The co-creator of the Spider-Noir character has shared his take on the recently released Prime Video series. David Hine praised the cast and highlighted the nuances he liked. However, he also had strong, less favorable opinions about a specific aspect.
David Hine reviews Spider-Noir
Created by Oren Uziel, the live-action adaptation of Spider-Noir debuted on MGM+ and Prime Video last month, on May 25 and May 27, respectively. It is based on the Marvel character created by David Hine, Fabrice Sapolsky, and Carmine Di Giandomenico. After the show premiered, Hine spoke about what he liked and didn’t like.
Speaking with RadioTimes, the co-creator said he is impressed by the “cohesive world” that Uziel has built in the series. He added that it is “more noir” than the comics while also retaining much of its “pulp origins.” He also appreciated the black-and-white version and found it “visually stunning.” Hine then praised the cast, who he believes fully committed to their roles.
The veteran writer said he enjoyed the series despite its tonal shift and believed it didn’t diminish the seriousness and authenticity of their comics.
Hine then went on to talk about the aspect of Prime Video’s Spider-Noir that disappointed him most—the politics. “If I looked at it as a direct adaptation of the comic I did with Sapolsky, Di Giandomenico and the others at Marvel, I’d be disappointed,” he shared.
According to Hine, their version was “explicitly political.” He pointed out how the comics named real-life individuals and even referenced the Friends of New Germany and the rise of Nazism in the United States. Apart from a few aspects, he emphasized that everything else in the comic was based on historical facts.
“Our Peter Parker was a radical communist along with Aunt May and Uncle Ben,” the writer continued. “The politics of the show are soft left. Aunt May would have been scathing. I’d have been overjoyed if they took a more courageous political stance.”
Despite his criticisms, he complimented Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of Spider-Noir. “I’ve a soft spot for Cage’s humor and the way he lets the arachnid side of his powers inhabit him. Not since Steve Ditko’s original comic has anyone made the movements so spidery,” he praised the actor.
While that wasn’t the extent of his praise, Hine said he found Cage looking like a “clumsy and stiff-limbed old man” while web-swinging. He added, “ I love the way he slips into jittery spider-poses when he’s had a couple of drinks.”
Originally reported by Harsha Panduranga on SuperHeroHype.
