When the trailer for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse landed, a lot of cinematic Spidey fans were introduced to the basics of the Spider-Verse concept for the first time: Miles Morales, the teenage Spider-Man, meets beings from parallel universes who also have Spider superpowers, and together they unite to battle a common enemy. While the many different incarnations of Spidey share many abilities with one another, many have distinctive skills and character details, as well. On top of fan-favorite Miles Morales appearing on the big screen for the first time, Into the Spider-Verse features a number of alternative versions of everyone's favorite web-head, including Spider-Gwen and an older, grizzled version of Peter Parker. Voiced by an all-star cast of voice actors -- including John Mulaney as Spider-Ham, Nicholas Cage as Spider-Man Noir, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, Jake Johnson as Peter Parker, and Shameik Moore as Miles Morales -- these alternate universe versions of Spider-Man generated instant interest.

The Marvel Multiverse is a big place, and with so many different threads that make up the tangled web of Spider-Verse, catching up on the comics that inspired the animated movie can seem like an insurmountable responsibility. Never fear, true believers! With this list of 20 stories from the Spider-Verse to read ahead of the animated movie, you'll be better informed than Uatu himself by the time the Marvel logo appears on the screen. Ranging from backstories for the individual parallel Spiders to the fallout from the interdimensional conflict, these stories will help you untangle the web so you can swing into theaters with certainty!

20 ULTIMATE COMICS: SPIDER-MAN #1

The central protagonist of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is Miles Morales, the teenager who steps into the mantle of Spider-Man after the late Peter Parker heroically falls in battle. Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1 (2011), written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Sara Pichelli and colors by Justin Ponsor, is the perfect entry point, as it reveals the origin of Miles' spider-style superpowers and explains how he became Spider-Man.

This comic does not take place in the Marvel Universe most familiar to comic readers, which is designated Universe 616. The origin of Miles is instead set in the Ultimate Universe, a universe parallel to the 616.

19 MARVEL TAILS STARRING PETER PORKER THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-HAM #1

The first appearance of Spider-Ham is in the pages of Marvel Tails Starring Peter Porker the Spectacular Spider-Ham #1 (1983) written by Tom DeFalco with art by Mark Armstrong, Joe Albelo, and Steve Mellor. The one-shot's title is a parody of the popular Marvel Tales series, and although some may argue that the premise takes the pun of the title out of the frying pan and into the fire, it's impossible to argue with the enduring popularity of Spider-Ham.

While Spider-Ham's first appearance is here, in the story "If He Should Punch Me," the origin of the character is revealed in his ongoing series: he began life as a spider that was bitten by an irradiated May Porker.

18 SPIDER-MAN NOIR #1

Spider-Man Noir's first appearance comes from an eponymous four-issue series, Spider-Man Noir (2008), with a story by David Hine and Fabrice Sapolsky and visually striking art by Carmine Di Giandomenico. This story reimagines the Spider-Man mythos during the American Great Depression, recasting Parker as a hard-boiled vigilante dedicated to the responsibility of removing the corrupt powers that be.

The 1930s setting gives the opportunity to see a number of supporting Spidey characters transposed into this historical setting, but the story stays true to its pulpy genre roots, and many of the ancillary characters find brutal ends waiting for them among the shadowy panels.

17 EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #5

In Edge of Spider-Verse #5, written by Gerard Way and with art by Jake Wyatt and Ian Herring, another Spider is introduced: Peni Parker, also known as SP//dr.

Peni’s Spider-Powers are a little different than many of the other characters in the Spider-Verse, as they come from a mech suit that takes the form of a spider when not in use. But like her fellow Spiders, Peni’s origin story involves a tragedy in the family: she inherits SP//dr because of her genetics allow her to take her late father’s place in the mech suit after he falls in the line of duty.

16 SPIDER-MAN: REIGN #1

While Peter-616 may enjoy the Parker Luck, some of the Marvel multiverses feature Spideys who aren't so fortunate. Such is the case with the Parker of Spider-Man: Reign (2007) by Kaare Andrews. In this dark and singular vision of the Spider-Man mythos, an elderly version of Parker finds himself despondent in a grim reality set thirty years in the future.

In this reality, New York City is controlled by an authoritarian despot who keeps the peace with a paramilitary force called the Reign. While not a direct analog, the grizzled Parker of universe echoes the worn-down Peter who becomes a mentor to Miles in Into the Spider-Verse.

