Every Spider-Man In Across The Spider-Verse Explained
Summary
- More Spider-People than ever appear in the plot of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
- The movie features a wide range of Spider-Man variants from across the spectrum of Spider-Man’s history.
- Miles Morales takes center stage in the film’s multiversal story.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse features more Spider-Men than any other movie to date. In 2018, Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced a multiverse of Spider-Man variants. The film was particularly impressive for the care and attention given to creating these different spiders, with each using a different animated style. The stunning animation was complemented by a tremendous, heart-warming story in which new Spider-Man Miles Morales discovered his place in this Spider-Verse – and Across The Spider-Verse follows suit and then some.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse complicates the dynamic between Miles and many other multiversal Spider-Man variants, as they attempt to thwart the young hero’s desire to return to Earth-1610 and save his father from his impending doom. While this leads to a traumatic escape sequence for Miles Morales, it provides audiences with the majority of Across The Spider-Verse‘s countless Easter eggs and cameos, as the group dubbed the Spider-Society come in force to try and detain him. Here are all the Spider-Man variants seen in the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse Ending Explained: Miles Morales Shocker & What It Means
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ends on a huge cliffhanger that raises many questions about Miles Morales, the Prowler, and the Marvel multiverse.
38 There Are Many Confirmed Spider-People In Across The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Has A Huge Range Of Cameos
There are many more Spider-People who make brief appearances in the plot of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse plot. These variants most notably include:
- Spider-Man ’67
- Spider-UK
- Tarantula
- Spider-Man Unlimited
- Spectacular Spider
-
Takuya Yamashiro, from the 1978 Japanese
Spider-Man
series - Last Stand Spider-Man
- Doppelganger
- Captain Spider
- Spyder-Knight
- Chibi Spider-Man
- Spidercide
- Spider-Man from Earth-X
- Prince Arachne
The inclusion of so many variations of Spider-Man makes Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse the most jam-packed Spider-Man film of all time, setting a high bar for Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse to potentially try and outdo.
37 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’s Spider-Team Appear In Across The Spider-Verse
The Spider-Verse’s First Movie Team Reappear In The Film’s Sequel
Miles’ allies from Into the Spider-Verse all appear in Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse.
- Spider-Ham
- Spider-Man Noir
- Peni Parker aka SP//dr
Initially, it appears as though the team won’t appear physically in the movie – as their faces appear on magazines and in the background as Miles worries about his return home. However, the group reconvenes under Spider-Gwen after she decides to find Miles, alongside some of the newer additions to the franchise.
36 Miles Morales Returns As The Star Of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Miles Morales First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Ultimate Fallout (2011) #4
The story of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse follows from the first film, with Shameik Moore once again voicing Miles Morales, the film’s primary Spider-Man. The movie covers Miles discovering both the Spider-Society and the nature of his own powers and their origins, which are unusual even by Spider-Man standards. Miles’ place in the Spider-Verse is contested (principally by Spider-Man 2099), which ultimately divides the variants between the two factions.
35 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Brings Back Gwen
Spider-Gwen First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Edge of Spider-Verse (2014) #2
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse also brings back Hailee Steinfeld as Spider-Gwen (also known as Spider-Woman or Ghost Spider). Spider-Gwen originates from a timeline in which Gwen Stacy was bitten by that radioactive spider rather than Peter Parker, and she became a superhero after failing to save her friend Peter. This backstory is explored in the movie, as well as Gwen’s complicated relationship with her father, which also mirrors her comic counterpart.
34 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Introduces Jessica Drew’s Spider-Woman
Jessica Drew First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Marvel Spotlight (1977) #32
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse also introduces a new version of Jessica Drew’s Spider-Woman, voiced by Issa Rae, from Earth-404. Jessica is one of the core members of the Spider-Society, and remains steadfast to their beliefs, although she displays more compassion for her allies than their ostensible leader Miguel O’Hara. Jessica is revealed to be pregnant in the movie, which also mirrors the distinctive pregnant hero story she has in the comics – perhaps suggesting the follow-up movie will introduce her son, though given the plot set up for the film, this may be in some less-than-ideal circumstances.
