“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” – Series Review

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider–Man is another animated series produced by Marvel Studios. However, rather than expanding or complementing Tom Holland’s film series, it presents viewers with an alternate world where the creators essentially explore the question: What if young Peter Parker had met Norman Osborn instead of Tony Stark?

And it’s hard to see the series any other way once you realize how many references it contains to events from the Marvel Cinematic Universe—such as the Chitauri invasion of New York and the introduction of the Sokovia Accords. Aunt May looks like an animated version of Marisa Tomei, and the scene where Peter first meets Osborn is a deliberate replica of Peter’s encounter with Tony in Captain America: Civil War.

The mentor changes, Peter’s friend group changes, but the spirit of Holland’s Spider-Man still looms over the production. The show feels like an alternate version of Spider-Man: Homecoming, complete with Peter having a crush on an older classmate—though this time, it’s Pearl instead of Liz.

This brings me to my main criticism of the series: for an alternate reality with so much creative potential, the show plays it incredibly safe. It feels derivative, and for someone familiar with previous on-screen adaptations of Spider-Man’s story, it might even be a bit dull.

There are elements that could have given the series more character if only they weren’t pushed into the background. For example, Peter’s platonic friendship with his classmate Nico, Harry Osborn’s influencer ambitions, his father’s gradual descent from a seemingly kind businessman to something darker, Peter’s friend Lonnie getting involved with the mafia, or the Oscorp intern team, which includes a Wakandan citizen and Amadeus Cho (who, in the comics, becomes one of the Hulks).

Only in the final episode does the series truly become engaging, even for more seasoned Spider-Man fans. It effectively ties the season together while teasing future storylines that the creators likely want to explore.

That being said, younger viewers—especially those for whom this is their first or second Spider-Man adaptation (rather than their tenth)—will likely have no trouble immersing themselves in the story. Spider-Man: Friendly Neighborhood Spider includes all the essential elements of the mythology: an ordinary teenager at the center, struggling with overwhelming responsibilities, stepping into adulthood, finding his own path, and realizing that with great power comes great responsibility.

Visually, the show is captivating, styled like a retro comic with dynamic framing, vibrant colors, and subtle grain effects. The voice acting is also excellent, featuring talents like Colman Domingo, known to Euphoria fans and nominated for an Oscar this year for his lead role in Sing Sing.

If you don’t mind watching teenage Peter Parker learn the ropes of being a masked hero yet again, you’ll likely find some undeniable charm in Marvel’s latest production. Otherwise, you can always recommend it to your kids, nephews, or younger cousins. It’s a solid and engaging project with potential for a much more exciting future—if it gets renewed.

(Especially hoping for more Daredevil, who was criminally underused here despite Charlie Cox’s involvement.)