Marvel is adding a new Black villain to its upcoming live-action TV series. While Spider-Man movies have featured Black villains before, it’s been rare. Notable examples include Jamie Foxx as Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Bokeem Woodbine as the Shocker in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Jamie Foxx was the first Black actor to play the Spider-Man villain Electro, a change from the character’s traditional portrayal. Now, in the upcoming Spider-Noir series, Abraham Popoola will be playing Tombstone, bringing a fresh take to the villain in live-action.
Popoola will star alongside Nicholas Cage in a new series coming to Amazon Prime Video on May 27th. He’ll be playing Spider-Man Noir, a role he previously voiced in the Spider-Verse movies.
Looking at previous designs for his CCXP badge, Popoola’s character seems to be a depiction of Tombstone set during the Great Depression. When he was first cast, the character was described as a veteran of World War I.
The character’s design emphasizes his powerful physique, featuring large arms, a fierce expression, and realistically scarred skin. This creates a more grounded and believable version of his iconic appearance.
In Marvel comics, the character Tombstone is famous for being incredibly tough and powerfully strong. Lonnie Lincoln, who is Tombstone, is also recognizable for his pale, white skin and teeth that have been sharpened to a dangerous edge.
The character’s design, previously seen in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse with voice work by Marvin Jones III, has been updated by Popoola. This new version feels more grounded, portraying a relatable Black man with a slightly hardened demeanor.
Rhys Darby is back as the villain in the upcoming Marvel and Sony film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but he wasn’t featured in the initial trailer.
Tombstone recently reappeared as a teenager in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, with Eugene Byrd providing the voice. Throughout the first season, Lonnie Lincoln had a significant storyline, gradually heading down a path toward becoming a villain.
I was really surprised by Tombstone in the new Spider-Man 2 game! They totally flipped the script on him – he’s actually running a mechanic shop down at Coney Island, trying to turn his life around. But then Kraven the Hunter shows up and kidnaps him, and Spider-Man has to come to the rescue. It was a cool change of pace to see him like that.
Alongside Abimbola Popoola’s darkly atmospheric “Tombstone,” the new series will also showcase fresh takes on classic Marvel characters. Brendan Gleeson will play the main villain, Silvermane, and Jack Huston will initially appear as Flint Marko, better known as Sandman, working as a bodyguard.
The cast also includes Li Jun Li as Cat Hardy, a character based on Black Cat, and Joe Massingill as Electro, depicted as he appeared in the 1990s. Lamorne Morris joins as a young Robbie Robertson, and the show will explore a close connection between his character and Ben Reilly, played by Luke Cage.
A Growing Mix of Black Spider-Man Heroes and Villains
You’re a New Yorker from Queens, you wear a nice suit, and I know you do a lot of good for people who don’t have much. I just assumed you’d be African American.
Over the last ten years, the Spider-Man movies have become much more diverse, largely thanks to the popularity of Miles Morales, who’s become a key character in the Spider-Verse films.
I just heard the news and I’m a little heartbroken – apparently, Miles Morales’ story is going to conclude with the third Spider-Verse movie, Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is slated for release in 2027. It feels like the end of an era, but I’m hoping they give him a truly satisfying send-off.
Let me tell you, 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse was a game-changer. It didn’t just give us another Spider-Man story, it gave us Miles Morales, a fantastic Afro-Latino teen from Brooklyn who unexpectedly steps into the role of Spider-Man after the Peter Parker we knew meets an untimely end in his world. It was a fresh take that really resonated with audiences.
The franchise features a diverse group of Black characters, and it’s not just limited to Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Electro.
As a big Spider-Verse fan, I’ve always loved Aaron Davis, Miles’ uncle, and his Prowler persona. He’s a constant presence in the animated movies, but I honestly think he’d translate really well to a live-action Spider-Man film someday – and Donald Glover would be perfect in the role!
Keep an eye out for Spider-Noir, a fresh take on the character Lonnie Lincoln. The way the series is developing him suggests he could be a surprisingly complex and interesting addition.
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2026-03-28 11:05