10 Easter Eggs in 'Spider-Verse' You Missed

The Spider-Verse films are a visual feast, a whirlwind of stunning animation and heartfelt storytelling that has redefined what a superhero movie can be. But beyond the breathtaking spectacle lies a treasure trove of hidden details, a complex web of references and in-jokes meticulously woven into nearly every frame by the creators. For the casual viewer, it’s an amazing ride. For the dedicated fan, it’s an invitation to a much deeper experience. Producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller have even admitted that there are so many easter eggs, they don't know if they've found them all themselves.

This isn't just about spotting a familiar costume in a crowd of Spider-People. This is about understanding the DNA of the films—the deep-cut comic book lore, the nods to obscure animation, and the winks to the franchise's own complex history. It’s about recognizing the phone contacts of comic book legends, understanding the significance of a background TV show, and catching a sound effect that’s a running gag for the filmmakers. This is your insider access pass to the most cleverly hidden spider-verse easter eggs that you likely sped past on your first, second, or even third viewing. Get ready to pause, rewind, and see these animated masterpieces in a whole new light.

1. The Opening Frame Nod to Comic Book History

Before the story even begins, Into the Spider-Verse immediately signals its deep respect for its source material with a fleeting, yet significant, image. As the opening logos glitch and shift between different versions, a classic seal of approval flashes on screen.

The Comics Code Authority Seal

For a split second, the iconic seal of the Comics Code Authority (CCA) appears. Established in 1954, the CCA was a self-censoring body created by comic book publishers to avoid government regulation. For decades, this seal on a comic book cover was a guarantee to parents that the content inside was "wholesome" and free from excessive violence, gore, or morally ambiguous themes.

Why It's an Insider Detail

By including this, the filmmakers are doing more than just referencing an old logo. They're placing the film directly within the lineage of comic book history. It’s a powerful statement that this movie understands and reveres the medium it's adapting. While Marvel Comics themselves stopped using the seal in 2001, its inclusion here is a nostalgic wink to long-time comic fans and a clever way to frame the entire film as a living, breathing comic book. It’s one of the first of many spider-verse easter eggs that establishes the film's reverent tone.

2. The Recurring Mystery of the Number 42

Throughout both Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse, the number 42 appears with such frequency that it’s impossible to be a coincidence. It’s a multi-layered easter egg that connects to the comics, cultural history, and the very fabric of Miles Morales's destiny.

The Spider's Designation

The most direct reference comes from the spider that bites Miles. In Into the Spider-Verse, the Alchemax spider is labeled with the number 42. This is a direct pull from Miles's comic book origin in Ultimate Fallout #4, where the spider is also designated "42". The number also reappears on the lottery ball that gets Miles into Visions Academy.

A Tribute to Jackie Robinson

The significance goes deeper than the comics. The number 42 was famously worn by Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, breaking the color barrier in 1947. Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and with Miles being a proud Brooklyn kid, this numerical nod serves as a powerful tribute to a real-world hero who changed the game.

The Prowler Anomaly in Across the Spider-Verse

The number takes on a new, more sinister meaning in the sequel. The universe where the spider originated from—the one without a Spider-Man where Miles's variant becomes the Prowler—is designated Earth-42. This brilliantly reframes the number. It's not just the source of Miles's power, but also the source of his entire anomaly. He was never meant to be bitten by that spider; it was from another dimension, making "42" the origin point of the canon-breaking event that defines his journey.

3. Donald Glover's Journey from Fan Campaign to Canon

One of the most satisfying and multi-layered spider-verse easter eggs involves actor and musician Donald Glover. His connection to Miles Morales predates the movies by years and is a perfect example of how fan culture can influence creation.

The Cameo in Uncle Aaron's Apartment

In Into the Spider-Verse, when Miles visits his Uncle Aaron's apartment, the television is playing an episode of the sitcom Community. Specifically, it's the Season 2 premiere where Glover's character, Troy Barnes, wakes up in Spider-Man pajamas. This scene is a direct nod to a viral fan campaign from 2010, #donald4spiderman, which advocated for Glover to be cast as Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man.

