It’s been years in the making, but fans finally got their first major look at Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in the form of a trailer. As expected, the footage shown in the sneak peek was jam-packed with curious Spider-Variants from all over the Marvel multiverse. Though their screen time was essentially a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it type affair, that hasn’t stopped viewers from relentlessly combing through the animated stockpile to find as many of their favorite web-heads as possible. While it may not be realistic to assume any online list will have the complete breakdown, especially considering many of the wall-crawlers present in the teaser seem to be original creations, one can certainly hope to at least find a collection of the film’s most notable Spider-Variants so far.
As such, we at Murphy’s Multiverse have composed a list of the trailer’s stand-out comic-based Spideys, combined with the big names that were absent from the footage but confirmed to be part of the film. Of course, Shameik Moore‘s protagonist Miles Morales – the Spider-Man of Earth-1610 – is not included here, because that doesn’t really need to be restated. Also, while there are some cameos in the trailer that definitely look like specific Spider-Men from the comics, no names were made part of the list that couldn’t be positively identified at a first glance. Now, without further ado, the many Spider-People of Across the Spider-Verse:
Gwen Stacy, a.k.a. Spider-Woman (Earth-65)
No surprise here – Hailee Steinfeld is back as Gwen Stacy, the Spider-Woman of Earth-65 who is better known by her out-of-universe nickname, Spider-Gwen. Originally created by Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez for the 2014 comic Edge of Spider-Verse #2, Spider-Gwen comes from an alternate timeline where Gwen Stacy was bitten by the radioactive spider instead of Peter Parker, with the latter eventually receiving the tragic death typically reserved for Stacy in the Spider-Man mythos. She has all the same powers as the average Spider-Person, but famously incorporates ballet-like movement and a punk-rock personality into her persona and style of combat. Some forms of media have given her the unique mantle of Ghost-Spider, but the Spider-Verse films have chosen to stick with what works and keep to the “Spider-Woman” name.
Steinfeld‘s take on Stacy was a hit with audiences when she debuted in 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse. This version of the character acts as both a mentor and love interest for Moore‘s Morales, having helped him and a select group of Spider-Variants stop Earth-1610’s Wilson Fisk and save the multiverse. Her overall role in Across the Spider-Verse remains to be seen, though it would appear she is somehow involved in a multidimensional cabal of Spider-People that Miles was previously unaware of.
Peter B. Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man (Earth-616)
Everyone was hoping for this, and now there is visual evidence. Jake Johnson‘s lovably grumpy Peter B. Parker, the Spider-Man of Earth-616, is back, and this time, he’s a father. An original character developed for Into the Spider-Verse, this Spider-Variant comes from a world where Spider-Man’s adult life turned sour. When audiences first meet Peter B., he’s lost Aunt May, gone bankrupt after selling his image, gained a bit of depression weight, and recently been divorced by Mary Jane Watson. He loses faith in the system and has little interest in superheroics. His encounter with Miles, however, reminds him of his passion for life and sets him back on the right track, with his young friend sending him back to his own timeline with enough hope to rebuild his life. The trailer for Across the Spider-Verse proves Peter B. Parker has done just that. Now adorned with a pink bathrobe and a baby carrier, Johnson‘s Spider-Man will return with a baby in tow, but more on that will come later in this list.
Miguel O’Hara, a.k.a. Spider-Man 2099 (Earth-928)
After making his big screen debut in the Into the Spider-Verse post-credits teaser, Oscar Isaac‘s Miguel O’Hara is ready to take the spotlight. Best known as Spider-Man 2099, this Spider-Variant was created by Peter David and Rick Leonardi for Marvel’s special 2099 line of comics in 1992. The gimmick at the time was to imagine the world of Marvel as it might exist in the futuristic landscape of the year 2099, with Spider-Man as the flagship character once more. In this universe, set decades after the end of the “Heroic Age”, Miguel O’Hara is a brilliant geneticist working for the megacorporation Alchemax in Nueva York – 2099’s New York City. Inspired by the legend of Spider-Man, he begins work on a new genetic test that could potentially recreate the DNA of history’s greatest hero. Obviously, some sketchy shenanigans at Alchemax result in Miguel using himself as a test subject, and he transforms into the Web-Slinger of his time, protecting Nueva York from all number of threats.
