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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Easter Eggs You May Have Missed (SPOILERS!)

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In the immersive, visually dynamic realm of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” audiences are treated to a treasure trove of hidden secrets and easter eggs (our Across the Spider-Verse review) In true Marvel fashion, the film takes its one step further by subtly nodding to the extended Spider-Man canon, pop culture references, and the character’s rich history. Here are the most intriguing instances you’ll find in the latest movie. Be sure to leave any ones we missed in the comments!!

  • Hobie Brown / Spider-Punk: Hobie Brown, also known as Spider-Punk, appears in the movie. His role in the resistance against Ozzy Osborn’s regime in his original comic timeline is paralleled in the movie. His design in the film, inspired by punk aesthetics, is another easter egg that pays tribute to his comic origin.
  • Pavitr Prabhakar / Spider-Man: India: Pavitr Prabhakar, the Spider-Man from India, also makes an appearance. The easter egg here is the unique method of translation employed to adapt the character from Peter Parker to Pavitr Prabhakar. While the movie character has a new costume design and abilities, the essence of the character remains true to his comic roots.
  • Miguel O’Hara / Spider-Man 2099: Miguel O’Hara, the Spider-Man of the future from the year 2099, makes his appearance in the movie. His past with Alchemax and the drug Rapture, his unique spider abilities, and his rebellious nature are all reflected in his characterization in the film. The nod to his comic origin, where he fights against Alchemax’s corruption and specifically against Tyler Stone, is hinted at but not fully explored in the movie.
  • Jess Drew / Spider-Woman: Jessica Drew, also known as Spider-Woman, is introduced in this film. Her backstory with Wundagore Mountain and the High Evolutionary, as well as her Hydra history, are skipped over in the movie, but her character retains elements from her comic counterpart, including her work as a private investigator and her friendship with Captain Marvel. Her film character, a black woman, is likely inspired by Valerie from Spidey Super Stories, which is another easter egg. The movie also includes references to her 2015 comics run, including her new costume, motorcycle, and pregnancy.
  • The Spot: The Spot, a classic Spider-Man villain with the ability to create teleportation portals, is featured in the movie. His comic origin working for the Kingpin and his transformation into The Spot are referenced, albeit with some alterations. The movie takes a humorous approach to his character, revealing that he was the scientist hit by a bagel in the first movie.
  • Donald Glover Prowler: Before the Amazing Spider-Man series, Donald Glover started a campaign to be cast as Spider-Man. Though he didn’t become Spider-Man, he became a part of Spider-Man lore in various ways: wearing a Spider-Man costume in the TV show Community, voicing Miles Morales in Ultimate Spider-Man, and playing Miles’ uncle Aaron Davis (aka the Prowler) in Spider-Man: Homecoming. In Across the Spider-Verse, Glover is seen in full Prowler attire, linking to the character he played in Homecoming.
  • Ben Reilly / Scarlet Spider: Ben Reilly, the clone of Peter Parker who takes on the alias of Scarlet Spider, is featured in the film. The movie draws from his comic origin, particularly from the controversial “Clone Saga”, but adds a bit of a twist, making him an edgy ’90s character. His costume design, created by the late Tom Lyle, is also a tribute to the original comics.
  • Spider-Man Unlimited: In Across the Spider-Verse, there are numerous appearances of Spider-Man Unlimited, a sequel to the animated series from the ‘90s. This particular series showcases Spider-Man venturing to Counter-Earth, a space mission led by John Jameson, to fight the Beastials, creatures under the High Evolutionary’s control, and to revolt against human oppressors. The nanosuit designed by Mister Fantastic for this mission can be spotted several times in the movie.
  • May “Mayday” Parker: Mayday Parker, the daughter of Peter B. Parker and Mary Jane, appears in the movie. This is a nod to her role as Spider-Girl in the comics, where she takes up her father’s mantle during her teenage years.
  • Lego Spider-Man is a playful nod to the commercial tie-ins between Spider-Man and Lego, as well as the producers’ involvement in the Lego movies. The scene in the Lego Daily Bugle is a delightful crossover between the Spider-Man and Lego franchises.
  • Lyla: Lyla, Miguel O’Hara’s holographic AI assistant in the comics, is also present in the film. While her appearance differs from the comics, her close bond with Miguel and her non-human nature are consistent with her original portrayal.
