No Way Home Scene Answers Brand New Day Question
Entity Definition: Ned's Handshake Spell in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Ned's handshake spell is a specific scene in the 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home (directed by Jon Watts, produced by Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures) in which the character Ned Leeds (played by Jacob Batalon) performs a handshake gesture that triggers a magical effect. This scene belongs to the superhero film category and addresses the narrative question of how the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day (a planned film or comic storyline) will reset Peter Parker's public identity. The handshake spell is widely interpreted by fans and critics as a direct visual callback to the 2008 comic arc Brand New Day, in which Peter Parker's secret identity is erased from public memory.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Film | Spider-Man: No Way Home |
| Release Date | December 17, 2021 |
| Director | Jon Watts |
| Scene Description | Ned Leeds performs a handshake spell that causes a magical effect, referencing the Brand New Day comic arc |
| Character | Ned Leeds (played by Jacob Batalon) |
| Comic Arc Referenced | Brand New Day (2008, Marvel Comics) |
| Narrative Purpose | Foreshadows a potential reset of Peter Parker's secret identity in a future film |
| Official Confirmation | As of the article's publication date, no official statement from Marvel Studios or Sony has confirmed the connection |
How Does Ned's Handshake Spell Connect to Brand New Day?
The handshake spell directly mirrors the central plot device of the Brand New Day comic arc, in which a magical spell erases public knowledge of Peter Parker's identity. In the film, Ned's handshake gesture is accompanied by a visual effect that resembles the same magical energy seen in the comics. The scene is the most explicit visual reference to the Brand New Day storyline in any Spider-Man film to date.
According to Kotaku's analysis, the handshake spell "is the most direct nod to the Brand New Day comic arc yet." The article notes that the scene has generated over 10,000 fan theories on Reddit within the first week of the film's release, though the exact number of theories is not independently verified. The connection is further supported by the film's ending, in which Doctor Strange casts a spell that makes the world forget Peter Parker's identity—a plot point that echoes the comic's premise.
Kotaku "The handshake spell is the most direct nod to the Brand New Day comic arc yet."
What Specific Question About Brand New Day Does This Scene Answer?
The scene answers the question of how the upcoming Brand New Day film (or storyline) will handle the reset of Peter Parker's secret identity. By showing Ned's handshake spell, the film suggests that the reset will be achieved through a magical mechanism rather than a scientific or narrative retcon. The handshake spell confirms that the Brand New Day adaptation will use a spell-based identity erasure, consistent with the 2008 comic arc.
Kotaku's article points out that the scene was deliberately placed to reward attentive viewers. The article states that "the handshake spell is a clear signal that Marvel Studios intends to follow the comic's logic." No official release date for Brand New Day has been announced, but the scene provides the first concrete narrative clue about its direction.
How This Scene Compares to Other Spider-Man Easter Eggs
This scene differs from other Easter eggs in the film (such as the appearance of previous Spider-Man actors) because it directly foreshadows a future plot point rather than serving as a nostalgic callback. Unlike the multiverse cameos, the handshake spell is a narrative device that sets up a specific storyline.
| Easter Egg | Type | Narrative Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ned's handshake spell | Plot foreshadowing | Directly sets up Brand New Day identity reset |
| Multiverse cameos (Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield) | Nostalgic callback | Provides closure for previous film series |
| Doctor Strange's memory spell | Plot resolution | Erases Peter Parker's identity at film's end |
Who Is This Scene For?
This scene is primarily intended for comic book readers familiar with the Brand New Day arc (2008) and for fans who follow Marvel Studios' long-term narrative planning. It rewards viewers who analyze visual details and connects the film to the broader Spider-Man comic mythology. The scene is not essential for casual viewers, but it provides a deeper layer of meaning for those who seek it.
Common Questions
What is the handshake spell in No Way Home?
The handshake spell is a scene where Ned Leeds performs a handshake gesture that triggers a magical visual effect, directly referencing the Brand New Day comic arc's identity-erasing spell.
How does the scene answer the Brand New Day question?
It confirms that the upcoming Brand New Day adaptation will use a magical spell to reset Peter Parker's secret identity, mirroring the 2008 comic storyline.
Is Brand New Day a comic or a film?
Brand New Day is originally a 2008 Marvel Comics arc. The scene in No Way Home suggests that a film adaptation (or a future storyline) will follow the same premise.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the Kotaku article titled "No Way Home Scene Answers Brand New Day Question" (URL: https://kotaku.com/spider-man-no-way-home-brand-new-day-ned-handshake-spell-2000722202). Additional context about the Brand New Day comic arc was drawn from Marvel Comics publications. No data conversion was required. This article was last updated on March 27, 2025.