Deron Generally
Deron Generally
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Juan Cabal and Marcelo Ferreira
Inks by Roberto Poggi
Colors by Nolan Woodward and Jim Campbell
Letters by Travis Lanham
This first issue is broken into two stories that showcase the local impact of the web slinger. The first story has Spider-Man saving a father and daughter from a crashed vehicle and refusing a tip the father offers. It’s a saccharine sweet moment when Spidey tells the guy to “pay it forward”, but it works for the character. Peter also has a moment of personal heroism when his neighbor asks him to look in on another neighbor who is harboring a secret. A secret that is going to need Spider-Man’s intervention.
The next story is a day in the life of Aunt May as she writes a letter to Peter telling him how she feels about who he is as a man. At the same time, Peter is enjoying his day with Mary Jane and when he decides to see May, she is distant and in a hurry. Out of concern, Peter follows her as Spider-Man, but the demands of his responsibility side track him into dealing with something local while May waits for some serious news at the hospital.
I didn’t know what to think at first when I picked up this issue, but the premise caught my attention and held it because of the classic feel of the storytelling.
This is a book about Peter’s everyday heroics. The first issue doesn’t have some knockdown, drag out fight with a supervillain. Instead, Tom Taylor showcases two small stories that concentrate on Peter Parker’s impact locally on the people he sees daily. It’s hard to believe that stories like those could be compelling, but Taylor makes them relatable and ultimately, endearing. I like that the elements of Amazing Spider-Man remain in this new series. Peter is still struggling with the aftermath of events that led him to living with Boomerang as well as his relationship with Mary Jane. That continuity adds some intimacy to this series.
The art in both stories works really well. The first story has a lighter, more positive tone and the art reflects that. The second story is more ominous is how it builds tension up to the final reveal, so the use of shadows throughout is perfect. Great job to both artists.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1
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