Spider-Man 2099 has all the same abilities as the original Spider-Man, with a few key differences. He does not have Spider-Sense, and instead possesses enhanced vision and hearing that allow him to see the world unlike anyone else. He also has fanged teeth that contain venom, and can poison his foes should he choose to chomp down on them. His advanced, futuristic suit also gives him all sorts of high-tech advantages and allows him to glide through the air at high speeds. Spider-Man 2099 is not the villain of Across the Spider-Verse, but the teaser certainly seems to put him in a mysteriously antagonistic position opposite Miles.
Jessica Drew, a.k.a. Spider-Woman (Unknown Earth)
The first Spider-Variant on this list who has yet to actually appear in the Spider-Verse franchise. Voiced by Issa Rae, the upcoming sequel is set to feature a brand new take on the original comic book Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew. Created by Archie Goodwin and Marie Severin, though largely realized by Marv Wolfman, Drew has been around since her first appearance in 1977’s Marvel Spotlight #32. The child of quirky scientists, Jessica is raised at a lab on Mount Wundagore where she becomes ill from radiation poisoning. In an attempt to save her life, her father injects her with a serum based on the blood of a spider, which does the trick but also gives her spider-like abilities. In her adult life, she goes on to become a brainwashed agent of HYDRA, who experiences a tragic accident during a crucial mission that results in the death of a loved one and knocks her out of the trance.
Following this, Jessica becomes a mainstay superhero in the Marvel universe, eventually becoming a member of the Avengers and a central figure in multiple major events on the scale of 2009’s Secret Invasion. She was also the first non-Peter Parker Spider-Person to receive an adaptation in media outside of comics, starring in her own animated series in 1979. Notably, her powerset is quite different from most Spider-Variants, combining flight with bio-electric energy blasts and pheromone manipulation. The version appearing in Across the Spider-Verse will be a fresh take on the character, with a design (and pregnancy) based on more recent comic runs, and an Earth designation that has yet to be revealed.
Hobart Brown, a.k.a. Spider-Punk (Earth-138)
Perhaps the most exciting addition to Across the Spider-Verse is Daniel Kaluuya‘s Hobart Brown. Created by Dan Slott and Olivier Coipel for the first comic Spider-Verse event in 2015, this version of Brown (who becomes the first Prowler on Earth-616) hails from the dystopian universe of Earth-138. In this world, former Oscorp CEO Norman Osborn has become President of the United States, and he’s turned New York City into a toxic wasteland. A homeless teenager, Brown is bitten by a spider altered in the radioactive atmosphere and uses his affinity for head-banging rock n’ roll to become the one-and-only Spider-Punk. Armed with powerful new abilities and his guitar, Spider-Punk leads the people of New York in a massive revolt against Osborn, securing their freedom and taking his place as their savior.
Kaluuya will voice the character in Across the Spider-Verse, though his exact role in the plot is still unknown. He does not appear in the trailer, though Sony has been keen to advertise his presence in the film and released a fresh look at Brown via concept art on the same day as the trailer drop.
Pavitr Prabhakar, a.k.a. Spider-Man India (Earth-50101)
Another character not featured in the trailer, but confirmed to play a decent-sized role in the film. Pavitr Prabhakar, the Spider-Man of Earth-50101, is often referred to by fans as “Spider-Man India.” He was created by Sharad Devarajan, Jeevan Kang, and Suresh Seetharaman for the mini-series Spider-Man: India in 2004. As the title implies, the comic envisioned a world where Spider-Man was Indian instead of American, with the young Prabhakar gaining his powers as the protector of Mumbai as opposed to New York.
