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Mild spoilers for IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 1 follow.

Greetings Popversians, and welcome to Lore Corner! Each week, video producer Ashley V. Robinson and Popverse's writing staff are going to take you deep into the pre-existing lore behind some of pop culture's most exciting adaptations, such as HBO's frightful IT: Welcome to Derry. Enjoy! 

We expected to see a bunch of Stephen King references in HBO's IT prequel series, Welcome to Derry. Hell, we've already had the showmakers confirm that there's a Dark Tower connection central to the tale. But what we sure didn't expect (though we were delighted to see) were references to one of Popverse's top obsessions DC Comics. Yes, there were two big shoutouts to one of comicdom's reigning champs in the Derry pilot, but don't go thinking they were just throwaway easter eggs from a fan who happened to be on set.

In fact, we're pretty sure that the appearances of two of DC's top characters in IT: Welcome to Derry episode 1 weren't just a reference to the comics in general, but directly relate to not one, not two, but three DC comics cinematic projects, two of which feature in the ever-expanding, James Gunn-led DCU.

Let us explain. 

Why a Flash comic is in IT: Welcome to Derry episode 1

The first time we see a reference to DC Comics in this week's episode is when young Teddy Uris is caught reading a Flash comic at his dinner table, prompting a lashing out from his father. Now, a rascally little nerd getting yelled at by an overbearing father for reading comic books isn't a particularly notable thing in '60s America (nor in horror - that's pretty much the metaplot of Creepshow), but it is notable here because of this episode's director.

Oh, you don't have to Google it, we'll just tell you - that director is Andy Muschietti, who not only directed both of the Bill Skarsgård-starring IT movies, but also helped create Welcome to Derry. On top of all that, Muschietti was also the man behind the camera of 2023's Ezra Miller-starring Flash movie, and we're almost positive that that's the reason this particular comic made it to Teddy's dining table.

Hell, we'll even go a step further and point out that the issue in question is Flash #123 - 'The Flash of Two Worlds' - the groundbreaking comic that introduced the medium to the concept of a multiverse in which different versions of the same character exist. If you'll recall, that's central to the plot of Muschietti's Flash film, and indeed, modern comic media as a whole. From Peacemaker to Avengers: Doomsday, it's a central conceit for modern comic book movies and the ones soon to come.

Why a Batman comic is in IT: Welcome to Derry episode 1

And while we're talking about comic book movies to come, we have to point out that this is almost certainly not the only self-referential comic book cover that Muschietti included in this pilot. Shortly after Teddy's confrontation with his father, we find him reading yet more comics by lamplight that evening. And this time, he happens to be reading a Batman book.

If you've been paying attention to the future slate of films coming to James Gunn's DCU, you'll know that Batman's official introduction to that universe will be in 2027's The Brave and the Bold, directed by none other than (you guessed it!) Andy Muschietti. So not only is Muschietti referencing his DC film past in the pilot episode, but also what's to come for him down the line. It's a pretty good two-part Easter Egg for the director, no? Probably enough to just stop there, yes?

IT: Welcome to Derry references the DCU's own shape-shifting horror villain, Clayface

But of course, we can't stop there, because even within Muschietti's second Easter Egg is another one, and one that's even more relevant to immediate DCU interests. The Batman comic Teddy is reading is Detective Comics #298, which features the first appearance of the second DC Comics villain to bear the mantle Clayface, Matt Hagen. And as you know, DCU watcher, Hagen is slated to be the titular character in the Clayface movie (played by Tom Rhys Harries) in the upcoming (third) movie in Warner Bros' new superhero cinematic universe. 

Of all the references to DC Comics so far, I gotta say, it's this last one that feels the most exciting. Of course, I'm speaking as a little horror nerd who is just thrilled to see a monster at the center of a cinematic universe film, but I also think this reference is the most relevant to the actual IT series. Clayface is, after all, a shapeshifter, much like the Dancing Clown beneath Derry's sewers.

Kinda makes you wonder if Muschietti himself isn't just a little jealous not to be directing the film, no? Take it up with James Watkins, Andy.

IT: Welcome to Derry airs new episodes every Sunday night on HBO Max. 

Another Pennywise feeding cycle is upon us as HBO drops new episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry every week. Make sure you're prepared for the horror with:

• How to watch the It movies & TV series in order
• TheStephen King Must Reads
• Popverse's latest issue of Lore Corner - Welcome to Derry edition!