First off, author Ned Leeds is a very familiar face to readers of the Amazing Spider-Man comic-book universe. In the comics, Leeds was an ace reporter who worked alongside Peter Parker at the Daily Bugle. When Spider-Man faced off against the Hobgoblin, Leeds eventually succeeded in tracking the super-villain to his subterranean lair, only to be captured and brainwashed. Unaware of his actions, Leeds then donned the mantle of the Hobgoblin to menace Spider-Man. I’d call that a pretty major indication that the Hobgoblin may make an appearance in a future film, even if the brainwashing subplot is scratched.
Secondly, Connors’ defense attorney, Anne Weying, was the ex-wife of Daily Bugle journalist Eddie Brock, who became the powerful villain Venom after bonding with a symbiotic alien life-form. In the comics, Weying briefly became She-Venom when the symbiote bonded with her to save her life after a brutal attack by the Sin-Eater. Fun fact: a separate article on the Daily Bugle Tumblr mentions Detective Stanley Carter as having taken on the responsibilities of the late Captain George Stacy (Denis Leary), who was killed during the Lizard’s rampage in The Amazing Spider-Man. Carter ultimately becomes the Sin-Eater in the comics, embarking on a deadly crusade against those he feels have defied justice.
Finally, Donald Menken appears in the article as an Oscorp spokesperson. Though Menken does not have a villainous alter-ego, he was a character in the Amazing Spider-Man comic-book universe who first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #239, the same issue when the Hobgoblin was introduced.
The Daily Bugle Tumblr is chock-full of other easter eggs from the comics, including references to Norman and Harry Osborn (who will be portrayed by Chris Cooper and Dane DeHaan in the film, respectively), Spider-Slayer inventor Spencer Smythe (who is working on a “flight harness” seemingly similar to the one used by the Vulture) and a mob boss called the Big Man.
What do you make of these teases? Is Webb lining his franchise up for a massive reunion of Spider-Man’s most feared enemies, or are these hints just nods to the canon that won’t amount to much more on-screen? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 swings into theaters on May 2nd, 2014.