Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1 Review: An Awesome Web-Slinging High School Adventure

It’s been a while since Spider-Man ever got his own serialized television series. The last time fans ever saw Marvel Comics’ iconic web-head in a show like that was 2017’s Marvel’s Spider-Man. Since then, many have been yearning to see the hero getting his own show again. Luckily, those hopes have been answered with Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

Despite its connections to the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1 feels like a needed return to form. This is indeed the same Peter Parker that fans will recognize from the movies. Yet, there’s so much new material here that makes the show truly stand out from other series like What If…?.

Sure, the move to place Peter Parker back in high school and having him endure that process of becoming Spider-Man has already been done. However, it successfully works for this show because it really creates those dynamics with other characters naturally.

This is the main case with the first batch of episodes, starting on Season 1 Episode 1 “Amazing Fantasy”. The developments we get initially between Peter and his newfound friend (and former member of the Runaways) Nico Minoru might remind you of his relationship with M.J. from Spider-Man: Homecoming. 

Yet, its pure platonic status allows Peter and Nico to share small moments in fun ways that shape Nico’s supportive, if somewhat pessimistic, personality. Whether they’re taking a class or being faced with these big challenges, Peter and Nico really play well off of each other. The high school scenes particularly add on to that charm nicely, with every character getting their own slice of comedy in too.

Of course, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1 tests out new relationships with Peter Parker to some shocking degrees of success.

Peter’s relationship with Lonnie Lincoln (not the Tombstone from the comics) doesn’t necessarily fulfill the “bully” trope. However, it takes subtle steps to get to a specific point with Lonnie, particularly around Season 1 Episode 7 “Scorpion Rising”.

Moreover, this falls into that love triangle arc that Peter, Lonnie, and Pearl Pangan begin to develop over time. It’s treated much like your usual high school crush drama arc, being spaced out until it takes a shift on Season 1 Episode 5 “The Unicorn Unleashed”. It lingers in the background within the second half of episodes, but it still has a resounding impact.

However, the main relationships that Peter Parker develops that fans should be most excited for is the ones with the Osborns: Harry and Norman.

Peter’s relationship with Harry may feel like how Peter and Ned’s friendship was first seen in the films. They’re both able to confide in their common nerd-doms that’s really fitting for today’s time, which is just a joy. Both of them share some of the funniest jokes, most of which land hilariously with the editing.

However, as Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1’s story develops, this friendship starts to embody some darker undertones. It does feel like it wants to get to that point where Harry becomes the Green Goblin. Although, it also wants to fully establish that friendship before anything else as well.

As for Peter’s relationship with Norman, this is where all of the more dramatic elements of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1 kick in. Throughout each episode, beginning on Season 1 Episode 3 “Secret Identity Crisis”, you can’t help but feel that every interaction Norman has has this malice. 

Norman does truly want to see the best of Peter, but he’s got this inner calling deep within him to only look out for himself. His father-son bond with Harry somewhat reminds you of the dynamic that was on Spectacular Spider-Man, which only permeates that. Yet, creator Jeff Trammell has added more nuance by having Norman have this deep “god complex” of sorts.

While I can’t speak on how other characters play a role on Peter Parker’s journey, there are some that particularly stand out. This version of Doctor Strange is really invigorated and, more so, feels like his comics self. Chameleon, Scorpion, and Rhino are brutishly intimidating as always, but Speed Demon and Tarantula are particularly charming in some peculiar ways.

To add to that, the Spider-Man/Daredevil team-up here certainly won’t disappoint you. Having that team-up episode that fans have been waiting for, with all of its pumped up action, really gives you an adrenaline rush.

Speaking on the animation itself, the comic book-stylized, fluid designs and colorful palettes give Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1 a beautifully lively aesthetic. Some fans might’ve been put off how things were shown in those trailers, but it really feels accentuated here.

Every set piece, character, and environment brings its own energy in visually creating this world around Spider-Man in a refreshing way. Additionally, every action sequence incorporates this accelerated tone, having this energetic blend of action-to-action and subject-to-subject shots.

As such, it really does make every scene in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1 wonderfully come to life as it wants to.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 1 is a fun and awesome re-imagining of the mythos around the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of this spectacular superhero. With a Season 2 already on the way, I cannot wait for what Trammell and the team will have in store in the future.

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Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man premieres on Wednesday, January 29 on Disney+. New episodes release weekly.

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