33 Spider-Man 2099 Is An Antagonist In Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man 2099 First Appeared In Marvel Comics In The Amazing Spider-Man (1992) #365
Across The Spider-Verse‘s Spider-Man 2099 is set up as an antagonist throughout the course of the movie. However, the sequel also goes to pains to explain why Miguel O’Hara is so adamant about letting Miles suffer the loss of his father.
O’Hara blames Miles for gaining powers through another universe’s mutated spider – preventing that universe from having its own Spider-Man – and also sees the movie protagonist ignore his warnings about what happened when O’Hara himself tried to change a canon event. While Spider-Man 2099 isn’t a strictly endearing figure, his leadership over the Spider-Society does mean Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse cameos more spiders than anyone expected.
32 The Return Of Peter B. Parker In Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Peter Parker First Appeared In Amazing Fantasy (1962) #15
Across the Spider-Verse features a familiar face in the form of Peter Benjamin Parker from Earth 616, Jake Johnson’s Spider-Man variant who served as Miles Morales’ mentor in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The multiversal designation was a subtle detail, establishing this older Peter Parker as the Spider-Man from the comics. Peter is back with Mary Jane at this point in time, and the pair also have a daughter, Mayday, who is the focus of his time and adoration throughout the plot.
31 Spider-Girl Appears In Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse
Spider-Girl First Appeared In Marvel Comics In What If (1998) #105
In the comics, Mayday becomes the superhero Spider-Girl – and it seems she’s well on her way to this role in the movie universe, as she’s already gained powers and her own cute mask in the form of a knitted hat. She’s also vital in connecting Peter and Miles, as Peter tells his protege that he had a child in the hopes he could raise someone as good as his mentee.
30 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Introduces Spider-Punk
Spider-Punk First Appeared In Marvel Comics In The Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #10
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse features a prominent appearance by Spider-Punk, a character from the comics with a very distinctive look. Daniel Kaluuya voices Hobart “Hobie” Brown, and provides many of the best comedic moments of the movie, given just how punk the hero is. Spider-Punk’s anti-establishment outlook means he’s a vital ally for both Spider-Gwen and Miles Morales in the movie, setting up for him to appear again in Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse.
29 Pavitr Prabhakar Finally Appears As Spider-Man India
Pavitr Prabhakar’s Spider-Man First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Spider-Man: India (2005) #1
Spider-Man India received his first solo comic series in 2005’s Spider-Man: India, and appears in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as a member of Spider-Man 2099’s Spider-Society. Pavitr Prabhakar is voiced by Deadpool’s Karan Soni, who harnesses his history in superhero movies to make an equally endearing and light-hearted version of Spider-Man. The inclusion of Spider-Man India as well as a plethora of other Spider-People from a variety of different backgrounds, including a poster in Spider-Gwen’s room supporting trans rights, helps to make Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse one of the most diverse and inclusive comic book movies ever.
28 Spider-Mobile Rolls Into the Spider-Verse
Spider-Mobile First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Amazing Spider-Man (1973) #130
In perhaps one of the more unexpected appearances of the movie, Peter Parkedcar – also known as Spider-Mobile – appears in Across The Spider-Verse, appearing in the Nexus intro scene and the Miles Morales chase scene. Spider-Mobile can be seen escorting other Spider-People around as passengers in both, and almost killing another hero by trying to drive over some webs supporting the hapless Spider-Man variant.
27 Black Costume Spider-Man
Spider-Man’s Black Costume First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Amazing Spider-Man (1984) #252
The Spider-Verse nexus features stunning scenes of various Spider-Men chatting (and later brawling). These scenes provide many blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shots of iconic and beloved versions of Spider-Man and his most famous suits, and one of the most exciting is a glimpse of Spider-Man’s black costume, an outfit he originally gained during the classic 1984 Secret Wars Marvel event. This turned out to be a symbiote, and he ditched it – only for it to bond with Eddie Brock, who becomes Venom.
26 Spider-Man’s “Big Time” Tron Costume
Spider-Man’s Tron Costume First Appeared In Marvel Comics In The Amazing Spider-Man (2010) #649
In 2010, Marvel Comics published a range of Tron variants featuring characters in new Tron-inspired costumes. Spider-Man’s was actually integrated into the story, featuring a phenomenal range of high-tech functions (including stealth). The colors change depending on the functions that have been activated. A Spider-Man in the Tron costume can briefly be seen in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’s nexus.
