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Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2019)
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Vol. 1: Secrets and Rumors
Spider-Man is the worst neighbor EVER! There are always crazy villains and property damage and drama and...and he CATCHES the villains. And he tries to fix the damage and he helps carry your groceries and actually that property damage keeps the rents down. You know what? Spider-Man is the best neighbor ever and this book will give you a closer look at Spider-Man's (and Peter Parker's) neighborhood than any book ever. Also, it wouldn't be a Spider-Man adventure without a threat that could destroy not only Spider-Man, but all his neighbors. Superstar writer TOM TAYLOR (X-MEN RED, ALL-NEW WOLVERINE, Injustice) and rising art star JUANN CABAL (ALL-NEW WOLVERINE, X-23) give you the most local Spider-Man ever!
COLLECTING: FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN (2019) 1-6
COLLECTING: FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN (2019) 1-6
144 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2019
10 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Tom Taylor
1,335 books1,016 followersOnce a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.
Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.
He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.
He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.
Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.
He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.
He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
March 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this.
Tom Taylor has the humor, dialogue, and general feel of what makes Spider-man such a beloved character down pat.
Peter faces down villains and Aunt May's illness witha little a lot of help from his friends. Part of the charm of this run is that it isn't a bleak Pete-gets-kicked-around story. He may have that same old Parker Luck, but Taylor flips it around and shows how his friends and neighbors (the entire neighborhood) are there to reach down and give him a hand up when he needs it.
The whole volume is sweet. That last issue though?
I cried. Like, snot running out of my nose cried. It was one of those lump in the throat, this is why I love Spidey issues that I'm glad I didn't miss.
Tom Taylor has the humor, dialogue, and general feel of what makes Spider-man such a beloved character down pat.
Peter faces down villains and Aunt May's illness with
The whole volume is sweet. That last issue though?
I cried. Like, snot running out of my nose cried. It was one of those lump in the throat, this is why I love Spidey issues that I'm glad I didn't miss.
January 17, 2024
Another back to basics relaunch, yet another example why I believe we just need one Spider-Man book, or indeed ponder why any individual or team need more than one ongoing series. Do they?
Quite good stuff by Taylor, it will be interesting to see how this fits alongside Spencer's more hyper main Amazing Spider-Man series. 7 out of 12, Three Stars for this.
2019 read
Quite good stuff by Taylor, it will be interesting to see how this fits alongside Spencer's more hyper main Amazing Spider-Man series. 7 out of 12, Three Stars for this.
2019 read
July 22, 2024
4.5 stars
"I need you to look after these kids. Keep the door locked, stop anyone from coming in - including my roommates - and pretend to be me." -- Peter Parker, a.k.a. the benevolent Spider-Man
"Okay, I'll start practicing terrible jokes that poorly mask my many insecurities." -- Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch of the Fantastic Four, appropriately providing the 'burn'
The original 1967-1970 Spider-Man animated series - the character's debut in multi-media outside of the printed page - was blessed with an instantly indelible theme song that duly noted "does whatever a spider can." Well, with the brisk graphic novel Vol. 1: Secrets and Rumors, our eponymous superhero sets out - beginning with a wonderful two-page spread showing him in his signature move of swinging between those Big Apple skyscrapers, but with various moments from his long and dauntless career depicted on the exteriors of said buildings - to help out the neighbors in his apartment building and/or residing on his NYC block. The result? A few intertwined storylines that seamlessly blend the expected super-heroic action/adventure with some purely sincere and well-earned heart-tugging emotion. (Seriously, watch out for that striking moment of 'gotcha' realization, courtesy of the concluding chapter.) Whether he's unexpectedly teaming up with a octogenarian super-heroine - who can crack wise just as well as he can to diffuse the tension - or powering through a treacherous incident where he actually sustains a bullet wound (!), Spidey swings and 'thwips' and proves why he continues to hold that place of honor as Marvel's flagship character.
"I need you to look after these kids. Keep the door locked, stop anyone from coming in - including my roommates - and pretend to be me." -- Peter Parker, a.k.a. the benevolent Spider-Man
"Okay, I'll start practicing terrible jokes that poorly mask my many insecurities." -- Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch of the Fantastic Four, appropriately providing the 'burn'
The original 1967-1970 Spider-Man animated series - the character's debut in multi-media outside of the printed page - was blessed with an instantly indelible theme song that duly noted "does whatever a spider can." Well, with the brisk graphic novel Vol. 1: Secrets and Rumors, our eponymous superhero sets out - beginning with a wonderful two-page spread showing him in his signature move of swinging between those Big Apple skyscrapers, but with various moments from his long and dauntless career depicted on the exteriors of said buildings - to help out the neighbors in his apartment building and/or residing on his NYC block. The result? A few intertwined storylines that seamlessly blend the expected super-heroic action/adventure with some purely sincere and well-earned heart-tugging emotion. (Seriously, watch out for that striking moment of 'gotcha' realization, courtesy of the concluding chapter.) Whether he's unexpectedly teaming up with a octogenarian super-heroine - who can crack wise just as well as he can to diffuse the tension - or powering through a treacherous incident where he actually sustains a bullet wound (!), Spidey swings and 'thwips' and proves why he continues to hold that place of honor as Marvel's flagship character.