In Earth-50101, Prabhakar moves in with his Aunt Maya and Uncle Bhim after the death of his parents and lives a childhood not all that dissimilar from the story readers know by heart. Eventually, however, a local crime lord named Naman Oberoi reigns terror on Mumbai with the use of a magical amulet, which turns him into a goblin-like demon hellbent on bringing other demons to Earth. Deemed worthy, Pavitr encounters an ancient yogi who grants him the powers of a spider to combat the newfound threat, which he uses to become Spider-Man and defeat Oberoi after a selfish personal mistake costs him his Uncle. The initial problem solved, Prabhakar maintains his heroic identity and carries on with both great power and great responsibility. It’s unknown how big of a role Spider-Man India will have in the story, but some hot concept art shows off a brand new design for the character and the trailer hints that Miles will somehow find himself in Pavitr’s world.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Insomniac Spider-Man (Earth-1048)
No, this is not a version of Spider-Man who has trouble sleeping. This is the Spider-Variant from Earth-1048, the world in which Insomniac Games’ wildly popular PlayStation 4 exclusive Spider-Man takes place. This character’s origin is more or less the same as most Peter Parkers but can be quickly identified by his unique red-orange web pattern and white logo design. In his timeline, Parker has been active as a superhero for just over eight years and has recently begun mentoring his own version of Miles. Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2 is currently in development, so fans of the variant and his universe have a lot to look forward to in the next year or so. Until then, they can enjoy what is likely just a cameo in Across the Spider-Verse.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. The Bombastic Bag-Man (Unknown Earth)
As outlined in a previous Murphy’s Multiverse article, this is simply a Spider-Variant who refuses to take off one of Spider-Man’s most ridiculous attempts at a suit. The Amazing Spider-Man #258, written by Tom Defalco and illustrated by Ron Frenz in 1984, saw Peter Parker finally rid himself of the iconic “Black Suit” and Venom symbiote with the help of Reed Richards at the Baxter Building. Unfortunately, Peter failed to bring a backup costume and was forced to swing back across New York in an old Fantastic Four suit with a bag on his head to conceal his identity. Of course, Parker encountered some crime along the way and was infamously dubbed “The Bombastic Bag-Man” by the public when he stopped to help.
The goof-suit has since become a favorite among fans of the character and has been included as a joke skin in nearly every video game adaptation of the character that allows for it. The Bag-Man seen in Across the Spider-Verse appears to be a new Spider-Variant, as he is wearing some form of actual Spider-Man suit with the brown paper bag as its official mask. Maybe this version of Peter just really liked the open air flowing through the bottom of the bag? Only time will tell. Although, it probably won’t.
Mary Jane Watson-Parker & Anna-May Parker, a.k.a. Spinneret & Spiderling (Earth-18119)
This one was a bit unexpected. Seen briefly among the many Spider-Variants in the trailer are Mary Jane Watson-Parker and her daughter, Anna-May Parker, in their superheroic identities as Spinneret and Spiderling, respectively. Created by Dan Slott and Adam Kubert for 2015’s Renew Your Vows mini-series, MJ and Annie hail from a timeline where Peter Parker was never forced to make a deal with Mephisto and give up his marriage to Watson (it’s a long story). As such, the pair were able to start a family together, with MJ eventually giving birth to Annie, who inherited her father’s powers at a young age.
His daughter’s ascent to teenage vigilantism spurred Peter out of retirement as Spider-Man and, wanting to gain a sense of urgency within her family, Mary Jane would ultimately find a variety of ways to become a superhero in her own right as well. These included both high-tech suits and a stint donning the Venom symbiote. It would appear the Earth-18119 variants of MJ and Annie somehow found their way to Miguel O’Hara’s secret society of Spider-People, and have a fun little cameo at the very least.
Maybelle Reilly, a.k.a. Lady Spider (Earth-803)
Another product of the original Spider-Verse event. Created by Robbie Thompson and Denis Medri, the steampunk-inspired Lady Spider made her debut in 2014 and became a spectacle for fans of the niche genre she inhabited. Existing in a world based on the height of the industrial revolution, Maybelle Reilly was the genius daughter of a man who kept creatures to study. One day, fascinated by her father’s captive spider, she freed the arachnid and was quickly bitten. Maybelle took this as a sign to let “no one cage you“, and promptly used her intelligence to construct a mechanical, spider-themed suit with which she could be free. Over time, Reilly began using the suit to fight crime as “Lady Spider”, and apparently, wound up using a computer in the secret society of Spider-People.
