In case you don’t speak fluent “comics”, Morales is a new Spider-Man who first donned the mask back in 2011 for reasons we won’t spoil here. While he has the same aptitude for science as his more famous counterpart, plus similar powers, Miles isn’t just a Parker clone (that’s another story, comic fans!). He’s also an Afro-Latin American character in a world in which diversity among superheroes is still lacking.

In Spider-Verse, Miles is a normal teenager (albeit a super-smart one) who gets bitten by a spider (naturally!). He stumbles across a particle accelerator built by Wilson Fisk to access parallel universes – but when Fisk’s experiment goes explosively wrong, the very fabric of reality is soon at stake. Fortunately, the resulting bang also unleashes various Spider-People from across the multiverse, who join up with Miles to help save the day, and teach him what it means to be Spider-Man along the way.

It’s a superhero film like no other. And with the movie now available to buy on the Virgin Media Store, allow us to help you become well-versed in this epic animation with our reasons to watch.

It features one of the most ambitious crossover events ever

It took Marvel Studios five films to build a universe big enough to house the key members of the Avengers. Spider-Verse does it in one. But it doesn’t feel like a quick fix. Chances are, you’ve never heard of SP//dr, or you thought Gwen Stacey was just a love interest rather than a superhero in her own right – but it doesn’t matter one jot.

The film makes quick work of establishing these characters and their worlds. It also keeps the technobabble down to a minimum. Basically, there’s a multiverse – deal with it. And with an infinite number of multiverses in play, there’s some nice twists on iconic characters you thought you knew, even for the biggest comic nerds.

It’s got more Easter eggs than a chocoholic’s larder!

It’s no surprise that a superhero film such as this is filled with little nods to the comics – it’s basically expected these days. But the ones that feature in Spider-Verse are so lovingly crafted you can’t help but grin. And the joy of having the film in your home forever means you can pore over all those little details and references in your own time, time and time again.

Our favourites (and non-spoilery ones) include seeing the contact “B Bendis” on Miles’ phone (the character’s co-creator is named Brian Michael Bendis), a rather sad-looking Spider-Man ice cream (which is a real thing!), the sheer amount of Spidey suits onscreen in one particular scene, and, of course, one of Stan Lee’s last cameos. Bring some tissues for that one…

The animation is knock-your-socks-off gorgeous

Inspired by the visual style of legendary artist Jack Kirby, this is the first superhero film that actually looks like a living, breathing comic book. Various techniques were used to achieve the film’s distinct look, including hand-drawn animation, halftone and shadowing, which combine to create visuals that will take your breath away.

More impressive still, the various Spider-People all have their own distinct visual language – Peni Parker is anime, Spider-Ham looks hand-drawn, Spider-Noir (a film highlight!) is rendered in black and white – and yet they can all stand in the same scene and work together. The result is groundbreaking, and it’s clear to see why Spider-Verse won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

It’s a beautifully told story

The thing that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled (and do stick around for those end credits – trust us!) is that Spider-Verse is simply a really, really good story, told exceptionally well. It’s like the best comic books – funny, heartbreaking and visually stunning. Miles is the emotional core at the centre of the story, but every character goes on a journey in a story that’s part coming-of-age, part family drama and part superhero origin.

The origin story aspect is done particularly well, as the film manages to tell a great many without overwhelming you (and yes, you do find out how Spider-Ham came to be). Spider-Verse is not only the best Spider-Man film ever made, it’s also undoubtedly one of the best superhero films, full stop.

Prize time!

You can buy Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse right now on the Virgin Media Store. But that’s not all, as we’ve got one web-tastic Spider-Man prize draw for you. One lucky winner will win a Spider-Verse Spider Noir Web Blaster, a Spider-Verse Scorpion action figure and a Spider-Verse SP//dr & Peni Parker action figure.
 

Simply follow the instructions below and enter the draw for a chance to win. Good luck!

How to enter

This competition is now closed. Good luck if you entered! 

Simply send an email with Virgin Media Store Spider-Verse in the subject line to VirginTVEdit@virginmedia.co.uk and ensure it contains the following details:

• Your first and last name
• Phone number
• Address

Entries must be sent by 11.59pm on 14 April 2019.

Not heard about the Virgin Media Store?

It’s the place where you can buy the latest and greatest movies and TV Box Sets, yours to watch again and again, at home or on the go. Sign up now at virginmediastore.com, choose from hundreds of films and TV Box Sets and start watching instantly. 

Enjoy your purchases on your Virgin TV Box (TiVo^®/V6), online, or on your registered iOS and Android devices with the Virgin Media Store app.

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