When news of an animated Spider-Man trilogy was first announced, many fans were skeptical. After all,
with three live-action trilogies and various animated adaptations, how many times can you tell the same
story? But the movies have been a hit, and the fanbase has only grown. So, what sets this Spider-Man
apart from the others?
For one, the protagonist of this Spider-Man story isn’t your typical Peter Parker. Passing on the baton,
Miles Morales brings out a fantastic side to Spider-Man that hasn’t been seen before. As a biracial
teenager with a Puerto Rican mother and an African American father, Miles brings in a unique
background that allows viewers to see a cultural struggle that hasn’t been explored in previous Spider-
Man adaptations.
But Miles isn’t the only new Spider-Man in this film. Spider-Gwen, Spider-Punk, Penny Parker, and Spider-
Noir are all unique variations of different Spider-People. With vastly different stories, all the Spider-
People are given their time to shine. Unlike other Spider-Man adaptations, the film likes to emphasize
that Miles isn’t alone. For a character who is always written to have the worst ending, a hopeful Spider-
Man is a pleasant change for viewers.
The characters aren’t the only unique aspect of the film. The animators took many stylistic liberties when
making the film. A completely unique animation style and a nod to the classics allow older fans and new
fans to enjoy the film. When an unfamiliar term is used on-screen, the movie puts a dialogue box in the
corner, explaining the term to newer fans while not wasting older fans’ time. But the comic-like nature
isn’t the only animation difference. The feature that sets the film’s animation apart is the blend of
different animation styles. Previously, animators consistently used the same style throughout a project.
Spider-Verse included different forms of animation, including some live-action Spider-People!
In my opinion, the coolest part of the movie was the animation. The difference between Miles’ sharp
universe and Gwen’s watercolor universe was beautiful to see. Their universes both react to their
emotions, but Miles tends to be more subtle, whereas Gwen’s is constantly switching to match how she’s
feeling.
Although Miles and Gwen are the main characters, a different Spider-Man quickly became a fan favorite.
Spider-Punk, aka Hobie, captivated viewers’ attention. His animation took longer than any other
character and encompassed his character perfectly. Like his character, Hobie’s character design was
constantly shifting. The colors and the structure of his outfits were changing in every scene he was in. Idon’t mean he was physically changing outfits, his animation was simply done in a way that had his
design constantly changing.
The distinctive design and storytelling of this Spider-Man are what sets the film apart from previous
adaptations. Although only two out of the three Spider-Man films are currently released, the anticipation
for the third film couldn’t be higher. “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” releases in 2024, so grab
your popcorn and get ready to watch the last chapter of a captivating story.