Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man swings into action with a fresh take on Peter Parker’s early crime-fighting days. Before the classic red-and-blue suit and the confident web-slinging, we meet a younger, more hesitant Peter, just beginning to discover the full extent of his strength. The kid is strong—real strong—but figuring out how strong without turning someone into paste? That’s the real struggle. Balancing high school life with crime-fighting, he learns that with great power comes… well, great respect (because we are not in the MCU). Along the way, he faces off against iconic villains, and yes—people actually die in this world. It’s not gory, but there’s blood. Spidey ain’t playing.
The voice cast delivers strong performances, making every character feel distinct and engaging. Hudson Thames takes on Peter Parker, and he nails the classic mix of awkwardness, humor, and heroism. Then there’s Norman Osborn, voiced by Colman Domingo, and let’s be real—Norman is out here Black with waves looking like he just stepped out of the barbershop before scheming. His presence looms large, hinting at a sinister future. Harry Osborn’s portrayal by Zeno Robinson has its moments, but their friendship dynamic feels off—I’m a sucker for the classic best friend angle, not whatever weird tension they’ve got going on here. Daredevil, brought to life by Charlie Cox, gets a sick fight with Spidey, showcasing a blend of sharp dialogue and tight combat choreography. And let’s not forget Tombstone, voiced by Eugene Byrd—easily one of the best characters of the season.
Now, let’s get into the animation. There’s been some heated discussion in the community, and honestly? I get it. Some parts? Chef’s kiss—smooth, clean, and crisp. Other parts? A little meh, like the animators couldn’t decide on a consistent style. It swings (no pun intended) between visually stunning and oddly clunky. It’s frustrating, but not a dealbreaker. The villain designs, however, are a treat—bright, colorful, and dripping with personality, referencing both old-school and modern takes. Peter’s wardrobe is another highlight—various Spidey suits pop up throughout the season, offering fun throwbacks and fresh takes.
Narratively, the show pulls a weird flex by referencing the Avengers and other Marvel heroes a lot—so it feels MCU-adjacent, but it’s not in the MCU. So… what are we doing here? Either go full MCU or step away entirely. Right now, it just feels uncertain. Also, Peter starts off as “the guy in the chair,” which is a cool twist, but not entirely unheard of before. It works, though, giving him a different entry point into heroism before he fully steps up as Spider-Man.
The Octavius vs. Osborn beef is peak drama, and I need more of it. These two are at each other’s throats, and I love it. Then there’s Tombstone—his origin story was a nice touch and added depth to the season’s villain roster. Scorpion, though? Easily the best choice for a season one big bad. He’s just the right level of menace to give Peter a serious challenge while setting the stage for even bigger threats to come.
Alright, let’s talk about some standout moments. First off, the Spidey suit reveal? Fire. Spidey vs. Daredevil? Absolutely peak—great setting, great dialogue, and some of the cleanest animation of the season. The show is technically for kids, but make no mistake—people are dying. It’s subtle, but it’s there. That adds weight to Spidey’s battles, especially when he starts holding back in fights, only to finally let loose in the finale. That moment? Chef’s kiss.
Now, onto the flops. Harry Osborn dropping a “Go get ‘em, Tiger”? Absolutely not. That belongs to MJ, not this man. Bun up! The Peter-Harry friendship overall feels weird, and I prefer the traditional bestie route. But let’s balance that with the wins: Scorpion was a great first-season villain—tough enough to push Peter without overshadowing bigger threats to come. The season is also stacked with Easter eggs—blink and you’ll miss Chameleon, Finesse, Hulk, and more.
Looking ahead, this show has serious potential. If they tighten up the animation consistency, commit to a narrative direction (MCU-adjacent or its own thing—pick one!), and lean further into the character relationships that work, we could be looking at one of the best Spider-Man shows in years. The foundation is strong—Peter learning his strength, Osborn’s looming threat, and Spidey truly coming into his own. All they need to do now is stick the landing for season two. Until then, we wait… and admire Norman’s wave game.
