Secret Invasion Robs Us Of An Incredible Link To The Spider-Verse

Contains spoilers up to "Secret Invasion" Episode 4 — "Beloved"

"Secret Invasion" on Disney+ adapts the famous Marvel Comics storyline where shape-shifting Skrulls infiltrate world powers, including superheroes. Many readers would flip through pages, wondering if their favorite hero would be revealed to be an imposter. The Disney+ series naturally takes liberties with this storyline, notably lacking superpowered individuals. Rhodey, a.k.a. War Machine (Don Cheadle), is present, and it may not have surprised viewers to learn he's really a Skrull. 

In this way, Rhodey basically takes the place of Jessica Drew, a.k.a. Spider-Woman, in the comics, who's revealed to be the Skrull, Veranke. She's a Skrull empress who leads the charge in the Skrull invasion, leading to the events of "Secret Invasion." She takes Spider-Woman's place after capturing the real Jessica Drew at a Hydra base. The implication becomes the stories featuring Spider-Woman for several years previously involved an imposter. 

There are only two episodes left of "Secret Invasion" on Disney+, and this important character hasn't factored into the story at all. It makes sense; Jessica Drew hasn't been featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet, so perhaps there wasn't a place to include her. Jessica Drew was featured in the recent "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," and even if changes were needed to the story, it could've set up intriguing possibilities for Veranke's future in the MCU.

Veranke is integral to the Skrulls' plans in Marvel Comics' "Secret Invasion. She enacts a plan to upload a virus that disables all StarkTech and expunges an Extremis virus within Tony Stark's body. She further attacks Tony in the Savage Land by getting him to think he's actually a Skrull sleeper agent. It all leads to a final showdown between the heroes and the Skrulls in Central Park after Reed Richards develops a device that exposes the true form of a Skrull. In the battle, Veranke is seemingly shot dead by Norman Osborn, but in actuality, he keeps her secretly imprisoned.

Obviously, there's a lot here that the Disney+ series couldn't adapt. For starters, there's no Reed Richards or Norman Osborn introduced in the MCU's Earth-199999 yet. The big bad Skrull this time is Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir), who's seen a good deal of success in his plan to take over the world as a new Skrull homeworld. However, Veranke's inclusion, even if she's not Spider-Woman, could've set up intriguing possibilities for the Spider-Verse. "Across the Spider-Verse" directly referenced the MCU, and there are likely big plans for Peter Parker (Tom Holland) in future live-action Spider-Man movies. Producers have already said there's interest in a live-action Miles Morales project, so it's possible Jessica Drew isn't far behind. 

Veranke appearing in "Secret Invasion" could be a chance to set up an essential Spider-Verse character, regardless if she ultimately becomes a Skrull. There are still two episodes of the show left, so there's always a chance Veranke could still appear. She would even make for an intriguing figure to introduce in the final episode or a post-credits scene. The Skrulls are a major threat, so if Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) beats Gravik, there could still be ornery Skrulls out there with Veranke as a new leader.