Being a Western, Poison Ivy Gulch has a handful out shout-outs to other works of the genre plus other references.
- The 7/12/2020 strip shows
Ace wearing a hat and poncho much like the Man with No Name from the Dollars Trilogy. - When local newspaper reporter Tab Stop debuts on 1/8/2021, we first see him being robbed on a stagecoach ride. This is a nod to the stagecoach robbery from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
- On 12/7/2020, Lotta asks Ace if he wants Hopping John for dinner. Hopping John, also known as Hoppin' John, is a dish from the Southern United States made with peas and rice. The Other Wiki has more details.
- On 9/7/2020, who should show up at the saloon but Quasimodo?
- Another strip has Pickaxe Paul drinking from a pool of water at Soda Springs. This is an actual city in modern Idaho, known for its mineral geysers and as being a stop on the Oregon Trail.
- A local shop seen on 3/31/2021 has a sign saying "Sergio's Hats".
- During the April 2021 story arc with Ace traveling to and from the gulch, he rides on a burro named Fleetwood.
- Ace meets a wagon train full of Germans; they teach him various German words such as "Fahrvergnugen", best remembered as the Volkswagon advertising slogan.
- A man about to be hanged actually quotes Nathan Hale's famous line about having only one life to give for his country.
- From March 2021 onward, Ace is sometimes seen wearing a plumed hat similar to that of Billy Jack. In fact, creator Max West even has referred to Ace's hat as a "Billy Jack style" hat in some YouTube videos where he inks forthcoming comic strips!
- Mr. Peanut, mascot for Planters Peanuts, turns up in the saloon on 5/21/2021.
- On 6/6/2021, a visitor to the gulch has the names "J. Hart and B. Parker" on his baggage. This is a nod to Johnny Hart and Brant Parker, creators of The Wizard of Id.
- On 9/3/2021, Mayor Sidewinder meets the Provolone Ranger who operates the gulch's first delicatessen.
- On 10/11/2021, the Black Spy and White Spy show up in the Mayor's office.
- 10/22/2021: A doctor tells Mayor Sidewinder he needs more iron in his diet...which leads the mayor to ordering "Old Ironsides" at the saloon. Old Ironsides is a brand of single malt whiskey.
- 10/29/2021: Lorraine tells the piano player to "play it, Sam".
- 11/1/2021: Ace asks the riddle of why is a raven like a writing desk. Like a certain hatter, he admits he doesn't know the answer.
- 12/1/2021: Lotta is playing poker with a certain man who bets Park Place and the Boardwalk.
- 3/30/2022: Cowboy Wilbur tries a can of "B. Juliano's Canned Bacon". This is a nod to Bret Juliano, creator of Dust Bunny Mafia.