Inspiring the Creator

While the role eventually went to Andrew Garfield, the campaign caught the attention of Brian Michael Bendis, the co-creator of Miles Morales. Bendis has stated that seeing Glover in the Spider-Man pajamas helped him visualize the new character, solidifying the idea of a Black-Puerto Rican Spider-Man.

The Live-Action Prowler

The easter egg comes full circle in Across the Spider-Verse. When Miles is captured by the Spider-Society, he sees a live-action version of the Prowler held captive, played by none other than Donald Glover himself. This isn't just a fun celebrity cameo; it's a nod to his role as Aaron Davis in the MCU's Spider-Man: Homecoming, where he mentions having a nephew. This single scene brilliantly connects the animated films, the MCU, and the very fan movement that helped inspire Miles's creation in the first place.

4. The Deepest Cut: A Director's Running Gag

This is the kind of detail that is virtually impossible to catch without insider knowledge. It's a running gag that connects the Spider-Verse films to the broader filmography of its creators, Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

The Lord and Miller Cough

At the very beginning of Across the Spider-Verse, during the opening production logos, an audible cough can be heard, paired with the on-screen text "COUGH!". This isn't just a random sound effect. The cough belongs to writer/producer Chris Miller.

A Cross-Film Signature

This gag started during the audio mix for Lord and Miller's 2012 film, 21 Jump Street. Since then, they have included Miller's cough in nearly every movie they've worked on as a subtle signature. The addition of the visual text in Across the Spider-Verse is a new twist, perfectly suited to the film's comic-book aesthetic. It’s a prime example of one of the most hidden spider-verse easter eggs, rewarding fans who follow the creators' entire body of work.

5. Homages to the Sam Raimi and Marc Webb Films

The Spider-Verse movies are a celebration of all things Spider-Man, and that includes the live-action films that came before. Both Into and Across the Spider-Verse are filled with visual and narrative references to the Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield eras.

Recreating Iconic Raimi Moments

Into the Spider-Verse directly recreates several iconic scenes from Sam Raimi's trilogy during the opening sequence that establishes Peter Parker's backstory. We see him stopping a runaway train (Spider-Man 2), the famous upside-down kiss with Mary Jane (Spider-Man), and even a quick, mocking nod to the infamous "emo dance" from Spider-Man 3. Peter B. Parker later jokes about his back hurting after a fall, a reference to a similar line from Spider-Man 2.

Andrew Garfield's Tragic Canon Event

Across the Spider-Verse uses footage from the previous films to illustrate the concept of "canon events." When Miguel O'Hara explains that a police captain close to Spider-Man is destined to die, we see live-action footage of Captain Stacy's death from The Amazing Spider-Man, featuring Andrew Garfield. We also see footage of Uncle Ben's death from Tobey Maguire's first Spider-Man film. These aren't just clever nods; they serve a crucial narrative purpose, integrating the entire cinematic history of Spider-Man into the film's multiverse logic.

6. The PlayStation Spider-Man Swings Through

The hugely popular PlayStation games from Insomniac Games are considered by many to be a definitive modern interpretation of the character. The filmmakers made sure to include several direct and indirect references to this beloved version of Spidey.

Ganke's Gaming Habits

Early in Across the Spider-Verse, we see Miles's roommate, Ganke, playing a PlayStation 5. The game on screen is clearly Marvel's Spider-Man 2, showing gameplay footage that, at the time of the film's release, had not yet been publicly revealed.

A Prisoner of the Spider-Society

The connection becomes even more explicit later in the film. When Miles is trying to escape the Spider-Society headquarters, we see a captured version of the Spider-Man from the Insomniac games. He is even labeled as "Insomniac Spider-Man." This version is voiced by Yuri Lowenthal, the same actor who voices him in the video games, providing a moment of authentic connection for gaming fans.

7. A Tribute to Spidey's Creators in Miles's Contacts

Some of the most heartfelt spider-verse easter eggs are the subtle tributes to the real-world comic book legends who created these characters. In Into the Spider-Verse, a quick glance at the contact lists on the phones of Miles and his father reveals some very famous names.

