Spider-Man saving the day

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Episode 1 & 2 – Review

Warning: Spoilers for the first two Episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Does Whatever A Spider Can

A new generation, a new animated Spider-Man show. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has finally debuted with a two-episode premiere on Disney+ and blends many previous Spider-Man incarnations into a single package. Running parallel with the mainline MCU, this version of Peter Parker begins his journey with a makeshift suit, plenty of schoolmates, and remixed elements from Spidey’s history resulting in a tangled new interpretation visually inspired by Steve Ditko. Despite some pitfalls, the first two episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man present a refreshing rearrangement of Spider-Man’s lore. While the story offers a fun What If…? extended spin on the Marvel webhead, the animation feels rough and stiff throughout.

Spider-Man rescues Harry Osborn in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Amazing Fantasy

In some respects, the pilot episode checks some boxes. Spider bite origin, Peter going to high school, mentioning Uncle Ben’s death. Plenty of things that remain integral to the beginnings of Spider-Man. The backdrop in which Peter gets the spider bite vastly differs from prior incarnations. A magical fight ensues between Doctor Strange and a symbiote-esque character. Also exiting the portal is the spider that bites Peter, inevitably turning him into Spider-Man. After a time jump, Peter continued his studies at Bales High School and befriends some familiar faces, including Lonnie Lincoln, who is an antagonist known as Tombstone in Marvel comics. Peter later saves Harry Osborn from being pounded to a pulp on his way to school. The episode ends with a homage to Captain America: Civil War – Peter walks into his apartment and met by a wealthy philanthropist. This time, however, it is not Tony Stark it is none other than Norman Osborn, voiced by Coleman Domingo.

Spider-Man saves a pup from Butane in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

The Parker Luck

In serialized fashion, the second episode picks up right where the first ends. Norman offers Peter an internship at Oscorp, to which Peter accepts. This version of the Marvel universe introduces Amadeus Cho, Jeanne Foucault, and Asha from Wakanda. Rounding out the internship roster are Bentley Wittman and Carla Connors, the latter of which serves as a gender-swapped version of Curt Connors A.K.A. The Lizard from previous Spider-Man incarnations. While getting in some real work experience on his first day at Oscorp, a fire takes Peter away from the job, and thus the elusive “Parker Luck” comes into play. After a smoking battle with Butane, Peter heads back to Oscorp and gets summoned by Norman. Norman reveals that he knows Peter is Spider-Man.

First Impressions

Overall, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man aims to tell a refreshing story on the webhead’s origins. While the animation remains a point of contention, the characterizations, performances, and art style outweigh the bland inorganic nature of the animation. Between a Spider-Man showcasing the innate nature of people making mistakes, and Lonnie Lincoln reimagined as a friendly optimistic youth, this show is taking steps towards relevancy with stride. The interest in yet another animated Spider-Man show continues to heighten the character’s popularity, regardless of the crazy release schedule.

New Episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man drop on Wednesdays on Disney+.