Friendly Neighbour Hood Spider-Man: Sneek Peek and Interview With Tom Taylor

[Miles To Go]

Spider-Man is one of New York City's premier costumed defenders, and as such he's connected to an eclectic community of superpowered and normal people. That includes classic characters like his Aunt May and girlfriend Mary Jane Watson; new relationships like his roommate Fred Myers, the villainous Boomerang; and the people who live on his block, or cross paths with Spidey and Peter Parker. These dynamics help keep the Web-Slinger the grounded hero readers know and love, and soon they'll be fuel for a new volume of a classic Spidey title.

The book, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, by writer Tom Taylor and artist Juann Cabal, launches this January. CBR spoke with Taylor about his vision for the series, the characters he's excited to write and the new and familiar faces that are part of his immediate plans.


CBR: So, Tom, in January you launch a new volume of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and it sounds like one of the ways your book will be different from Amazing Spider-Man is the focus on the neighborhood aspect of the title. Is that correct? What else can you tell us about how Friendly compares and contrasts to what writer Nick Spencer is doing over in Amazing?

Tom Taylor: Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is largely about the world and the people around Peter. I'm not saying we won't be visiting other worlds, but for the most part it's about the neighborhood, and the people in close proximity to Peter. The people in his block, his housemates, his friends, Aunt May. The world won't be threatened every issue, but Pete's world could certainly be under threat.

How does it feel to be writing Spider-Man? He's a character who lends himself to almost any kind of story, so was it difficult nailing down exactly what you wanted to do with the character?

It's ridiculous, honestly. I'm blown away I get to write Spider-Man. I was actually weighing up a host of projects when Nick Lowe contacted me about Spider-Man, and all of those other projects just faded away in my mind. There was only Spidey. It actually was hard to nail down what I wanted to do with the character at first. And it wasn't until I started writing him that I really worked it out. Our first arc is all about Pete the protector; the guy who looks after everyone and keeps joking no matter what's thrown at him. It's also about expanding his cast so we don't step on the toes of Amazing. We have a few new characters coming, and one in particular that Juann Cabal and I are really excited for. And there's a very big bombshell for Peter. One that will test him in ways he's never been tested before.

Writing Spider-Man's neighborhood means the chance to write his closest neighbors, like his roommates Randy Robertson and Fred Myers (the supervillain known as Boomerang). What's your sense of those characters? And will we meet some of the other neighbors that live in Pete's building?

I'm already having a lot of fun with Fred. He's ridiculous. I've lived in share houses. I remember it well. And we will definitely be meeting more of Peter's neighbors. Our first arc was actually originally called “Neighbors”... but it has a different title now

Pete's neighbors don't know who he is, but he does have a support team of familiar faces who are aware of his identity. Mary Jane Watson is back in his life playing the role of significant other. Pete's other confidant, though, is former antagonist J. Jonah Jameson. What's it like for you to have these two characters as someone Pete can go to for help in balancing his identities?

Writing Pete and MJ for the first time was pure joy. I love these two together. They're one of my two favorite couples in comics and they play so well together. There's so much love and optimism and humor between them. MJ is Spider-Man's equal in every way. I haven't actually gotten to Jameson yet, but I'm sure I will. Chip Zdarsky did such a great job with his character and changing their relationship on Spectacular.

Who are some of the other regular Spidey supporting characters that play roles in this series? And are you introducing any new faces in Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man?

Johnny Storm will be around, as I love his friendship with Peter. There's a very big development with Aunt May, and we can't say too much yet, but you will also be meeting a new hero who is going to play a very big role in Peter's life.

Another one of the other great joys of writing Spider-Man is the chance to write some of the best villains in comics. Who are some of your favorite Spider-Man villains? What can you tell us about the antagonist(s) of your initial story?



I love Spidey's rogues gallery, and can't wait to play with some of his big villains. Fisk, as mayor of New York will play a part, but our antagonists in our first story are actually brand-new... but very old at the same time. We're turning the known New York on its head in our first story.

