Nicolas Cage has stepped into the Spider-Man universe as a web-slinging superhero with Spider-Noir. However, his character, Spider-Noir, is very different from the Peter Parker most audiences are familiar with. The actor first entered the franchise through the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, where he voiced Spider-Noir. As many viewers have noticed, the new spin-off series also carries a much darker and grittier tone compared to the Spider-Man films. 

However, it is not just the tone that sets their world apart; both are also vastly different characters.

Spider-Noir is Ben Reilly in the comics, which is a major deviation from the events in the comics. Ben Reilly was originally introduced as a genetic clone of Peter Parker during the famous “Clone Saga” storyline, created by Jackal. After discovering he was the clone rather than the original Peter Parker, he created a new identity using Uncle Ben’s first name and Aunt May’s maiden name, becoming “Ben Reilly.” Adopting the identity of the Scarlet Spider, he later returned to New York, eventually taking up the mantle of Spider-Man himself.

The Prime series, however, reimagines him as an older noir-era vigilante and private investigator rather than a clone.

Another difference is in their age and personality. Peter Parker in Spider-Noir is a young man in the 1930s. He has a boyish charm and is full of hope. However, Cage’s character is seemingly someone who is old, tired, and has already gone through many painful experiences and lost his optimism.

He used to fight crime as “The Spider” but while he left that world, his past keeps coming back to haunt him. Cage’s character is shown to be emotionally damaged. As the creators explained, Peter Parker is lively, while they wanted a more layered character.

“This character's very different from the Peter Parker from the movies. He's older and jaded, and not afraid to punch a guy in the face drunkenly. He already had his Chinatown disillusionment moment that happened years and years ago,” executive producer Phil Lord said, as per Cinema Blend.

While Peter Parker is a high school student, Cage’s character is an exhausted private detective who is haunted by the horrors of his past. And not just age, there is much difference in their origin, too.

Unlike the traditional Spider-Man, who gains powers after being bitten by a radioactive spider in modern-day New York, Spider-Noir has a very different origin story in the comics. In the comic version, Spider-Noir receives his abilities after being bitten by a mystical spider connected to ancient artifacts. However, the series starring Nicolas Cage takes a different approach. 

Reilly was once the city’s only masked vigilante, known simply as “The Spider,” but after a devastating personal tragedy, he abandoned that life and retreated into detective work. The series gradually reveals that he gained spider-like abilities after a spider bite, though the powers are treated more as part of his haunted past than the center of the story. As new threats emerge across the city, Ben is forced to confront his former identity and return to heroism despite the emotional scars he carries. 

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There is much difference in their abilities, too.

Spider-Man mainly relies on his web-shooters, agility, and advanced technology — including suits like the Iron Spider armor — to defeat enemies. His fighting style emphasizes speed, intelligence, and non-lethal combat. In contrast, Spider-Noir takes a much darker approach, relying on stealth, close-range combat, and brutal hand-to-hand tactics that reflect the gritty noir world he operates in.

Another major difference is their costumes. Spider-Man is best known for his bright red-and-blue suit, which is designed to stand out while representing hope, heroism, and responsibility. The costume also helps Peter Parker protect his secret identity while fighting crime. Spider-Noir, however, wears a much darker outfit inspired by 1930s detective fashion, including a black trench coat, gloves, boots, and a fedora-style mask that allows him to blend into the shadows of the city.

While the black and white version matches the noir vibe of the show, the colored version feels like the comic coming alive. Although both have similar powers, Spider-Man and Spider-Noir are completely different characters.

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What do you think about these differences between Spider-Noir and Spider-Man? Let us know in the comments.