Marvel is treating fans to a holiday surprise, releasing a trailer for the new Disney+ animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Fans of the web-slinging hero are reacting online to the nostalgic feel of the trailer and some changes that might come as a surprise to people more familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s take on Spidey.
“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming a hero, with a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.” the show’s official synopsis reads.
That call back to the hero’s roots is evident right from the start, where the familiar theme song from the original 1967 cartoon series, “Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can,” sets the opening scene in a comic book shop, featuring some comic book-like sketches and scene transitions.
“Reminds me of the 60s style of the first comics,” wrote one fan on X.
Not bad, and also that 3D animation style reminds me of the 60s style of the first comics of the wall-crawler. <a href=”https://t.co/k9kwxSCdSC”>pic.twitter.com/k9kwxSCdSC</a>
—@PabloSn17045287
From there, we get into more familiar territory with a young Peter Parker/Spider-Man juggling school and saving citizens. Wearing what appears to be his own makeshift suit, Parker swings along the streets, narrowly rescuing someone from being hit by a car while being chased by bad guys.
Then things get interesting.
“Check out our next victim in his dumb-ass costume,” one of the baddies says, during a social media live-stream. It’s one way the show could incorporate aspects of our modern society into the new storyline of an old favourite.
“Is my suit really that bad?” asks Peter, before kicking some bad guy butt.
Perhaps the biggest twist is what we learn next. Norman Osborn, who also becomes Spider-Man’s arch-enemy, the Green Goblin, appears to be taking up the role of the hero’s mentor.
“With my help, you’ll achieve greatness,” Osborn says before supplying Parker with a new high-tech Spidey suit.
This is different from the Marvel Cinematic Universe live-action movies, where Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, mentors Peter. This version of the web-slinger’s story takes place in an alternate universe, which explains the shift.
“There are some surprises in there and I’m really excited to dig into those,” said the show’s creator, Jeff Trammell, during an interview on The Official Marvel Podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://youtu.be/N3J2JRQg040
Fans might also notice a quick shot where Osborn is shown in a picture with Captain America, suggesting that hero could make some sort of appearance.
Trammell previously revealed that some other familiar faces will appear in the show, including Doctor Strange, Daredevil, Doctor Octopus, Aunt May, and lesser-known Spider-Man villains Scorpion and Rhino.
Cast members include Hudson Thames as Spider-Man, Colman Domingo as Osborn, Kari Wahlgren as Aunt May and Hugh Dancy as Doctor Octopus. Charlie Cox, who also plays Daredevil in the Netflix series, will voice that hero.
The animated show begins streaming Jan. 29 on Disney+ as part of Phase Five of the MCU. A second season is already in development.