The Armored Spider-Men (Unknown Earths)
The trailer for Across the Spider-Verse features not one, not two, but three Spider-Variants wearing different versions of Peter Parker’s famous “Spider-Armor.” The clunky, all-silver design is based on the original Spider-Armor from 1993’s Web of Spider-Man #100, written by Terry Kavanagh and illustrated by Alex Saviuk, which saw Parker design a pseudo-metallic compound at Empire State University to help him combat the New Enforcers and their high caliber firearms. While most might not think of this Spider-Variant as anything special, those who are educated may consider this to be a cameo from the Spider-Man of Earth-31198 – a rich, industrialist Peter Parker who wears the Spider-Armor MK I as his main suit, and who helps a handful of multiversal Spider-Men defeat Spider-Carnage in 1994’s Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
Also present in the trailer are the Spider-Armor MK II, known as the “Bulletproof Armor”, and the Spider-Armor MK III, known as the “Ends of the Earth Armor.” The former, which debuted in Dan Slott and Marcos Martin‘s 2011 comic Amazing Spider-Man #656, was designed by Parker at Horizon Labs when he temporarily lost his Spider-Sense (limiting his ability to dodge bullets), and the latter, created by Slott and Stefano Caselli for 2012’s Amazing Spider-Man #682, was crafted by Parker specifically to fight the Sinister Six, with the suit containing defenses against each member of the villainous team.
Dr. Otto Octavius, a.k.a. Superior Spider-Man (Unknown Earth)
Another Dan Slott creation (with an assist from Ryan Stegman) sliding into the Spider-Verse. In one of the most controversial story arcs ever written for Spider-Man, 2013’s The Superior Spider-Man saw a dying Doctor Octopus successfully transfer his consciousness into the body of Peter Parker, taking over his life in an attempt to become a better version of Spider-Man than Parker could ever be. A “Superior Spider-Man”, if one would allow it. Of course, this didn’t work out the way Octavius intended, with Parker eventually regaining control of his body and proving he’s a better hero in every way. However, Octavius’ stint as the wall-crawler lasted a lot longer than anyone anticipated, and temporarily changed Spider-Man comics as a whole.
Superior Spider-Man is a darker, arrogant, more violent Spider-Man than readers are accustomed to seeing. He also maintained Otto’s immense fondness for gadgetry, adding mechanical spider legs to his suit and utilizing all sorts of neat little robotics. The Spider-Verse comics established the idea of timelines in which Parker never got his body back and Otto remained in control permanently, so perhaps this Superior Spider-Man calls one of those worlds home.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Mangaverse Spider-Man (Earth-2301)
Another great deep pull from the folks behind Across the Spider-Verse. Created by Kaare Andrews for 2002’s Marvel Mangaverse: Spider-Man, this version of Peter Parker exists in a Marvel universe reimagined as a Japanese Manga. On Earth-2301, Parker is the last remaining member of the “Spider Clan”, a group of ninjas, after the untimely death of his Uncle and Sensei, Ben. Left alone, Peter trains in secret to exact his revenge on his Uncle’s killer – his cousin and Kingpin underling, Venom. This training leads him to become the Spider-Man, sole survivor of the Spider Clan, protector of New York, and evidently, a new member of the secret society of Spider-People run by Miguel O’Hara.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Werewolf Spider-Man (Earth-7085)
It’s only on screen for the briefest of moments, but there is a werewolf Spider-Man lurking in the background of Across the Spider-Verse. While the design is different, this could be a nod to 2007’s Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness #5, which featured a Peter Parker who had been turned into a horrifying zombie-werewolf hybrid creature and ended up consuming the world alongside his fellow monstrous Marvels. Once he was full, perhaps he felt like joining up with countless other Spider-Variants for dessert?
