Every Easter Egg & Reference You Might’ve Missed in IT: WELCOME TO DERRY Episode 1; Including DC References
The cursed town of Derry, Maine, has returnedm and it’s just as terrifying as ever. The premiere of IT: Welcome to Derry opens a chilling new chapter in Stephen King’s universe, taking us back to 1962 to explore the town’s dark history decades before the Losers’ Club was even born.
Directed by Andy Muschietti, who helmed the IT films and The Flash, and it give fans a dense web of clues, nods, and connections to King’s sprawling mythology.
From deep-cut DC Comics cameos to clever world-building details, here’s a breakdown of the most intriguing Easter eggs and references hidden throughout Episode 1.
Major Hanlon’s Family Connection
Early in the episode, viewers meet Captain Pauly Russo (Rudy Mancuso) and Major Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo), two Air Force officers newly stationed in Derry. That surname should ring a bell. Leroy is the grandfather of future Losers’ Club member Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs). In IT (2017), Mike’s grandfather (played by Steven Williams) was a hardened farmer, but here, seeing him as a respected military figure opens the door to a fascinating backstory.
How did this man go from the disciplined Air Force to a life of isolation on a farm? The answer may lie in his inevitable encounter with Pennywise and the town’s haunting influence.
The Birth of the Paul Bunyan Statue
A small but satisfying detail shows Derry in the midst of transformation. When Hanlon reads a local newspaper, a headline reveals the town’s approval to construct the now-iconic Paul Bunyan statue.
Fans will recall that this same statue later terrorized Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard) in IT: Chapter Two. This moment situates the prequel within the evolving geography of Derry, showing us the origins of one of the town’s creepiest landmarks.
The Earth vs. Flying Saucers Poster
Inside young Phil’s (Jack Molloy Legault) room hangs a poster for the 1956 sci-fi classic Earth vs. Flying Saucers. This is a personal nod to Stephen King himself. In his nonfiction book Danse Macabre, King recalls watching that exact movie as a child when the screening was interrupted by the news that the Soviet Union had launched Sputnik.
That fusion of cinematic fear and real-world dread helped shape King’s storytelling instincts, making this reference a heartfelt tribute to the author’s formative experience.
Juniper Hill Asylum Returns
Episode 1 introduces Lilly (Clara Stack), who is cruelly nicknamed “Loony Lilly” by her classmates. After witnessing her father’s gruesome death at the pickle factory, her mother commits her to Juniper Hill Asylum.
Longtime King readers will recognize Juniper Hill from IT, Needful Things, and 11/22/63, where it often houses victims of Derry’s supernatural evil. Its presence once again ties Welcome to Derry into the broader King multiverse.
The Turtle Symbolism
Turtles appear throughout the premiere, which is a major nod to Maturin, the cosmic turtle who opposes Pennywise in King’s mythos. In one scene, children watch a real 1960s “duck and cover” safety cartoon featuring Bert the Turtle.
Later, Matty (Miles Ekhardt) gives Lilly a turtle pendant, telling her they bring good luck. For fans of King’s deeper lore, these moments hint at the battle between cosmic forces that define The Dark Tower saga and suggest the show might explore those larger supernatural threads.
Beverly Marsh’s Dark Legacy
In a brief but chilling scene, graffiti scrawled on a school bathroom wall reads “Alvin Marsh.” Fans will instantly recognize the name as Beverly Marsh’s abusive father. Since the show is set 27 years before IT, Alvin would be a student at this time, a haunting reminder that Derry’s cycle of cruelty and trauma didn’t start with the Losers’ Club. Evil, both human and supernatural, has always been part of the town’s DNA.
The Prophecy in The Music Man
The finale unfolds in a movie theater showing The Music Man. During the film, Harold Hill says, “Our children’s children are gonna have trouble.” Moments later, Pennywise strikes. The line eerily foreshadows Derry’s generational curse, predicting the Losers’ Club’s future battle 27 years later. It’s a subtle yet chilling piece of foreshadowing that perfectly captures the cyclical nature of King’s horror.
The DC Universe Connection
Because both IT and DC properties share Warner Bros. as a studio home, Muschietti sneaks in several comic book Easter eggs, and they’re not random picks.
Teddy Uris (Mikkal Karim-Fidler) is seen reading Detective Comics #298, written by Bill Finger and drawn by Sheldon Moldoff. That issue marks the first appearance of Clayface, a villain soon to appear in the DCU film Clayface, where Tom Rhys Harries will take on the role.
Later, Teddy is seen reading Flash #123, The Flash of Two Worlds, a classic 1961 issue that introduced the DC Multiverse. Considering Muschietti’s work on The Flash and his upcoming The Brave and the Bold, these choices feel like deliberate winks to his own superhero history. Another quick nod references the Atom, adding another layer to the interconnected Easter egg hunt.
With its premiere on HBO on October 26, 2025, IT: Welcome to Derry has set the tone for a series that’s equal parts terrifying and richly layered. Episode 1 is packed with history and every frame feels designed to expand the mythology behind Pennywise and Derry itself.
Whether you’re a lifelong King fan or just someone who loves a good supernatural mystery, this series is already shaping up to be one hell of a ride.