B. Bendis & S. Pichelli

When Miles is considering calling his dad, Jefferson Davis, his phone's contact list is briefly visible. On it are the names "B. Bendis" and "S. Pichelli." These refer to Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, the writer and artist who co-created the character of Miles Morales in 2011.

Steve Ditko & Stan Lee

Similarly, on Jefferson Davis's own phone, another legendary name appears: Steve Ditko. Steve Ditko, along with Stan Lee, was the co-creator of the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker, as well as Doctor Strange. This, combined with Stan Lee’s poignant voice cameo as the costume shop owner, ensures that the film pays its respects to the foundational architects of the Spider-Man universe.

8. The Spot's Not-So-Sinister Origin Story

The main antagonist of Across the Spider-Verse, The Spot, is presented as a universe-threatening villain. However, his origin is a hilarious and deep-cut reference to a background gag from the first film.

The Bagel Incident

In Into the Spider-Verse, during a fight scene at Alchemax, Miles throws a bagel at a scientist, hitting him squarely in the head. It's a throwaway comedic moment.

"It Was YOU!"

Across the Spider-Verse masterfully retcons this gag into a supervillain origin story. It's revealed that The Spot, then known as scientist Jonathan Ohnn, was that very scientist hit by the bagel. This seemingly minor event happened right as the collider exploded, fusing him with the multiverse's dark matter and giving him his powers. The Spot's motivation is driven by the fact that this moment, which was the most important day of his life, was just a funny anecdote for Miles. It’s a brilliant piece of writing that adds layers to the villain while rewarding eagle-eyed fans who remembered the first film's details.

9. "ASM 90": A Comic Panel Comes to Life

Miguel O'Hara's explanation of "canon events" is a crucial plot point in Across the Spider-Verse, and the film uses a very specific comic book reference as a prime example, labeling it simply "ASM 90."

The Death of Captain Stacy

When explaining the tragic destiny of police captains close to Spider-Man, the film shows comic book panels of Captain George Stacy's death. These images are taken directly from The Amazing Spider-Man #90, published in 1970. In that issue, Captain Stacy is killed by falling debris during a battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus while saving a child.

Solidifying the Comic Universe

This isn't just a visual nod; Miguel explicitly refers to the event as "ASM 90." By doing this, the film confirms that the original 616-comic book universe is a part of its multiverse. It elevates the comic books from mere source material to an in-universe historical record, another dimension whose events are fixed points in the web of life and destiny. It’s a powerful statement about the primacy of the original comics in the vast Spider-Verse.

10. The LEGO Universe and a Director Crossover

One of the most surprising and visually delightful scenes in Across the Spider-Verse is a quick trip to a universe made entirely of LEGO. This sequence is not just a stylistic flourish but also a clever nod to the filmmakers' past work and friendships.

The LEGO Daily Bugle

Early in the film, a LEGO version of Peter Parker, working at a LEGO Daily Bugle, contacts Miguel O'Hara. This is a fun reference on multiple levels: Lord and Miller directed The LEGO Movie, and there have been numerous official LEGO Spider-Man sets and video games.

A Mitchells vs. The Machines Voice

The insider detail comes from the voice cast. The Spider-Man undergoing therapy in the Spider-Society headquarters is voiced by Michael Rianda. Rianda was the director of another critically acclaimed Sony Pictures Animation film, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, which Lord and Miller produced. This bit of voice casting is a fun crossover between two of the most celebrated animated films of the modern era, highlighting the collaborative and interconnected community at Sony Animation.

The sheer density of spider-verse easter eggs across these films is a testament to the love and care poured into them by their creators. They are not just movies; they are interactive tapestries of comic book history, cinematic legacy, and artistic passion. Each hidden detail enriches the viewing experience, rewarding fans for their dedication and inviting everyone to look a little closer, to listen a little more carefully, and to appreciate the incredible artistry at play in every single frame.