March 1, 2021
Anachronistic goons from the 1940s with super-strength are hunting a mother and her two kids for reasons - who’s gonna help? Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man!
The problem with Spider-Man’s popularity is that Marvel are constantly putting out zillions of books featuring him all the time - Amazing, Spectacular, Team-Up, Superior, etc. - so the quality tends to get watered down. And, if you read enough crap, then it’s easy to dismiss any new Spider-Man book as not worth reading, particularly if you’re not a big fan of the character. I think that’s why I missed this gem when it came out a couple years ago. So I was really pleasantly surprised to find that Tom Taylor’s Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man isn’t just good but is also one of the best Spidey books of the last few years.
This title takes a street-level approach to Spidey, focusing on NYC specifically and the people in Peter’s life - his neighbours, his friends and family. But you’ve gotta give Spider-Man something to do so weird toughs from the 1940s and an old lady superhero are thrown in! And here you could criticise that Taylor underdevelops the main story of this book - how is there an entire glowy copy of NYC underground, who are these orange-skinned people, etc. - but I liked how this was left unexplained, because it didn’t really matter.
The characters - Spidey in particular - are written so well, and are clearly the focus, that peripheral story elements like this don’t need to be fleshed out entirely, particularly if they’re only going to be used for this one-and-done tale. Breezing over it means that it doesn’t slow the story down with unnecessary exposition and gives the narrative a cool swagger that plays into its light-hearted style. Plus it’s Marvel - of course there’s an underground city full of orange people a few miles beneath NYC!
And the whole idea of Under York and the rich orange-skinned businessman is more about the book’s theme of community, tolerance and acceptance vs anti-immigration sentiment, segregation and the entitlement of the 1% (as well as that obvious visual jab at a certain former president). So I get why Taylor didn’t get hung up on that part of the story and just kept focus on the characters - which was the right choice.
I didn’t love the art of the issue #1 backup story but I can see why that backup was included - so that the B-story, of May getting a cancer diagnosis, didn’t come out of nowhere later on. And I loved how Taylor struck the right balance in tone throughout - Spidey wasn’t overly quippy, and there’s the right amount of humour to keep the serious stuff from being overwhelming. And that final issue too - all I’ll say about that emotional gut-punch of an issue is if you’re not dabbing your eyes at the end of that one, you’re made of stone, buddy! I mean, wow - I’ve never cried after reading a Spider-Man comic before!
Hats off to Juann Cabal for drawing such a perfect-looking Spider-Man comic. It’s the least-populated NYC you’ll ever see but I loved the bright, clean aesthetics, the neat, polished lines - expert, gorgeous art from Cabal. Yildiray Cinar only draws the fifth issue but beautifully captures the human frailty in the characters’ expressions as Peter and May go through a difficult scene - the emotional power of the moment is there on the page.
The main story is called “Mother of Exiles” which is a way better subtitle than “Secrets and Rumors” - the old lady superhero is called Rumor but still, that subtitle just makes this book seem that much more bland and indistinct, which is a real disservice. Still, that and not digging the backup’s art isn’t enough for me to give this one anything less than the highest rating - this is an excellent book.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Volume 1: Secrets and Rumors is superhero comics at its best, telling great stories with wit and heart and showing you the full range it can go: from impossibly fantastical sci-fi to the relatable everyday. And it reminds you why people love this character so much - easily one of the best Spider-Man books I’ve ever read!
The problem with Spider-Man’s popularity is that Marvel are constantly putting out zillions of books featuring him all the time - Amazing, Spectacular, Team-Up, Superior, etc. - so the quality tends to get watered down. And, if you read enough crap, then it’s easy to dismiss any new Spider-Man book as not worth reading, particularly if you’re not a big fan of the character. I think that’s why I missed this gem when it came out a couple years ago. So I was really pleasantly surprised to find that Tom Taylor’s Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man isn’t just good but is also one of the best Spidey books of the last few years.
This title takes a street-level approach to Spidey, focusing on NYC specifically and the people in Peter’s life - his neighbours, his friends and family. But you’ve gotta give Spider-Man something to do so weird toughs from the 1940s and an old lady superhero are thrown in! And here you could criticise that Taylor underdevelops the main story of this book - how is there an entire glowy copy of NYC underground, who are these orange-skinned people, etc. - but I liked how this was left unexplained, because it didn’t really matter.
The characters - Spidey in particular - are written so well, and are clearly the focus, that peripheral story elements like this don’t need to be fleshed out entirely, particularly if they’re only going to be used for this one-and-done tale. Breezing over it means that it doesn’t slow the story down with unnecessary exposition and gives the narrative a cool swagger that plays into its light-hearted style. Plus it’s Marvel - of course there’s an underground city full of orange people a few miles beneath NYC!
And the whole idea of Under York and the rich orange-skinned businessman is more about the book’s theme of community, tolerance and acceptance vs anti-immigration sentiment, segregation and the entitlement of the 1% (as well as that obvious visual jab at a certain former president). So I get why Taylor didn’t get hung up on that part of the story and just kept focus on the characters - which was the right choice.
