Spider-Noir is one of the most offbeat Marvel-themed projects of recent years. It’s not an MCU series, as it’s produced by Sony for MGM+ and Prime Video. It’s connected to the acclaimed Oscar-winning Into the Spider-Verse films, and while there are connections to Spider-Man lore, it’s not a classic tale.
The show is highlighted by Nicolas Cage in his first-ever starring role in a TV series as Ben Reilly, the Spider-Man of an alternate Earth set in the 1930s. Once, Ben protected New York as the masked Spider with his powers. After losing the woman he loved, he hung up the mask to make a living as a private eye. But when he’s pulled into a case that sets him against crime boss Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson), Ben has to take back his old mantle to seek justice.
What’s getting attention is that if you watch the show on Prime Video, you have two viewing choices. One is “Authentic Black and White," like a 1940s movie, while the other is “True-Hue Full Color.” Each has its own strengths and drawbacks, so which way is best to watch this show?
Why suthentic Black and White works
For a story called Spider-Noir, black-and-white captures the noir motifs perfectly. It’s there in the scenes of Ben doing old-school PI work, talking to people, musing over his dark past, and emphasizing his world. The shadows and shading are beautiful to watch, especially in the nighttime sequences, to give the tale the proper air. It’s an atmosphere straight out of the genre and makes it stand out.
The fact the series was meant to be watched this way adds to the appeal. The production was approached as this kind of story so you'd expect it to follow that vision. That alone makes it the standard viewing experience for many viewers.
The drawback is the daytime scenes don’t seem quite as compelling in black and white, lacking the same spirit. Also, oddly, the actual super-hero sequences with Ben in costume seem to lack flair without color. You can also miss a few needed details without any colors, which is a shame given how great the production is. In short, when it’s a regular noir tale, black and white is fantastic but not as strong in the action scenes.
Why True-Hue color works
The color scheme for this series is stunning, a monochrome sheen that makes it look like a mix of 1950s film and a comic book. Li Jun Li already looked beautiful in black-and-white as Cat Hardy. In color, she’s a goddess-like presence with her gorgeous dresses shining, and when she sings, she’s marvelous. Likewise, in color, you can be awestruck by Robbie Robertson's (Lamorne Harris) fabulous wardrobe. The mix of colors and patterns pops off the screen, and it’s impressive how Harris pulls them off.
The colors are perfect for this world, from the gangster suits to the cars and even the gorgeous interiors. Daytime scenes shine brightly, making the shadows more pronounced. The action scenes work much better, and the makeup of some characters, like Flint Marko, is more striking with the color palettes. There are also touches like how a key clue (red markers on money) is more important in color.
Some drawbacks are that the sheen may look a bit off-putting and artificial, especially in some interior sets. Some sequences do seem better stripped of color, even as the lighting remains beautiful to watch. However, this is a comic book show, and having that in black and white robs Spider-Man of some of his colorful edge. That alone may make this a better watch.
Which version of Spider-Noir is best?
This may come down to personal preference in the end. The color version has its strengths in the vibrant outfits, background, and action, while the sheen may look too artificial. The black and white version is more captivating, the way it was intended for the genre, and truly captivates, although it can seem lacking in certain story areas.
Personally, I’d lean toward the black-and-white version as a noir fan, and it is awesome. Yet the color version also deserves a watch, as some viewers may find it more fitting for a comic book show. Either way, the production values are top-notch, so no matter which format you watch, Spider-Noir is a series worth diving into.
Spider-Noir is streaming on MGM+ and Prime Video.
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