Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man | YFNSM Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man | YFNSM

Entertainment

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is Sensational 

A ‘What If’ series?

Published

on

Spoiler Warning: This is a mostly spoiler-free review. But if you want to go into the series completely blind, we suggest reading only after seeing at least up to Episode 4. 

Spidey is back with a new animated series on Disney+ with Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man or YFNSM as it’s being referred to now in some spaces of the world wide web. 

Once again, we were granted the opportunity to watch the series in full ahead of the official release of all the episodes. Here, we’ll share with you what we think on this new spin on our favorite webhead. 

A ‘What If’ series

Although the actual What If series has officially ended with Season 3 that was released at the end of 2024, YFNSM is very much still a What If story. The premise of the entire show asks, What if Peter Parker was mentored by Norman Osborn instead of Tony Stark/Iron Man? 

It’s also very much (albeit loosely) connected to the main MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) timeline. You’ll see plenty of hints that this particular Peter is very much parallel to the MCU Pete played by Tom Holland. The show references events that took place in the film Captain America: Civil War which is where MCU Spider-Man was first introduced.

Expect to see some familiar scenes remixed as well as some familiar faces but in slightly different circumstances. 

But the What If of it all may not have begun with Peter meeting Norman. In the MCU, we were never shown how Peter got the Spider bite and who he was with when it happened. 

That’s not the case in this series and how it happens in YFNSM will surely have the heads of theory-crafters spinning. 

Another origin story?

Admittedly, yours truly wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea of another Spidey origin story. Many of us know how it goes, what happens, and how certain events influence and shape Peter to be the kind of hero that Spider-Man is. 

However, the series handles this surprisingly well. It again goes back to the main premise of Norman Osborn taking the place of Tony Stark as Pete’s mentor. We can already see naysayers saying how it’ll be another Spidey story with Pete having a mentor as a crutch. 

But that’s exactly what the entire series explores. The whole narrative also justifies why this is an origin story with Pete starting off as a teenager. His thought processes as well as the decision he makes reflect that of a teenager that’s just trying to find his way. 

The same is true with some of the other characters present in this version of Spidey. 

Spidey’s got new company 

YFSNM

Pearl Pangan talks to Peter Parker with Nico Minoru in the background

You’ve likely already seen some of them but Pete isn’t surrounded by the usual cast of characters here. Sure, there’s Harry Osborn but even his role is slightly different here. Taking the best friend spot instead of Harry or Ned is Nico Minoru. 

Some Marvel fans will recognize her as the superhero Sister Grimm. This particular character has appeared in the MCU-adjacent TV series Runaways. Curiously joining her as part of the school peers ensemble is Pear Pangan. In the comic books, Pearl is the Filipina superhero called Wave. 

Pete also goes to school with a drastically de-aged Lonnie Lincoln AKA Tombstone – a known Spidey villain. Additionally, he interns at Oscorp with a couple more characters that Marvel enthusiasts should be familiar with – Amadeus Cho and Jeanne Foucault. 

There are more familiar characters that will appear throughout the series. Some of them will be readily familiar while others will certainly have the Internet talking.

Art style and animation

As of writing, I couldn’t find any official information as to which animation studio worked on YFNSM. A trailer indicates it’s from the same studio that brought us X-Men 97 but that doesn’t really confirm the details of the actual animation studio. With Disney and Spider-Man social accounts blasting trailers ahead of the show’s premiere, there’s already been a lot of talk about the  show’s “animation.” 

Many observers often confuse art style and animation. Art Style pertains to the overall look and design of the show. Meanwhile, animation is straight up about the movement and rendering of the said art style. 

The art style of YFNSM follows the concept of a comic-book-come-to-life. But even comic books, even those of Spider-Man, differ greatly in terms of art style. The look of YFNSM feels like a different take on the original comic books that Stan Lee and Steve Ditko came out with.

The art style lends nicely to CGI animation. As someone who’s played his fair share of cel-shaded games, it seems some concepts of that style and animation were applied here. The animation, we feel, is your standard fare. Some scenes and moments will seem more stiff than others. But trust that when it needs to, it truly kicks it up a notch.

