9) Midtown High References
The setting of Midtown High, Peter’s high school for gifted science students, and the scenes set there contain a whole host of easter eggs that call back to both previous movies and the comics.
In keeping with the scientific theme of the school, the walls of Midtown are adorned with some of the great scientists. Alongside real-life geniuses can be found a couple of Marvel know-it-alls. A photo of Bruce Banner can be seen hanging up in Peter’s chemistry class and Tony’s father Howard Stark can be seen painted in a mural.
There are also a couple of throwaway verbal references that are easy to miss. One of the questions Liz asks Peter’s science quiz team in practice for the Nationals is to do with Vibranium. This rare fictional metal is, of course, what Cap’s shield is made out of. It also hails from Wakanda, the home country of Black Panther. Likewise, a teacher is doing a lecture on the Sokovia Accords, whose creation was the inciting incident of Captain America: Civil War.Â
A bunch of students of the high school are inspired by comic characters as well, but one who hardly gets any screen time is Angourie Rice as Betty Brant, the co-host of the school’s news show. In the comics, Betty is the secretary at the Daily Bugle and Peter’s first girlfriend.
