better than he knows himself. He even knows that Peter usually gives what he calls “dumb nicknames” to his enemies and reveals that he should refer to him as Kindred.
He even refers to Peter with familiarity – calling him “Pete,” a nickname that barely anyone calls him. In fact, this is the basis for one of the fan theories that Kindred is actually Harry Osborn.
3 He Doesn't Want To Hurt Peter's Loved Ones
While Peter is out battling against Kraven and a whole bunch of villains in the Hunted storyline of Amazing Spider-Man, Kindred keeps a creepy watchful eye over Mary Jane. He doesn’t appear to want her to come to harm and even seems happy when MJ saves one of his faithful centipedes.
Peter has what he thinks is a premonition of MJ dead, but Kindred explains that he wouldn’t harm her. He asks, “You think I would just go and off your one true love like some bad villain cliché?” He explains that he said he’d protect her and that he meant it. Kindred says that she needs protection from the greatest threat she faces, which is Peter himself.
2 Green Goblin Is Familiar With Him
After paying Mysterio a visit at the Ravencroft Institute, Kindred stops in on Norman Osborne, who is in a catatonic state in one of the cells. He tells Norman how terrified he was of him before, and that no one was ever afraid of him more than Peter was.
Kindred then puts a literal bug in Norman’s ear – yup, a centipede crawls right in – saying, “I will save you from yourself Norman. Don’t worry, it’s the least I can do – for the man who made me who I am.” Norman then begins laughing at Kindred, which hints that he knows who he is. “He laughed at me,” Kindred says. “Thinks he knows who I am. What I am. He’ll have a price to pay for that.”
1 He Wants To Destroy Peter Himself
Kindred wants Peter all to himself and is looking forward to the day that they will finally be alone together. At first, it’s unclear what his plans for Peter are, but it becomes obvious that he wants to destroy Peter himself. He even kills Mendel Stromm to prevent him from harming Peter.
More is revealed in his conversation with Norman Osborn, when he explains that he hates Peter as much as Norman does. He explains that he has reasons to see Peter suffer. He wants Peter to face the truth together, whatever that truth may be. Whatever unfinished business Kindred has with Peter, maybe we’ll find out in Amazing Spider-Man #44, when it’s said that Spider-Man and Kindred will finally come face-to-face.