Activision treated us to an early look at Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows at Comic-Con this week, giving us a taste of the game's suit-switching mechanic and highlighting boss battles with classic villains Venom and Vulture. In Web of Shadows, Venom has infected the people of New York with a symbiote plague, creating hundreds of mini-Venoms that our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man must dispatch.

Peter Parker has been infected by the alien symbiote, too, but has total control over its abilities, allowing him to switch from the more nimble red and blue suit to a more destructive black and white suit on the fly. Both suits have their advantages and disadvantages, as the black suit lets Spidey whip foes with symbiotic tentacles and carries a heftier punch, but can result in more collateral damage to the city.

That trade-off comes into play in how the citizens of New York, as well as your superpowered allies and enemies perceive you later in the game. With a cast of "Marvel Team Up" regulars, folks like Wolverine and Luke Cage, you'll need to make sure the good guys are on your good side.

Stan Lee Says Sometimes Games Look Better Than Movies

Let's jump right in. Here's Spider-Man creator Stan Lee talking about video games at Comic Con:

When you talk about games evolving over the years and becoming more like movies, in many ways, they've gone beyond movies," he said. "To do a movie is difficult, but it's linear. There's a beginning, a middle and an end, and that's it — you write a story.

In a videogame, you're writing many stories within the story. It's a totally different structure and a totally different philosophy of writing and, I think, a much, much more difficult one. I get the feeling more work goes into these videogames than even goes into the movies.

I marvel at the fact the games look as good, and in some cases better, as the most expensive movies. [Those] guys are just geniuses. Now you watch one of these games and it's like watching the greatest superhero movie, except you're part of it. It's indescribable.

Yep, Stan Lee is awesome. But we knew that.

Games Are Exceeding Movies [Eurogamer] [Pic]

Following the whole "Seize Control" theme they kicked off by allowing fans to vote on the preorder bonus for Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows, Activision is now giving players a chance to decide which box art the game ships with this fall. The choices are limited to the left image, which is almost mildly appealing, and the right one, which for some reason makes Spidey's arms and hands into display monitors for concept art.

While you struggle between mildly pleasing and completely stupid covers, keep in mind the special message below the voting section on the website. "Activision shall not be bond by the outcome of the community vote and Activisions decision(s) and selection(s) shall be final and binding." So yeah, vote, but don't expect it to actually matter. Awesome.

Packaging Artwork Vote [Web of Shadows Official Site]

Spider-Man Deserves Better, Yo

Behind the Scenes with Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

And taking us out this evening is 90-second behind-the-scenes video from Gametrailers showing the combat overhaul Shaba Games has in mind for the latest Spider-Man title. They're keen on unifying the web-swinging with the fighting, and ground, wall and air attack moves. It also promises switching between different costumes (and their abilities) at will. Not sure how that fits into the storyline. In the video you see Spidey taking on Hobgoblin (or Green Goblin, couldn't get a clear look), and the Vulture.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows Behind the Scenes — Combat Redefined [GameTrailers, thanks Tyson B.]

Spider-Man Wii Games To Use Wii Fit Balance Board, "Web Shooter" Controllers

The same source that leaked details on unannounced Microsoft and Activision products has tons of data on a huge line-up of future Spider-Man licensed games. Two of the titles—which appear to be planned as Wii exclusives—take advantage of control schemes unique to Nintendo's console, with Wii Balance Board support for one, a unique "web shooter" controller for the other.

In Spider-Man: Agile Warrior, players control Spider-Man's feet via the Wii Balance Board to make him jump, soar through the air, climb walls and kick and cartwheel foes. The other Wii exclusive title, known as Spider-Man: Webmaster looks like it will ship with a game-specific controller that lets players flick their wrists to shoot web balls, aim their webs via the Wii Remote and use gestures to swing across Manhattan.

But that's not all. There are a total of fourteen potential Spider-Man games in development to some degree—though some may simply be nothing more than concepts. The full list after the jump.