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man Unlimited (Earth-751263)
This is, by far, the most delightful inclusion in the Across the Spider-Verse trailer. Following the conclusion of Spider-Man: The Animated Series in 1998, Avi Arad and Will Meugniot developed a loose sequel series titled Spider-Man Unlimited, which saw its title character launched into space for a new set of adventures on a faraway planet called Counter-Earth. The ambitious premise had Peter Parker traveling far away from home in an attempt to save astronaut John Jameson, who was stranded on Counter-Earth after a mission gone wrong. Once there, Spider-Man found himself leading a revolt against the High Evolutionary and his hierarchy of “Beastials” – animal/human hybrids created by the Evolutionary himself.
The series introduced a new suit design for Spider-Man that accommodated the other-worldly setting and allowed the hero to travel through the final frontier. Canceled early, that show never got a proper ending, so it stands to reason this timeline’s version of Parker somehow left Counter-Earth and ended up a part of Miguel O’Hara’s Spider-Forces.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Monkey (Earth-8101)
Across the Spider-Verse is going ape. As if John Mulaney‘s Spider-Ham wasn’t enough, the trailer for the upcoming sequel project has revealed Spider-Monkey will play a minor role. Originally created by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs for 2008’s Marvel Apes mini-series, Spider-Monkey comes from a universe where apes reign supreme as the dominant species of the planet. A literal spider monkey, the Peter Parker of this world is a little more full of himself than the average Spider-Person and is also not afraid to slaughter his enemies. That means Miles better keep an eye on the monkey in the room at all times.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Last Stand Spider-Man (Earth-312500)
Maybe the saddest inclusion in Across the Spider-Verse. This Spider-Variant of Peter Parker comes from a timeline where the hero chooses to kill Kraven the Hunter in an act of vengeance, pushing him toward a darker version of himself. Years later, after hurting his loved ones, tarnishing his good name, and sinking into a deep depression, he commits suicide by cop at the site of Aunt May’s grave. It’s not a super fun story, but it is an existing alternate universe, and a version of it apparently exists within the radar of the Spider-Forces.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. House of M Spider-Man (Earth-58163)
There may not be any more mutants, but there’s still a Spider-Man. 2005’s House of M landmark comic, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Olivier Coipel, saw the Scarlet Witch annihilate Earth-616 and replace it with a new reality of her own making. In this world, Peter Parker’s origins as an amateur wrestler take off, bringing him the kind of fame and fortune most Spider-Variants could only dream of. Masquerading as a mutant, Peter would eventually become one of the world’s most beloved heroes, starring in films and running his own company. He was even eventually able to reveal his identity publicly, with little fear of consequence. This timeline would eventually be discarded by Wanda Maximoff, but it stands to reason other versions of the same concept exist in the endless multiverse, and one of those Spider-Men found their way to Miguel O’Hara.
Mayday Parker (the Future Spider-Girl)
This is sort of cheating. As previously mentioned, the trailer reveals Peter B. Parker and his Mary Jane Watson are now proud parents, and an accompanying piece of concept art confirms they have a daughter named Mayday Parker. Those in the know may remember the MC2 universe, where Peter and MJ’s daughter – Mayday – grew up to inherit her dad’s gifts and become the Amazing Spider-Girl. She’s not yet technically a Spider-Variant at the time of Across the Spider-Verse, but hey, there’s still a third movie on the horizon.
Ben Reilly, a.k.a. Scarlet Spider (Earth-?)
The man, the clone, the legend. Ben Reilly might be the Spider-Variant with the longest, most complex history outside of the original Peter Parker. Created by Gerry Conway for a one-off appearance in 1975’s The Amazing Spider-Man #149, Reilly returned in a big way for 1994’s infamous Clone Saga storyline. As has been heavily suggested, Reilly is a near-perfect clone of Peter Parker. He was made by lesser-known villain the Jackal as part of a personal vendetta against Parker, and upon learning of his status as a clone, left New York to construct a new life for himself under a new name. He would eventually return to NYC, however, where he would finally confront Peter and take up a costumed identity of his own – the Scarlet Spider.
