Spider-Man’s New Series: A Woke Disaster or a Fresh Take?

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The initial two episodes of “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” are currently available on Disney+ for streaming. Given recent trends in entertainment, it won’t be a shock to viewers that this series is inclusive and diverse. It features characters from various sexual orientations, different racial backgrounds, advocates of social justice, and reinterpretations of traditional roles. Underlying themes in the episodes advocate for certain ideologies.

It’s clear that the creator has significantly influenced the series, and as stated by the showrunner, this impact is seen in the updated portrayal of Spider-Man, which aims to make it more contemporary. In simpler terms, this transformation seems rather illogical or unreasonable.

Initially, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” was intended to be the backstory for Tom Holland’s character, Peter Parker, within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, since they decided to revamp the entire concept of Spider-Man, it no longer aligned, resulting in another “multiverse” adaptation, again tailored for contemporary viewers.

The upcoming Spider-Man series, titled “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” is rumored to have been in production for three years. It’s created by the same individual behind the children’s animated show that features LGBTQ+ characters, Craig Before the Creek. Additionally, it shares producers with Marvel’s What If…?, a series I found disappointing, and X-Men ’97, which, despite not being my personal favorite, was somewhat problematic due to the creator’s self-inserts and politically charged content.

Honestly, they should have just used Miles Morales again instead of messing with Peter Parker.

I must admit, I’m not too fond of the animation—it seems rather unrefined. It appears choppy and rigid to me. Just like What If…?, it didn’t really grab my attention either. The only way I can put it is that it lacks soul. It feels dull and devoid of any genuine emotion.

Some observations:

The new introduction deviates from the original comic cover of Spider-Man’s debut in Amazing Fantasy #15, a change that is hard to justify. Moreover, it employs the iconic theme music from the 1967 animated series to entice viewers, which is an interesting approach.

There is no MJ in the series, but Aunt May looks A LOT like MJ. Pretty weird.

Hudson Thames bears an uncanny resemblance to Tom Holland, given that they might have been considered for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s original backstory. However, the actor seems to be off base in his latest statements (indicating a lack of understanding on the subject matter).

Notice how diminutive or petite Peter, also known as Spidey, appears in comparison to others in the series? Seems like he might be a little behind when it comes to growth spurts, much like myself.

The character Harry Osborn is tormented by a large red-haired boy with pale skin. One might question the need to significantly alter characters that have been established for so long. If you intend to introduce new elements, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to create a NEW character altogether? In this case, they have changed Harry’s race and may have made him gay or transgender.

There is a rainbow in the classroom (of course).

Peter’s closest companion, Nicola, is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. She casually mentions expressing affection towards Pearl, the tall babysitter Peter has feelings for who stands at around 6’4″. It’s possible that Pearl might be involved in professional wrestling, given her stature.

Nico also tells Peter if he works for Roxxon Oil, she’ll stage an intervention.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, the filmmakers have intelligently reimagined Flash Thompson’s character, transforming him into Lonnie – a talented Black quarterback. Unlike his original counterpart, Lonnie does not engage in bullying behaviors towards Parker. Instead, he forges an amicable bond with Peter, demonstrating a friendly and approachable demeanor.

What’s intriguing is that Lonnie isn’t just another stereotypical jock; he possesses a keen intellect that matches his athletic prowess. Moreover, he embodies the role model that young Black children can aspire to – a family man who balances his personal life with his professional commitments. In essence, Lonnie brings a refreshing and relatable touch to the movie’s cast of characters.

In a subway carriage, Lonnie finds himself seated alone. A youth approaches, intending to sit beside him, yet an elderly woman who appears to be Lonnie’s grandmother dissuades the youngster, causing them to move elsewhere instead.

In the following scene, Lonnie can be seen strolling along the street, with the distant wail of police sirens echoing in the background. Unfortunately, Lonnie encounters a white police officer who appears to be unfairly targeting him, much like an older white woman might be treated unjustly. This situation leaves Lonnie feeling discouraged.

Prior to that, Lonnie is walking out of the subway where a sign says “Be The Change.”

In each episode, Peter is apprehending wrongdoers. Yet, when faced with a struggling woman who pilfered a pizzeria, he advises the owner not to press charges. The girl is sobbing because she’s been caught, but Peter consoles her, “It’s alright. It’s alright. You slipped up. Just, please don’t make me rue this decision.” Isn’t it understandable that someone in dire straits would resort to theft?

Cool to see Amadeus Cho in the series. He, too, looks like he’s 6’4.” Again, Peter looks tiny.

Dr. Connors is race-swapped and gender-bent. In the comics, that’s The Lizard.

In the spirit of paying homage to Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Iron Man,” I subtly echoed the climactic revelation. Thus, at the culmination of episode 2, Norman has deduced that Peter is indeed Spider-Man – a secret he himself didn’t anticipate a high-security facility would be monitoring so closely.

Norman is race-swapped, too.

The Verdict

I enjoy several aspects of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, particularly the narrative. The character Peter Parker gets bitten by a spider from another universe, the confrontation between Doctor Strange and the symbiote is exciting, and the battle between Spidey and Butane is well executed. I also appreciate that Peter takes a job at OsCorp early on in the story. Moreover, Norman Osborn figuring out that Peter is Spider-Man from the start could create intriguing plot developments, depending on how they choose to develop it further.

However, I dislike the animation and all the aforementioned woke nonsense ruins the show.

The first two episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man get a 2/10 rating.

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2025-01-30 07:31