I love my live-action superhero ventures, but sometimes lightning strikes, and for me, an animated feature happens that hits me in all the right spots.

For example, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is an animated feature film that I treasure. Yes, I dig the Nolan trilogy and The Batman by Reeves, and Mask of the Phantasm is just timeless to me. I really enjoyed most Spider-man films.

However, Spider-man: No Way Home, I feel, stands apart and perhaps is my favorite Spider-man movie. Some say it’s only great due to nostalgia or only because the other previous Spider-men were there. I strongly disagree, BUT the fact they were all there together and the way the three interacted and bounced off of each other displayed to me why each version is great and how each actor brought their own take on what makes Peter Parker/Spider-man AMAZING.

That said, I love everything about it, from the animation, voice acting, plot, and story. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are the captains steering this ship and made several creative choices I feel really pan out … different characters also have different art styles, even when sharing the screen together, and IT WORKS.

In the film, we see the story of Miles Morales (a character created by Brian Michael Bendis) and his origin and journey on taking on the mantle and becoming the “new” Spider-man, and along the way, he gets to meet several Peter Parkers and other folks who also are part of the Spider-family although they all come from very different places, hence where the Multiverse comes in.

The word out there is the upcoming sequels will have even more Spider-characters thrown in there, and I would guess that will include mixing in even more art styles. This can absolutely be completely nuts. And I mean that in the best and most fun way possible.

I can’t wait to see how the spider-verse story unfolds and wraps up.

Release Dates

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, due to land on June 2, 2023

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, due March 29, 2024.