  • Grizzly: In “Across the Spider-Verse,” we get a look at the Spider-Society’s jail, housing a variety of villains from different realities. One of these is Grizzly, a character from early Spider-Man comics who debuted in “Amazing Spider-Man No. 139” in 1974. The character of Grizzly, or Maxwell Markham, was a professional wrestler turned villain after an editorial by J. Jonah Jameson resulted in his expulsion from the wrestling circuit. He receives an exoskeleton outfit from Professor Miles Warren and uses it to seek revenge on Jameson, leading to Spider-Man’s intervention and the creation of a perpetual nemesis in Grizzly. The character is known for being a part of the ‘Legion of Losers,’ a group of lesser-known villains in the Spider-Man universe.
  • Spider-Cat: One interesting easter egg is the appearance of Spider-Cat, a character that originated from a comic anthology, Spider-Island: I Love New York City No. 1, in which every New York resident temporarily gains spider powers. This heroic feline joins the action in Across the Spider-Verse when Miles tries to escape from Miguel’s Spider-Men.
  • Spider-Man 2211: Max Borne, also known as Spider-Man 2211, makes his appearance in the film as a TimeSpinner. He is from the future (year 2211) and his mission is to prevent disruptions in the Marvel timeline. He is seen as the Spider-Man that Miles clings onto during his escape from the Spider-Society.
  • Spider-Rex: Another new addition is Spider-Rex, a Pteranodon turned Tyrannosaurus-Rex with spider powers, introduced during Marvel’s “End of the Spider-Verse” storyline. He makes his grand entrance in the film chasing Miles during his escape, with a distinct “T-WHIP” webshooter sound effect.
  • Prince Arachne is a version of Spider-Man from Spider-Man: Fairy Tales No. 4, which reimagines Peter Parker’s story in a medieval setting. The easter egg here is the inclusion of this fairy-tale version of Spider-Man in the Spider-Society, highlighting the various interpretations of the character throughout different genres and settings.
  • Spidercide is one of Spider-Man’s clones from the controversial “Clone Saga” storyline in the comics. He was created by the villain known as the Jackal with the intention to kill Spider-Man, but ended up causing mass havoc due to his violent tendencies. His appearance in Across the Spider-Verse is a nod to this lesser-known character in Spider-Man’s extensive rogues gallery.
  • Metro Boomin’s Spidersona is a fun homage to the music producer of Across the Spider-Verse, Metro Boomin. The character was designed by Kris Anka and can be seen in the background of the Spider-Society, a clever way of incorporating real-life contributors to the film into the Spider-Verse itself.
  • “Last Stand” Spider-Man is a future version of Peter Parker from the comic Amazing Spider-Man No. 500. His outfit and role in the Spider-Society reference the “Happy Birthday” story arc in which this version of Spider-Man makes a stand against the police, leading to his death.
  • Spectacular Spider-Man: The Spectacular Spider-Man, a highly popular animated series from the ‘00s, gets a shoutout with the inclusion of its character, voiced by Josh Keaton. This series is known for its unique take on Spider-Man’s origins and innovative writing. The character’s appearance in the film, with Keaton voicing a line, was a highly anticipated moment.
  • Mooseterio: This is an Easter egg that nods to Spider-Ham’s villain – Mooseterio. As an anthropomorphic moose with Mysterio’s powers, Mooseterio appears in the jail sequence in the film, similar to his brief appearance in Spider-Ham comics.
  • Kraven the Hunter: Kraven the Hunter is another character we see in the Spider-Society jail, a formidable enemy who first appeared in “Amazing Spider-Man No. 15.” Kraven, a world-class hunter, views Spider-Man as the ultimate prey. Despite several defeats, Kraven is obsessed with proving himself superior to Spider-Man, which eventually leads to a dramatic storyline known as “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” In this narrative, Kraven buries Spider-Man alive and assumes his identity to demonstrate his superiority. When Spider-Man escapes, Kraven fails to achieve his goal and ultimately commits suicide, leading to a classic storyline praised by many comic enthusiasts.
  • The quote “Dr. Strange and the nerd from Earth-199999!” refers to the designation for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, highlighting the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, and signifying the convergence of different realities within the Spider-Verse.
