Introduction

Even now, as an adult, if you ask me who my favorite superhero is, I can answer without hesitation—Spider-Man. As a kid, I collected hundreds of comics, and as a teen, I watched every Spider-Man cartoon I could find, including the 1967 series and Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends—despite not being quite that old! Side thoughts aside, I have always loved Spider-Man, which is why I eagerly awaited the new series produced by Marvel Studios Animation. Dubbed Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (more on that title soon), I was excited to see a retro-themed Spidey set in modern times. After watching four episodes, I have my thoughts on this new take on the web-slinger. Let’s dive into my first impressions and see if this series is worth your time. True believers, you might want to read this if you haven’t checked out Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man just yet!

Watch the Official Trailer

Why You’ll Like This

The story kicks off with a parallel world incident caused by everyone’s favorite sorcerer, Doctor Strange. On his way to a new school, Peter Parker finds himself caught in a battle with a symbiotic being. Unnoticed by everyone, a small spider spins a web through the portal created by Strange. Like most versions of Peter’s origin, he gets bitten by a radioactive spider and soon takes on the role of Spider-Man, dishing out vigilante justice.

While much of what fans know about Spider-Man remains the same, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes some creative liberties with the story. That’s both a strength and a slight annoyance. As a longtime fan, I’ve seen Peter Parker’s origin story countless times, so it’s hard not to groan at another retelling. However, this series introduces fresh elements that make it feel new again.

One of the biggest changes is Peter’s costume. While it took me some time to adjust to the new design, I eventually grew to appreciate it. The way classic Spider-Man characters are introduced as heroes and villains is also interesting, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by a few unexpected appearances. That said, one element from the current MCU Spider-Man movies continues to annoy me—Peter’s identity being revealed to too many people. By the fourth episode, multiple characters already know he’s Spider-Man, which makes me wonder, why? This aspect could be the show’s downfall if it doesn’t handle these changes carefully.

What does work, for the most part, is the animation style. Much like the remixed 1967 theme song used in the opening, the art style of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man blends modern animation with retro aesthetics. At first, I wasn’t a huge fan—much like the title, it took some getting used to—but after watching several action-packed episodes, I can confidently say the animation is visually impressive.

Is It Worth Three Episodes?

This one is tough to answer. As a fan, I’d say Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is absolutely worth giving the famous “three-episode test.” However, longtime fans might be the series’ harshest critics, and that’s understandable. I’m trying to set aside my jaded perspective and view this version of Spider-Man with fresh eyes, but I can’t help but wonder if this series will take a franchise I love and alter it too much. Only time will tell. For now, though, I remain hopeful.

Conclusion

I’m torn on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Am I eagerly waiting for each new episode? Not really. But that doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying it. I think this series will be divisive—some fans will despise it, while others will appreciate its unique approach. We’ve had over a dozen Spider-Man cartoons, and each has had its own charms. That’s something I’m starting to see with this one as well. Will it become my all-time favorite Spider-Man animated series? Probably not, but there are still more episodes to come. Stay tuned for my full series review, coming soon to SunsetNerdVerse!

—Aaron