Finally, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man reunites you with your All-New Wolverine collaborators, artist Juann Cabal and colorist Nolan Woodward. Some of the things I loved about their run there was the palette Nolan use and the way Juann drew expressions and environments. So I'm excited to see what they'll do with a Spider-Man book. What's it like working with them on this character?

Juann and Nolan were the first names I put forward for this book. “Our Orphans of X” story was a real highlight of All-New Wolverine for me, and they're both a massive part of that. Both of them are genuine collaborators. We go back and forth. They challenge me, and they back me up on things. I think Nolan is one of the best colorists in the business -- adapting to whatever the project needs and lifting it, and Juann's storytelling is truly unique. He adds so many small moments and Easter eggs, and I find myself writing to keep up. Stretching because I know he'll be right there with me. I wrote the first double page spread purely with Juann in mind. It was something he'd think of, so I had to think of it first -- and it's a stunning image. Seeing Juann discovering Spider-Man on the page has been great.

https://www.cbr.com/friendly-neightb...lor-interview/

[Frontier]

It's nice to see that Mary Jane and the current main supporting cast (Fred, Randy, etc.) will be a part of this series .

Johnny was kind of a co-star in Zdarsky's Spec, so it sounds like that will be continuing a little here.

I wonder if the stuff with Aunt May will be introduced in Spencer's run but carried over here?

I'm guessing the villain is someone who Spidey's never faced before but is connected to the history of New York City.

Not much to say about the preview other then the art is solid and I'm always glad when Spidey manages to accomplish something without help .

[WebSlingWonder]

I'd be down if this can be a solid satellite title for Spider-Man. After the success of PPSSM, I would imagine Marvel feels more comfortable giving a true Spider-Man satellite title a chance.

[Kevinroc]

It's been a long time since I've been excited by Spidey comics. Sounds like Spencer and Taylor and co. are going to bring it.

[Snoop Dogg]

Ehhhh, I dunno about this whole satellite book thi-

"I'm already having a lot of fun with Fred."

We in there. Approved. Full speed ahead. To issue 100!

[Huntsman Spider]

If that major development for Aunt May isn't her finding out that Peter is Spider-Man (for the third time, and if so, it better stick, Marvel) . . . I'll be only slightly less enthusiastic for this than I was before. What's keeping me in high spirits, though, is that Tom Taylor seems to love Peter and Mary Jane as a couple about as much as I do. As for a new hero that'll be playing a big role in Peter's life . . . well, I'll be curious to see who that is, but even more curious to see if Taylor can sneak in a Spider-Man/Laura (and Gabby) Kinney team-up. The banter would be unbearably hilarious.

[Frontier]

I'm just glad, aside from Johnny and this new hero, this book doesn't seem like it's devolving into a team-up book .

[Digifiend]

New hero? Is Peter taking on a sidekick? Didn't exactly work out well last time...

[Snoop Dogg]

New hero? Is Peter taking on a sidekick? Didn't exactly work out well last time...

This book's Alpha is the one from Power Rangers.

[WebSlingWonder]

Ooh, I'm getting Paul Jenkins' "Peter Parker: Spider-Man" vibes from this!!!

[Vortex85]

Writing Pete and MJ for the first time was pure joy. I love these two together. They're one of my two favorite couples in comics and they play so well together. There's so much love and optimism and humor between them. MJ is Spider-Man's equal in every way.

Say no more, I'm sold.

Looks like another fine book coming soon. Can't wait!

[Digifiend]

This book's Alpha is the one from Power Rangers.

Funny that you mention them - Taylor wrote them in the Justice League/Power Rangers mini.

[rward777]

https://www.cbr.com/friendly-neightb...lor-interview/

I wonder what the bombshell will be. Peter being a father?

[Batman Begins 2005]

Sounds encouraging. Like the art.

[Hypestyle]

excellent art, kudos. so is his 'neighborhood' Queens? Manhattan? Brooklyn? Where?