  • Atari Green Goblin: The 1982 Spider-Man video game for Atari 2600 featured Green Goblin as a villain. The film includes a pixelated version of the Green Goblin from this game, displayed in the Spider-Society jail.
  • Classic-Suit Jessica Drew is an homage to Spider-Woman’s iconic costume. Jessica Drew is a recurring character in the Spider-Man comics, and her presence in the Spider-Society underscores the wide range of characters pulled into the Spider-Verse.
  • Julia Carpenter is the second Spider-Woman in the comics and her character was brought into existence during the Secret Wars event. Her black and white costume is a recognizable part of her character design and her inclusion adds another layer of depth to the expansive Spider-Verse.
  • Spider-Man ‘67 refers to the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon, one of the earliest adaptations of the comic book character. The still image of Spider-Man from this series is a humorous jab at the show’s infamous reuse of stock animation due to budget constraints.
  • Black Suit Spider-Man: The Black Suit Spider-Man, a suit with a symbiotic alien creature that amplifies the wearer’s negative traits, known from Spider-Man 3, can be spotted multiple times in the movie.
  • Typeface: A surprise inclusion in the Spider-Society jail is Typeface, a more obscure and often mocked villain in Spider-Man’s history. Gordon Thomas, a Vietnam veteran who becomes Typeface after being laid off from his signsmithing job, first appears in “Peter Parker: Spider-Man No. 23.” His bizarre design includes different fonts across his body and the use of giant, razor-tipped letters as weapons. Despite his eccentric nature, Typeface even manages to defeat Spider-Man early on in his crime spree. In “Across the Spider-Verse,” Typeface’s appearance, complete with a typography-themed threat, is a nod to deep-cut Spider-Man lore and a cheeky acknowledgment of the more unusual corners of the franchise.
  • Electro Proof Suit: This is a special costume designed by Peter Parker to neutralize Electro’s electrical attacks. It was first seen in the Amazing Spider-Man #425 comic book. Its appearance in the background of a scene in Across the Spider-Verse pays homage to this specific storyline.
  • Spider-Pointing: The film includes a recreation of a scene from the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon where two Spider-Men are pointing at each other. This scene has become a popular meme and has appeared in several Spider-Man films.
  • Bruce Banner Spider-Man: This is a relatively obscure character from Earth-70105, where Bruce Banner is Spider-Man and Peter Parker becomes the Hulk. This reference is a nod to the alternate realities that exist in the Spider-Verse.
  • This mask is my badge now.”: This is a line from Gwen’s debut comic, Edge of the Spider-Verse No. 2, reiterated in the film when she explains her decision to become Spider-Woman to her father.
  • Sinister Six Cartel: As Miles runs through Earth-42, you can hear J.K. Simmons’ J. Jonah Jameson mention the Sinister Six Cartel, a group of Spider-Man villains
  • Cyclops Spider-Man: A unique character from Earth-61422, this Spider-Man is characterized by a single, large white eye. This concept is intriguing because it defies the typical humanoid Spider-Man representation and challenges the viewer’s understanding of the multiverse concept.
  • Spider-Man 2099 White Suit: In the background of a scene in Spider-Man 2099’s laboratory, you can see him building a new, white suit. This suit is a reference to the comics, where it was developed by Peter Parker when Miguel found himself in the present day.
  • Iron Spider Armor: Tony Stark designs this armor for Spider-Man during the events of the Civil War comic storyline. This version of the Spider-Man suit has come to be known as the “Iron Spider.” Its appearance in Across the Spider-Verse serves to connect different Spider-Man narratives.
  • Cyborg Spider-(Wo)Man: There is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance by a character called “Cyborg Spider-Woman” in the movie. This character seems to be a loosely assembled version of various cyborgs. This design could be inspired by Spider-Man No. 21, where Spider-Man is saved by a figure called Cyborg X and wakes up with a new cybernetic arm and eyepiece.
  • Bombastic Bag-Man: Bombastic Bag-Man, known for his paper bag mask, shows up in Across the Spider-Verse. This character originates from a comic storyline where Spider-Man’s suit was revealed to be a parasitic symbiote. After removing the symbiote, he ends up wearing a Fantastic Four suit and a paper bag as a mask, given by the Human Torch, becoming the Bombastic Bag-Man.
