Where To Find Marvel QR Codes: What To Know

If you’ve ever heard someone say QR Codes are limitless, they weren’t kidding!

We’ve seen these pixelated squares everywhere, from restaurants to music concerts and now, Marvel Studios. To the delight of thousands of fans worldwide, Marvel Studios has found an innovative way for their audience to access additional content—Quick Response (QR) Codes. 

The first time viewers spotted QR Code technology in a Marvel series was the hidden QR Code that appeared in the series “Moon Knight.” Now, Marvel is hiding QR Codes in more of its shows, and we’ve got all the details!

A word of caution: The spoilers ahead are explicit, so if you want to be part of the fun, catch up on the latest episodes streaming on Disney Plus.

*Note: Brands and shows discussed were found during our online research for this article.

What are Marvel QR Codes?

Marvel QR Codes are a lot like your typical QR Code, the only distinguishing factor being that they lead you to Marvel content such as trailers and comic books. 

Marvel has incorporated QR Codes in recent shows and movies, including “Moon Knight,” “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” and “Ms. Marvel” (more on this later). 

When scanned with a smartphone camera, these solutions unlock additional content, which is exciting for fans and strategic for Marvel—the studio essentially uses QR Codes for brand awareness. After all, by presenting them to fans, Marvel gets more eyes on other content like comic books. Talk about maximizing all your marketing avenues!

Why are Marvel QR Codes a smart idea?

We know what you’re thinking—why does Marvel need additional solutions, like QR Codes, when it’s already secured millions of loyal fans worldwide? While this is the case, as with many industry giants, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) isn’t performing as well as expected among modern audiences. For example, one of its recent films, “The Marvels,” grossly underperformed in its premiere weekend compared to other Marvel creations. 

How can Marvel maintain interest in its productions? Simple: adapt to new audiences’ needs and leverage innovative solutions whenever possible. One such solution is QR Code technology. It’s a worthwhile investment thanks to benefits such as:

  • Allowing fans to become active participants when watching Marvel shows, adding to their excitement.

  • Offering a way for Marvel to provide bonus content that wouldn’t fit within the main show or movie. For example, the studio can add a code that directs interested viewers to behind-the-scenes content.

  • Scanning data that can provide valuable insights into audience behavior and preferences. For example, Marvel can see how many people are interested in behind-the-scenes content through the total scan data to help determine which type of content to include in future shows. 

  • Allowing the studio to market additional products, like comic books, through its shows. 

  • Helping Marvel engage audiences who love the type of content it puts out further. For example, the studio can use QR Codes that direct viewers to review sites to collect feedback. 

Of course, for these nifty squares to be beneficial, you need to choose a reliable QR Code generator and avoid common QR Code mistakes like failing to test them before incorporating them into shows and marketing materials. This way, you can deliver fully functional and efficient QR Codes. 

Where can you find Marvel QR Codes?

QR Codes are incredibly versatile not only in how you can use them but also in where you can incorporate them. Marvel uses QR Codes in many settings, including:

TV shows

Marvel has used QR Codes in various TV shows over the years to direct audiences to additional content. These codes typically appear in the background of scenes or on props to make them just noticeable enough to get viewers’ attention without taking away from the shows themselves. 

For example, it incorporated a QR Code in the background of the first episode of “Moon Knight” to lead fans to the Marvel website, where they could access free digital comic books. 

Using QR Codes in TV shows can offer numerous benefits, including:

  • Repeat watches: People who may have missed the codes the first time around will likely rewatch shows to find them. 

  • Word-of-mouth discussions about the content: Positioning codes in shows can encourage fans to share their exciting discoveries, getting more people to talk about your shows. 

  • Engagement with the brand: Take the “Moon Knight” QR Codes as an example—they have led fans to engage with Marvel beyond theaters and streaming services by directing them to the Marvel website.  

Marketing materials

Today, you can also find Marvel QR Codes on marketing materials like posters, trailers, and social media posts that give fans easy access to information and build anticipation for productions. 

Marvel has used these pixelated squares for this purpose on various occasions, including in its “Iron Man 2” print advertisement. The studio added a QR Code on Tony Stark’s chest to direct fans to a website with information about the film, such as premier dates, photos, and a synopsis. 

Real-world events

QR Codes have proven to work just as well off-screen as they do on-screen, again, because of their versatility. 

Marvel fans who enjoy in-person events like Comic-Con are no strangers to QR Codes off-screen, thanks to Marvel’s wide adoption. The studio uses the nifty solutions at conventions, fan events, and pop-ups to enhance user experiences by providing easy access to digital comic books, merchandise, and film information. 

What shows have we seen Marvel QR Codes in so far?

Marvel has taken a unique approach to QR Codes in its shows—they’re apparent enough for eagle-eyed viewers to see but also so subtle that you may miss them. If you haven’t seen them yet, we’ve got you covered. 

