Some of the of Spider-Man The first enemies in Marvel Comics history, the Enforcers, must face an MCU version of Spider-Man. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is a prequel miniseries to the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) TV series of the same name, which is set in a universe that branches off from the main MCU timeline – and the Enforcers are a perfect first villain for this version of Man -Spider.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2024) #3 – written by Christos Gage, with art by Eric Gapstur – finds Peter Parker lost as he tries to navigate his double life as Spider-Man and balance his school and new powers and identity. In the midst of all this, Peter faces off against a group of villains called the Enforcers, in a serious throwback to the character's early days.
The Enforcers are notable for being among the first antagonists the Webslinger ever faced, but they were never prominent enemies in later years, making this also a major return.
Spider-Man's Obscure Villains the Enforcers Get an MCU-Adjacent Update in Upcoming Spidey Series
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2024) #3 – Written by Christos Gage; Art by Eric Gapstur; Available February 19, 2025 from Marvel Comics
While the Enforcers appear in the Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man series gives them a better chance of appearing in the MCU, they're not there yet. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is an animated show on Disney+, featuring a variant of Peter Parker in the early days of becoming Spider-Man. The show was originally planned to be an origin story for Tom Holland's Spider-Man, but it was later decided that it would be set in an alternate universe that branched off from the main MCU.
There are events in Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man which unfold similarly to the MCU, but with some changes, making the series analogous to an extended episode of And if…? A concept image from the show recreates the scene in Captain America: Civil War where Peter Parker enters his apartment and Tony Stark meets with Aunt May, but in this universe, Tony is replaced as Peter's mentor by Norman Osborn. There are also characters with the same actors from the MCU, such as Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil.
The Enforcers are perfect “starter” villains for this MCU Spider-Man spin-off
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man #3 – Main Cover by Leonardo Romero; Benjamin Su variant covers and more
The Enforcers are a team of career criminals and some of Spider-Man's earliest villains, but they are not exclusive Spider-Man villains. The Enforcers also faced heroes like the Human Torch and Daredevil. Daredevil being featured in Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man show suggests that taking on the Enforcers could be one of the ways he teams up with Spider-Man. The team's key members include the Western-themed Montana, highly skilled with the lasso; Fancy Dan, a martial artist well versed in hand-to-hand combat and always dressed stylishly; and the Ox, with super resistance and durability.
The Enforcers first appeared in 1963, in The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #10, and were quickly defeated by Spider-Man, although they may pose a greater threat in this incarnation.
Many Spider-Man villains have wild abilities that overpower Spider-Man in some way, but none of the Enforcers have powers that Spider-Man doesn't have. Enhanced strength and durability and hand-to-hand combat, depending on how skilled this version of Fancy Dan is, or how early in his career this Peter Parker is, Spider-Man already has these powers. Spider-Man even has a better version of Montana's webbed lasso. The Enforcers first appeared in 1963, in The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #10, and were quickly defeated by Spider-Man, although they may pose a greater threat in this incarnation.
What it means for Enforcers to take a step closer to the MCU
Spider-Man's Rogue Cinematic Gallery Grows
Fighting crime on the streets is a great way for Peter Parker to learn the ropes and balance his powers and his personal life; no crazy villains like Doctor Octopus or the Green Goblin stalking those he loves most. The biggest advantage the Enforcers have over Peter is numbers, but it's a challenge Peter is capable of meeting. Tom Holland's Spider-Man started out fighting Captain America and traveling to space. Now that he's transitioning to fighting on the streets, this could be the best time to introduce the Enforcers into the MCU and teach Tom's Peter the ropes of the streets.
Notably, in the Amazing Spider-Man comics, the Enforcers had more heavy hitters among their members, including infamous Spidey antagonists Green Goblin and Sandman. Green Goblin and Sandman have been seen in the MCU before, but most fans would agree that the MCU needs its own Spider-Man villains, not those from other universes. The Enforcers could be a way to take Tom Holland's Peter Parker to fight in the streetsand also act as a way to introduce the MCU's own variants of of Spider-Man most infamous enemies.
Your Friendly Neighborhood, Spider-Man #3 will be available on February 19, 2025, from Marvel Comics.