The following contains spoilers for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, now in theaters.
When it comes to movies that encompass everything a cinephile could ask for, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse meets the requirements. It has action, comedy, a compelling storyline, great music and stunning visuals. Moreover, with its inclusion of the multiverse, Spidey fans have a practical smörgåsbord of Spider-People to choose from when it comes to captivating personalities.
Nevertheless, the picture continues Miles Morales' (Shameik Moore) story arc in an ambitious and surreal fashion. However, he's forced to confront all the other variations of the friendly neighborhood hero due to the involvement of Oscar Issac's character, Miguel O'Hara, better known as Spider-Man 2099. Consequently, his actions also unintentionally create an unexpected parallel with another science-fiction-based series: Rick and Morty.
Miguel O'Hara's Spider Society Mirrors The Citadel of Ricks
O'Hara's intentions can be described as noble, especially since he brings practically all the Spider-People together to monitor anomalies and prevent collapses within the multiverse. However, his obsession with maintaining "canon events" (moments that each incarnation must endure, which prevents the unraveling of their universe) is similar to Rick Sanchez's preoccupation with the "Central Finite Curve." As Rick and Morty's Season 5, Episode 10, "Rickmurai Jack" explains, the Curve was created to bring all the universes where Rick is the most intelligent being together to preserve his ego, which poses a problem when discussing the notion of an infinite number of realities. After all, it's not really a limitless totality of every conceivable world if it's curated as a cosmic lineup of Rick's greatest hits where he, and his variants, have complete control, all for the sake of impressing his grandson(s).
Regardless, in a way, Miguel is doing the same thing. Granted, his reasons hinge on the fact that he's experienced the destruction of a reality first-hand. As a result, Miguel attempts to convince Miles of his mission's integrity when he explains that he tried to insert himself within another reality still containing a dead Spider-Man 2099's family, which failed miserably. Still, by forming and leading a collective of Spidey alternates, despite their mandate, he establishes an army of loyal followers with himself as the dictator-esque commander. This becomes apparent when Miles decides to follow his heart and not fall in line to solve the problem of his father becoming another casualty for a cannon event, which only enrages O'Hara and brings the entire horde of Spider-People against him.
Rick Sanchez and Miles Morales Both Cause a Civil War
While it's hard to fault Miles for his actions, mainly because he chose not to comply solely to save his dad, his response does create a rift between Miguel and some of the members of his group. Consequently, this schism also reunites Miles with his former Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse allies and helps him find new recruits like Hobie Brown, aka Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya). Not only was he crucial to Miles' escape from O'Hara's clutches, but Hobie also played a significant role in teaching him to think more independently. Nonetheless, as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear -- especially with how the film ends on a cliffhanger -- that an impending struggle to decide the fate of the Spider-Verse is coming to fruition, which virtually creates the start of a civil war among the Spider Society.
Although Rick doesn't create a big split within the Citadel, his decision to eliminate the council and their cohorts in Season 3, Episode 1, "The Rickshank Rickdemption," sets a political crisis in motion. This situation begins to materialize as early as Season 1, Episode 10, "Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind," when an "evil" Rick tries to frame the series' protagonist for a string of murders. Still, it's later revealed that a rogue Morty is masterminding the predicament behind the scenes.
Nonetheless, despite the two titles having completely different storylines, Rick and Morty and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse have things in common: they both include arcs that cover squabbling variants, multiverses and protagonists who live by their own rules, creating quite an interesting similarity between them. One that fabricates an intriguing narrative comprised of political or societal upheaval and the fate of the several universes.
To see the Rick and Morty connection, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now in theaters.