15 EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #2

The first appearance of Spider-Gwen comes in Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (2014), by Jason Latour, Robbi Rodriguez, and Rico Renzi. Not strictly an origin story, this issue gives a brief glimpse of how Gwen gained her spectacular spider-powers in the recap before launching into a narrative that helps lay the groundwork for the Spider-Verse event. The introduction of Spider-Gwen proved so successful that she began appearing in a solo series soon after the Spider-Verse event.

While she's often casually referred to as "Spider-Gwen," the web-swinging version of Gwen Stacey is widely known as "Spider-Woman" in her own universe, but sometimes, concessions must be made when the myriad Marvel multiverses are involved.

14 SPIDER-MAN NOIR: EYES WITHOUT A FACE #1

The story of Spider-Man Noir continues in Spider-Man Noir: Eyes Without a Face (2009), a 4-issue miniseries by the returning creative team of David Hine, Fabrice Sapolsky, and Carmine Di Giandomenico. Set in 1934, the power vacuum created when notorious gangster the Goblin was defeated creates a new set of problems for Spider-Man Noir.

Instead of seeing conditions improving in Depression-era New York City, Spider-Man Noir uncovers a nefarious plot masterminded by Doctor Otto Octavius.  While Parker may succeed in thwarting Doc Ock's plan, the fallout endured by his friends would be right at home among the hardboiled crime novels from which the story takes its inspiration.

13 ULTIMATE FALLOUT #4

Miles Morales first appeared in one of three stories included in Ultimate Fallout #4 (2011). Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichelli, and Justin Ponsor, the brief story shows an encounter between the Kangaroo and a figure dressed as the late Ultimate Spider-Man. While the Kangaroo is defeated, witnesses of the encounter decry the Spider-Man outfit to be in poor taste.

It isn't revealed that Miles is beneath the mask until the final panels when readers get their first glimpse at the new Spider-Man... but even Miles himself admits that even he thinks he might have to re-think the costume.

12 SPIDER-MEN #1

In Spider-Men (2012), a 5-issue miniseries by the original Miles creative team of Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichelli, and Justin Ponsor, the Parker of Universe-616 is knocked through a portal by Mysterio and finds himself speaking in the distinctive lettering of the Ultimate Universe. After thwarting a mugging, a witness remarks that it's in poor taste to wear the costume of the late Peter Parker.

The Parker of 616 is surprised to meet another Spider-Man, and after learning more about the Ultimate Parker's legacy, both Spideys team up to overcome Mysterio. Parker returns to his own universe but is left wondering if Miles has a doppelganger, as well.

11 EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #1

Discover how Spider-Man Noir became entangled in the web of the Spider-Verse in Edge of Spider-Verse #1, with a story by David Hine and Fabrice Sapolsky, and moody, shadow-filled art by Richard Isanove. Set in 1939, the story finds Spider-Man Noir infiltrating a magic show in order to rescue his one-time paramour Felicia Hardy from the villainous magician, Mysterio.

When Mysterio is defeated, however, an even more dangerous adversary appears and attacks! Fortunately, rescue appears in the form of a band of Spiders who inform the Depression-era Spidey that they need to join together in order to fight an enemy who threatens each and every one of them.

10 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #7 - 15

It's the Spider-Verse main event! In Amazing Spider-Man #7 - 15 (2014) by Dan Slott, Oliver Coipel, and Giuseppe Camuncoli, the many disparate threads of the Spider-Verse event are woven together as the team of Spiders come together to fight against a common enemy: Morlun the Vampire... and he's brought the whole undead family to exterminate every Spider in the multiverse!

The whole Spider crew must join together and contribute their unique abilities in order to overcome the threat presented by the family of vampires, and victory doesn't come without consequences. Nothing will be the same for the heroes after Spider-Verse!

9 WEB WARRIORS #1

After the events of Spider-Verse, some of the surviving heroes formed an all-Spider superteam! First appearing in Web Warriors #1 (2015) by Mike Costa, David Baldeon, Scott Hanna, and Jason Keith, the Spiders fend off threats to the multiverse from their home base in Loomworld, the location from which the Inheritors -- comprised of Morlun and his family -- launched their attack during the events of Spider-World.

While the cast features a rotating roster of parallel universe Spiders, familiar faces like Spider-Ham and Spider-Gwen are featured in prominent roles throughout the series, making this required reading for those who want to ensure they're fully prepared for every Spider-Verse possibility.

8 SILK #1

Cindy Moon first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #1 (2014) by Dan Slott, Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, and Edgar Delgado and served as a catalyst for Parker-616's entanglement in the Spider-Verse conflict. Like Parker, Cindy has Spider-Powers, and she takes the alias Silk as she beings fighting crime as a superhero.