25 Spider-Byte Brings A Whole New Reality To The Spider-Verse
Spider-Byte First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Vault Of Spiders (2018) #1
Spider-Byte originated on Earth-22191, a reality where a virtual reality world had become equal to the real world, and Margo, a.k.a. Spider-Byte, was the Spider-hero of the virtual plane. In the real world, she is just a typical school student but is the savior of the virtual world as Spider-Byte. Spider-Byte takes on the more complicated technological aspects of the multiversal Spider-Society, which makes sense given the nature of her home universe.
24 PlayStation Spider-Men Appear In The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man’s First PlayStation 4 Released 2018
The Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse also feature glimpses of two very familiar designs; the Peter Parker and Miles Morales from Sony’s PlayStation 4 games. Marvel’s Spider-Man games have been an absolute hit, with the characters’ stories even continuing in the comics. It’s great to see those celebrated iterations of Peter and Miles recognized in the Spider-Verse.
23 Sun-Spider Appears In Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Sun-Spider First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Spider-Verse (Vol. 3) (2019) #3
Sun-Spider is an especially notable variant to feature in Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, as she was actually created by Dayn Broder as a spidersona after Marvel requested new variants to appear in the Spider-Verse comics, and later joins Spider-Man 2099’s team, shown chasing Miles Morales with the rest of the Spider-Society. Sun-Spider is the superhero alias of Charlotte Webber, a student who is bitten by a radioactive spider and whose origin story is similar to that of the classic Spider-Man.
Charlotte also has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a real-life condition which can have a range of affects on the body. These include hyper-mobility and also fatigue, as is the case with Charlotte, who uses a wheelchair and crutches as a result – and has a custom spider-wheelchair for her superhero role. This is important to note, because as Dayn Broder states in the Spider-Verse #3 comic, “as a disabled person, I almost never get to see any disabled super heroes. l wanted to create someone like me: an ambulatory wheelchair user, who can still kick butt in her own modified way.”
22 Spider-Man’s Armored Costume Adds More To The Spider-Verse’s Wardrobe
Spider-Man’s Armored Costume First Appeared In Web of Spider-Man (1993) #100
Spider-Man has worn many costumes in the movies, but the comics have featured several memorable designs. One of the most striking is Spider-Man’s armored costume, created to help him cope with an uptick in gang violence. It made its way into Spider-Man: The Animated Series back in the ’90s and is fondly remembered by fans. It’s not particularly surprising to see this classic armored costume make its way into Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
21 Superior Spider-Man Is One Of The Hero’s Most Unusual Iterations
Superior Spider-Man First Appeared In Marvel Comics In Superior Spider-Man (2013) #1
The Superior Spider-Man rises in Marvel Comics after Peter Parker is killed off in 2012 and replaced with Otto Octavius, who swapped consciousnesses with his teenage nemesis. Instead of using his new powers for evil, however, Octavius is inspired by Parker’s dying wish, and becomes the Superior Spider-Man, the new protector of New York City. This variant also appears in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and its intense Spider-Society chase scenes.
20 Marvel’s Classic Iron Spider Suit Features In Across The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man’s Iron Spider Suit First Appeared In Marvel Comics In The Amazing Spider-Man (2006) #529
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse features a comic-book-accurate rendition of the Iron Spider, an outfit created by Tony Stark that featured phenomenally advanced technology (including a web glide that meant Spider-Man didn’t need to depend on web-slinging). It’s most famous for featuring extendable arms, although oddly enough, the original comic book design had only three, not four – though other Spider-Man variants appear to have changed the designs of other pre-existing variants, so this does make sense.
19 Manga Spider-Man Makes His Spider-Verse Debut
The Mangaverse Spider-Man First Appeared In Marvel Mangaverse: Spider-Man (2002)
Marvel has a long history of Manga tributes. In the comics, Spider-Man Manga made his debut back in 2002 as part of the so-called “New Mangaverse,” and he had a very different origin from the traditional version. In the New Mangaverse, Spider-Man was trained as a member of the Spider Clan of Ninjas, and he was trained by his uncle and sensei. This incarnation of Spider-Man was tremendously popular, brought back for a number of key miniseries. Hopefully Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will also feature his version of Mary Jane Watson, who became her universe’s Spider-Woman.
