Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man

If you read Spider-Man comics in the '90s and you're tired of intergalactic and multiversal superhero battles, check out Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man on Disney+ .

My first reaction (and I imagine I wasn’t alone) when I saw the art style of the new animated series wasn’t exactly positive. You see, comparisons to Spider-Verse (or even Arcane, more recently) were inevitable.

But now that I’ve actually watched the episodes, I’ve changed my mind. And that’s because the visual style is the right choice for Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man. There are some issues (low frame rate and somewhat empty backgrounds), but the art direction helps maintain balance.

Balance was needed because this new Spider-Man series mixes elements from the hero’s past with entirely new ones. It’s structured as an origin story, taking us back to the beginning—how Peter Parker got his powers—but it also makes some bizarre moves and shakes up the plot in exciting ways. We see plenty of familiar characters from movies, comics, and shows, but they’ve been altered—not just in appearance, but with significant changes to their backstories.

The art style, blending 2D and 3D with a cel-shaded technique and comic panel-inspired framing, instantly evokes classic Spider-Man comics. But it’s not just nostalgia—the show introduces interesting changes to the characters and core story.

The approach is also interesting: at the beginning, we see a strange, seemingly alien creature arriving on Earth. A battle ensues, the multiverse is briefly involved, the spider bite happens, and Peter Parker gains his powers. This part is rushed—we quickly move to the stage where Spider-Man is already roaming the city, wearing a makeshift suit and carrying a web-shooting device on his back. This introduction sets the expectation that the show will follow the MCU formula, with dimension-hopping and monstrous threats to Earth.

But what follows defies those expectations. To my surprise—and much to my delight—Spider-Man then fights petty criminals who snatch purses and prevents traffic accidents on the streets of New York.

That’s exactly what I wanted: a Spider-Man story that sets aside grand, cosmic battles and returns to the neighborhood streets. And Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man absolutely nails it! What it lacks in animation fluidity, it makes up for in style and creativity, with sharp dialogue and well-constructed fight scenes. Instead of battling bizarre creatures from other dimensions, planets, and universes, Spider-Man takes on a guy wielding flamethrowers, trying to set everything ablaze—inside a pet shop! Parker frantically rushes to save snakes, iguanas, mice, and every other animal in danger. Clever choices, well-executed choreography, and inspired action sequences.

Thankfully, the show works well outside of action, too. It shakes up familiar roles (no Mary Jane, Harry is completely different, and other comic book characters appear in unexpected ways). Everything feels familiar yet slightly altered—like an alternate universe that’s almost identical to the main one. It places well-known characters in unexpected positions, develops the protagonists’ backstories in smart ways, and tackles social issues with more depth than I expected. The voice acting is excellent, and I love how the show subverts certain tropes: the muscular jock on the school team isn’t a brainless bully, meaning Parker doesn’t face exclusion, intimidation, or marginalization (a choice that satisfies me, though I understand why some fans might feel it changes part of the hero’s identity).

Ultimately, Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man kicks off strong, blending new elements with a smart remix of classic ones, while delivering a solid dose of nostalgia. It gives us exactly what we expect from a more traditional Spider-Man story—making it a great entry point for newcomers and a perfect return for longtime fans of the classic comics. While Spider-Verse undoubtedly boasts more impressive visuals and groundbreaking ideas, this new series resonates with me more. This is the kind of superhero storytelling I’ve missed: heroes who save dogs from burning buildings.