‘Spider-Man’ Comics Feature Joke About Ned/Ganke Similarities

Ever since footage of Jacob Batalon’s version of Ned Leeds was released with the first trailer for Spider-Man: Homecoming, many fans have been quick to point out that he has a lot more in common with Ganke Lee from the Ultimate Marvel line than his namesake from the mainstream Marvel Universe. One of the latest issues of the Spider-Man title that features Ganke in it actually ribs on this alleged connection.

As observed by ComicBook, issue #16 of the Spider-Man title (which is a continuation of the Ultimate Spider-Man comics, only it’s set in the mainstream Marvel Universe following some temporal shenanigans), Ganke Lee is left in a situation where he has to talk with someone who he doesn’t completely trust. He’s worried that if he reveals his real name, then he could compromise the identity of the younger Spider-Man, Miles Morales. So instead of going with his real name, he tells the interviewing Danika Hart that she should call him Ned for the purpose of an interview.

This seems like a fun – if harmless – nod to the fan “controversy” that’s happened as a result of Marvel changing things around a bit for the latest iteration of the character. Hopefully, Batalon will make a name for himself regardless of what his character’s name is.

Spider-Man: Homecoming swings into theaters on July 7, 2017. The film features a cast that includes Tom Holland as Peter Parker (Spider-Man), Robert Downey Junior as Tony Stark (Iron Man), Zendaya Coleman as Michelle, Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds, Tony Revolori as “Flash” Thompson, Laura Harrier as Liz Allan, Marisa Tomei as May Parker, Jon Favreau as Harold “Happy” Hogan, Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes (Vulture), Bokeem Woodbine as Herman Schultz (Shocker), and Michael Chernus as Phineas Mason (Tinkerer). A sequel is planned for release on July 5, 2019.

Source: ComicBook