Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a 2023 animated film that features the Marvel Comics character Miles Morales as he travels through different dimensions and meets various versions of Spider-Man. The film is a sequel to the critically acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), which introduced the concept of the Spider-Verse, a multiverse of alternate realities where different people have become Spider-Man.

One of the most surprising and bizarre Spider-People Miles encounters in his journey is a dinosaur version of Spider-Man, who appears briefly in the film. This character, known as Spider-Rex, is a Tyrannosaurus rex with a red and blue Spidey suit and web-shooters. He chases Miles and Gwen Stacy through a prehistoric world, where they also encounter other dinosaurs and cavemen. But who is this dinosaur Spider-Man, and where does he come from?

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Spider-Rex is a relatively new addition to the Marvel Comics universe, having debuted in 2022 in a comic book series called Edge of Spider-Verse. He is one of the many Spider-People introduced in this series, which explores the different possibilities and variations of Spider-Man across the multiverse. This article explains the comic book origins of Spider-Rex and how he fits into the larger story of Across the Spider-Verse.

Who Is The Dinosaur Spider-Man In Across The Spider-Verse?

Spider-Rex is the Spider-Man of Earth-66, a world where dinosaurs never went extinct and evolved into intelligent beings. His real name is Pter Ptarker, and he was initially a Pteranodon who was constantly hunted by Norrannosaurman, a tyrannical T-Rex who ruled over the other dinosaurs. One day, Pter Ptarker and Norrannosaurman were hit by a meteor containing alien spiders, giving them superpowers and switching their bodies. Pter Ptarker became a T-Rex with spider abilities, while Norrannosaurman became a Pteranodon with no powers.

Pter Ptarker then adopted the identity of Spider-Rex and used his new powers to fight against Norrannosaurman and his minions, who were also transformed by the meteor. He also befriended other dinosaurs who had gained spider powers, such as Steggy Parker (a Stegosaurus), Tricera Parker (a Triceratops), and Raptor Parker (a Velociraptor). Together, they formed a Web Warriors team and defended their world from various threats.

Across the Spider-Verse features Spider-Rex in a heart-pounding pursuit that unfolds during the film. In the scene, Rex relentlessly trails Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), inching closer to engulfing him with its colossal jaw. This electrifying sequence perfectly embodies the exhilarating and outlandish spectacles that have come to define these cinematic marvels.

Spider-Rex's Comic Book Origins, Explained

In 2022, Spider-Rex appeared in Edge of Spider-Verse Vol. 2, written by Karla Pacheco and illustrated by Pere Perez. The comic was part of a five-issue limited series that showcased different versions of Spider-Man from across the multiverse, such as Spider-Gwen, Araña, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Man India. The series was also a prelude to the main event of Spider-Verse, which involved a war between all the Spider-People and an army of vampiric creatures called Inheritors.

Edge of Spider-Verse sheds light on how Pter Ptarker became Spider-Rex and met Gwen Stacy, who was visiting his world during her multiversal travels. Gwen helped him defeat Norrannosaurman and his allies and invited him to join her in exploring other dimensions. Spider-Rex agreed and left his world with Gwen.

Spider-Rex's comic book origins reveal an exciting aspect of his character: his bond with other Spider-People from different dimensions. Joining forces as part of the Spider-Army, a formidable alliance of web-slingers united against the Inheritors, Spider-Rex embarked on thrilling battles and daring missions alongside his arachnid comrades. Together, they rescued Kaine Parker, the Scarlet Spider, from the clutches of their enemies, infiltrated the Inheritors' base on Loomworld, and ultimately destroyed the Web of Life and Destiny, the source of the Inheritors' power. Along the way, Spider-Rex formed genuine friendships with unique individuals like Spider-Ham, a piggy version of Spider-Man, Spider-Monkey, a monkey-inspired web-slinger, and Spider-Girl, the courageous Anya Corazon.

Spider-Rex then appeared in several issues of Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5), which followed the adventures of Miles Morales as he led a team of young Spider-People against Shathra, an Inheritor who had escaped from prison and was hunting down spiders across the multiverse. Spider-Rex was one of the spiders that Shathra targeted, but he managed to survive with the help of Miles and his friends.

Spider-Rex also had a cameo appearance in Across the Spider-Verse (2023), which served as a tie-in to the film. This comic showcases how Miles Morales met some of the new Spider-People that he would encounter in the movie, such as Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman), Pavitr Prabhakar (Spider-Man India), Hobie Brown (Spider-Punk), Margo Kess (Spider-Byte), and Miguel O'Hara (Spider-Man 2099).

Spider-Rex is one of the most unique and creative versions of Spider-Man ever created. He is a dinosaur with spider powers who fights against evil in a prehistoric world. He is also one of the many allies that Miles Morales meets in his journey across the Spider-Verse, a multiverse of infinite possibilities and variations of Spider-Man. Spider-Rex is a character that showcases the diversity and imagination of the Marvel Comics universe and is a fan-favorite among Spider-Man fans.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

PG

Superhero

Animation

Action

Adventure

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse catches up with Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and a host of other Spider-people as the doors to other realities are ripped open by The Spot. Miguel O'Hara (Spider-Man 2099) and a returning Peter B. Parker are also along for the ride through the multiverse.

Release Date

June 2, 2023

Runtime

120 Minutes

Studio

Sony

Franchise

Spider-Man

Box Office

$690,001,944

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