On first glance, the scene might appear innocuous: Dustin Henderson (played by Gaten Matarazzo) challenges Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) to a friendly BMX race after leaving Mike’s house. The camera captures the rolling hills of Hawkins, the carefree joy of youth, and the clattering of bicycle chains—classic markers of 1980s adventure cinema. Yet within this playful rivalry lies a narrative nugget of remarkable foresight.
After a hard-fought competition, Will emerges victorious, and in the glow of triumph, he makes a seemingly offhand request: “I want X-Men 134.” Comic book aficionados immediately recognise the significance. Published in 1979, X-Men 134 features the seminal “Phoenix Saga,” chronicling the arc of the telekinetic Dark Phoenix as she wrestles with overwhelming power, betrayal, and moral responsibility. This is not merely a collector’s nod; it’s a thematic reflection of what viewers witness in Hawkins: extraordinary abilities, immense responsibility, and the personal cost of wielding power in a world that often fears difference.
The Duffer Brothers’ inclusion of X-Men 134 here isn’t casual fan service. The Phoenix’s confrontation with Mastermind—trapping her adversary against a wall with sheer telekinetic force—mirrors Eleven’s climactic struggles against otherworldly entities. It’s a visual and conceptual echo, a subtle but clever piece of foreshadowing that rewards fans who understand comic lore while also reinforcing the narrative stakes for those experiencing Stranger Things primarily as a supernatural thriller.
The “Phoenix Saga” is rife with rich thematic content. It’s a story about power, identity, sacrifice, and the moral dilemmas faced by those who are fundamentally different from their peers. Dark Phoenix’s struggle with her own abilities, coupled with the external pressures and expectations of her companions, resonates with Eleven’s journey across the series. The telekinetic teenager grapples with her powers, her sense of self, and the often fraught dynamics of adolescence, making the X-Men reference a perfect mirror.
By weaving X-Men 134 into a seemingly innocent moment like a BMX race, the series simultaneously achieves multiple narrative goals. First, it reinforces the stakes of childhood in Hawkins: play, rivalry, and camaraderie exist alongside extraordinary responsibility. Second, it links the show’s fantastical elements with real-world pop culture artifacts that shaped a generation, grounding Eleven’s experiences in a broader cultural consciousness. For older viewers, the reference conjures nostalgia, while younger fans are subtly invited into the lore that influenced the era’s imagination.
The intertextuality here is sophisticated. It positions Stranger Things as a series capable of discussing complex themes like the burden of power and social othering through both overt and covert narrative channels. Will’s request for X-Men 134 becomes a metacommentary on identity formation and the way stories—whether comic books or television series—help us process extraordinary circumstances in relatable, human ways. It’s a gentle reminder that childhood curiosity and hero worship are intertwined with moral lessons about courage, empathy, and self-understanding.
What makes this Easter egg particularly striking is how it exemplifies the Duffer Brothers’ mastery of layered storytelling. Stranger Things has always thrived on its interweaving of nostalgia, supernatural thrills, and character-driven drama. The BMX race is at once a playful depiction of 1980s suburban life and a complex narrative device that foreshadows larger conflicts. Dustin and Will’s interaction, seemingly ordinary, becomes a microcosm of the series’ central tensions: innocence versus responsibility, friendship versus betrayal, and the discovery of self amid extraordinary circumstances.
The reference to X-Men 134 also reinforces Stranger Things’ engagement with the era’s comic culture, which is a recurring motif throughout the series. By embedding a culturally rich artifact within the story, the show invites fans to consider the ways in which media shapes identity, informs morality, and provides imaginative frameworks for understanding power and difference. It highlights the Duffer Brothers’ careful attention to detail, ensuring that even fleeting moments contribute to character development and thematic resonance.
Beyond the narrative implications, the choice underscores Stranger Things’ ability to operate on multiple levels simultaneously. Younger audiences enjoy the BMX race as a fun, energetic scene, while older viewers familiar with the Phoenix Saga catch the intertextual resonance, drawing connections between Eleven and Dark Phoenix. This dual engagement fosters a multi-generational viewing experience, bridging gaps between fans who experienced the 1980s firsthand and those discovering its cultural landscape through the show.
The inclusion of X-Men 134 also encourages a deeper appreciation for the artistry of the show. Stranger Things consistently rewards attentive viewers, offering layered insights through subtle references, visual cues, and carefully selected props. It demonstrates that the Duffer Brothers are not merely creating a nostalgic pastiche; they are crafting a fully realised world where each detail contributes to narrative, characterisation, and thematic cohesion.
In many ways, this BMX race encapsulates the essence of Stranger Things. It balances the innocence of youth with the tension of extraordinary stakes, all while threading cultural touchstones like comic books into the fabric of the story. By connecting Eleven’s powers to the Phoenix Saga, the show positions her experiences within a lineage of superhero narratives that deal with isolation, moral responsibility, and identity formation. Fans are invited to consider the broader implications of her journey—not just as a thrilling adventure, but as a story about personal growth, ethical choices, and the often fraught negotiation between power and humanity.
As the release of Stranger Things Season 5 approaches in November 2025, moments like these remind us that the series’ appeal lies in its ability to blend surface-level enjoyment with deeper narrative and cultural resonance. The X-Men 134 Easter egg exemplifies the Duffer Brothers’ commitment to thoughtful storytelling, where every line of dialogue, every prop, and every character interaction carries significance. It rewards careful viewing, fan curiosity, and a knowledge of cultural history, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected meaning that extends far beyond Hawkins, Indiana.
Ultimately, the BMX race and the X-Men reference remind audiences that Stranger Things thrives in the spaces between nostalgia, adventure, and introspection. Childhood innocence collides with extraordinary responsibility, and the cultural touchstones of the 1980s provide both context and commentary. It’s a clever, layered approach that continues to captivate fans across generations, proving that Stranger Things is more than a supernatural thriller—it is a celebration of story, memory, and the enduring power of imagination.
