Introduction

A while back, I wrote a first impressions review of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and I wasn’t too optimistic about this new take on our friendly wall-crawling hero. I didn’t say I hated it, but I had plenty to discuss, considering how different this series is from past Spider-Man adaptations.

Now that Season 1 has wrapped up after ten episodes, I have a lot of new thoughts. Did this show change my opinion for the better, or do I wish we’d stop getting animated Spider-Man series altogether? Let’s dive into my full review of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1. Warning: Spoilers ahead! While I’ll keep them to a minimum, I will mention key characters introduced later in the season.

Story

Despite offering a new take on Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man isn’t entirely different from what fans know and love. Once again, we follow Peter Parker as he gains his spider-like powers from a radioactive spider (whose origin is cleverly revealed in the season finale). Peter balances school, friendships, an internship at Oscorp (where Norman Osborn is the first to learn his secret), and his role as a vigilante.

What sets Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man apart is its seamless incorporation of elements from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and past Spider-Man movies. The series cleverly ties into other Marvel properties, including Daredevil (who makes an appearance in one of my favorite episodes). Without spoiling too much, several surprise characters are introduced as the story progresses.

The season finale alone answers many lingering questions while introducing enough intrigue to justify a second season. The inclusion of iconic villains like Doc Ock, a tease of the Venom symbiote, and even lesser-known adversaries like Tombstone are handled well. I’m genuinely excited to see what Disney and Marvel have in store for future seasons!

Acting and Cast

Hudson Thames (who also voices Spider-Man in What If…?) does an outstanding job in this series. He perfectly captures Peter’s nerdy charm and Spider-Man’s witty sarcasm.

Colman Domingo as Norman Osborn is one of my favorite casting choices, delivering a menacing yet intriguing performance. The rest of the voice cast is equally strong, with no one feeling out of place. Charlie Cox reprising his role as Daredevil is another fantastic addition, staying true to his live-action portrayal.

Animation

Some action scenes—like Daredevil vs. Scorpion and Spider-Man’s symbiote battle—are beautifully animated, but other moments feel underwhelming. Certain scenes looked noticeably rushed.

The character designs are also a mixed bag. I loved Peter’s final Spider-Man suit, but some of his earlier outfits looked odd. Similarly, some supporting characters, like Doc Ock, felt lazily designed—his glasses alone annoyed me throughout the series.

Conclusion

If you had told past me that I would rate Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man a 9.0, I would have laughed. My first impressions weren’t exactly glowing. But I can admit when I’m wrong.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man exceeded my expectations as the season progressed, and the finale left me eager for more. I was almost devastated when I realized episode 10 was the season finale! Luckily, a Season 2 has already been confirmed, with a third season reportedly in early development.

Here’s hoping Season 2 captures me as much as the first—maybe even faster this time!

—Aaron