Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man showrunner talks about surprise villain Tombstone

Created by Jeff Trammell, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man debuted on January 29, 2025 on Disney+. The animated series is adding new layers and twists by adding new characters to the Spider-Verse. An interesting addition to the show is Lonnie Lincoln/ Tombstone voiced by Eugene Bryd.

Lincoln starts as a kind and athletic student who is Peter Parker's classmate but later turns out to be the infamous villain Tombstone. While Peter Parker is seen juggling between his internship and his Spider-Man duties, Lonnie is focused on his football career. In a recent interview with D23, Jeff Trammell shared insights about Lonnie Lincoln's plot and the dark path that led him to be Spider-Man's dangerous enemy. He said:

"Lonnie has so much history in the comics, but there is so much more to explore with him onscreen. That was what really drew me to him."

He further stated that Lonnie Lincoln's future and transformation to Tombstone in the show will be exciting to explore in the upcoming seasons.

In an interview with Collider, when asked about what role the viewers should look forward to in the future. Trammell said,

"Gosh! there are so many. I'll say I will pick one and say Lonnie Lincoln. I think that is a character that has so much history and being able to add to that history in a different fun way was very important to me. So I am excited to see Lonnie's arc in the show and his journey and just kind of a new take on a character that again, we know, but do we?"

In the D23 interview, Trammell teased fans about the upcoming season. He said,

"In Season 1 finale, Lonnie was able to help Peter when he needed it the most. But the events in the epsiode also hinted that his life is about to get, well harder. I look at Season 1 like we're building this world, and we're setting the board. In Season 2 and future seasons, now we are playing the game"

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Showrunner discusses parallels between Tombstone and Peter Parker in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Showrunner Jeff Trammell highlighted the fact that both Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) and his classmate Lonnie share similar traits; teenagers ravaging through adventures while balancing their alter-ego. Initially he envisioned Peter Parker and Lonnie Lincoln as opposites on the moral spectrum. However, as the show progressed, they felt it was better to portray the similarities between the two characters to create an engaging dynamic.

In the interview with D23, Trammell said,

"As time went on, I thought, I don't know if that's fun. Let's try putting Peter and Lonnie together and seeing how they complement each other"

Tramell shared that both Peter and Lonnie shared similar personalities but had unique traits too. He said that he enjoyed exploring the character's similar journeys with different hurdles. The showrunner continued,

"Peter and Lonnie share a lot of really cool personality traits, but they're also very different."

In the same interview, Hudson Thames, who voices Peter Parker in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, shared,

"I think Peter's relationship with Lonnie is beautiful. It is one of my favourite parts of the whole series. I think the way that it grows and changes is cool."

As per Trammell, the show portrayed Lonnie's character as a caring and responsible teen, which makes his transformation into ruthless Tombstone interesting. Lonnie's life drastically changes when he joins the 110 gang and his villain arc begins once he becomes its leader. Trammell said,

"Peter is going through growing pains, and he cares so much, Lonnie is doing the same."

The Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man showrunner continued,

"Lonnie has a huge heart and so he does what he feels is necessary given the circumstances. At the end of the day, he cares too much- to a fault."

In the upcoming episodes of the series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will delve into Lonnie's transformation to Tombstone. Trammell's thoughtful approach to both the characters will not only expand Lonnie's role in the Spider-Verse but also provide an emotional depth to the series.

Read More: Top 5 Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Episode 1 Easter eggs and references, analysed in depth