Here are some of the shows we’ve seen them in:

“Ms. Marvel”

QR Codes appear several times in “Ms. Marvel” to boost fan engagement with the show and build anticipation for subsequent episodes. 

The little pixelated boxes first appear in Episode 1, when Kamala’s brainy best friend, Bruno Carrelli, is putting the finishing touches on the Captain Marvel costume. Right behind Bruno is the first QR Code, resting on an ATM in the background. Once viewers scan the code, it digitally transports them, in true Marvel fashion, into the online Marvel comic book collection; in this case, “Ms. Marvel” #1, published in 2014 and written by G. Willow Wilson.

The second code appears in Episode 2 as Kamala and Bruno walk through the corridors of their school building. The best friends come across a poster with the school’s code of conduct and a QR Code pasted on the wall, which directs viewers to “Ms. Marvel” #15.

The clever solutions also appear in the third and fourth episodes. Around halfway through Episode 3, a code appears as Kamala sends a text message to Kamaran, her new friend and love interest. This time, the obscure pixelated square links viewers to “Magnificent Ms. Marvel” #1

In Episode 4, a QR Code appears when Kamala encounters a photographer in Pakistan. Along the frame of the photographer’s tourist trap, between the sign that reads “I heart Karachi” and the Pakistani flag, lies a QR Code that leads fans to the next digital comic, “Ms. Marvel” #12.

“She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”

If you’re a fan of “She-Hulk,” Marvel also has you covered. To increase QR Code conversion rates, the studio provides an incentive for scanning the codes—free copies of digital comic books. Here’s a list of episodes with QR Codes:

  • Episode 1: After her accident, Jennifer sneaks into a bar. On her way to the bathroom, a QR Code appears on the poster with a sign that reads “Ladies’ Night.” The code directs viewers to a free “She-Hulk” comic book: “The Savage She-Hulk.”

  • Episode 2: A QR Code appears when Jennifer is searching for a job on her laptop. The QR Code, which directs viewers to “She-Hulk #1,” is on a job listicle. 

  • Episode 3: The third code appears when lawyer Augustus Pug unearths video footage of Runa publicly admitting that she’s not really who she says she is. Scanning the code leads viewers to another comic book, “The Savage She-Hulk: Deathrace!

  • Episode 4: The fourth code can be easy to miss as Marvel has camouflaged it on Jen’s dating profile. The code leads to “She-Hulk Classic: Avengers West Coast,” another free digital comic book.

  • Episode 5: Here, the QR Code is in the boba shop Nikki and Pug visit looking for the Iron Man Three sneakers. The code, which is below a picture on the wall, leads audiences to “She-Hulk” (2004) #10.

You can also find QR Codes in Episodes 6, 7, 8, and 9 on the side skirt of a car, on a food truck during Jen’s and Josh’s date, on a wooden pole just outside “Lily Pad,” and on the door signage of the show’s writers’ room. Scanning these codes also directs you to free digital “She-Hulk” comics. 

“Moon Knight”

Like “Ms. Marvel” and “She-Hulk” viewers, “Moon Knight” fans can access free comics through the Easter eggs hidden throughout the series. If you pay attention, you’ll see the pixelated squares in the first, second, and fifth episodes. 

Where exactly? In the first episode, the QR Code appears as Steven Grant explains the story behind an Egyptian sarcophagus to a young museum visitor—the code, which takes viewers to a copy of “Werewolf by Night” #32, is on the museum’s wall. 

In Episode 2, the code is on the storage locker Grant finds after he comes across a strange locker key in his apartment. Like the other code, it leads fans to a free digital comic book, “Werewolf by Night” #33

In Episode 5, you can see a QR Code next to the magic doorway Steven uses to access some of his memories. Scanning the code directs you to the first copy of the “Moon Knight” comic. 

Using QR Codes has led to millions of page visits and increased comic book readership among Marvel fans, making this a worthwhile investment for the studio. 

Create unique experiences like these for your audience with QR Code Generator PRO

Marvel QR Codes are a testament to the versatility and flexibility of QR Codes. Like Marvel, you can use them to add an air of excitement, direct clients to additional content,  and enhance customer engagement, improving their overall experience with your brand. 

This, and more, is possible with QR Code Generator PRO. With our tool, you can seamlessly create QR Codes for your business goals. Whether you want to direct customers to extra content, your website, a survey, or your contact information for direct communication, there’s a solution waiting for you. 

Sign up for QR Code Generator PRO today to marvel (pun intended) your audience with reliable, custom QR Codes that facilitate easy access to information!

Author
Robyn Albertyn

Robyn is a content writer at Bitly. She’s based in Berlin and has over four years of experience writing short and long-form content in the software space. Her writing inspires brands to explore the countless ways they can use Bitly. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.

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