After taking part in the event, she began appearing in her first solo series with Silk #1 (2015) by Robbie Thompson and Stacey Lee. Although Cindy may not appear in Into the Spider-Verse, careful viewers have noted that the character can be spotted among Peter's classmates in Spider-Man Homecoming, and with Sony planning a Silk movie adaption, a cameo isn't out of the question!

7 SPIDER-VERSE: WARZONES #1

During Secret Wars, many of the worlds that comprise the Marvel multiverse were destroyed and all was replaced by Battleword, a planet built piece-meal from bits of different worlds and ruled over by God-King Victor Von Doom. In the 5-issue miniseries Spider-Verse: Warzones! (2015) by Mike Costa, André Araújo, and Rachelle Rosenberg, several Spiders team up after they find themselves refugees from their respective universes.

Among the familiar members of the team who appear are Spider-Gwen and Spider-Man Noir, and fans of Spider-Ham will want to be sure and catch the "Pig in the City" backup comic by Steven Sanders and Jim Campbell, which can be found in the last pages of Spider-Verse: Warzones #1.

6 SPIDER-MAN #1

In the wake of the Secret Wars event, a new primary timeline emerged. While the Ultimate Universe where Miles originated was destroyed, the webbed warrior was brought into the main timeline and became another Spider-Man fighting for justice in New York City alongside Parker-616.

Spider-Man #1 (2016), by the original Miles creative team of Bendis, Pinchelli, and Posner, is the first issue of Miles' first solo series set in the 616. While there are some slight changes to his backstory, Miles and his supporting cast survived the transition more or less intact.

5 SPIDER-GWEN #16

In Spider-Gwen #16 (2017) by Jason Latour, Robbi Rodriguez, and Rico Renzi, Gwen and Miles find themselves with the opportunity to spend some time together in Gwen's universe. Some of the differences in the finer details between the two universes are explored, such as the fact that artificial sweeteners are unusual in Gwen's world!

Naturally, the pair ends up teaming-up to thwart a villain's plan, but some of the best moments in the issue come out of the conversation shared between the two Spider-Verse alums. Fans of Spider-Love will not want to miss this issue, as hints of a developing romance between the two heroes appear throughout!

4 SPIDER-MEN II #1

Both Miles and Parker now reside in the primary Marvel universe, but what about the Miles who lived in the 616 before Miles crossed over from the Ultimate timeline? The fate of the "other Miles" turns out to be more surprising than either Spider could imagine!

This 5-issue sequel to the original Spider-Men miniseries offers Spidey-scribe Brian Michael Bendis a chance to bid farewell to the character he co-created and tie up some loose plot threads before departing Marvel to work on a character who is also frequently seen wearing blue and red tights. The farewell begins in Spider-Men II #1 (2017) and features art by original Miles artist Sara Pinchelli.

3 SPIDER-GEDDON #1

While the Spiders may have successfully imprisoned the antagonists of the original Spider-Verse event, comic book incarceration is never meant to last. The Inheritors have returned, and they're looking to finish what they began the first time they encountered the Spiders! The team includes familiar Spiders and new heroes alike, and once again, they'll have to band together if they have any hope of survival.

Spider-Geddon #1 (2018) by Christos N. Gage, Dan Slott, and Jorge Molina kicks off this 5 issue miniseries that serves as a sequel for the original Spider-Verse event. The Spider-Verse is even bigger this time around, and the cast of Spiders even includes the star of Spider-Man for PlayStation 4.

2 SPIDER-GWEN: GHOST SPIDER #1

After the surprising conclusion of her previous ongoing series, the Gwen Stacy of Earth-65 is ready to swing into a new story with Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #1 (2018) by Seanan McGuire, Rosi Kämpe, and Ian Herring. After spending time in prison, Gwen has plenty on her plate to keep her occupied, including the need for a new codename!

But before she gets a chance to consider alternatives for Spider-Gwen, she runs into her old friend Spider-Ham! From there, it's out of the frying pan and into the fire as Gwen is forced to confront demons from her past -- in some cases, literally!

1 MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #1

In December, just days before the release of Into the Spider-Verse in theaters, Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1 by Saladin Ahmed and Javier Garron swings onto comic shop shelves, giving readers a chance to check in with Miles before seeing him on the big screen!

Ahmed's previous work on comics like Exiles and Black Bolt has provided some stellar stories, while Garron's art has given books like Secret Warriors a distinct and memorable style. Those who want to be fully prepared to plunge into the Spider-Verse may want to consider swinging by their local comic shop and paging through this issue as they wait for their showing of Into the Spider-Verse to begin!