Thomas Storai 
“From its retro comics-inspired visuals to its storytelling, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is the Marvel series that feels the most like actual comics being brought to life. It’s a fun and engaging new take on Spider-Man. This is clearly another success for Marvel Animation.”
After What If…?, Marvel Animation returns with a new series. The first two episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man are now streaming on Disney Plus. Episodes 3, 4 and 5 will release on February 5. Then, episodes 6, 7, and 8 will release on February 12. Finally, episodes 9 and 10 will release on February 19.
A NEW TAKE ON SPIDER-MAN
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a new take on Peter Parker’s origin story. This version of Peter’s story gives him Norman Osborn as his mentor. It takes inspiration from the MCU’s Sacred Timeline that had Tony Stark as his mentor. There are similarities between these two billionaires but these are very different characters, making them very different types of mentor. And let’s not forget that Norman Osborn is in the comics Spider-Man’s nemesis also known as the Green Goblin. So this is actually an exciting idea to see these two characters who are supposed to be enemies having interactions like we have never seen before. It keeps thing fresh and unexpected. Even though we’ve seen Peter Parker’s origin story quite a few times now, this one stands out from what came before. It does its own thing while staying true to who Spider-Man/Peter Parker is.
It’s a fun and engaging take on the character that will have you entertained from start to finish. Fun is the key word with Spider-Man, and this is what this series is. It tells a fun adventure with each episode. The story explores in a heartfelt way what it means to be Spider-Man for Peter Parker and how he manages to balance his two lives. More than any other series, this one feels like actual comics being brought to life. It has to do with the visuals but also with the storytelling in the way the episodes are structured and in the way Spider-Man’s world is explored. This is a love letter to the comics.
RETRO COMICS INSPIRED VISUALS
Moreover, Marvel Animation is not afraid to try different things. Indeed, What If…? had its own unique visual style while X-Men 97′ went with something else and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is something entirely different. This one takes inspiration from retro comics. It truly feels like old comics are being animated right in front of your eyes. And not just because of the character designs but also the use of vivid colours. In order to push that vibe even further, there’s the use of comic strips at times. Everything is here to make you feel like you are watching a comic. At the same time, this animation has a nostalgic feel because it’s inspired by retro comics and it also feels completely refreshing because Marvel had never done that before. There’s no better character than Spider-Man for this animation style. It fits the fun vibe of the character.
OPENING AND END CREDITS
Series that feature opening credits are always superior, what better way to get into a series than a catching opening? Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has it all – opening and end credits. The opening is a stylish tribute to old school comics while the end is a beautiful tribute to the making of these comics, it gives more of a behind the scenes vibe. With each episodes, there are some variations of what is featured in these credits. Both credits are a winning combo. But the cherry on the cake is the use of the classic Spider-Man theme song for the opening. Obviously, there’s a modern spin on it, and it works.
VERDICT
From its retro comics inspired visuals to its storytelling, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is the Marvel series that feels the most like actual comics being brought to life. It’s a fun and engaging new take on Spider-Man while still staying true to who the character really is. This is clearly another success for Marvel Animation.
The first two episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man are now streaming on Disney Plus.
Collectables and Anime Editor for Future Of The Force.
Star Wars expert and Japan connoisseur.
