It’s no secret that Marvel Studios’ new “Marvel Animation” brand has had a rocky start

The label began with What If…? in 2021, a venture that delivered some fantastic episodes but ultimately fell short of its full potential, ending in a rather disastrously bad third season this past December. The only other title released under the brand thus far is X-Men ‘97, a series that revived the classic X-Men characters from the ’90s with roaring success. Not only was X-Men ’97 critically acclaimed and nominated for an Emmy, but it also became one of the most-watched Disney+ originals of 2024. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is next up from Marvel Animation, and it’s got a lot to live up to.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man: A New Universe

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is Marvel Animation’s first attempt at a completely new universe, not connected to any previous movies or TV shows… for the most part. When the Disney+ original series was first announced, it was pitched as an animated prequel showcasing Peter Parker’s origin story before the events of Captain America: Civil War. However, that all changed after it was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 that the show would follow a whole new version of Peter separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Television executive Brad Winderbaum recently explained the reasoning behind the change, saying the MCU foundations gave the story far too many limitations.

Exploring a Different Timeline

Straying away from the “Sacred Timeline” allowed head writer Jeff Trammell and his team to explore the titular hero with practically unlimited resources. But, as it turns out, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is surprisingly connected to the MCU in a number of ways. The whole show is somewhat based on the unsaid premise of “What If Peter Parker Didn’t Go To School At Midtown High?” which may feel like a strange jumping-off point, but that question means new supporting characters and no sign of Mary Jane or Ned Leeds. Instead, we’re introduced to a different timeline where Peter Parker is surrounded by new friends and enemies, and a familiar replacement for Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Norman Osborn: A New Mentor

Head writer Jeff Trammell gets to have his cake and eat it with Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, as he’s free from the shackles of what Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has already done in the franchise. While some fans may get bored with another “Peter Parker in his early teens” storyline, the writing team on this series manages to add enough unique distinction from the MCU to make this feel like a totally fresh take on the famous web crawler. The biggest difference in this interpretation is the introduction of Norman Osborn, voiced by Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Rustin), who serves the same purpose as Tony Stark does for Spider-Man in the MCU. However, Norman is no Tony.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man brilliantly explores how Peter Parker may change or act differently in various situations when having someone like Norman Osborn as his mentor. Norman is more willing to bend the rules to get what he wants. This first season gives a slow build-up for Norman’s storyline that will leave fans excited for the next two confirmed seasons, when this character is bound to become the iconic supervillain we all know.

The Supporting Cast

The supporting cast of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is not necessarily filled with familiar friends and foes. By the show’s end, though, audiences will come to love them all; this is especially true for Lonnie Lincoln (Eugene Byrd). Originally the villain Tombstone in the comics, the writing team reinterprets the character as one of Peter’s classmates, serving as the high school jock of sorts.

Harry Osborn does have a recurring appearance in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Yet, his presence is rather limited in scope and is a disappointing portrayal that you would hope becomes more of a well-developed character in future seasons.

FAQs

Is Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man exists in a separate universe but still maintains some connections to the MCU.

Are there plans for future seasons of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man?

Yes, two more seasons of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man have been confirmed.

Credit: discussingfilm.net