Mostly, we’d describe the overall approach as “refreshing.” We’ve never seen Spider-Man animated quite like this. It is objectively not terrible. But I understand how, subjectively, this may not be everyone’s cup of tea. 

We also strongly recommend you watch the opening and ending credits for each episode. The show does a good job of paying homage to iconic Spider-Man covers and panels as well as set the mood of each episode.

Is YFNSM worth the watch? 

One hundred percent. Even if you’re not a Spider-Man fan, there’s plenty here that people will enjoy. At the heart of it, YFNSM, is a well-told coming-of-age story. It has enough heart without being corny. It imparts lessons without being overly serious. And lastly, it adequately balances high tension scenes with moments of levity. All of which are ingredients to a good Spidey story. 

If you’re a Spider-Man fan, you’ll likely enjoy the many easter eggs as well as the fresh takes on certain characters and the established lore of our favorite wall-crawler. And if you’re a fan of Marvel at large, there’s also plenty here for you to enjoy. 

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will have your head spinning from the Spider-bite in the first episode. You’re then taken for a ride as if you’re swinging across New York like Spidey himself. And to cap things off, it ends on a dizzying sequence that will surely throw you for a loop.  

Entertainment

Marvel Studios announces Ghost Rider, Black Panther 3 at SDCC

What lies ahead of Multiverse Saga now taking shape

Published

on

All images courtesy: The Walt Disney Company

What lies ahead of the Multiverse Saga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is now taking shape, as Marvel Studios have made major announcements at San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) 2026.

The first major reveal was the Ghost Rider feature film, set to release in 2028 with Ryan Gosling playing the protagonist.

Shawn Levy, who directed Deadpool and Wolverine and the Night at the Museum trilogy as both director and producer, will direct the film. Jonathan Tropper is writing the script. All three worked with Star Wars: Starfighter in the same capacities.

Gosling said Johnny Blaze “is a character” he “wanted to play for a very long time.”

The Marvel character has been shown in two live-action movies between 2007 to 2012 starring Nicolas Cage.

More recently, Gabriel Luna played the younger host to Ghost Rider, Robbie Reyes, in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in which the story revolved around him and Chloe Bennet’s Daisy Johnson/Quake for most of the first season.

Avengers: Doomsday panel, Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Marvel Studios then filled SDCC’s Hall H with the massive cast of Avengers: Doomsdaymoderated by directors Anthony and Joe Russo.

This segment featured some of the biggest stars of the MCU. There’s Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Simu Liu, James Marsden, David Harbour, Letitia Wright, Lewis Pullman, Kelsey Grammer, Danny Ramirez, Winston Duke, Hannah John-Kamen, Rebecca Romijn, and Tenoch Huerta Mejia.

Hayley Atwell also joined the panel, confirming she will return in the new film as Peggy Carter.

WATCH: Avengers: Doomsday trailer assembles Marvel’s biggest heroes against Doctor Doom

After all, the mid-credits scene in Avengers: Endgame showed that when it was time to return the infinity stones back where they belonged, Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers/Captain America went back in time and instead lived the life he wanted to have with Peggy.

Meanwhile, Jon Bernthal later on made a surprise appearance. This was to talk about his role as Frank Castle/The Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Black Panther 3 revealed

To cap off the panel, Black Panther 3 has been confirmed for December 15, 2028. Writer and director Ryan Coogler came out to the stage to introduce David Jonsson as the new Black Panther.

The Alien: Romulus actor will play Toussaint/T’Challa II, the son of the late Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa. In the third Black Panther film, his character will be all grown-up. Naturally, the events in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will make the transition and his on-screen “aging” a lot smoother.

What this means is Letitia Wright’s Shuri is preparing to step down as the Black Panther. Doomsday will be among her final battles wearing the suit.

Winston Duke’s M’Baku, who is the King of Wakanda in the current events of the MCU, will also play an integral part in setting up T’Challa II for the throne — be it through a traditional Wakandan ritual for the leadership or through other means.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Resident Evil movie reboot finally gets a scary trailer

Can you spot the Easter eggs for longtime fans?