I didn’t love the art of the issue #1 backup story but I can see why that backup was included - so that the B-story, of May getting a cancer diagnosis, didn’t come out of nowhere later on. And I loved how Taylor struck the right balance in tone throughout - Spidey wasn’t overly quippy, and there’s the right amount of humour to keep the serious stuff from being overwhelming. And that final issue too - all I’ll say about that emotional gut-punch of an issue is if you’re not dabbing your eyes at the end of that one, you’re made of stone, buddy! I mean, wow - I’ve never cried after reading a Spider-Man comic before!
Hats off to Juann Cabal for drawing such a perfect-looking Spider-Man comic. It’s the least-populated NYC you’ll ever see but I loved the bright, clean aesthetics, the neat, polished lines - expert, gorgeous art from Cabal. Yildiray Cinar only draws the fifth issue but beautifully captures the human frailty in the characters’ expressions as Peter and May go through a difficult scene - the emotional power of the moment is there on the page.
The main story is called “Mother of Exiles” which is a way better subtitle than “Secrets and Rumors” - the old lady superhero is called Rumor but still, that subtitle just makes this book seem that much more bland and indistinct, which is a real disservice. Still, that and not digging the backup’s art isn’t enough for me to give this one anything less than the highest rating - this is an excellent book.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Volume 1: Secrets and Rumors is superhero comics at its best, telling great stories with wit and heart and showing you the full range it can go: from impossibly fantastical sci-fi to the relatable everyday. And it reminds you why people love this character so much - easily one of the best Spider-Man books I’ve ever read!
February 18, 2021
Tom Taylor is the perfect choice for writing Spider-Man. He mixes in just the right amount of humor with a lot of heart. Taylor takes the friendly neighborhood part of the title seriously, grounding Spider-Man and Peter Parker right on his block, looking out for his neighbors. Under York is an interesting concept. I'd love to see a return where Taylor fleshes out a lot more of the details. The Spider-Bite issue may be the best comic you read all year. Juann Cabal's art is really good too. This is how Spidey is meant to be written.
July 17, 2019
This has got to be the best 616 Peter Parker Spidey comic in many years. Tom Taylor brought Spider-Man back to basics, and the title says it all — he's the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. There are no convoluted plots, no corporate shenanigans, just pure, unadulterated fun Spidey, a hero with a huge heart who just wants to help regular people around him. It's a fantastic light-hearted book that gets to the core of who Spider-Man is (or should be, at least), and it's a pure joy to read. The dialogue is fantastic, the humour is just right, and the more serious aspects of the story carry a big emotional impact. The only thing I didn't particularly care for was the introduction of a very silly concept of Under York in one of the issues, but thankfully Taylor didn't dwell on it too much. Juann Cabal's artwork is gorgeous, I was already a fan of his Frank Quitely/John Cassaday-esque style after Mariko Tamaki's underrated X-23 run, and here his stuff looks better than ever. I wish he could draw the entire six issue-volume himself, but alas, one issue and a few pages of another were done by fill-in artists (who did a really good job, to be fair). Overall, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has got to be the best main-universe Peter Parker Spidey comic I've ever read, and is an easy recommendation for anybody who just wants to read a great Spidey comic without having to deal with any continuity or multiverse nonsense.
July 21, 2019
I knew from issue 1 Tom Taylor would nail Spider-man. I mean, as in writing him, not having sex with him.
Now that we got my horrible joke out of the way let's talk Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man. The issue 1 to 5 is basically one big story. Spidy saves people, finds mysterious kids in his room after a woman he swore to protect goes missing, and meets a woman named Rumor. Together they go to the underground of New York to save her. Then we have a solo story of Spider-bite. Which I won't spoil at all because it's that good.
Love it almost all. The art is near perfect for what it goes for. I love the interactions with Peter and all the people around him too. The storylines are simple but work really well. The ending is near perfect, and love the heck out of Spider-bite. The only negative is maybe the "bad guy" in here is just okay. A 4 out of 5.
Now that we got my horrible joke out of the way let's talk Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man. The issue 1 to 5 is basically one big story. Spidy saves people, finds mysterious kids in his room after a woman he swore to protect goes missing, and meets a woman named Rumor. Together they go to the underground of New York to save her. Then we have a solo story of Spider-bite. Which I won't spoil at all because it's that good.
Love it almost all. The art is near perfect for what it goes for. I love the interactions with Peter and all the people around him too. The storylines are simple but work really well. The ending is near perfect, and love the heck out of Spider-bite. The only negative is maybe the "bad guy" in here is just okay. A 4 out of 5.
April 8, 2022
This one was so good omg!
I love this one, Tom Taylor doing it again but this time with Spidey!
Okay so the story starts with Peter around his neighborhood and helping people but what happens when suddenly a woman named Marnie asks him to protect another girl named Leilani and it also might involve her children but when Leilani gets kidnapped, Pete has to team up with Old woman Marnie who has her own secrets and go to "Under York" and save Leilani from her evil father and discover some other secrets meanwhile in there and its awesome! The whole sequence is so well written and will make you love these characters! I love the inclusion of Johnny and its not the biggest thing ever but the way its written about how Pete is a local hero is what I like about it! 7/10 to that story.