Dying his hair blonde, Reilly goes on to become a semi-permanent fixture in Parker’s life. He has died and been reborn on multiple occasions, gone back and forth from hero to villain more than once, and even took the official Spider-Man mantle from Peter for a brief period of time. Ben’s acceptance among fans probably depends on who one speaks with, but like it or not, it would seem him and his incredible costume are around for the long run. It’s nice to see him with a featured spot on the Across the Spider-Verse poster, presumably representing a timeline where he remained as the primary Spider-Hero instead of Peter.
Julia Carpenter, a.k.a. Spider-Woman (Earth-?)
Another Spider-Woman is on the board! The latest poster for Across the Spider-Verse confirms Julia Carpenter, the second person to ever take up the Spider-Woman mantle, will appear in the film. Created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck for 1984’s Secret Wars, Carpenter was a college student tricked into undergoing a government experiment as part of an “athletic study”. In actuality, she was injected with a mix of spider venom and exotic plants that gave her powers on par with Spider-Man. She didn’t have much time to get the hang of things before being pulled into major Marvel conflicts and fighting side-by-side with the best of the best. After a short time in the role, Julia has her powers taken away by the daughter of Madame Web and resumes a normal life.
As is often the case with comics, this decision was eventually reversed and Julia reappeared as a hero named ‘Arachne’ years later. She continued as a member of the Spider-Family until a confrontation with the Kraven and his offspring results in the death of Madame Web, who transfers her powers to Julia with her dying breath. Since then, Carpenter has upheld the important multiversal position of Madame Web. Her design on the Across the Spider-Verse poster, though, indicates she’ll still be Spider-Woman (presumably from an alternate timeline) when she encounters Miles.
Flash Thompson, a.k.a. Captain Spider (Earth-78127)
What if Flash Thompson was bitten by the radioactive spider? This was the question posed by Don Glut, Rick Hobert, and Roy Thomas when they created Captain Spider for What If? #7 in 1977. On Earth-78127, Thompson receives the fateful spider bite instead of Peter Parker, and he’s a lot less bashful about it afterwards. He crafts a suit for himself that features a cape and shows a bit more skin, and goes all-in on fighting crime around New York City. Unlike Peter, Thompson accidentally kills Crusher Hogan in his attempt to become a professional wrestler, and is a bit more brutal in his fighting style. Ultimately, he dies and has is identity revealed after falling in a battle with the Vulture.
Captain Spider grew in popularity after an alternate version of him, who did not died fighting Vulture, became an important part of the Spider-Verse comics. It looks like Across the Spider-Verse will take inspiration from this, as it’s latest poster confirms Miles will encounter the one-time bully on his adventure through the multiverse.
Spider-Cat (Earth-999)
In terms of animal-based Spider-Variants, the existence of this one was a give-in. Created by Skottie Young for Spider-Island: I Love New York City #1 in 2011, Spider-Cat is literally just a house cat who somehow gained spider-powers and used them to fight crime. The rest of this cat’s life and origin is a mystery, but it is known he often dreamed of fighting a rival pigeon named Venom, to whom he lost some of his nine lives. Spider-Cat was killed by the Inheritors in the Spider-Verse comics, but remains alive to rub his head on Miles in the latest poster for Across the Spider-Verse.
Patrick O’Hara, a.k.a. Web-Slinger (Earth-31913)
Save a horse, ride a spider. Created by Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli for 2014’s Amazing Spider-Man #9, Web-Slinger is a cowboy version of the wall-crawler from a reality where the country is still living in the Wild West, so this version of Spider-Man is the kind one might find bull riding at the local rodeo (and he would do really well, with the sticky fingers and all). Named Patrick O’Hara, he was a gunslinger who traveled far and wide performing shows for cash, alongside his business partner Michael Morbius, who sold magic elixirs given to him by an Apache shaman. One day, a spider would bath itself in the elixir before biting both Patrick and his horse, Widow, giving both man and animal spider-powers.
Morbius, desiring power, also drank the elixir, giving himself vampiric abilities. Patrick would be forced to don the Web-Slinger mantle and go after his former friend, who had begun abducting children. After successfully defeating Morbius, the Web-Slinger would be recruited to join the army of the Spider-Verse, which is presumably why he’s on the latest poster for Across the Spider-Verse. No horse, though.
Cyborg Spider-Woman (Earth-?)
