You’ve probably heard people calling it Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2, but the official title—Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse—is way more accurate because it literally explodes the scope of the first film. We aren't just dealing with a handful of multiversal castaways in a Brooklyn basement anymore. This time, Miles Morales is the one doing the traveling, and the sheer volume of Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse characters is enough to make your head spin. It’s a lot. Honestly, it’s a miracle the movie doesn’t collapse under its own weight.
Most sequels get bigger and lose their soul. This one? It just got more crowded and somehow stayed intimate.
The reason people keep searching for a breakdown of these characters is that Sony and Marvel didn't just give us cameos; they gave us a hierarchy. You’ve got your anchors like Miles and Gwen, your antagonists like The Spot and Miguel O’Hara, and then about 280 distinct Spider-people in the background. If you blinked, you missed the Bombastic Bag-Man or the Spider-Mobile.
🔗 Read more: The Man in the Iron Mask: What Most People Get Wrong About History’s Coldest Case
The Emotional Core: Miles and Gwen
Everything starts with Miles Morales. Shameik Moore brings this specific, cracking vulnerability to Miles that makes him feel like a real kid struggling with the weight of expectations. In this chapter, he’s fifteen. He’s dealing with the "B-minus" in Spanish and the realization that his parents, Rio and Jefferson, are starting to see through his mask—literally and figuratively. Miles isn't just a hero here; he's a kid looking for a community that actually understands what it’s like to be the only one of your kind.
Then there’s Gwen Stacy. Hailee Steinfeld’s performance is arguably the heart of the sequel. We get to see her world, Earth-65, which looks like a living watercolor painting that shifts colors based on her mood. It’s gorgeous. But her story is heavy. She’s living a double life where her father, Captain George Stacy, is actively hunting Spider-Woman. When she joins the Spider-Society, it isn't just for a job. It’s for survival. The dynamic between Miles and Gwen is the "will-they-won't-they" that actually matters because it’s built on the shared trauma of being a multiversal anomaly.
Enter Miguel O’Hara: The Antagonist Who Isn't a Villain
Miguel O’Hara, voiced by Oscar Isaac, is the leader of the Spider-Society. He’s Spider-Man 2099, but don’t expect the friendly neighborhood type. He’s huge. He’s brooding. He’s got red talons and he doesn’t joke.
The fascinating thing about Miguel is his motivation. He isn't trying to take over the world. He’s trying to save the multiverse from "Canon Events." This is the meta-commentary of the movie. Miguel believes that every Spider-Man must suffer specific tragedies—like the death of a police captain or an uncle—to keep reality from unraveling. To Miguel, Miles is a "glitch," an unplanned variable that shouldn't exist. This creates a fascinating philosophical conflict. Is it better to let one person die to save a universe, or do you try to save everyone and risk everything? Miguel thinks he’s the hero. To Miles, he’s the wall.
The Spot: From Joke to Multiversal Threat
Jason Schwartzman plays Jonathan Ohnn, aka The Spot. In the beginning, he’s a "villain of the week." He’s literally a guy covered in holes who trips over his own feet. Miles treats him like a joke.
👉 See also: Juno and Maxx Animation Explained (Simply)
But things get dark fast.
The Spot’s origin is tied directly to the first movie—he was a scientist at Alchemax who was caught in the collider explosion. He’s a product of Miles's actions. As the film progresses, he learns to harness his spots to travel between dimensions, becoming a "god-tier" threat. He represents the unintended consequences of heroism. His visual design is incredible—starting as a simple sketch and evolving into a terrifying, ink-blotted void.
The New Heavy Hitters
One of the best Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse characters added to the mix is Hobie Brown, aka Spider-Punk. Voiced by Daniel Kaluuya, Hobie is a vibe. He’s an anti-authoritarian, British anarchist who looks like he’s made of cut-out magazine clippings. He moves at a different frame rate than the other characters. Hobie serves as a mentor to Miles, encouraging him to "watch the hands" and not just follow the rules. He’s the cool older brother Miles actually needs.
Then we have Pavitr Prabhakar, the Spider-Man of Mumbattan (Earth-50101). He’s energetic, optimistic, and has great hair. His inclusion expands the cultural footprint of the Spider-Verse, showing how the "Spider" mythos adapts to different landscapes. His world is a dense, vibrant vertical city that feels completely distinct from the neon-soaked Brooklyn or the moody 2099 Nueva York.
