Countdown All the Spider-Men in‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ 1/2

In the movie "Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse," Miles Morales officially enters the headquarters of the Spider-Man League and encounters different versions of Spider-Men. This article will introduce and summarize each Spider-Man that appears in the film, along with their respective universes and comic book origin stories.

Miles Morales

Universe: Earth-1610

First Appearance: Ultimate Fallout #4 (2011)

Character Name: Miles Morales

Miles Morales, also known as "Kid Arachnid," returns as the unquestionable protagonist in the sequel. As one of the most iconic Spider-Men in the comics, Miles possesses similar abilities to Peter Parker and also has unique powers of invisibility and electric shocks.

In the comics, Miles initially didn't have the desire to become a Spider-Man despite discovering his superpowers. However, after witnessing the death of Peter Parker while trying to stop a supervillain, Miles felt guilty for not taking action at that moment and realized the importance of using his abilities for good.

The film reveals that Miles acquires his powers from a spider bite originating from Earth-42. In the comics, the spider from Earth-42 was a result of an experiment conducted by Norman Osborn at Osborn Laboratories. While Miles' uncle, Aaron Davis (also known as the Prowler), was stealing from the lab, a mutated spider crawled into his bag. When Miles visited his uncle's apartment, he was accidentally bitten by the spider, gaining spider-like abilities.

Gwen Stacy

Universe: Earth-65

First Appearance: Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (2014)

Character Name: Gwen Stacy

Gwen Stacy from Earth-65 is accidentally bitten by a radioactive spider, granting her spider-like abilities. She becomes the vigilante "Spider-Woman" or "Spider-Gwen" (also known as "Ghost-Spider") in New York City.

In this universe, Peter Parker, who was constantly bullied, conducts genetic experiments on himself in an attempt to become more like Spider-Woman. However, the experiment goes awry, transforming him into the Lizard. In a battle with Gwen, the unstable Peter Parker is fatally injured and dies.

In the main universe, Gwen Stacy first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 #31 (1965) and was one of Peter Parker's love interests. In a battle between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, Gwen falls from a great height. Peter tries to save her by shooting web lines, but due to the force of inertia, Gwen tragically breaks her neck and dies.

Spider-Man 2099

Universe: Earth-928

First Appearance: Spider-Man 2099 #1 (1992)

Character Name: Miguel O'Hara

Miguel O'Hara, a top scientist at Alchemax Corporation, focuses on research involving the fusion of human and spider DNA. During an experiment, he accidentally gains superhuman abilities and takes on the mantle of Spider-Man 2099 to fight against the evil Alchemax Corporation.

Due to disruptions in the time continuum, Miguel's existence becomes precarious. He travels back to 2013 New York to repair temporal fissures. There, he encounters Spider-Man, whose body is occupied by Doctor Octopus. After a street fight, they team up to resolve the timeline crisis.

However, their teleportation signal gets disrupted, and Miguel is forced to remain in the past. He assumes a new identity and infiltrates the early days of Alchemax Corporation as an undercover agent.

Spider-Woman

Universe: Earth-616

First Appearance: Marvel Spotlight #32 (1976)

Character Name: Jessica Drew

Jessica Drew is the first and most iconic Spider-Woman in the comics. During her childhood, she suffered from radiation poisoning. Her scientist father injected her with a spider serum and placed her in a genetic accelerator chamber, which saved her life and granted her spider-like powers. She gains enhanced speed, agility, and the ability to emit bioelectric "venom blasts."

She has worked as a Hydra agent, a government super-spy, and later joined the New Avengers led by Captain America.

In the comics, Spider-Woman is a white character, but "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" adopts a Black character design with a voluminous hairstyle. This design references Val, a Black girl from the unofficial "Spider-Woman" story in Spidey Super Stories #11 (1974).

Val, an ordinary girl, stumbled upon Spider-Man's costume by chance and decided to wear it. She used suction cups to climb walls and joined Peter in defeating the Vulture.

The depiction of Spider-Woman in the movie is based on the 2016 comic series "Spider-Woman Vol. 6." Jessica, a single mother, continues her crime-fighting life while being pregnant through artificial means. During a battle against the Skrulls, Jessica suddenly goes into labor. After an emergency C-section, she rises from her hospital bed, cradling her baby, and defeats the remaining Skrulls energetically.