This is a brand new character created specifically for Across the Spider-Verse, but worth mentioning as she’s appeared in quite a bit of the marketing so far. A large, Frankenstein-esque Spider-Woman made up of both human and robot parts, the hero being called “Cyborg Spider-Woman” is still pretty much a mystery. She seems to be based on a version of Spider-Man from Earth-2818, where Peter Parker was banged up pretty bad by the Sinister Six and is forced to become a cyborg – with the help of Deathlok – to revive himself and save the day. Maybe Cyborg Spider-Woman will have a similar origin story?
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spectacular Spider-Man (Earth-26496)
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. For the first time since the show’s cancellation in 2009, The Spectacular Spider-Man‘s Peter Parker will swing across a screen. Developed by Greg Weisman and Victor Cook, the aforementioned series ran on The CW and Disney XD for two seasons from 2008 to 2009, becoming a huge hit among fans and one of the most popular adaptations of the character ever produced. Unfortunately, behind-the-scenes matters resulted in an early end to the show, leaving it’s storyline – which followed the original Spider-Man comics fairly closely, with modern twists – on a massive cliffhanger. Perhaps now, Across the Spider-Verse can answer the lingering questions fans have had for over a decade, as the latest poster for the film confirms Josh Keaton‘s web-head will be making a grand return.
Margo, a.k.a. Spider-Byte (Earth-22191)
This inclusion is fairly neat, and definitely unique. The latest poster for Across the Spider-Verse has revealed the appearance of Spider-Byte, whose civilian identity is simply Margo. The tech-based hero was created by Nilah Magruder for 2018’s Vault of Spiders #1, and hails from a universe where most of human interaction occurs in a virtual world known as “Cyberspace”. Here, Margo hacks the system and develops herself a spider-themed avatar bent on stopping cybercrime and keeping the Cyberspace safe for all. It’s not explained how Margo is able to continue using her virtual powers in the real world after she’s recruited to join the Spider-Forces, but perhaps audiences will get an explanation when Miles and her cross paths next year.
Ben Reilly, a.k.a. Spider-Carnage (Earth-?)
This one is most definitely a surprise addition, considering his long history as a terrifying, deadly, monstrous villain in the Marvel universe. Spider-Carnage, created by Dan Jurgens and Klaus Janson for 1996’s Web of Carnage, was another product of the long-running Clone Saga and it’s many plotlines. As his name implies, this is a version of Ben Reilly – who may or may not be a clone of the other Ben Reilly – that is forcibly bonded with the Carnage symbiote after it leaves it’s original host, Kletus Cassidy. It doesn’t take long for the symbiote to begin taking over Reilly’s mind, turning him into a powerful foe for Peter Parker and the heroes of the Marvel universe.
Another famous take on this character comes from the final season of Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which has a heavy focus on alternate Peter Parkers. Introduced in the episode “I Really, Really Hate Clones“, written by John Semper Jr., Mark Hoffmeier, and James Krieg, this variant of Spider-Carnage is from a universe where Ben Reilly successfully resisted the symbiote, but an emotionally unstable Peter Parker decided to embrace it. Later, it’s revealed that this was actually all a big ruse, and the blonde Ben Reilly was actually the original Peter Parker and the evil Peter Parker was actually the original Ben Reilly, as is a recurring theme in Clone Saga-related material. Either way, Spider-Carnage has never been portrayed as a hero, and it’s a shock to see him present on the latest Across the Spider-Verse poster.
Charlotte Webber, a.k.a. Sun-Spider (Earth-20023)
One of the most recently-created Spider-Variants to get the big screen treatment. Charlotte Webber made her debut as Sun-Spider in 2020’s Spider-Verse #6, but was originally developed as a “Spidersona” by fan artist Dayn Broder. Charlotte has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which has an impact on her joints and connective tissue. This means Sun-Spider needs crutches for extra stability, but as a superhero, her crutches are anything but normal. Webber is able to shoot webbing from her crutches, allowing her a unique form of web-slinging and combat that sets her apart from the rest of the Spider-Variants confirmed for Across the Spider-Verse.
