EARTH-8311 • CARTOON ANIMAL UNIVERSE
PETER PORKER
The Spectacular Spider-Ham!
The Spectacular Spider-Ham!
Universe: Earth-8311 (Cartoon Animal Universe / "Larval Earth")
Real Name: Peter Porker
Alias: Spider-Ham, The Spectacular Spider-Ham, The Amazing Spider-Ham
Species: Anthropomorphic Pig
Occupation: Superhero, Photographer
First Appearance: Marvel Tails Starring Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #1 (1983) - Comics
Voiced by: John Mulaney (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)
Spider-Ham comes from Earth-8311, also known as "Larval Earth," a universe where everyone is an anthropomorphic animal living in a cartoon world. This is a reality where the laws of physics are suggestions, cartoon logic reigns supreme, and comedy is as powerful as any superpower. In this zany universe filled with puns, sight gags, and slapstick humor, Peter Porker stands as the mightiest—and silliest—superhero protecting New York from evil animals with bad intentions.
Peter Porker's origin is perhaps the most absurd of all Spider-People—and that's saying something! In the original comics, Peter Porker wasn't always a pig. He was actually a spider living happily in his web until a bizarre accident changed everything.
May Porker, an eccentric scientist (and anthropomorphic pig), was working on an atomic-powered hairdryer when it exploded. The radioactive blast transformed her into a bizarre, unstable creature. In her confusion, she bit Peter the spider. This radioactive pig bite didn't kill Peter—instead, through cartoon logic and atomic science, it transformed him into an anthropomorphic pig with all the proportionate abilities of a spider!
Yes, that's right: while Peter Parker was a man bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Porker was a spider bitten by a radioactive pig. It's a completely inverted origin that perfectly captures the absurdist humor of his universe.
After his transformation, Peter adopted the name Peter Porker and decided to use his newfound abilities to fight crime in New York City. He became Spider-Ham, the Spectacular Spider-Ham, wearing a costume similar to Spider-Man's but adapted for his porcine physique. He even got a job as a photographer at the Daily Beagle, run by J. Jonah Jackal, who—like his human counterpart—constantly publishes headlines condemning Spider-Ham as a menace.
In his cartoon universe, Spider-Ham faces off against animal versions of classic Spider-Man villains. He's battled Ducktor Doom, Hogzilla, Raven the Hunter, and many others, all while cracking jokes and defying the laws of physics through cartoon powers. His adventures are filled with puns, visual gags, breaking the fourth wall, and all the chaos you'd expect from a Looney Tunes-style superhero.
In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, voiced by comedian John Mulaney, Spider-Ham is pulled into Miles Morales' universe by the super-collider. Despite his cartoonish appearance and comedic nature, Spider-Ham proves himself a capable hero and valuable teammate. His ability to pull items from "hammerspace" (the cartoon physics phenomenon where characters can produce any object from nowhere) and his cartoon resilience make him surprisingly effective in combat. While other characters question whether he's real or having hallucinations, Spider-Ham remains cheerfully oblivious to how strange he appears in their more realistic world.
As Spider-Ham, Peter Porker serves as the primary protector of his cartoon animal universe, fighting crime with a combination of spider-powers and cartoon physics. While he's often the comic relief in team-ups with other Spider-People, Spider-Ham is genuinely heroic and takes his responsibility seriously (even if he does it while cracking jokes). His unique cartoon perspective and abilities often provide solutions to problems that more "realistic" heroes can't solve. He proves that even in the silliest of universes, a hero can make a real difference.
Spider-Ham possesses all the standard spider-powers PLUS the reality-defying abilities of cartoon physics:
Can stick to any surface, often in defiance of physics or logic. He can run up walls, across ceilings, and sometimes just float if it's funnier.
Produces organic webbing that can take any shape needed for comedic or practical purposes. His webs work exactly as the plot demands.
Warns him of danger, though it sometimes seems to work based on comedic timing rather than actual threats. Often illustrated with exclamation points appearing above his head.
Has the proportionate strength of a pig combined with a spider, which in cartoon logic means he's incredibly strong—especially when it's funny.
UNIQUE: Subject to cartoon logic—can survive enormous falls, get flattened and pop back into shape, and defy physics when narratively convenient or hilarious.
UNIQUE: Can pull any object out of nowhere (typically from behind his back), including mallets, anvils, signs, and whatever else the situation requires. Classic cartoon ability.
Superhuman agility that allows for impossible acrobatic feats. Can bounce, flip, and contort in ways that defy anatomy.
UNIQUE: Frequently breaks the fourth wall, acknowledging the audience and making meta-commentary about being in a story. He knows he's a cartoon character.
UNIQUE: Can weaponize humor and cartoon gags in combat. Pie throwing, banana peels, and comedic timing are legitimate fighting techniques.
Into the Spider-Verse
Including Miles Morales, Peter B. Parker, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, and Peni Parker. Spider-Ham teams up with them to stop Kingpin's super-collider, providing comic relief and cartoon solutions to serious problems.
Comics - Earth-8311
An anthropomorphic cat version of Captain America who fights alongside Spider-Ham. A patriotic feline with a shield and star-spangled costume who leads animal superheroes.
Comics - Earth-8311
Wait, this one's usually a villain! But in some stories, the duck sorcerer has helped Spider-Ham against greater threats. A master of mystic arts who happens to be a duck.
