Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swings into theaters on June 2, 2023 as a direct sequel to the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. In first film we were introduced to a few Spider-People, but we are sure in for a ride in the sequel.
With all the characters being introduced into Sony’s Spider-Verse we thought it might be nice to pick a few comic books to read or movies / tv shows to watch prior to seeing the flick. Now, the only requirement prior to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is to watch the first film.
While we think watching or reading the following items below will give you more knowledge into the characters, we will say they are not required reading. Some of the items our favorite things based around each character others are great background on the character.
Get in the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse mood with some pre-game reading and watching.
WATCH: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Bitten by a radioactive spider in the subway, Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales suddenly develops mysterious powers that transform him into the one and only Spider-Man. When he meets Peter Parker, he soon realizes that there are many others who share his special, high-flying talents. Miles must now use his newfound skills to battle the evil Kingpin, a hulking madman who can open portals to other universes and pull different versions of Spider-Man into our world.
READ: Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 1
The year 2099 is full of menace, but none so insidious as the corrupt corporations that run the world! Miguel O’Hara, his DNA rewritten in an attempt to escape his employer Alchemax, has gained amazing powers – and become the new Spider-Man! But as Miguel battles injustice in both high and low society, menaces new and familiar come calling: Venture, the Specialist, the Vulture, the mysterious Thanatos and more! The possible return of the Asgardian gods unites Miguel with 2099’s other heroes – but who is the Net Prophet? How will Spider-Man react when Doctor Doom conquers America? And what is Miguel’s connection to Venom 2099?
READ: Spider-Punk Vol. 1
Anarchy in the Spider-Verse! Hobie Brown is the head-spiked Spider-Punk – all set to protect Earth-138 with his ax in hand and his chaotic band of punkheroes backing him! But even though the Norman Osborn of Hobie’s dimension is dead, will the chaos he created be too much for Spider-Punk and the gang to handle? What secrets lie under the community center Spidey and his crew call home base? And why is Taskmaster crashing the party to stomp out Spider-Punk? It all ties back to one thing, and Hobie had better figure it out fast.
It’s time to take to the road in the Spider-Van, but Hobie and crew will soon end up joining Daredevil in the giant shadow of the Kingpin!
WATCH: Spider-Man TV Series (1981)
Spider-Man aired from September 12, 1981 – March 30, 1982 as the second Spider-Man animated show.
The series featured Peter Parker having to balance his alter ego crimefighting with his responsibilities as a university student, a part-time photographer for the Daily Bugle and caring for his elderly Aunt May Parker.
While Spider-Man fights his usual enemies, five episodes have him contending with Doctor Doom.
A spin-off animated series dropped in 1983 entitled Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.
READ: Spider-Woman Vol. 6
Jessica Drew is a private investigator, a super hero and…a mom-to-be? Since we saw her last, Spider-Woman’s got a whole new responsibility – now she’s adventuring for two! Ben Urich and Porcupine are still along for the ride – in fact, they won’t even let Jess leave the car half the time! How’s a gal supposed to save the day when her friends are being all overprotective? Jess will soon find herself in over her head when she’s held captive by Skrulls…in an alien hospital…in the center of a black hole…with a bunch of pregnant extraterrestrials!
READ: Spider-Man: India Vol. 1
Everybody knows the story of Spider-Man…but what if things had happened differently? What if it wasn’t a New Yorker named Peter Parker, but an Indian teenager named Pavitr Prabhakar who was gifted with the abilities of the spider? Witness the rebirth of a legend as young Pavitr learns hard lessons about power and responsibility in an all-new interpretation that has received worldwide media coverage!
WATCH: Spider-Man TV Series (1994)
The series follows Peter Parker, a college student at Empire State University who struggles to balance his responsibilities as the hero Spider-Man with the problems of his personal life.
Parker must navigate his romantic affections for love interests Felicia Hardy and Mary Jane Watson, maintain his friendship with Harry Osborn, focus on his academic performance as Dr. Curt Connors’ student, and help to support his Aunt May after the death of his Uncle Ben by working as a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle. The Bugle is owned by loudmouth publisher J. Jonah Jameson, who often uses Parker’s pictures of his alter-ego to discredit and carry out a smear campaign against Spider-Man. Parker’s peers at ESU include football star Flash Thompson, popular barista Liz Allan, scientific genius Debra Whitman, and research rival Michael Morbius.
As Spider-Man, Parker faces various supervillains that threaten New York City, including criminal masterminds such as the Kingpin and the Hobgoblin, scientific mishaps like Doctor Octopus and the Green Goblin, and the alien symbiotes Venom and Carnage. Spider-Man is occasionally aided in his fight against crime by other superheroes, including the X-Men, the Punisher, Blade, Doctor Strange, Daredevil, Iron Man, Captain America, and the Fantastic Four.
READ: Spider-Man: The Complete Ben Reilly Epic Vol. 1
Meet Ben Reilly, clone of Spider-Man! When Peter Parker decides to retire, Ben takes up the job as the new web-slinger in town, the Scarlet Spider! And there’s no shortage of foes waiting to fight him – including Dr. Octopus, Venom, Carnage, the new Green Goblin, Kaine, the High Evolutionary, Joystick and the Looter! Plus: The Scarlet Spider joins the New Warriors!
In the Scarlet Spider / Ben Reilly mood? Continue reading through Vol. 6!
READ: Spider-Gwen Vol. 1 Collection
Gwen Stacy is the Spider-Woman of her world, but you knew that already. What you don’t know is what’s waiting for her when she comes to the other side of the Spider-Verse!
On the most tragic day of her life, Gwen was convinced that the Lizard died in her arms along with Peter Parker. But when a new reptilian rampage begins, she is left in doubt…not only about Peter’s life, but his death as well. And Gwen’s troubles pile up as the Osborns of her world make their debut, and she finds herself on S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most wanted list! Perhaps another Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew, could share some lessons about power and responsibility!
Collects Edge of Spider-Verse #2, Spider-Gwen #1-5 (2015A), and Spider-Gwen #1-6 (2015B).
WATCH: Spider-Woman TV series
Jessica Drew was bitten by a venomous spider as a child; her father saved her life by injecting her with an experimental “spider serum”, which also granted her superhuman powers. As an adult, Jessica is editor of Justice Magazine, with two other employees featured; photographer Jeff Hunt (a cowardly braggart who nonetheless fancied himself as a quick-witted and resourceful crime-stopper) and Jessica’s teenage nephew Billy. When trouble arises, Jessica slips away to change into her secret identity of Spider-Woman.
