I didn't get the reference (in fact, I thought it reminded me of an '80s Classic Who episode) but that's hardly indicative of much at all. References like this, no matter it being a part of "nerd culture," are becoming harder and harder to get by the vast majority of the audience due to our "nerd culture" branching out in so many directions. In fact, our culture can probably be sub-divided into at least a half-dozen different sub-cultures that all have their own references and in jokes, and there's really no shame in not knowing one or a few. I'm horrible at comics in general, and their immense lore, as well as anything horror related. I didn't get the joke but it doesn't mean I'm bad with the "nerd culture."
OT: The Vita isn't a bad machine and works extremely well (as long as the back touchpad isn't used...). The PS4 scares me more than the Vita ever did.