Spider-Man India

Universe: Earth-50101

First Appearance: Spider-Man: India #1 (2005)

Character Name: Pavitr Prabhakar

Pavitr Prabhakar is a young boy from a remote Indian village who faces poverty and constant ridicule from his classmates. Only Meera Jain, a girl at his school, is willing to befriend him.

One day, he encounters a mysterious ancient sorcerer who grants him the power of the spider to protect the world from evil.

However, when witnessing a woman attacked, Pavitr chooses not to intervene. His uncle steps in but tragically gets killed by the assailant. This event finally makes Pavitr understand the significance of "With great power comes great responsibility," and he embarks on his journey as the hero Spider-Man.

Spider-Punk

Universe: Earth-138

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #10 (2014)

Character Name: Hobart Brown

Hobart Brown is an idealistic teenager who believes in anarchism. After being bitten by a radioactive spider mutated by toxic waste, he becomes Spider-Punk. He possesses abilities similar to the main universe Spider-Man but dresses in a punk style and carries a guitar.

Besides playing the guitar, he is skilled at using it as a weapon. He once defeated Norman Osborn's army with a 15,000-watt punk rock attack.

Peter B. Parker

Universe: Earth-616B

Character Name: Peter B. Parker

Peter B. Parker's origin is almost identical to the mainstream Spider-Man. After years of fighting crime in New York City, Peter struggles to balance hero with personal life and gradually becomes a depressed, overweight middle-aged man. It is until he encounters Miles from a parallel universe.

May Parker

Universe: Earth-616B

Character Name: Mayday Parker

The more prominent May Parker in the comics comes from Earth-982 and first appeared in What If? #105 in 1997. Mayday Parker is the first child of Peter Parker and Mary Jane, named May Parker in honor of Mary's mother.

In Earth-928, Peter Parker has already retired, and he does not want his daughter to inherit his mantle. But when Mayday is 15 years old, she begins to show spider powers similar to her father's and starts wearing a spider costume to fight crime.

Despite her parents eventually burning the costume, she secretly sews a new one and takes on the name "Spider-Girl." When May Parker saves someone and is witnessed by Peter Parker, he decides to pass on his legacy to his daughter.

Ben Reilly

Universe: Earth-94

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #9 (2014)

Character Name: Ben Reilly

In the comics, Ben Reilly from Earth-94 is different from the 616 Ben Reilly. He did not die at the hands of the Green Goblin and became the successor to Spider-Man after Peter's retirement. He joins the Spider-Army in the Spider-Verse event to fight against the Inheritors.

616Ben Reilly

Universe: Earth-616

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #149 (1975)

Character Name: Ben Reilly

The official concept art featuring a red and black Spider-Man might evoke thoughts of the Superior Spider-Man, but it is Ben Reilly's Spider-Man costume.

In Earth-616, Ben Reilly is a clone of Peter Parker created by the villain Miles Warren, also known as Jackal. After discovering that he is not the real Peter Parker, he chooses to leave New York, taking the name Ben Reilly in honor of his uncle and aunt, and begins searching for his path in life. He later fights alongside Peter Parker as the Scarlet Spider and even temporarily assumes the role of Spider-Man.

To differentiate himself from Peter Parker, Ben Reilly dyes his hair blonde and they refer to each other as cousins, developing a bond deeper than blood brothers.

Kaine Parker

Universe: Earth-616

First Appearance: Web of Spider-Man #119 (1994)

Character Name: Kaine Parker

Kaine Parker, like Ben Reilly, is a clone of Spider-Man created by the Jackal. However, they took different paths. Kaine's body began to deteriorate shortly after his creation, causing him to become physically deformed and mentally unstable.

Disgusted with the failed clone, Jackal planned to kill Kaine. Upon learning this, Kaine escaped and developed a deep hatred for Ben Reilly, even framing him for his crimes.

During the Spider-Island event, Spider-Man threw Kaine into a pool filled with "cure fluids," stabilizing his genetic structure and turning him into a perfect clone of Peter Parker.

Later, while wandering, Kaine protects a young girl and fights enemies wearing a Scarlet Spider costume. The locals start referring to him as a hero, and he adopts the name Scarlet Spider.

Ultimate Tarantula

Universe: Earth-1610

First Appearance: Ultimate Spider-Man #100 (2006)

Character Name: None

In the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610), Tarantula is one of Peter Parker's clones. He is entirely black and has six arms, with his entire body covered in spider hair.