And we can't forget Jessica Drew. Voiced by Issa Rae, this version of Spider-Woman is a pregnant, motorcycle-riding badass who doesn't even wear a mask. She works closely with Miguel, acting as a sort of field commander for the Spider-Society. Her presence adds a layer of maturity to the group, even if she’s technically on the "wrong" side of the Miles conflict for most of the film.
🔗 Read more: Uncle Ben Urban Rescue Ranch: What Most People Get Wrong
The Deep Cuts and Cameos
If you’re a comic book nerd, this movie is like a fever dream. The Spider-Society HQ is packed with references. Here are a few that stand out:
- Peter B. Parker (and Mayday): Jake Johnson returns as the weary mentor, but now he’s a dad. Carrying baby Mayday in a chest harness while web-swinging is peak Spider-Man content.
- LEGO Spider-Man: Yes, Earth-13122 is canon. It was animated by a 14-year-old YouTuber (Preston Mutanga) who caught the producers' attention.
- Spider-Byte: Margo Kess is the virtual avatar who runs the Spider-Society’s tech. She’s one of the few who shows Miles genuine empathy.
- Scarlet Spider: Ben Reilly makes an appearance, voiced by Andy Samberg. He’s a parody of 90s "edgy" comics, constantly narrating his own inner darkness.
- Spectacular Spider-Man & Insomniac Games Spider-Man: Seeing the versions from the beloved animated series and the PlayStation games interact with the movie's art style is a huge highlight.
Why the Character Design Matters
The animators used different art styles for different characters to emphasize their origins. Gwen’s world is impressionistic. Spider-Punk is collage-based. The Vulture, who appears early on, looks like a Leonardo da Vinci sketch. This isn't just for show. It helps the audience track dozens of Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse characters on screen at once. You always know who is who because their visual "DNA" is unique.
This movie challenges the idea of what a Spider-Man "should" be. Miguel O’Hara argues that the suit requires a specific type of suffering. Miles argues that everyone can "do it their own way." It’s a meta-narrative about the history of comic books themselves—should they stay the same to preserve "canon," or should they evolve?
Dealing with the Cliffhanger
It’s important to remember that this story is only half-finished. The film ends with a massive twist involving Earth-42, where Miles meets a version of himself that became The Prowler instead of Spider-Man. This "Prowler Miles" is a chilling reminder of how much environment and luck play into becoming a hero.
The stakes for the upcoming third film, Beyond the Spider-Verse, are astronomical. Miles is trapped in the wrong universe, The Spot is about to destroy Miles's home, and Gwen has assembled her own "band" of rogue Spider-people (including Peter B., Pavitr, Hobie, and Spider-Ham) to go find him.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of these characters, here's how to navigate the massive amount of lore and merchandise available:
- Read the Source Material: If you loved Spider-Punk, check out the Spider-Punk: Banned in DC miniseries. For Miguel O'Hara, the original Spider-Man 2099 run from the 90s is essential reading to see how the character has evolved for the screen.
- Track the Variations: Use the official "Spider-Society" guides often found in special edition art books. These detail the specific Earth designations (like Earth-199999 for the MCU or Earth-616 for the main comics) which helps clarify why certain characters can't "cross over" easily.
- Watch the Art Direction: Re-watch the film and pay attention to the background characters in the Spider-Society cafeteria scene. You can spot obscure versions like Spider-Cat and Takuya Yamashiro (the Japanese Spider-Man from the 70s TV show).
- Follow the Creators: Keep an eye on the social media accounts of Christopher Miller and Phil Lord. They frequently share concept art for characters that didn't make the final cut, giving insight into how these massive rosters are winnowed down.
The brilliance of the character work in this franchise is that it treats every "variant" as a person first and a gimmick second. Whether it's a T-Rex with a web-shooter or a teenager from Brooklyn, the core theme remains: anyone can wear the mask, but it's what you do after you put it on that defines you.
Next, you should look into the specific color palettes used for each dimension, as they provide a subconscious map of the character's emotional state throughout the film.