Two more faces have been added to the Spider-Verse thanks to new merchandise for Across the Spider-Verse. 

Between the hip-hop animation and CG artwork, not to mention the seriously sci-fi plot, Into the Spider-Verse put a modern spin on the classic hero. Yet, the film didn’t get so caught up in appealing to a younger generation that it forgot what made Spider-Man great in the first place. In the end, it was one of the most relatable and true Spidey adaptations brought to the silver screen.

The calling card of Into the Spider-Verse was the plethora of Spider-People from all corners of the Multiverse. While Mile Morales and Peter B. Parker shined brightest in the lead roles, audiences fell in love with the likes of Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, and, above all else, Spider-Ham. 

Starting next year, fans will get their fill of the Spider-Verse with a full trilogy, beginning with Across the Spider-Verse. No doubt, audiences will be treated to a new host of interdimensional characters. We have already covered The Spot, who will be the primary antagonist for the film, but now we can add two more names to the list.

SCARLET SPIDER

First appearance: (as Ben Reilly) Amazing Spider-Man #149; (as Scarlet Spider) Web of Spider-Man #118

Ever since Tom Holland sported a familiar red jumpsuit with a blue hoodie in Spider-Man: Homecoming, there have been rumors that he would surface on the big screen. While we may have been looking for him to appear in the MCU, Peter Parker’s clone will debut in animated form. 

If the dreadful “Clone Saga” had a silver lining, it’s Scarlet Spider. Decades before adopting the name Ben Reilly, he was the result of an experiment by mad scientist, the Jackal. In 1975, the then-unnamed Spidey clone fought Peter Parker. The clone was thought dead until Marvel resurrected him as Ben in 1994. Armed with the same powers as Spider-Man, Ben became the fan-favorite Scarlet Spider. Later, he would take over as Spider-Man beginning in 1996.

SPIDER-PUNK

First appearance: Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 3, #10

The British punk rock Spidey from Earth-138 is a man of many nicknames. “The Anarchist Spider-Man,” “the Punk-Rock Spider,” and, my favorite, “The Radioactive Suicide Machine” are all fitting monikers for Hobie Brown. Embodying the spirit of late-’70s and early-’80s punk rock, he is a rebel. His infectious personality (and foul mouth) lead to his greatest power: inspiring the masses, which he calls the “Spider-Army,” to dethrone President Norman Osborn. 

From his creation, Spider-Punk was meant to be a fun tongue-in-cheek comedy act. It’s that attribute that had fans speculating Hobie would be in a future Spider-Verse movie. Since then, he’s gained a larger following, and his cover appearance for 2018’s Spider-Geddon #1 has become a modern classic. In a case of suspiciously-timed foreshadowing, he starred in his own solo title, Spider-Punk #1, that hit comic shops this past spring.

THE SPIDER-FUTURE

Just because the two characters are featured in toy marketing doesn’t mean they're guaranteed for the screen. Remember Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? The wave of Marvel Legends figures connected to the film featured Sleepwalker, and we see how that turned out.

Hopefully, Sony won’t pull a Marvel Legends and mislead us with the merchandise. Considering the items in question are directly spun from Across the Spider-Verse, it would seem Scarlet Spider and Spider-Punk are both basically confirmed for the movie. However, they won’t be the only other variants included in the movie; the comics have been nice enough to offer endless possibilities. 

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