Avengers: Infinity War easter eggs, references and callbacks to comic books

**Spoilers for Infinity War ahead**

Avengers: Infinity War has finally reached cinemas, bringing together 10 years worth of Marvel movies and leaving fans of the series reeling.

There were, as expected, a million and one Easter eggs and references in the record-breaking blockbuster, both to the comics and past films.

Wondering what you may have missed? Here are the main Easter eggs, references, and callbacks you may have missed – set out in almost chronological order.

Kenneth Branagh

Infinity War kicks off with the Asgardians calling out for help, their ship having been attacked by Thanos. The person making those calls? Kenneth Branagh, the director of the first Thor movie. A neat callback to someone who helped launch the Norse series.

Also of note, Thanos already has the Power Stone at this stage, having already destroyed Xandar, AKA the planet from the first Guardians of the Galaxy. Hopefully we'll see this on screen one day, some people believing they may be saving the destruction for a Nova origins story.

We have a hulk...

Remember the first Avengers? Of course you do. While there were multiple callbacks, one of the more obvious was Loki telling Thanos "We have a Hulk", a line (and eventual meme) said by Tony Stark to the God of Mischief before being smashed by the green giant. This time, though, Hulk gets smashed by Thanos.

Another reference during this scene was made by Heimdall, who says: "All-fathers, please let the dark magic flow through me one last time." Talking to Thor during the first Avengers, Loki asks: "With the Bifrost gone, how much dark energy did the All-father muster to conjure you here?"

Bruce Banner's entrance

As Hulk gets catapulted through space, he eventually crashes into Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum – an entrance very similar to the Silver Surfer's entrance in the comic book storyline Infinity Gauntlet where the Fantastic Four character warns Earth of Thanos's plan to collect the Infinity Stones.

Cauldron of the Cosmos

Tony Stark accidently knocks into the Cauldron of the Cosmos, which – as you probably guessed – is an object that appears in the comics. Strange uses the cauldron to look at alternative futures, something the character eventually does using the Time Stone in the movie.

Squidward

Yes, that was a Spongebob Squarepants reference made towards the villainous Ebony Maw. Another reference: when Maw takes Strange captive, he uses needles to torture the Sorcerer Supreme – Maw also tortures Strange in the Infinity comics, doing so by imprisoning him in his own mind.

Mantis and Drax vs. Thanos

When the Guardians first meet Thanos (after briefly meeting Thor and losing Rocket and Groot on a quest), Mantis and Drax and turned into ribbons and cubes. The Mad Titan uses the same method on adversaries in the comic books. Thanos also takes the gem from the Collector, something that also happens in the comics.

The Collector's collection

Speaking of Benicio Del Toro's character, his collection also contains multiple Easter eggs, the most notable being Tobias from Arrested Development. Why such a random reference? Well, the directors – the Russo Brothers – helmed many of the TV show's episodes, perfecting their comeic abilities.

Nebula

When attempting to get the location of the Soul Stone from Gamora, Thanos tortures her step sister, Gamora, something the villain also does in the Infinity Gauntlet comics.

Groot's gaming

Like most teenagers with a mobile phone, teenage Groot spends the majority of the movie with his head stuck in a video game. The game? Arcade Defenders. A nod, perhaps, to the absent Netflix heroes The Defenders?

Red Skull on Vormir

So that's where the Red Skull has been all this time! Having seemingly died in Captain America: The First Avenger, the Nazi returned during Infinity War, now as the Soul Stone's gatekeeper. Red Skull, in case you weren't sure, was apparently transported there due to the Tesseract. Comic book aficionados will just about recognise the planet's name, Vormir, a desolate planet that houses the lizard-like creatures, the Vorms.

Nidavellir

One of the nine realms, whose inhabitants are the Dwarves in the comics. While mentioned in passing, we finally get to see the planet in Infinity War. Unfortunately, Thanos has already destroyed the planet's inhabitants, apart from one dwarf, Eitri, played by Peter Dinklage.

Footloose

The Guardians once again make jokes about Footloose, the movie referenced multiple times during Volume One. Kevin Bacon gets a shout out again.

The White Wolf

Once again, Bucky Barnes is referred to as The White Wolf. Now, White Wolf was originally a character called Hunterwas who was adopted by king T’Chaka after his parents died. Although loving Wakanda, the superhero eventually turned into a mercenary, aiding the country when needed. Could Bucky lose the Winter Soldier name to become the White Wolf in the future?

The Crimson Bands of Cyttorak

When restraining Thanos, Strange seemingly uses the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. We also see Strange's hands still shaking, referencing the accident seen in the character's solo movie.

The snap, Vision being ripped apart, and Thanos at peace

All references to the comic books, here, here, and here. Additionally, there's also a scarecrow with Thanos's armour on it at the end, another reference to the comics.

Captain Marvel

Yes, that was Captain Marvel's symbol during the post credits scene. And yes, there's a Captain Marvel film coming out before Avengers 4 touches down next year.