Published

on

After briefly losing its way in the middling fifth and sixth entries, the Resident Evil series rediscovered its way back to the survival horror genre with the seventh entry onwards. However, the series doesn’t have the best reputation in Hollywood with its lackluster reviews. Now, the Hollywood series wants to right the ship with the upcoming reboot, simply titled Resident Evil.

Much like the gaming franchise’s renaissance, the upcoming film heads to the survival horror genre with a frightful caper. Medical courier Bryan (Austin Abrams) is tasked with delivering a vital organ to somewhere outside Raccoon City. Along the way, he runs over a rabid woman, who just disappears when he steps out to check.

Forced to seek help at a nearby shack, he finds himself in a struggle for survival when he discovers monstrous beings lurking around. It gets worse when he returns to the city and finds it overrun with the zombie outbreak.

The trailer has a few Easter eggs, including a typewriter, one of the most traditional ways that the game series uses to save games. Director Zach Cregger (Weapons) promises that the movie itself will have more Easter eggs for longtime fans of the series.

Resident Evil will premiere in theaters on September 18.

SEE ALSO: Resident Evil Veronica announced for 2027 release

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Avengers: Doomsday trailer assembles Marvel’s biggest heroes against Doctor Doom

Thor warns of Doom

Published

on

After teasing fans with four short clips last year, Marvel has finally dropped the official trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters this December.

The trailer revolves around Thor as he gathers the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and older Avengers like Scott Lang and Sam Wilson. Together, they prepare for the arrival of Doctor Doom.

Thor warns everyone that the multiversal threat is unlike anything he has ever faced.

“I’ve fought with many warriors in my time,” he says. “They were far stronger than all of us put together. And they died.”

He speaks from experience. Later in the trailer, he charges at Doctor Doom with Stormbreaker, much like his arrival during the Battle of Wakanda. Doom simply catches the lightning-infused attack with one hand. He doesn’t even flinch.

Thor has lived for thousands of years. He has fought countless Avengers-level threats, including Hela and Thanos. He also witnessed the fall of Asgard during Ragnarok. That makes his warning hard to ignore.

It’s also fitting that the trailer revolves around him. As the last active original Avenger from the Infinity Saga, Thor has seen more than anyone else in the room.

Familiar faces and new alliances

As Thor speaks, the trailer cuts between several heroes preparing for the coming battle.

It opens at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, where Professor X witnesses destruction outside the mansion before warning that everyone will soon face an “unthinkable decision.”

The Fantastic Four, led by Reed Richards, arrive alongside Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, and Scott Lang for what appears to be a strategy meeting with Wakanda’s leaders.

The trailer also revisits several moments from last year’s teasers, this time from different angles.

There’s the Wakandans, led by King M’Baku, meeting Ben Grimm. Black Panther charges into battle with Wakandan forces. Cyclops unleashes a full-powered optic blast. Gambit clashes with Shang-Chi.

A few scenes are completely new. Namor finally joins the action instead of simply observing events. Mystique shapeshifts into Yelena Belova. Loki appears holding what looks like a TVA device. Professor X also shares a quiet moment with Magneto.

The trailer also includes emotional beats. Scott Lang shares a moment with his daughter Cassie, perhaps thinking that they’ll be separated for the nth time as he participates in battle. Meanwhile, Johnny Storm comforts Sue Storm as a massive wall of water looms behind her.

A familiar hero returns

The trailer concludes with Thor standing alone against Doctor Doom. Even his strongest attack fails to make the villain budge.

“We are going to need a miracle,” a voice says.

Moments later, Mjolnir suddenly flies into someone’s hand.

“Hey, pal… It’s not possible,” Thor says in disbelief.

The final reveal shows Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers casually catching Mjolnir before smiling back at Thor. The moment confirms that, regardless of which universe he comes from, Captain America remains worthy.

To this point, Marvel still keeps most of the story under wraps. The trailer focuses more on the scale of the threat than the plot itself.

One thing is clear, though. Defeating Doctor Doom will take far more than the Avengers alone.

Continue Reading

Trending