Comics - Earth-8311
An anthropomorphic goose bonded with a spirit of vengeance. The animal universe's version of Ghost Rider, complete with flaming skull and motorcycle (or sometimes a flaming bicycle).
Comics - Earth-8311
Animal versions of the Avengers including Iron Mouse, Hulk-Bunny, Hawkeye (a literal hawk), and others who team up with Spider-Ham to protect their cartoon world.
Comics - Earth-8311
An anthropomorphic duck supervillain and monarch of Ducktoria (Latveria's animal universe equivalent). A brilliant scientist and sorcerer with a metal mask who seeks to conquer the world—and is constantly foiled by Spider-Ham.
Comics - Earth-8311
A giant radioactive pig monster who rampages through New York City. The animal universe's version of Godzilla, but as a hog. Represents the kaiju-sized threats Spider-Ham faces.
Comics - Earth-8311
A predatory raven who hunts Spider-Ham as the ultimate prey. The animal version of Kraven the Hunter, complete with hunting gear and an obsession with proving himself the greatest hunter.
Comics - Earth-8311
An elderly buzzard villain who flies around causing trouble. The animal universe's version of the Vulture, using his natural flying abilities enhanced with technology.
Comics & Films - Various Versions
Animal versions of the crime lord appear in various forms. In Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Ham helps fight against Kingpin's plot to access other dimensions.
Comics - Earth-8311
A combination bull and frog villain who possesses incredible jumping abilities and strength. One of many hybrid animal villains in Spider-Ham's bizarre rogues gallery.
Comics - Earth-8311
An electric eel villain with the power to generate and control electricity. The animal universe's version of Electro, posing a shocking threat to Spider-Ham.
Spider-Ham is unlike any other Spider-Person in several hilarious and important ways:
In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Ham is voiced by comedian John Mulaney, whose deadpan delivery of absurd lines makes the character even funnier. Mulaney's performance captures the perfect balance of sincerity and ridiculousness that makes Spider-Ham work.
Spider-Ham's animation style is distinctly different from the other characters—he's rendered in a more exaggerated, classic cartoon style with more elastic movements and traditional animation techniques. His expressions squash and stretch, his eyes pop out of his head, and he moves with the bouncy energy of golden age cartoons.
His dialogue is pure comedic gold. He delivers lines like "I'm a cartoon pig! I can do this all day!" with complete earnestness. When asked how long he's been Spider-Ham, he responds "It's been about an hour," highlighting the surreal time-dilation of his cartoon universe. He freely admits to being a cartoon and makes meta-commentary about his situation.
Despite being comic relief, Spider-Ham has genuine emotional moments. When the team is discussing their losses and tragedies, Spider-Ham mentions losing someone too (Uncle Frankfurter), showing that even in his silly universe, heroism comes with real pain and sacrifice.
During the final battle, Spider-Ham demonstrates his cartoon abilities to great effect. He pulls a giant hammer from hammerspace to fight enemies, uses an oversized mallet to defend himself, and his cartoon durability means he can take hits that would seriously injure other heroes. His contribution to the team isn't just comedy—he's genuinely useful in combat.
One of the film's most memorable moments is Spider-Ham breaking the fourth wall in the credits sequence, delivering his catchphrase: "That's all, folks!"—a reference to classic Warner Bros. cartoons. It's the perfect ending for a character who exists in the space between parody and genuine heroism.
Spider-Ham was created by Tom DeFalco and Mark Armstrong in 1983 as a one-shot parody in Marvel Tails, but the character proved so popular that he received his own ongoing series. In the 1980s, Spider-Ham comics offered lighter, more humorous alternatives to the increasingly serious superhero stories of that era.
The character represented Marvel's willingness to experiment with different tones and audiences. Spider-Ham comics were accessible to younger readers while still entertaining adults with clever wordplay, satirical takes on superhero tropes, and legitimate character development (despite the absurdist setting).
After his original run ended, Spider-Ham became a cult favorite, appearing in various multiversal events and team-ups. Fans appreciated the character as proof that superhero stories don't always have to be dark and gritty—sometimes they can be fun, silly, and still meaningful.
John Mulaney's portrayal in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced Spider-Ham to mainstream audiences who had never heard of the character. His inclusion in the film was a risk—would general audiences accept a cartoon pig superhero in a serious superhero movie? The answer was an overwhelming yes. Spider-Ham became a fan-favorite character, with his merchandise flying off shelves and his scenes being among the most quoted from the film.
The success of Spider-Ham in Into the Spider-Verse demonstrated that audiences are hungry for variety in superhero media. Not every hero needs to be brooding or realistic. Sometimes, a cartoon pig who pulls mallets from nowhere and breaks the fourth wall is exactly what a movie needs to remind us why we love superhero stories—they're supposed to be fun.
Spider-Ham's legacy is proving that superhero stories can embrace absurdity and humor without losing heart or meaning. He shows that even the silliest character can teach us about responsibility, sacrifice, and heroism. In a multiverse filled with dark, complex versions of Spider-Man, Spider-Ham stands out by simply being joyful—and sometimes, that's the most powerful superpower of all.
The character continues to appear in comics, video games, and animated projects, always bringing his unique brand of chaos and comedy. In a world that often takes superheroes too seriously, Spider-Ham reminds us that it's okay to laugh, have fun, and enjoy the inherent absurdity of people (or pigs) in tights fighting crime.