The Marvel Studios animation panel at San Diego Comic-Con revealed the first true look at Spider-Man: Freshman Year and the animated series hints at exciting possibilities for fans. The panel showcased the show's unique art style as well as its connections to the MCU and the way it diverges, mainly in the inclusion of many iconic Spider-Man heroes and villains.
Major Spider-Man enemies like Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus appear in key art from the upcoming series, and several prominent MCU characters return, like Daredevil. The show goes back in time for Peter Parker, offering a slightly younger take on the character as he first explores his powers, and an intriguing possible alternate universe for the Marvel multiverse to potentially explore.
Not MCU Canon (Or Is It?)
Conflicting reports emerged from the panel on the new animated series' canonicity. @3CFilmss reported the panel can't take place in MCU canon, though the press release from Marvel Studios introducing the show specifically says the series 'follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU.'
The canon question looms large as the show features several characters from the MCU, as well as ones that Spider-Man: No Way Home seemed to suggest had no Earth-616 counterpart, so far as Peter knew.
Nico Minoru Is Peter's Best Friend
The panel described Nico Minoru as Peter's best friend in the series, which obviously conflicts with Ned Leeds' role as Peter's Chair Guy in the MCU. Nico, among the most powerful magic users in the Marvel Universe, plays a significant role in the Runaways team in Marvel Comics and also appeared in the live-action series.
The panel also showed key art for other characters from Peter Parker's high school, including the genius Amadeus Cho. Cho became a powerful gamma-powered superhero in Marvel Comics. Nico's presence in the show hints at her potential appearance in the MCU proper, as well as the broader importance of magic to this series, evidenced in the appearance of another key Marvel hero.
Doctor Strange Will Appear
The SDCC panel highlighted several major Marvel Comics characters, including Doctor Strange. Doctor Strange played a major role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, erasing Peter Parker from the world's memory, but it seems his role will differ greatly from his live-action version. He potentially serves as a mentor for Nico, as he has done in the comics.
Doctor Strange makes sense in the animated series as he, along with Spider-Man, both emerged from the creative genius of artist Steve Ditko, who clearly inspired the show in many ways.
Steve Ditko Art Style
Spider-Man: Freshman Year distinguishes itself significantly from previous Spider-Man cartoons, though longtime fans likely find the art style familiar. Key art for the upcoming show reveals a strong appreciation for the clean lines and clear details Steve Ditko, among the best Spider-Man artists ever, brought to the legendary character.
Ditko co-created Spider-Man along with Stan Lee in Amazing Fantasy #15, celebrating its sixtieth anniversary this year. Ditko contributed Spider-Man's most legendary visual signatures, making him natural for the show to pay homage to.
Spider-Man Wears Many Different Suits
Spider-Man wears many different costumes in the comics and in live-action, and Spider-Man: Freshman Year will be no different. The panel revealed that Spider-Man wears five different suits in the first season, including his first homemade costume, which recalls somewhat his initial look in the MCU.
The costumes range in style greatly, from a possible homage to The Hornet costumes to a white suit that recalls his Future Foundation look from Marvel Comics when he was among the most powerful Fantastic Four members.
Daredevil Appears
Daredevil officially joined the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Charlie Cox reprises his role in the upcoming show, continuing a connection between the two heroes going back to the comics. The panel displayed an all-black costume for the superhero, echoing somewhat his initial costume from early in the Netflix Daredevil series.
The series likely leans on Spider-Man and Daredevil's many adventures in Marvel Comics for inspiration, where they fought together on numerous occasions, and often against the same villains.
The Sinister Six (Sort Of)
The presence of several iconic Spider-Man foes qualifies as perhaps the clearest tell that the show rests uneasily in established MCU canon. Doctor Octopus, Chameleon, and Scorpion, all among the most powerful Sinister Six members from Marvel Comics at various times, all appear in key for the upcoming series.
Doctor Octopus in particular signals the show exists outside the MCU canon as the implication in Spider-Man: No Way Home was that no Otto Octavius existed in the MCU, so far as Peter and his friends knew. The panel also hinted at several other comic book villains including The Rhino, Tarantula, and more.
The Osborns Return
The Green Goblin left no doubt that Harry Osborn doesn't exist in the MCU during a key scene in No Way Home, also implying Norman Osborn and Oscorp also don't exist. The upcoming series introduces both as major players, with Harry likely playing the same role he did in the comics, as Peter's close friend early in high school.
The panel makes clear he will play a mentor role for Peter. An image from the panel shows Norman in Peter's living room with Aunt May, with Osborn clearly standing in for Tony Stark in this alternate reality. Comic book fans know the Green Goblin in some ways represents Spider-Man's greatest villain and may in the series as well.
Sophomore Year Is Already Coming
Though the new series debuts in 2024, making for a hard wait, fans won't have to wait for a second season. The panel ended with news that the show's second season, entitled Spider-Man: Sophomore Year, is in the works. No details emerged about the season, but the title makes clear the series follows Peter's high school career year by year.
The MCU left Peter Parker without a diploma or any collegiate prospects, meaning this show likely differs even further from the events laid out in the three Spider-Man MCU movies released so far.