Then there are 2 single stories that I love like one with Aunt May and what she is going through and the conflict which Peter has inside himself but how he persists through them and helps her is what made me love this! I love the human moments here. And then the greatest story about how he helps a child going through chemo and well that team up is like one of my fav single issues ever and its awesomely and brilliantly written and the ending is <3.
I loved this, Tom really gets into the heart and soul of these characters and shows the human side of Peter really well and its amazing plus the art ws gorgeous! <3!
I love this one, Tom Taylor doing it again but this time with Spidey!
Okay so the story starts with Peter around his neighborhood and helping people but what happens when suddenly a woman named Marnie asks him to protect another girl named Leilani and it also might involve her children but when Leilani gets kidnapped, Pete has to team up with Old woman Marnie who has her own secrets and go to "Under York" and save Leilani from her evil father and discover some other secrets meanwhile in there and its awesome! The whole sequence is so well written and will make you love these characters! I love the inclusion of Johnny and its not the biggest thing ever but the way its written about how Pete is a local hero is what I like about it! 7/10 to that story.
Then there are 2 single stories that I love like one with Aunt May and what she is going through and the conflict which Peter has inside himself but how he persists through them and helps her is what made me love this! I love the human moments here. And then the greatest story about how he helps a child going through chemo and well that team up is like one of my fav single issues ever and its awesomely and brilliantly written and the ending is <3.
I loved this, Tom really gets into the heart and soul of these characters and shows the human side of Peter really well and its amazing plus the art ws gorgeous! <3!
July 12, 2019
He's been a CEO, a globe-trotting adventurer, and an Avengers. But now it's time for Spider-Man to get back to his friendly neighborhood roots. But when his new friends at his apartment building ask for his help, he finds himself a little out of his depth - literally, because he's going to Under York!
Tom Taylor's such a good writer, you guys. He takes what's really a pretty insane premise and makes it a story about abuse, overcoming your oppressors, old lady superheroes, and Peter Parker being a dork. It's just pretty much perfect, honestly.
And then just to add some icing on the cake, issue 6 is a standalone story in the vein of The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man, which if it doesn't manage to break your heart, I feel really sorry for you. It's really something special.
The art on all of the issues here is by Juann Cabal, who has cut his teeth on All-New Wolverine and X-23 before this, and turns out to be a pretty great Spidey artist too. His art is clean and clear, and the colours by Nolan Woodard match the tone perfectly well. I could look at Cabal's art all day, it's just so pleasing to the eye.
Friendly Neighborhood was about getting Spidey back to basics, and it does that - the stories are still bonkers and a little out there, but this book recaptures the heart and soul of Spider-Man in a way that hasn't happened since Dan Slott was writing the book.
Tom Taylor's such a good writer, you guys. He takes what's really a pretty insane premise and makes it a story about abuse, overcoming your oppressors, old lady superheroes, and Peter Parker being a dork. It's just pretty much perfect, honestly.
And then just to add some icing on the cake, issue 6 is a standalone story in the vein of The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man, which if it doesn't manage to break your heart, I feel really sorry for you. It's really something special.
The art on all of the issues here is by Juann Cabal, who has cut his teeth on All-New Wolverine and X-23 before this, and turns out to be a pretty great Spidey artist too. His art is clean and clear, and the colours by Nolan Woodard match the tone perfectly well. I could look at Cabal's art all day, it's just so pleasing to the eye.
Friendly Neighborhood was about getting Spidey back to basics, and it does that - the stories are still bonkers and a little out there, but this book recaptures the heart and soul of Spider-Man in a way that hasn't happened since Dan Slott was writing the book.
April 15, 2021
SUPER FAST REVIEW:
This comic is pretty solid. At first I wasn’t sure because it felt somewhat like standard superhero fare but Taylor executes it very well. You can tell the author is a fan of Spider-Man because he tells a fun story with action, humor and some emotional stuff. The art is very good too.
It is fairly predictable and has a couple of cheesy bits but overall this is the kinda fun Spidey comic I wanted so this is a definite winner!
Recommended.
4/5
This comic is pretty solid. At first I wasn’t sure because it felt somewhat like standard superhero fare but Taylor executes it very well. You can tell the author is a fan of Spider-Man because he tells a fun story with action, humor and some emotional stuff. The art is very good too.
It is fairly predictable and has a couple of cheesy bits but overall this is the kinda fun Spidey comic I wanted so this is a definite winner!
Recommended.
4/5
May 2, 2021
Sometimes it's nice to read a solid, old-fashioned superhero comic book where the stakes aren't earth-shattering and the hero has time to help out a neighbor, a kid, or his aunt -- either in costume or out of costume. The art is great and the script deftly jumps between the silly and the dramatic.
I've wandered away from Peter Parker since One More Day and his death in the Ultimate Universe, and this is the first book in a while to remind me of why I used to like the guy so much.
I've wandered away from Peter Parker since One More Day and his death in the Ultimate Universe, and this is the first book in a while to remind me of why I used to like the guy so much.
