More than sixty years have passed since the inception of Spider-Man by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The iconic superhero has been recreated numerous times, most recently, by creator Jeff Trammell for the Disney+ show "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man."
Set in Queens, New York, the series starts with Peter Parker, played by Hudson Thames, heading to his first day at the esteemed Midtown High School. Unexpectedly, a monster attacks students on premises, revealing Peter's powers through a radioactive spider bite amongst the chaos.
Fast-forward a few months, we find Peter adjusting to life at Bales High, after Midtown school's destruction. Trying to find balance in his high school friendships and his secret life as Spider-Man, he faces interpersonal challenges, especially when two of his friends Pearl Pangan, played by Cathy Ang, and Lonnie Lincoln, played by Eugene Byrd, start dating.
With each episode, audiences are treated to classic teenage experiences of friendship, self-discovery and first love, with the addition of dealing with greed, power and loyalty. Peter lands an exciting internship at Oscorp, where he is mentored by the company's CEO, Norman Osborn, played by Colman Domingo. As the story progresses Peter struggles to determine if he should admire or be wary of Osborn's motivations.
The series also introduces villains such as the 110th Street gang leader, Big Don, and Oscorp defector Otto Octavius, creating a challenging environment for the young Spider-Man. Thankfully, the young hero isn't fighting alone - characters like Daredevil and Kingpin make appearances, adding further intrigue to the plot.
Fans of the beloved superhero will appreciate the show's retro visuals due to the 2D and 3D animated style by Leo Romero's team and Polygon Pictures. The animated series echoes the classics while offering a fresh narrative that broadens Spidey's world beyond his immediate sphere.
The first two episodes of “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” dropped on Jan. 29 on Disney+, with new episodes following every Wednesday. This vibrant take on Peter Parker's life and the Spider-Man origin story has successfully reframed a classic tale for the modern audience, while paying homage to long-serving fans.