Marvel Plans Iron Man Sequel After Big First-Quarter Cash-In

Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows To Contain Never Before-Seen Villains

Well no wonder we've not seen a press release for Spider-Man: Web of Shadows! Yahoo! has the exclusive details on the new game, including the announcement trailer and a few choice pieces of concept art. Web of Shadows, developed by Shaba and Treyarch, the game features the same free-roaming gameplay we've come to be cautiously optimistic about, with a dark twist. New York City has been invaded by something horrible, the city leaders have declared martial law, and Spidey's friends and foes alike are struggling to handle the situation. You'll work aside friends like S.H.I.E.L.D. and Luke Cage, as well as enemies like The Kingpin. Choice plays a big part in the game, with gameplay decisions having effect on how the public views you as well as which allies join you for the final battle. Choice even factors into the marketing, as you can now sign up at the official website, where you'll be able to vote on which features get revealed and where the next trailer takes place.

It's far too early to tell if the game will be any better than the last two bombs, but I like the direction they're heading in. Darker is better.

Yahoo! Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows Premier [Yahoo! Videogames - Thanks Charlie!]

A smattering of new additions to the Xbox Live Marketplace breathes some new life into older Xbox 360 games Blue Dragon and Spider-Man 3. The latter is enhanced by the downloadable "New Goblin," formerly a PlayStation 3 exclusive feature but now available to whomever is willing to shell out 240 Microsoft Points. You'll still have to defeat him in-game to add him to the unlockable character list, but think of the bragging right(s)!

Also available is the "6 Treasures" pack for Mistwalker's Blue Dragon. For the low, low price of 200 Microsoft Points, you'll get a half-dozen new items that will boost your stats and give you access to new abilities. The specific details on each are after the jump.

Spider-Man Visits London HMV

My game purchases this week will be woefully small as not only am I staying with a friend in NYC who is a non-gamer and therefore has no consoles, but I am leaving on Wed. for LA to go to E for All. But one thing I will definitely be picking up is Beautiful Katamari just so I can hold it in my hand and wish I could play it. What's on your must have purchase list this week?

Beautiful Katamari (X360)
The Prince and The King are back for more Katamari rolling goodness.

Heroes of Might and Magic V: Tribes of the East (PC)
Now with more Orcs.

Fury (PC)
PvP to your heart's content.

Crash of the Titans (PSP)
Crash is back and making waves on the PSP.

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (X360, PS2, WII, PS3, DS)
My kid can ollie over your honor roll student.

Spider-Man 3 (PSP)
Trapped in the web of love.

Victorious Boxers: Revolution (WII)
Beat the crap out of people while simultaneously wearing your arms out.

SWAT: Target Liberty (PSP)
Take out terrorists threatening NYC.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Game of the Year Edition (PS3)
Together again for the first time... on the PS3

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core (WII)
All hail Bridget.

Spider-Man 3 PSP Finally Released

I'm so behind on games right now after Tokyo that I really shouldn't be buying anything new, but I fear that the siren call of Phantom Hourglass will be too strong to resist. What's on your game purchasing horizon this week?

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Control Link with your stylus as he sets sail for a new adventure in this follow up to Wind Waker.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars (PC)
Take out the Strogg online.

NBA Live 08 (X360, PS3, PS2, WII, PSP)
The latest NBA game from EA.

NBA 2K8 (X360, PS3, PS2)
Ever notice these things always come in pairs?

Project Gotham Racing 4 (X360)
PGR returns for a fourth round of racing action.

RACE 07 - The WTCC Game (PC)
A racing game for the PC. See, I told you they come in pairs.

MLB Power Pros (WII, PS2)
Little big headed people playing baseball imported from Japan.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe (X360, PC, PS2, WII, PSP, DS)
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Crash of the Titans (X360, PS2, WII, DS)
Crash Bandicoot spins his way on to the 360 and a possible new career.

Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow (PSP)
Gabe Logan comes out the other side of a Dark Mirror and finds his own Shadow.

Hour of Victory (PC)
World War II gets another workout in this FPS.

FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage (X360)
We like the cars, the cars that go boom.

The Chosen - Well of Souls (PC)
Defeat the evil wizard and his hordes of monsters. The classics never die.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe Confirmed Friends

WSJ: Sony Readying Download Service To Challenge Apple