May 20, 2022
The perfect mix of grounded and otherworldly, it's a really strong start to this Spider-Man run. It has a lot of heart, and is a very emotion centred story overall. There's enough action for those who really enjoy their rough and tumble in comics, but it never overshadows the themes of responsibility, inner conflict, and dealing with situations you can't control. Fabulously written and beautifully drawn, prepare yourself to go through a rollercoaster of emotions with this one.
TRIGGERS: Cancer
TRIGGERS: Cancer
February 19, 2024
I really liked this one. Fun read and the Underyorkers were an interesting twist. And HA HA Spider-Man using attention and media to have Mayor Fisk do the right thing, even if it was for the wrong reason.
Also, the regular people stepping up to help Spidey and him calling on a few friends, that’s a true hero, being able to ask for help when it is needed.
The ending was tear-inducing, but in a sweet way.
4, glad I read this one, stars.
Also, the regular people stepping up to help Spidey and him calling on a few friends, that’s a true hero, being able to ask for help when it is needed.
The ending was tear-inducing, but in a sweet way.
4, glad I read this one, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2021
This was so much fun! You just gotta love a Spider-Man comic that makes you forget the real world and whisks you away on a ridiculously fun adventure.
It was filled with all the regular quips and thwips of Peter’s humour and his web swinging. It’s expected when it comes to Spider-Man that you’re going to get some sarcastic witty humour but that didn’t stop me from chuckling when it came!
The last story was really sweet! It didn’t make me cry but it was totally sweet. I’d love to see more of Spiderbite! I wonder if he ever shows up again...
It was filled with all the regular quips and thwips of Peter’s humour and his web swinging. It’s expected when it comes to Spider-Man that you’re going to get some sarcastic witty humour but that didn’t stop me from chuckling when it came!
The last story was really sweet! It didn’t make me cry but it was totally sweet. I’d love to see more of Spiderbite! I wonder if he ever shows up again...
April 10, 2022
Pretty fantastic. Taylor’s got a solid handle on Parker and Spidey - the dynamics of his relationships; the underdog struggles, the spot/on humour. It’s like the best distillation of what I love about Spidey, none of the foolishness that bogs down uber tales where he’s caught up in machinations and sub-sub plots.
And holy shit with issue 6. Right in the feels. Like the best Spidey tales, just a dude who could use all the help he can get, going out of his way to do awesome for someone unimportant.
And holy shit with issue 6. Right in the feels. Like the best Spidey tales, just a dude who could use all the help he can get, going out of his way to do awesome for someone unimportant.
May 13, 2019
That last issue left me gutted. This is why I love Spider-Man. Tom is doing a great job this is brilliant stuff!
July 12, 2020
It's alright. Everything feels rushed, combined with Spidey's trademark glib jokes, makes the whole thing feel floaty and unsubstantial.
September 17, 2025
Wow. An all-timer Spidey story? I THINK SO!
January 15, 2020
Over the years, Spider-Man has been through a lot, whether he is fighting in space alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, having his body possessed by one of his greatest enemies, or becoming a CEO that allows him to go on globe-trotting adventures. However, in recent years with writers like Chip Zdarsky and Nick Spencer taking over Peter Parker’s life, they’re about embracing the domesticity of the Everyman Hero living in New York. Tom Taylor is among those writers who prefer to place Peter on familiar but at times surreal territory.
Created by Peter David and Mike Wieringo, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – the title itself derived from a trademark self-referential comment often made by Spidey himself – is revived as a secondary title contrasting with the main title Amazing Spider-Man that is currently written by Spencer. Although I was trepidatious over the prospect of yet another secondary Spidey comic following Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, which got cancelled after Zdarsky’s departure.
The keyword in the title is “Neighborhood” and this volume showcases Peter’s relationship with the people living among his apartment building, as well as the impact that Spidey has on the people he saved. When his neighbour Marnie asks Peter to check up on another neighbour in their building, the troubled Leilani is kidnapped by a mysterious group of men. When Peter discovers that Leilani has left behind two orange kids, he asks the help of his buddy Johnny Storm to babysit, whilst Peter dons his alter-ego and journeys into a subterranean New York.
Compared to what Spencer is doing with Amazing Spider-Man in how he is dealing with Peter’s romance with MJ as well as the greatest rogues gallery in Marvel comics, you may initially think that Taylor is aiming at a smaller scale by focusing on a primary unknown cast as well as some new villains that are more out-there. In terms of the multiple friendly faces that Peter and Spidey encounter throughout the issues, Taylor nails that sense of community where everyone has each other’s backs and for once the webhead isn’t treated as a public menace.
As for the super-heroics, there is certainly the acknowledgement of the wider Marvel universe, not least with Johnny Storm having a fun supporting role, Spidey’s adventures here are more urban, especially that he goes underground to discover Under York. Along with his elderly neighbour Marnie, who turns out to be the superhero known as The Rumor, it leads to an unlikely pairing where Spidey is coming up with his hilarious quips. As the predominant artist for this volume, Juan Cabal excels his hyper-detailed work towards characters and environments that look reminiscent of Frank Quitely’s art.
