WhenYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Manwas first revealed, it was initially pitched as a prequel to theJon Wattstrilogy starringTom Holland. The series was set to fill us in on the detailsCaptain America: Civil WarandSpider-Man: Homecomingdidn’t cover, following the young hero becoming a local legend. However, things quickly changed, and the series turned into more of a standalone story, leading to an almostWhat If…?-inspired reimagining of the MCU mythos on the heels of a massive year for Marvel animation. The aforementionedWhat If…?wrapped up its final season, whileX-Men ‘97took the world by storm. The newest branch of Marvel Studios has slowly been charting its own path, so it comes as no surprise that their next series is all about the company’s biggest hero.
DoesYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Mando the character justice? After all, the web-slinger is no stranger to animation; not only is there the Academy Award-winningSpider-Versefilm series, but there’s also the iconic ’90s animated series, a cult classic inSpectacular Spider-Man, and shows from the ’70s and ’80s that helped redefine what the character is today. WhileYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Manmight not live up to those unreasonably high expectations,it’s still pretty darn good.
What Is ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ About?
Set in 2016, the MCU-adjacent series takes us back to when Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) got bit by that radioactive spider. While we’re very much in a version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the events ofCivil Warare happening over the course of the series), things quickly change viaa new origin story for Peterand his supporting cast of characters. Notably, Nico Minoru (Grace Song) is Peter’s best friend instead of Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), while Norman Osborn is a prominent figure in New York, played by Oscar nomineeColman Domingorather thanSpider-Man: No Way Home’sWillem Dafoe. Once you grapple with all the adjustments to the show’s setting, you’re in for the usual superhero fare. Boy acquires powers, and he has a responsibility to help those in need; those close to him get caught up in his superhero life, and so on. That said, there’s still a ton to love about this new incarnation.
The show also uses a 3D animation style unlike anything we’ve seen in any Marvel series before.A blend of cell shading and panels makesYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Manfeel like an actual comic book come to life. While the animation isn’t perfect, as the frame rate can feel a bit wonky at times, almost like watching a video game struggle on a PS5, it’s easy to settle in for the ride after that initial hurdle. The art direction is directly inspired by the original Spider-Man comic books created by the iconic duoStan LeeandSteve Ditko, creating a 1960s aesthetic that feels like a sharp return to the character’s roots. It even goes so far as to change each episode’s intro to reflect an iconic comic book cover from the original Spider-Man run. While the animation does feel ripped from the ’60s, the music choices are more contemporary, adding a East Coast hip-hop flair to the series. That fusion of classic and modern really pays off, givingYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Mana unique identity compared to past iterations.
“We Would Be Severely Limited”: ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Showrunner Explains Why New Marvel Series Isn’t Set in the MCU
The series debuts January 29.
‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Is All About Power, Responsibility… and High School
AsYourFriendly Neighborhood Spider-Mantakes us back to basics, it touches on a lot of Spider-Man’s greatest hits — his origin, wanting to help his aunt pay the bills, missing important events because he’s playing vigilante. None of this is necessarily new for longtime fans, butthe series does offer some pretty big twists through its supporting castand, in turn, changes Peter’s journey as well. It’s also surprising how heavy this show gets, touching on topics like gang culture and corruption on top of the usual teenage drama. Lonnie Lincoln is easily one of the best characters in the show, as the up-and-coming football star becomes caught up in a life he never expected. Moments like this are where the series shines. The character might come across as just another jock, but you quickly get caught up in his drama that there are moments where you don’t even need Spider-Man to make an appearance.
Lonnie isn’t the only series standout, though, asHarry and Norman Osborn are successful reinventionsof two of Spider-Man’s most well-known supporting characters. Norman serves as Peter’s mentor figure instead of Tony Stark (after all, he’s somewhat of a scientist himself), which allows Norman to be present throughout, and while not all of his intentions are pure, he leans toward the side of good. Domingo’s voice performance perfectly toes the line between a father figure and a sinister businessman.
ShowrunnerJeff Trammell(Craig of the Creek) and the writers on this series also delivera fully fleshed-out New York full of diverse charactershailing from different cultures, races, and sexual orientations and honoring the vision Stan Lee held for the franchise.This Marvel universe reflects the world outside your windowand adds a refreshing richness to the show’s worldbuilding, especially during current real-world events. This city is far bigger than Peter Parker, and while he may not understand everything thrown his way, he still fights to protect those in need.
YourFriendly Neighborhood Spider-Mandelivers in almost every way. Yes, there’s some strange animation at times, and sure, the main story beats are things we know like the back of our hand, but there’s just enough here to make for a fun watch. It has amazing characters, spectacular art design, a sensational score, and the superior Norman Osborn. It’s also a love letter to all things Spider-Man. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or simply a casual viewer, there’s plenty in this series to keep you entertained.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Manpremieres January 29 on Disney+.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a casual viewer, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has plenty to offer, including a bold animation style and fun plot twists.
Watch on Disney+
