In a move that would make Friends’ resident paleontologist Ross Geller jump for joy, his childhood superhero creation has now been officially recognized in Marvel Comics. Though Friends originally aired from 1994 to 2004, it took nearly two decades after its finale for Ross’ fictional superhero, “Science Boy,” to find his way into the Marvel Universe.
A Throwback to Ross’ Comic Book Dreams
In Season 9, Episode 15 — The One With the Mugging — Ross and Phoebe are held up at gunpoint, only for Phoebe to realize she knows the robber from her past. The situation leads to an unexpected revelation: years ago, Phoebe mugged Ross when they were both kids. Despite the awkward history, the two reconcile when Phoebe reveals she kept Ross’ homemade comic book about a superhero named Science Boy.
This quirky plot twist was played for laughs in the show, but years later, the character Ross created in childhood is no longer just a fictional footnote. Marvel has introduced a hero with a strikingly similar name and concept — and he’s now part of their ever-expanding multiverse.
From Sitcom Gag to Comic Book Reality: Meet Marvel’s Science Boy
The Marvel version of Science Boy is Dimitri Krakov, a genius child of cosmonauts who vanished into another dimension. Raised in the Soviet Union, Dimitri grows up to serve a mysterious scientific organization and wields a shape-shifting piece of tech called the Thing-of-Order. This futuristic device acts as a weapon, drone, and AI-powered encyclopedia — think Tony Stark-level genius with a dash of cosmic mystery.
Dimitri debuted in G.O.D.S., a 2023 comic series by Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti. The series introduced two new cosmic forces: The-Powers-That-Be (representing magic) and The-Natural-Order-of-Things (representing science). Dimitri serves the latter and works closely with magical operatives as a kind of scientific overseer — while also secretly searching the universe for his missing parents. Although the visual design differs from Ross’ homemade version, the spirit of Science Boy — a brainy young hero driven by knowledge — is very much alive.
Friends’ Superhero Influence Doesn’t End There
Believe it or not, Friends has made its mark on Marvel more than once.
In Season 3, Episode 19 (The One With the Tiny T-Shirt), Phoebe jokingly questions why Spider-Man’s name isn’t pronounced like a surname, asking, “Why isn’t it Spid-er-man? Like ‘Phil Spiderman’?” Chandler sarcastically responds that Spider-Man isn’t a last name — he’s “a spider man.”
Fast forward to 2022’s Edge of Spider-Verse #4, and Marvel introduced a hilariously mundane alternate Spider-Man named Pete Spiderman. In this version of the multiverse, Pete is a suburban dad-type superhero who battles villains like the Green Lawn Goblin and Kraven the Home flipper. While not confirmed as a Friends reference, Pete Spiderman feels like a loving nod to that classic joke — and is now canon, fanny pack and all.
Even the Friends Cast Made It Into Marvel Canon
It’s not just fictional heroes either — Friends actors themselves have appeared in Marvel lore.
In Iron Man Vol. 3 #13, published in 1998, Tony Stark is shown casually socializing with a woman who looks strikingly like Courteney Cox. During a dinner scene with Rumiko Fujikawa, the mystery woman says, “David and I would love to catch up,” clearly referencing Friends co-stars Cox and David Schwimmer. While the names aren’t used directly, it’s a clear Easter egg that places two Friends cast members in Tony Stark’s elite social circle.
But Marvel Still Can’t Top DC’s Love Affair With Seinfeld
Although Marvel has woven Friends into its universe in subtle ways, it still can’t quie match the level of affection DC Comics shows to another iconic sitcom — Seinfeld.
Thanks to Jerry Seinfeld’s well-known admiration for Superman, DC and Seinfeld have enjoyed a longstanding, mutual relationship. Superman references pop up throughout Seinfeld’s nine-season run, and the two even starred in American Express commercials together. In a 2021 comic variant cover, Superman and Batman are depicted in a clear homage to Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, another nod to Seinfeld’s cultural impact.
Marvel has tried to keep up — for instance, the layout of Rhino’s apartment in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (2025) mirrors the set of Seinfeld. But while Marvel has cleverly folded in its share of sitcom references, the DC/Seinfeld bond remains in a league of its own.
Friends and Marvel: A Surprisingly Heroic Connection
From Ross’ childhood dream becoming reality, to alternate Spider-Men inspired by one-liners, and even Iron Man casually knowing TV stars, the connections between Friends and Marvel run deeper than most fans realize. Though some of these links are tongue-in-cheek, they highlight the unexpected and delightful ways pop culture worlds collide.
As Friends continues to hold its place in the pop culture hall of fame — and Marvel pushes its multiverse to new frontiers — it’s only fitting that a goofy superhero dreamed up in a sitcom is now officially part of comic book canon.