Although he acknowledges Spencer’s storytelling from a brief sequence of Peter romancing MJ in the backup issue, to Mayor Wilson Fisk as a recurring antagonist, Taylor drops a bomb in his own title, with the reveal of Aunt May having cancer. It's so easy to dismiss the elderly aunt, despite the fact she has been there for her nephew since he became orphaned. Issue #5 is about Peter wrestling with the news regarding his aunt, leading to one of the greatest yet tragic lessons superheroes can learn, which is that you can’t save everybody. Drawn by Yildiray Cinar, who has a gritter art-style compared to Cabal’s, the issue focuses on domestic troubles, including a car chase that suddenly gets resolved by web-slinging. As funny as the resolution, Taylor doesn’t negate the heartwarming union between a young man and his aunt, who are determined to get through this.
However, Tom Taylor saves the best for last with issue #6, in which Spider-Man and his trusted kid sidekick Spider-Bite battling the Sinister Sixty led by Stilt-Man. This all may sound like this is coming from a child’s imagination and that is absolutely true. Tom Taylor treats the whole issue like a kid conceiving the most over-the-top Spider-Man story with the number of supervillains thrown in, whilst the two heroic Spiders joke throughout this epic adventure. The whole issue even takes Cabal’s art to the next level with a diverse range of panel layouts, including a two-page action sequence that uses as many panels as possible.
But what truly seals the deal is that the story of Spider-Bite and the Sinister Sixty is conceived by a cancerous child who is going through treatment, whilst Spider-Man visits him. Inspired by the real-life Batkid (who is a cancer survivor), as well as Roger Stern’s much-loved "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man", Tom Taylor nails what is true about Spider-Man in that balance of tragedy and humour, making Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man an uplifting experience to read.
Created by Peter David and Mike Wieringo, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – the title itself derived from a trademark self-referential comment often made by Spidey himself – is revived as a secondary title contrasting with the main title Amazing Spider-Man that is currently written by Spencer. Although I was trepidatious over the prospect of yet another secondary Spidey comic following Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, which got cancelled after Zdarsky’s departure.
The keyword in the title is “Neighborhood” and this volume showcases Peter’s relationship with the people living among his apartment building, as well as the impact that Spidey has on the people he saved. When his neighbour Marnie asks Peter to check up on another neighbour in their building, the troubled Leilani is kidnapped by a mysterious group of men. When Peter discovers that Leilani has left behind two orange kids, he asks the help of his buddy Johnny Storm to babysit, whilst Peter dons his alter-ego and journeys into a subterranean New York.
Compared to what Spencer is doing with Amazing Spider-Man in how he is dealing with Peter’s romance with MJ as well as the greatest rogues gallery in Marvel comics, you may initially think that Taylor is aiming at a smaller scale by focusing on a primary unknown cast as well as some new villains that are more out-there. In terms of the multiple friendly faces that Peter and Spidey encounter throughout the issues, Taylor nails that sense of community where everyone has each other’s backs and for once the webhead isn’t treated as a public menace.
As for the super-heroics, there is certainly the acknowledgement of the wider Marvel universe, not least with Johnny Storm having a fun supporting role, Spidey’s adventures here are more urban, especially that he goes underground to discover Under York. Along with his elderly neighbour Marnie, who turns out to be the superhero known as The Rumor, it leads to an unlikely pairing where Spidey is coming up with his hilarious quips. As the predominant artist for this volume, Juan Cabal excels his hyper-detailed work towards characters and environments that look reminiscent of Frank Quitely’s art.
Although he acknowledges Spencer’s storytelling from a brief sequence of Peter romancing MJ in the backup issue, to Mayor Wilson Fisk as a recurring antagonist, Taylor drops a bomb in his own title, with the reveal of Aunt May having cancer. It's so easy to dismiss the elderly aunt, despite the fact she has been there for her nephew since he became orphaned. Issue #5 is about Peter wrestling with the news regarding his aunt, leading to one of the greatest yet tragic lessons superheroes can learn, which is that you can’t save everybody. Drawn by Yildiray Cinar, who has a gritter art-style compared to Cabal’s, the issue focuses on domestic troubles, including a car chase that suddenly gets resolved by web-slinging. As funny as the resolution, Taylor doesn’t negate the heartwarming union between a young man and his aunt, who are determined to get through this.
However, Tom Taylor saves the best for last with issue #6, in which Spider-Man and his trusted kid sidekick Spider-Bite battling the Sinister Sixty led by Stilt-Man. This all may sound like this is coming from a child’s imagination and that is absolutely true. Tom Taylor treats the whole issue like a kid conceiving the most over-the-top Spider-Man story with the number of supervillains thrown in, whilst the two heroic Spiders joke throughout this epic adventure. The whole issue even takes Cabal’s art to the next level with a diverse range of panel layouts, including a two-page action sequence that uses as many panels as possible.
But what truly seals the deal is that the story of Spider-Bite and the Sinister Sixty is conceived by a cancerous child who is going through treatment, whilst Spider-Man visits him. Inspired by the real-life Batkid (who is a cancer survivor), as well as Roger Stern’s much-loved "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man", Tom Taylor nails what is true about Spider-Man in that balance of tragedy and humour, making Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man an uplifting experience to read.
