The Sony Spider-Verse is swinging onto the small screen with the upcoming TV series Silk: Spider Society. The name would suggest that Cindy Moon isn't the only spider-themed hero in the mix. That's hopefully the case, as otherwise, it could doom the live-action Spider-Verse by repeating a mistake made with Batman TV shows.
The Caped Crusader is perhaps the most popular character of DC Comics, but most of his "appearances" on TV haven't been befitting of the hero. If Spider-Man isn't in any of the Spider-Verse TV shows, the same issue will arise, and it'll be even worse due to those shows being in a shared universe. Here's how Sony can prevent such a tangled web from being woven with Peter Parker on TV.
DC and Warner Bros. Have Seemingly Banned Batman From TV
Many still remember the 1960s Batman TV series starring Adam West, which was the Dark Knight's first real push into the mainstream outside the comics. Despite the character's popularity, however, this has remained the only "real" Batman TV show ever since. For the most part, the Caped Crusader's live-action TV roles have been minute or done in a way where he's not Batman. These include the prequel shows Gotham and Pennyworth, in which Bruce Wayne is either just a child or not even a factor, or Birds of Prey, Titans, Batwoman and Gotham Knights, which have Batman either retired or dead. This has become a constant complaint among fans, who yearn for a true TV show based solely around the character.
This trend will likely continue with the upcoming TV show spinoffs for Matt Reeve's 2022 film The Batman. Focused on other elements around Gotham City -- namely the rise of crime lord The Penguin -- these shows at least have the excuse of being spinoffs of a big time, concurrent movie series. Likewise, they'll also benefit from a fairly defined continuity. The amorphous Sony Spider-Man Universe still lacks that, so putting Spider-Man himself in their upcoming shows is increasingly paramount.
Sony's Spider-Man Shows Can't Work Without Peter Parker Being There
The three entries in the Sony Spider-Verse so far are Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Morbius, none of which have directly addressed or even confirmed the existence of Spider-Man. This is particularly egregious in the former two, given that Venom's entire origin had to be rewritten to annex Spidey. Thus, no one really knows who the Spider-Man of this universe is, or if it's the same universe as previous films such as the two Amazing Spider-Man movies. In the comics, the heroine Silk/Cindy Moon is bitten by the same spider that gave Peter Parker his powers, so more than ever, answers as to Spider-Man's whereabouts are a necessity.
None of these shows have to truly star Spider-Man himself, but his presence definitely needs to be established. Simple news footage, graffiti (like the type that was removed from the final version of Morbius) and other quick world-building elements would go a long way to make audiences know that the Webslinger is around the corner somewhere. This would generate some more immediate hype from casual audiences, who will likely be confused as to the continuity status of Silk: Spider Society and other Sony shows. That's especially the case now that Spider-Man is clearly the one truly bankable Marvel property, with his movies and potential shows to garner more automatic interest than even the once venerable Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Having Spider-Man be dead or retired à la some live-action Batman appearances will simply kill any interest in these shows. Likewise, having Spidey himself still unestablished might have a similar effect, as the idea of a true "Spider-Verse" is what makes these shows such a potentially great idea. The time for arguable Easter Eggs and confusing multiverse shenanigans is over, and it's time for Sony to shine a spotlight on Spider-Man before his comrades' TV shows premiere.