Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is technically the next installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But only technically, because it’s set in an alternate timeline in which Peter Parker never meets Tony Stark, which gives it an awesome superpower that used to be quite standard for superhero adaptations. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man can just… make up its own version of the Marvel Comics universe.
And the most interesting thing that writer and showrunner Jeff Trammell and crew have done with that freedom—at least for this writer’s money—is in their character choices. That is to say: YFNS is a show with so many recognizable Marvel characters in it that it’s hard to predict where it’s headed.
And that’s refreshing.
A Marvel-Packed Cast Full of Possibilities
Over the series’ first drop of episodes—two this week, followed by multiple episode drops each week after—almost every character introduced matches up to a superhero or villain from Marvel Comics. Peter’s friends include Niko (a magic-wielder from Runaways), an Agents of Atlas member, and Tombstone. His fellow interns at his brand-new job include Amadeus Cho, Finesse, and a Wakandan teen who can turn invisible, while his advisors are the Wizard and the Lizard (which, funnily enough, rhyme). None of them currently have superpowers or secret identities, making them all prime candidates for on-screen transformations. The question is: Who will be the first?
A Break from Predictable Superhero Adaptations
In today’s era of interconnected superhero franchises, audiences often know exactly who the major players are before a film or show even releases. Fan speculation, casting announcements, and leaks make it nearly impossible for studios to keep a surprise villain or unexpected character appearance under wraps. Even James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film has had its secrets spoiled for those willing to dig deep enough.
But Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes a different approach. By introducing a cast of known Marvel characters who have yet to receive their powers, the show leaves the door open for limitless possibilities. As each new face appears on-screen, comic book fans can only speculate about who will undergo their superhero transformation first.
A Refreshing Mystery in a Familiar Story
Watching Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, this writer felt like a predator among a herd of zebras, overwhelmed by so many potential targets that it became impossible to focus on just one. Every introduction of a new character sparked a moment of recognition, but also uncertainty—where was the story going next?
The two-episode premiere ultimately hints at a clear direction, centering around a suspiciously friendly Norman Osborn. But until then, this series presents a rare joy for comic book enthusiasts: the chance to see familiar names without knowing exactly where their stories are headed. For a franchise as well-worn as Spider-Man’s, that’s an achievement worth celebrating.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man‘s first two episodes are now streaming on Disney Plus. New episodes drop every Wednesday.