May 8, 2019
I tend to give long-form comics more lenient ratings because I respect the craft that goes into making a long-running story while staying true to the form, the tone, the (ugh) canon, and all that. So there are plenty of five-star comics that I wouldn't exactly see myself rereading in five or ten years. That's fine, they're still top notch stuff (the current Amazing Spider-Man run, for example, is quite great, genuinely). With that said...
This is an exception, this is a treasure. It's a book that so deeply understands my favorite things about Spider-Man and it's a book that presents them so well that I simply can't believe it's not some underappreciated gem that I've found ten years after the run is over. This is classic Spider-Man in real time, the neighborhood protector, the ridiculous adventurer, the tearjerker.
Taylor takes Parker down to street level instead of cosmic fights and makes it all about saving his community, his people. With fun worldbuilding and heartbreaking twists, he turns the screws and gives this the feel of a Saturday morning cartoon - effortlessly fun yet often dealing with themes that will leave you crying. I can't understate how much I loved the sheer experience of reading this comic. The layouts, the colors, the silly villain design, the badass new hero, the freaking Spider-Bite?! Oh, this is beautiful head to toe and though a lot of it feels familiar and, in a way, retro... This is exactly what I look for in a Spider-Man comic and FNSM delivers. I fully acknowledge that I'm biased, having grown up with the 90's TAS and loving the Web of Spider-Man series, but this is my kind of web-slinger. This is my kind of neighborhood hero.
This is an exception, this is a treasure. It's a book that so deeply understands my favorite things about Spider-Man and it's a book that presents them so well that I simply can't believe it's not some underappreciated gem that I've found ten years after the run is over. This is classic Spider-Man in real time, the neighborhood protector, the ridiculous adventurer, the tearjerker.
Taylor takes Parker down to street level instead of cosmic fights and makes it all about saving his community, his people. With fun worldbuilding and heartbreaking twists, he turns the screws and gives this the feel of a Saturday morning cartoon - effortlessly fun yet often dealing with themes that will leave you crying. I can't understate how much I loved the sheer experience of reading this comic. The layouts, the colors, the silly villain design, the badass new hero, the freaking Spider-Bite?! Oh, this is beautiful head to toe and though a lot of it feels familiar and, in a way, retro... This is exactly what I look for in a Spider-Man comic and FNSM delivers. I fully acknowledge that I'm biased, having grown up with the 90's TAS and loving the Web of Spider-Man series, but this is my kind of web-slinger. This is my kind of neighborhood hero.
July 30, 2019
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is my favorite title being published by Marvel or DC right now. It may be my favorite title being published in all of comics because it's such a joy to read and the excitement I get from a new issue coming out is not rivaled by another title.
So there are three Spider-man titles being published right now. All of them good in their own right and highly enjoyable to read month to month.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man has a smaller focus than Amazing Spider-man and takes place in the current day unlike Symbiote Spider-man. Here you really get to see the charm of Spidey. He cares about everyone and everything. Doesn't matter if you're a kid, an adult, another hero, or a criminal Spider-man only wants the best for you. That's the first thing Friendly Neighborhood does. But at the same time it has an intensely personal focus. This is the series where Aunt May has cancer and it deals with Peter's reaction to that. While at the same time an adventure to save two kids and stop a crimelord from screwing with the neighborhood. And one of the best single issues I've ever read as the last issue in the collection #6. It's the one with Spider Bite and it's heart felt and touching. Honestly it just makes me cry in all the right ways.
Written to such perfection by Tom Taylor. Drawn by Juann Cabal, Douglas Franchin, and Yildiray Cinar. Colored by Nolan Woodward. And Lettering by Travis Lanham. I don't think anyone should sleep on this and certainly not Spider-man fans.
5 stars and lots of love.
So there are three Spider-man titles being published right now. All of them good in their own right and highly enjoyable to read month to month.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man has a smaller focus than Amazing Spider-man and takes place in the current day unlike Symbiote Spider-man. Here you really get to see the charm of Spidey. He cares about everyone and everything. Doesn't matter if you're a kid, an adult, another hero, or a criminal Spider-man only wants the best for you. That's the first thing Friendly Neighborhood does. But at the same time it has an intensely personal focus. This is the series where Aunt May has cancer and it deals with Peter's reaction to that. While at the same time an adventure to save two kids and stop a crimelord from screwing with the neighborhood. And one of the best single issues I've ever read as the last issue in the collection #6. It's the one with Spider Bite and it's heart felt and touching. Honestly it just makes me cry in all the right ways.
Written to such perfection by Tom Taylor. Drawn by Juann Cabal, Douglas Franchin, and Yildiray Cinar. Colored by Nolan Woodward. And Lettering by Travis Lanham. I don't think anyone should sleep on this and certainly not Spider-man fans.
5 stars and lots of love.
June 16, 2019
I’ve had a lot of trouble getting into Spider-Man comics in the past—difficult continuity, way too many crossovers, etc.—but when Tom Taylor started writing a stand-alone “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” series? There was no way I wasn’t going to at least give it a try.
And wow, am I glad I did.
So far, this series is everything I’ve wanted from a Spider-Man series and yet so rarely manage to find. Taylor’s Spider-Man is soft, gentle, fiercely compassionate, at least a little tired, and absolutely perfect. Taylor writes with such genuine empathy that even when the plot gets a little silly—the whole “Under York” thing didn’t really work for me—I didn’t mind for very long.
