Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is the latest Marvel original that gives viewers a glimpse into Peter Parker’s life before a certain billionaire playboy philanthropist upgraded his gear, but it’s also paving the way for some new friends (and foes).
Although Norman Osborn will always be one of Spidey’s most notorious nemeses, his first big bad might not be his mortal enemy. In fact, Web-Head's wicked first foe might have made an appearance long before the Goblin.
Green with envy?
Shooting the elephant in the room, Norman Osborn will eventually be the Green Goblin. That's an established Spider-Man fact, and the new series is doing little to be subtle about it, especially with that very green suit and consistent saturation of the color in his Oscorp headquarters.
Casting Osborn as Peter's mentor in this reimagining, while not exactly what this writer would have done, is only building up tension and emotional investment for when he finally puts on the mask. However, his first true shock during his superhero career might hit a little closer to home.
While Dr. Carla Conners is likely going to be this Spider-Man's Lizard (her male counterpart was one of his first villains), the true emotional gut punch will be what happens to Lonnie Lincoln. Although the lovable jock is shaping up to be a good friend to our boy Peter, comic book fans know what fate awaits him.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Marvel Comics source material, Lonnie Lincoln is the true identity of the villain, Tombstone. Depicted in the comics as an albino man with ghoulish features and bullet proof skin, Tombstone is a formidable hitman for hire who often serves as Kingpin's enforcer.
Considering Daredevil is already slated to appear in this Marvel animated series, Wilson Fisk probably isn't too far behind. Since Lonnie lacks the albino features that give Tombstone his iconic identity, one can only assume that something terrible is going to happen in order for him to make that transition.
The reason we'll likely see him before we see the goblin is the amount invested in Lonnie's character. We've already seen him and Peter hit it off, and it wouldn't be out of the question to see this friendship develop further.
Imagine the absolute shock and horror Peter (and the audience) will go through as one of his friends becomes one of his deadliest enemies. Since Osborn is much higher on the totem pole, his turn to the green side might be saved for the season finale or later.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is currently streaming on Disney+.