  • Charlotte Webber / Sun-Spider: Sun-Spider, from Earth-20023, appears in Across the Spider-Verse. The character, created by Dayn Broder, originated from a Twitter competition to create a #spidersona. In the film, we see her in a wheelchair that morphs into a motorized Spider-bot as she chases Miles during his escape.
  • Peter Parkedcar: Peter Parkedcar, a sentient version of the Spider-Mobile, shows up during Miles’ escape from the Spider-Society. This character was recently introduced in the comics by writer Dan Slott in Edge of the Spider-Verse.
  • Mangaverse Spider-Man: This character is from the Marvel Mangaverse, designed to cater to manga fans. His costume design, which includes elements like skater shoes and bandage-wrapped fists, gives the character a youthful, ninja-like appearance.
  • Future Foundation Spider-Man: This version of Spider-Man appears when Spider-Man joins the Future Foundation, filling the vacant spot left by the Human Torch. Its inclusion pays tribute to Spider-Man’s role in the wider Marvel universe.
  • Web-Slinger and Spider-Horse: A cowboy version of Spider-Man, complete with a horse. This reference illustrates the creative and expansive nature of the Spider-Verse.
  • Neversoft Spider-Man: This Spider-Man comes from a video game developed by Neversoft in 2000. The character’s design in the game is distinctive due to its polygonal graphics. Its inclusion in Across the Spider-Verse pays tribute to the diverse depictions of Spider-Man in various media formats.
  • Spider-Cop: This version of Spider-Man is a humorous take on the character from the Marvel’s Spider-Man game. His appearance in the movie is a nod to the light-hearted and comedic aspects of Spider-Man’s character.
  • Spinneret and Spiderling: These characters are from the comic book series “Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows.” They represent a Spider-Family, featuring Peter Parker, Mary Jane, and their daughter Annie. Their presence in the movie expands the concept of the Spider-Verse to include family dynamics.
  • Spider-Monkey: This character hails from the Monkeyverse, where Marvel characters are represented as simians. It adds to the complexity and breadth of the Spider-Verse.
  • Lady Spider: This character, Maybelle Reilly, is distinguished by her blue jumpsuit, corset, pilot’s cap, goggles, and mechanical arms. This Easter egg signifies the varied and unique adaptations of the Spider-Man persona.
  • Werewolf Spider-Man: This is an unusual take on Spider-Man, where he is depicted as a werewolf. This character originally appeared in a mobile game and a Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness crossover, making its inclusion a nod to even the most obscure parts of the Spider-Verse.
  • Captain Spider: An alternate universe’s character where Flash Thompson, not Peter Parker, is bitten by the radioactive spider. This character’s appearance serves to highlight the breadth of the Spider-Verse.
  • Doppelganger: A mindless, killer duplicate of Spider-Man first appearing in the Infinity War storyline. This character’s inclusion underscores the darker and more menacing aspects of the Spider-Verse.
  • Spyder-Knight: A Spider-Man character from the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon show who exists in medieval times, fighting alongside the wizard Merlyn. This character’s appearance underscores the vast expanse of the Spider-Verse, reaching back even to historical and mythical times.
  • Superior Spider-Man: In the comics, Doctor Octopus swaps his mind with Peter Parker and becomes the Superior Spider-Man, taking a more brutal approach to crime-fighting. This controversial storyline is acknowledged in the film through a distinctive suit appearing in the Nueva York headquarters. The suit has unique features like black lenses, triangular chest design, shoulder pieces, gauntlets, and black legs, all design elements introduced by artist Humberto Ramos.
  • Stealth / Big Time Costume: This costume, created during a storyline where Peter Parker worked at Horizon Labs, allowed Spider-Man to counteract Hobgoblin’s devastating sonic laugh by bending light and sound. This visually striking suit, reminiscent of designs in Tron, makes an appearance multiple times throughout the Nueva York headquarters.
  • Spider-Byte: Spider-Byte is a character from Earth-22191, who spends most of her time as a virtual avatar in Cyberspace. She steps up as a spider-superhero to combat the rise of cybercrime. In Across the Spider-Verse, she operates the communication devices that the Spider-Men share through their Web-Watches.
  • Velocity Suit: This suit is unique to the Marvel’s Spider-Man video game on PlayStation and was designed by Adi Granov, known for his work on Iron Man suits. It gives Spider-Man enhanced speed and momentum, not to mention a cool Iron Man-esque appearance. This suit is also featured in a scene during Miles’ escape.
