Spider-Man: Homecoming Joke In Spider-Man #15

Marvel Comics today released Spider-Man #16 into comic book stores, the latest installment of the adventures of Miles Morales from creator/writer Brian Micahel Bendis and artist Oscar Baladuza. In addition, the issue also features a sly, humorous reference to a character from the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming movie.

The character in question is simply named “Ned,” and is played by actor Jacob Batalon. Ned has become a topic of discussion because, despite the name – which is borrowed from Ned Leeds, a Daily Bugle reporter who becomes the villain called the Hobgoblin in the Marvel Comics universe – much more closely resembles the characters Ganke Lee – the best friend of Miles Morales, the second Spider-Man originally from the Ultimate Marvel universe – in both physical appearance and in personality. Some fans wonder why he isn’t simply Ganke, though those involved with the film say that all of the supporting characters are composites of characters from across Spider-Man history.

Bendis, who created Ganke Lee, references that confusion in Spider-Man #16. Ganke has recently developed a relationship with Danika Hart, a young internet personality who is obsessed with Spider-Man and video blogs about superheroes. Ganke has been acting as an anonymous source for Danika and the two seem to be growing closer on a personal level.

In Spider-Man #16, Danika asks for Ganke’s name. Ganke says she can’t tell him that or she’ll be able to easily figure out who Spider-Man is. She insists that she needs something to call him even if it isn’t his real name, so Ganke decides to use the pseudonym “Ned,” which seems like a clear reference to The Ned/Ned Leeds/Ganke conversation surrounding Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Spider-Man: Homecoming currently has a 4.10 out of 5 ComicBook User Anticipation Rating, making it the sixth most anticipated upcoming comic book movie among ComicBook.com readers. Let us know how excited you are about Spider-Man: Homecoming by giving it your own ComicBook User Anticipation Rating below.

Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine — distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is directed by Jon Watts, from a screenplay by Jonathan M. Goldstein & John Francis Daley and Watts & Christopher Ford and Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, and stars Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Tyne Daly, Bokeem Woodbine, Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr.

Spider-Man: Homecoming opens in theaters July 7, 2017.

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