And the art...oh my, is the art on display here spectacular. Whether it’s Juan Cabal—the series’ main artist—or guest artist Yildiray Cinar behind the artwork, this series is consistently breathtaking. Nolan Woodard’s coloring is bright and electric, and the layouts—especially Cabal’s—are frenetic and brilliant. There are pages in every issue that make me have to just sit back and admire the visuals.
I adore this comic and am so happy it exists. A 4.5 out of 5 for me. Cannot wait to read more.
And wow, am I glad I did.
So far, this series is everything I’ve wanted from a Spider-Man series and yet so rarely manage to find. Taylor’s Spider-Man is soft, gentle, fiercely compassionate, at least a little tired, and absolutely perfect. Taylor writes with such genuine empathy that even when the plot gets a little silly—the whole “Under York” thing didn’t really work for me—I didn’t mind for very long.
And the art...oh my, is the art on display here spectacular. Whether it’s Juan Cabal—the series’ main artist—or guest artist Yildiray Cinar behind the artwork, this series is consistently breathtaking. Nolan Woodard’s coloring is bright and electric, and the layouts—especially Cabal’s—are frenetic and brilliant. There are pages in every issue that make me have to just sit back and admire the visuals.
I adore this comic and am so happy it exists. A 4.5 out of 5 for me. Cannot wait to read more.
May 3, 2021
Street-level Spider-Man antics by one of my favorite Marvel authors - this is good stuff! I mean, it's kind of weird, because it introduces, then dispenses with, a vast underground world beneath New York called...Under York. And there's a new hero in the form of The Rumor (shades of Umbrella Academy?). But overall, the humor is on point, Spider-Man does nice things for the community, and Juann Cabal's art is only intermittently distracting and ugly. I smiled a fair bit while reading - what more can you ask for?
March 16, 2022
What a fantastic start to this series! Tom Taylor previously impressed me with his All-New Wolverine and X-Men: Red books, so I was eager to see how he would handle Spider-Man. The writing is so good, and somehow the art is even better. I can’t recommend this title enough! If you’re a fan on any level of Spidey, definitely check this one out. 5/5 stars
February 27, 2020
I wasn’t totally enamoured with the Under York stuff, but that last issue? Outstanding. 🕷🕸🤘
September 6, 2025
An extremely positive Spider-Man is the best, he is truly a hero. He smiles and works through the tough moments and really shows that being a leader isn’t being the strongest or smartest (he’s probably that too) but willing to learn and help others.
I do always kind of hate a “real” moment in comics (aunt mays cancer diagnosis), it feels a bit like cheap heat. In a world with parallel dimensions and unlimited powers, is cancer still the end all be all of pain?
Spider-Man spending time with a sick kid is always nice- he’s a good guy.
I do always kind of hate a “real” moment in comics (aunt mays cancer diagnosis), it feels a bit like cheap heat. In a world with parallel dimensions and unlimited powers, is cancer still the end all be all of pain?
Spider-Man spending time with a sick kid is always nice- he’s a good guy.
February 4, 2020
Antes de falar de Tom Taylor, eu queria falar do trabalho de Juan Caball, que faz as ilustrações de boa parte deste primeiro encadernado da série de Homem-Aranha: O Amigão da Vizinhança. Juan possui um traço dinâmico, arredondado, fino e que é muito simpático e combina com novos tempos vindos para o Homem-Aranha. Sua narrativa também é bastante impressionante e envolvente. Dito isso, vamos falar de Tom Taylor que é a estrela maior desta nova série do Homem-Aranha e que durou apenas 12 edições. Quem acompanha a carreira de Taylor sabe que ele tem uma maneira muito própria de trabalhar as séries que assume. Ele as assume não como se fosse uma obrigação para uma corporação, mas como se fossem suas, como faziam os velhos escribas de Marvel e DC Comics, que estabeleciam boas dinâmicas para os personagens e criava, sim, novos conceitos e novos articuladores de enredos, sejam eles gatilhos de histórias ou de criaturas com outros tipos de relações estabelecidas com o personagem que é dono do título. Aqui em Homem-Aranha: O Amigão da Vizinhança ele não faz feio e ainda encerra o encadernado com uma emocionante história que faz referência à clássica HQ de Stern e Romita Jr. sobre O Menino que Colecionava Homem-Aranha.
August 5, 2020
A charming, consistently funny, somewhat emotional and relatively down-to-earth (well, and a little bit under-the-earth) Spider-Man story. The art is great, sleek yet detailed, very satisfying to look at.
I particularly enjoyed Peter and Johnny Storm’s interactions (brotp!) and all the instances of Peter being a great guy and a beloved friend to all the regular people of NY, both in and out of costume. He’s just as lovable here as he was in the delightful PS4 game. Boomerang’s appearance was also fun.
I particularly enjoyed Peter and Johnny Storm’s interactions (brotp!) and all the instances of Peter being a great guy and a beloved friend to all the regular people of NY, both in and out of costume. He’s just as lovable here as he was in the delightful PS4 game. Boomerang’s appearance was also fun.
January 9, 2022
A chef's kiss christmas present by mom
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