'Marvel's Spider-Man 2' Explained: Who Is Hailey Cooper?

As Miles Morales continues to establish himself as Spider-Man, there are plenty of friendly faces around his neighborhood of Harlem that help give him the support he needs. One of the most pivotal figures in Miles’ life in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is Hailey Cooper, an original character created for the Marvel’s Spider-Man series by Insomniac Games. More than just a fixture in East Harlem, Hailey literally leaves her mark on New York City as one of the most accomplished street artists in the city, further endearing her to Miles.

Here is everything you need to know about Hailey Cooper, from her introduction in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales to her growing importance in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and how much she means to Miles both in his personal life and in his costumed alter ego as Spider-Man.

Hailey Cooper’s Role in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Hailey debuted at the start of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, creating a mural in East Harlem shortly after Miles and his mother Rio Morales moved to the neighborhood from Brooklyn. As a deaf character, Hailey primarily uses American Sign Language to communicate, something Miles was familiar with from his own language studies in school, with the two striking up a friendship. After Hailey tipped off Spider-Man through Ganke Lee’s smartphone app about thieves in the neighborhood, she was targeted by Kingpin’s henchmen, who were responsible for the string of robberies. Luckily, Hailey was saved by Spider-Man in the nick of time after he dealt with the initial wave of robbers. In return, Hailey gave Spider-Man her scarf as a token of her gratitude to the teenage hero, with Miles wearing it constantly during a particularly cold winter.

After Spider-Man stopped the deadly showdown between the Roxxon Corporation and the terrorist cell, The Underground, Miles crashed on the ground in Harlem unmasked. Present on the scene, Hailey discovered Miles was Spider-Man and helped stall the arriving authorities until Miles could escape with his secret identity intact. As Harlem rebuilt itself from the harrowing incident, Hailey updated her mural of Spider-Man in the neighborhood to include Miles in his Spider-Man outfit, which Miles saw and expressed his appreciation to Hailey for.

Hailey Cooper’s Role in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Hailey played a much larger role in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, now attending Brooklyn Visions Academy as a classmate of Miles and Ganke. Beyond her school commitments, Hailey also spearheaded the Cooper Art Coalition, which brought together street artists from across New York City. In the interim, Miles developed a strong crush on Hailey but found himself unable to ask her out on a date, largely due to his many commitments as Spider-Man in defending New York.

As Peter Parker began spending more time with his best friend Harry Osborn after reuniting with him, a frustrated Miles began spending more time with Hailey, but still hadn’t worked up the courage to express his romantic feelings for her. During this time, Miles learned Hailey was responsible for painting over more unbecoming graffiti with her own street art to beautify defaced parts of local neighborhoods. Hailey briefly becomes a playable character in a flashback side mission detailing her artistic exploits. However, Miles and Hailey growing closer was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Venom.

After Venom infested pockets of the city with people infected by symbiotes, Miles sensed that Hailey was in danger. Rushing to her rescue, Miles was impressed that she had been sheltering other bystanders from the rampaging symbiotes. As he saved Hailey and those she was protecting, Miles finally asked her out on a date, with Hailey happily accepting.

Following Venom’s defeat and the restoration of peace around New York, Miles and Hailey set out for their first date together, with Hailey visiting Miles’ home in East Harlem. Noticing Miles kept the scarf she gave to him after he saved her from the Kingpin’s crooks several months earlier, Hailey kissed him for the first time before the two met Rio’s new boyfriend Albert Moon and his daughter Cindy.

Just as Mary Jane Watson gives Peter the inner strength and emotional support to save the day as Spider-Man, so too does Hailey provide vital support to Miles with his own adventures as Spider-Man. Beyond her relationship with Miles, Hailey is a beacon of support for artists across New York, providing them with their own small community and helping improve the city around her with her own artwork. Willing to stand up against life-threatening dangers to ensure her home is safe, Hailey is one of the bravest characters in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, even without the proportionate strength and skills of a webslinger.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is available now only on PlayStation 5. Order the title on PlayStation Store, PlayStation Direct or your friendly neighborhood retailer!

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