Six Multiversal Spideys We Hope to See in ‘Across the Spider-Verse’
Despite delays, we’re still spectacularly excited for Across the Spider-Verse. But which multiverse Spideys do we want to meet the most?
The Spider-verse is full of infinite spider-possibilities. Between comics and cartoons, Spider-Man has been a pirate, a wolf, a zombie, and more. If you can dream it, a radioactive spider can bite it. With the upcoming Across the Spider-Verse movie gifting us 15 minutes of film footage at CinemaCon, Spider-Man fans can’t help but wonder which multiverse Spideys we’ll meet in Sony’s next animated adventure.
Sony’s Confirmed Multiverse Spideys
When we first dove Into the Spider-Verse, we met two of the most popular Spider-Peeps in Marvel comics. Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen saved New York and the multiverse with the help of Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Ham, Penny Parker, and Peter B. Parker. Well, sort of. Turns out, the multiverse is still in trouble.
In the film’s post-credits scene, we met Miguel O’Hara, also known as Spider-Man 2099. And thanks to the trailer for Across the Spider-Verse, we’re ready to meet Pavitr Prabhakar, India’s Spider-Man. We also know that Issa Rae will join the cast as Jessica Drew, the Spider-Woman. Animators are working hard at creating 240 new characters across six universes (at least!)
So which Spideys will swing in and surprise us? We’ve got a few favorites that we’re itching to see on the big screen.
6. The Spider (Earth-311)
This multiverse Spidey came to life in Neil Gaiman’s Marvel: 1602 story. Peter Parquagh became the assistant to Sir Nicholas Fury, and the two served Queen Elizabeth of England during her rule. When King James of Scotland took the throne, he sent Peter to Roanoke to kill Fury for his betrayal. But rather than kill his former mentor, Peter decided to stay in the colonies.
At this point, there’s a time portal, and a spider is exposed to the radiation created by said portal. Spider bites man, man gets powers, man is considered a witch. The 17th century and all that. “Witchbreed” was also the name given to this Earth’s mutants. Fair warning– this isn’t the happiest Spider-Man story in the multiverse. The Spider eventually returns to England, where he’s killed on stage at the Globe Theater. Still, this is a great Spider-Man story for those of us who really like the podcast Noble Blood.
5. Man-Spider (Earth-92131)
Never go hiking in the Savage Land. While cruising around the tropical land filled with prehistoric monsters, Peter Parker was captured by Magneto and used as an experiment. Forced to devolve into a bestial form, our regular ol’ 616 Peter Parker was cured and his name properly rearranged.
Since then, Man-Spider has appeared in various animated Spider-Man universes. Thanks to the first film’s post-credits scene, we know that Earth-67 (and thus the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon) is a part of this cinematic universe. Is it too wild to hope that the 1994 Spider-Man cartoon and its version of Man-Spider will make an appearance?
4. May “May Day” Parker (Earth-982)
This multiverse Spidey is Spider royalty from the future. She’s the daughter of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. After her dad lost his leg in a battle with the Goblin, he set aside his identity as Spider-Man and devoted himself to his family. But the pre-teen years held a radical surprise for young May Parker, and she began to show signs that she inherited her father’s radioactive spider powers.
Of course, this Earth’s MJ and Peter weren’t big fans of their daughter going into the family business. This over-protective father vibe could be a great moment for Peter B. Parker to give some pre-fatherly advice. We know Jake Johnson will reprise his role as the lovable failure-to-launch Spidey. But Into the Spider-Verse ended with his reunion with MJ after they separated because Peter was afraid to have kids. I’m personally hoping for some cross-multiverse family bonding.
3. Spider-Punk (Earth-138)
I probably don’t need to sell you on this one – I mean, look at this guy. Hobart “Hobie” Brown was on the bitten-end of an irradiated spider who took a roll in some industrial waste. In his reality, Norman Osborn was the President, and I probably don’t have to tell you what kind of president he turned out to be. Hobie became a hero to the country’s working-class citizens who suffered most at the hands of Osborn’s regime.
Hobie became my hero when he upset Osborn’s technological advances by blaring out 15,000 of punk rock and then BEAT HIM WITH A GUITAR. Oh, then he publicly unmasked himself. That’s categorically punk as f*ck.
Spider-Punk is a shoo-in for a multiversal Spidey cameo. In the comics, he’s no stranger to hopping realities and teaming up with other Spiderverse heroes. The character was also revitalized for his own limited-issue comic book series. I know, that’s not proof that he’s headed for the big screen. But I’m gonna throw on the Misfits and daydream about it anyway.
2. Scarlet Spider (Earth-616)
We don’t know for sure if Earth-616’s Jessica Drew is the same Spider-Woman we’ll be seeing in Across the Spider-Verse. But let’s assume that we’re visiting 616, which puts us in the same universe as one Ben Reilly. Ben was a Peter Parker clone made by a villain known as the Jackal. He was originally cloned to destroy Peter, but after the two fought, Ben dropped off the grid to reconsider the purpose of his existence. Existential multiverse Spidey? I can relate to that.
He and the original Spider-Man eventually became close friends, and the two fought baddies together a lot. Thanks to his comic book history, Ben has the potential to be both villain and hero in this two-part story. I’m obsessed with a good redemption arc, and seeing Miles help appeal to the humanity of a misguided Peter-Parker clone sounds like a mighty heartwarming time.
1. Superior Spider-Man (Earth-616)
Again, Earth-616 has its own collection of incredible Spider-Mans. One of its most intriguing iterations of Spider-Man occurs when Peter Parker dies (don’t worry, he got better). Otto Octavius transports his consciousness into Peter’s body. As he lay dying, Peter’s last wish was that a Spider-Man continues to protect the city. And Otto, inspired, decided to be that Spider-Man.
Of course, this is also to prove that he can do it “the best” because Otto’s ego is heavier than any mechanical arm out there. His methods as the Superior Spider-Man are much, much more brutal. But this story choice could appeal to the sense of hope we all felt for Otto at the end of No Way Home. Logically I know that these two films are nowhere near in the same universe, even in media-speak. I’m just saying, give the people what they want, Sony.
Bonus: Spider Ma’am (Earth-3123)
Oh, did you think we were gonna get through this list without acknowledging Lily Tomlin with Spidey powers? After her contributions to the fight scene in Into the Spider-Verse, you had to know this was coming. Do I want her to resurrect the weird Chef Boyardee hat as part of her costume? No. That part can stay buried in the funny papers.
Spider Ma’am was born when Peter’s loving Aunt May realized her nephew had forgotten his lunch. When she dutifully went to a science demonstration to make sure the boy got a good meal, it was May who was bit by the radioactive spider. At first, she donned a costume and used her powers to perform stunts to make money for her family. But she quickly realized her powers could help people, and so she did what Spideys do and became a wall-crawling hero on her Earth.