In the mainstream universe, there is another villain named Tarantula, but the Tarantula in the Ultimate Universe is a good guy. However, he has limited appearances and is killed during a battle with Doctor Octopus.

The second Spider-Woman

Universe: Earth-616

First Appearance: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #6 (1984)

Character Name: Julia Carpenter

Julia Carpenter is the second Spider-Woman after Jessica Drew. She first appeared in the Secret Wars event in 1984, where Spider-Man was bonded with the symbiote.

Julia later joins the West Coast Avengers led by Hawkeye and eventually retires to take care of her daughter. However, she returns during the Civil War event under the codename "Arachne" and plays a double agent, publicly supporting Iron Man while secretly helping Captain America. She is eventually apprehended by Captain Marvel.

During the crisis of the Kraven family hunting spider-powered individuals, Madame Web, who is critically injured, transfers her powers to Julia in her final moments. From then on, Julia becomes the new Madame Web.

Ultimate Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)

Universe: Earth-1610

First Appearance: Ultimate Spider-Man #98 (2006)

Character Name: Jessica Drew

In the Ultimate Universe, Jessica Drew is one of the five experimental clones created using Peter Parker's blood. She is the only female clone.

After the events of the Ultimate Clone Saga, the other four clones die, leaving Jessica as the sole survivor. She takes on the name "Spider-Woman" and fights crime alongside Spider-Man. During and after the Ultimate Cataclysm event, Jessica becomes the third Black Widow, joining the Ultimate Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D.

Later, she is assigned to mentor and guide Miles Morales, the second Spider-Man, by the higher-ups.

Spidercide

Universe: Earth-616

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #399 (1995)

Character Name: None

Spidercide is one of the clones of Peter Parker in the mainstream universe. However, he believes himself to be the real Peter and wants to kill all the other Spider-Men.

Doppelganger

Universe: Earth-616

First Appearance: Infinity War #1 (1992)

Character Name: Unknown

Doppelganger is a purely evil and almost mindless replica of Spider-Man. He has six arms and is part of an army of evil clones created by the villain Magus.

Doppelganger has appeared multiple times as a villain in the comics and assisted the Spider-Army during major Spider-Verse events, joining forces to combat the Inheritors.

Spider-Ham

Universe: Earth-8311

First Appearance: Marvel Tails Starring Peter Porker the Spectacular Spider-Ham #1 (1983)

Character Name: Peter Porker

Peter was originally a small spider owned by the eccentric scientist May Porker. Due to an experiment gone wrong, May bit Peter, turning him into a pig while retaining his spider abilities. Thus, he became the extraordinary Spider-Ham.

Spider-Man Noir

Universe: Earth-90214

First Appearance: Spider-Man Noir #1 (2008)

Character Name: Peter Parker

In the comic, this world's timeline is set during the Great Depression in 1933. The United States is controlled by powerful corporations, and the working class suffers from long-term oppression. After Uncle Ben is brutally killed by thugs loyal to Norman Osborn (Green Goblin), a young and idealistic Peter chooses journalism as his weapon to fight against evil and protect the weak.

Later, when Peter is bitten by a venomous spider emerging from a discarded statue, he falls into a coma and has a dream encounter with the Spider God, Anansi. Upon waking up, he discovers he has gained mysterious spider powers. Armed with his revolver, Peter becomes the feared Spider-Man Noir, striking fear into the hearts of criminals.

Peni Parker

Universe: Earth-14512

First Appearance: Edge of Spider-Verse #5 (2014)

Character Name: Peni Parker

Peni Parker is a Japanese-American hybrid, and her Spider-Man suit is called SP//dr (Spider).

At 9 years old, Peni's father died while piloting the SP//dr. With the help of scientists Uncle Ben and Aunt May, Peni inherits her father's mechanical suit and becomes the new hero protecting New York City.

Spider-Byte

Universe: Earth-22191

First Appearance: Vault of Spiders #1 (2018)

Character Name: Margo Kess

Earth-22191 is a world similar to "Ready Player One," where people spend most of their time immersed in virtual reality games. Margaux, a young girl, and student at a technology academy, uses the identity of "Spider-Byte" in the game during her free time to prevent cybercrimes from occurring.

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