  • Insomniac Spider-Man: This version of Spider-Man is familiar to players of Marvel’s Spider-Man on PlayStation 4 and 5. This character, designed by game developer Insomniac and voiced by Yuri Lowenthal, sports a unique white-spider-branded costume. He makes an appearance during a sequence showing various dimension-less villains held in Spider-Jail.
  • MK I, MK II and MK III Armor: Spider-Man created the Mark I armor suit for bulletproofing during a conflict with the New Enforcers. This shining, disco ball-like suit limits Spider-Man’s agility but proves effective. A Spider-Man is seen wearing this suit in the background of the Spider-Society in Across the Spider-Verse.
  • Ganke Lee: This character, Ganke Lee, is a nod to the character from the Miles Morales Spider-Man comics. He is Miles’ best friend and roommate in the comic series. The character was previously introduced as Ned Leeds, Peter Parker’s best friend in the Spider-Man: Homecoming movie, which created a bit of confusion. The “man in the chair” line is a meta-joke, referring to Ned’s role in the Homecoming film, but Ganke in Across the Spider-Verse prefers to play video games than being a supporting guide.
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Game: Ganke is seen playing an upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 video game. The fact that Spider-Man is wearing an Iron Spider suit is a nod to this new game, as this feature is a new addition shown in the game’s first trailer. It subtly promotes the game while also revealing Ganke’s preferences.
  • Venomverse: This is a direct reference to the live-action Venom movies. The Spot, a character who can create portals, travels through to the Venom universe, encounters Mrs. Chen from the Venom films, and even grabs a box of ‘Venomints’. This shows the connection between different Spider-Man related universes, and adds a layer of humor through the Venomints.
  • The Power of the Multiverse in the Palm of My Hand”: This is a direct reference to a famous line from Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 2, where he says, “The power of the sun in the palm of my hand”. This parallel hints at the same level of power and control that the Spot now has over the multiverse.
  • Spider-Society: The Spider-Society in Across the Spider-Verse is similar to the Web Warriors from the Spider-Man comics. Both groups are designed to protect the multiverse, drawing a direct parallel between the movie and the comics.
  • Foam Party: The Foam Party is a callback to the first Spider-Verse movie. Jefferson Davis, Miles’ father, had joked about a coffee shop named Foam Party. In this sequel, Miles and the Spot end up fighting in this coffee shop, which becomes covered in actual foam. This fun reference adds continuity between the movies while playing into the humor of the situation.
  • Spider-Man 2099 White Suit: In the background of a scene in Spider-Man 2099’s laboratory, you can see him building a new, white suit. This suit is a reference to the comics, where it was developed by Peter Parker when Miguel found himself in the present day.
  • Armadillo: Armadillo is a lesser-known villain from the Spider-Man comics. He was included in the movie as an initial foe for Miles to defeat, keeping true to the comics where he is often shown as a villain for Miles. It provides a nice nod to the comics and gives a brief showcase of Miles’ abilities.
  • Spider-Bots: Spider-Bots were created by Doctor Octopus in the comics and they become a tool for Gwen in Across the Spider-Verse. This references the comics while showing how the characters have adapted and utilized technology from each other’s worlds.
  • Bodega Bandit: The Bodega Bandit is a frequent villain in the Spider-Gwen comics. When Spider-Gwen and Miles thwart a robbery, it’s revealed to be the Bodega Bandit. This shows the connection between the different Spider-Man universes and characters while adding a bit of humor with the Hamburglar-like character.
  • Videoman: Videoman is a character from the 1980s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends TV show. A villain originating from an arcade game, Videoman appears as a cameo in Across the Spider-Verse, which is a charming Easter egg for fans of the original show.
  • Miles Upside Down Non-Kiss: The relationship between Miles and Gwen is a key plot point in both the Spider-Man comics and the Spider-Verse movies. This Easter egg refers to the romantic tension between the two characters, even referencing a classic upside-down kiss from the 2002 Spider-Man movie.
  • Jess Drew’s Ex-Lover: This is a potential setup for the upcoming Spider-Verse movie. In the comics, Jess becomes pregnant through artificial insemination and begins a relationship with Porcupine. This reference could hint at her backstory or future plot points.

What we’d miss? We know we missed something, so let us know in the comments!

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