Why I Changed My Mind About Another High School Spider-Man Series

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Light spoilers for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man lie ahead, so read on accordingly.

This week, it was announced that the highly anticipated “Spider-Man: Our Local Hero” will be airing on TV schedules in 2025, and subscribers of Disney+ can now enjoy the first two episodes. For quite some time, I had been following the progress of this series as it was slated for release among upcoming Marvel TV productions. Initially, I must admit that I was ambivalent about it, with one of my reasons being the fact that it puts Peter Parker back in high school. However, after watching the show, I find myself retracting my previous thoughts.

I understand your apprehension regarding another high school-based Spidey story, given the numerous animated series and Tom Holland’s movie trilogy setting focusing on school life. However, the unique aspects of “YFNHSM” as shown in the early screenings rekindled my interest in a fresh take on this familiar territory.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’s High School Setting Feels Fresh

As a devoted reader of the classic Spidey comics, it’s no secret that Peter Parker usually studied at Midtown High or a similar institution. However, in the series Friendly Neighborhood, there’s an intriguing twist: Peter and his friends are now enrolled at Rockford Bales High School instead, because Midtown was damaged during Doctor Strange’s struggle against the symbiote during the show’s debut. Personally, I find it refreshing to see Peter attending a school that doesn’t focus on technology, following the conclusion of Spider-Man and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s trilogy.

I enjoy the fact that the new spiderman character gets introduced alongside a new set of characters. Among them is his good friend Nico Minoru (from Runaways), as well as Pearl Pangan, who once babysat him and has feelings for him, and her cheerful boyfriend, Lonnie Lincoln, also known as Tombstone in the comics. The diversity of Parker’s friends and students at Rockford Bales is another great aspect, making this supporting cast feel unique and enhancing the overall setting.

Rockford Bales High School Is Used In An Optimal Way On This Spider-Man Series

Failing to maximize a school setting in a TV show, be it drama or comedy, set in an educational institution is one common oversight. If not utilized thoughtfully, the school can appear merely as a time-filler or a source for quick jokes instead of a tool that enriches the storyline. However, this Spiderman series occasionally employs the setting humorously, but the majority of events taking place at the school significantly contribute to the characters’ growth and development.

Two episodes into the series, it’s clear as day that the statement holds true. The most poignant moments are the heartfelt conversations between Peter and Nico, with their discussions about Peter’s crush on Pearl standing out. These exchanges feel genuine, making Peter’s discovery of Lonnie and Pearl’s public display of affection on the football field all the more painful. As for Lonnie, his friendship with Peter blossoms at school, and I can’t help but appreciate their growing bond. It’s an unexpected bromance that I can’t help but enjoy.

As a movie enthusiast, I must acknowledge the intriguing blend of Parker’s life as a student grappling with academics and his covert crimefighting duties. This dynamic often leads to humorous situations, such as the occasional sneaking into class when he’s running late. Yet, these moments aren’t excessive and seem perfectly fitting within the narrative. In essence, Rockford Bales isn’t just a mere set or plot device; it feels alive, vital, and integral to the storyline. Rest assured, when Peter and his friends are in school, they’re not simply idle, but rather engaged in their own unique pursuits.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’s Approach To High School Matches Up With How Some Of My Other Favorite Shows Handled It

More on Spider-Man

Forthcoming Content Featuring Spider-Man: All You Need to Anticipate About the Marvel Hero

Or

What’s Coming Up for Spider-Man: A Guide to Exciting Marvel Superhero Developments

Both options maintain the original structure while making it more engaging and easier to read.

For years, I’ve found great pleasure in watching animated series, particularly those set in school environments. What struck me upon viewing “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” is that it reminded me of the shows I cherished as a child. While it didn’t perfectly emulate them, there were moments when I felt a strong sense of nostalgia. From the get-go, I anticipated making comparisons between this Spidey show and Nickelodeon’s “Danny Phantom“, and indeed, that comparison held true, given that both shows feature characters leading double lives as heroes.

To put it another way, I wouldn’t just draw comparisons to that particular sci-fi/supernatural show. I also noticed some similarities to “The Proud Family” and especially its newer series, “Louder and Prouder”. While “Your Friendly Neighborhood” doesn’t share the same pop culture-rich vibes as the classic Disney Channel show, they do have a common ground in their portrayal of diverse high schools with vibrant characters.

As I enjoyed the Spidey series, it brought to mind the show “As Told By Ginger”. Just like how this show belongs among the greatest Nicktoons from the ’90s and ’00s, so too does it deserve recognition. Although the challenges faced by Peter Parker and his peers aren’t as profound as those encountered by Ginger Foutley and her friends in the animated teen drama, both series share a similar grasp of high school life. If “Your Friendly Neighborhood” continues down the path I anticipate, it might delve into more mature storylines, much like “Ginger”, as time passes.

It’s hard not to commend Jeff Trammell, the creator, writer, and producer, along with his team, for crafting a Peter Parker series that feels unique in an environment where this character is everywhere. The high school setting definitely enhances this feeling, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised when my doubts were quickly dispelled. What makes it even more thrilling is that the Spidey show has been renewed for Seasons 2 and 3, which means we’re in for more superhero escapades and teenage turmoil!

Faithful fans, don’t forget to catch the latest episodes of “Spider-Man, Your Next-Door Superhero” every Wednesday at 3 a.m. ET (or midnight PT) on Disney+.

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2025-01-30 23:40