Warning: contains spoilers Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1!
Before the Disney+ premiere of the new Marvel film Spider-Man series, an official comic book prequel, surprisingly ties this version of his origin to another young Marvel hero. While some iconic characters have been teased to appear in the series, one of the Marvel characters FugitivesNico Minoru, now it's an integral part of the new Peter Parker's beginnings as a superhero.
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man #1 – written by Christos Gage, with art by Eric Gapstur – kicks off the prequel to the animated series showing Peter Parker's fateful radioactive spider bite with an interesting twist, as is revealed that this version of Peter's superhero origin takes place at the exact moment he meets Nico Minoru.
The two form a closer friendship as the issue unfolds, and it's clear that Nico will be an important part of this take on Spider-Man lore. As young Peter Parker hones his new spider powers, it looks like the fan-favorite Fugitive might discover his power as well.
Fan-favorite fugitive hero Nico Minoru appears at a pivotal point in Peter Parker's new origin story
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man #1 – Written by Christos Gage; Art by Eric Gapstur; Color by Jim Campbell; Lyrics by VC's Joe Caramagna
As she is present in Peter Parker's famous spider bite and in his first secret mission where he discovers his powers, Nico Minoru is Spider-Man's first ally as he begins his superhero journey in this timeline. Although it has already been revealed that Nico would be in Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man animated series, it's a surprise that she takes on such an important role in this version of events. Nico and Peter's paths haven't crossed much in the main continuity, so it should be interesting to see how their lives intertwine as good friends, at a crucial time for both characters.
With Nico entering this new version of Spider-Man's life at the beginning of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1Peter explains some details that differentiate this Spidey from other iterations. The animated series and its comic prequel present a sort of alternate version of the MCU's Spider-Man, so Aunt May is drawn more in a Marisa Tomei style, and there's a new take on Uncle Ben. When Nico explains to Peter that she is eager to adjust to life and high school after leaving Los Angeles, he confides in her about Uncle Ben's death, which occurred before Peter got his powers in this universe.
How Nico Minoru's Comic Book History Can Inform Marvel Animation's Newest Spider-Man
Nico's first appearance: Fugitives #1 – Created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona
Nico Minoru has had an exciting history in comics since his Marvel debut Fugitives in 2003, and things could get even more interesting for her and Peter as she becomes part of Spider-Man lore. As she already mentioned her past in Los Angeles in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1, More of Nico and Minorus' magical past could come into play in the series. As the daughter of evil wizard supervillains who are part of a large criminal gang in Los Angeles, it remains to be seen how Nico ends up in New York City with her new adoptive mother, Susan O'Hara.
Instead of joining the other children of Los Angeles villains to form the Runaways team and bonding with his eventual found family, Nico becomes part of Spider-Man's world as he finds his superhero identity. With their witch powers still on the board to be unlocked in this version of events, Nico and Peter could become a new dynamic duo with abilities based on spider science and magic. The gothic superhero's origin combined with Spidey's could make his world more supernatural, and it remains to be seen whether his Staff of One, PRIDE or the rest of her Fugitives family could potentially appear.
Nico is the first of many Marvel fan favorites featured in Spidey's new, reimagined adventures
Captain America, Green Goblin, Daredevil and more may appear
The introduction of Nico Minoru in Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man apparently confirms that she will be an integral part of the upcoming series and its prequelbut even more Marvel icons could still appear as the comic unfolds. Other characters who will appear in the animated series, such as Daredevil, Harry and Norman Osborn, and others may appear as Peter finds his superhero stride. The prequel also appears to be swapping Peter's MCU relationship with Iron Man, with this version idolizing Captain America. Nico's adoptive mother, with the surname O'Hara, could also be teasing a Spider-Man 2099 crossover in some way.
Perhaps the most iconic member of Marvel's Runaways team, Nico Minoru will certainly be a huge influence on the latest version of Spider-Man, helping to shake up his origin story.
With this new Spider-Man ready to take on villains like the Enforcers and Silvo Manfredi, the fledgling hero could use all the friends and allies he can to help him achieve his super destiny. As Peter Parker's freshman year of high school and his superhero debut are rewritten in bold new ways, an underappreciated magical powerhouse has entered the scene at a formative moment for both characters. Perhaps the most iconic member of Marvel's Runaways team, Nico Minoru will certainly be a huge influence on the latest version of Spider-Man, helping to shake up his origin story.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a 2D animated series that retells Peter Parker's early years and pays homage to the character's original comics. Although Marvel Studios produces it, the show does not take place in the same MCU continuity as Tom Holland's Peter Parker. Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio reprise their roles as Daredevil and Kingpin.