The debate over the best Spider-Man has raged on among Marvel fans ever since the multiverse introduced audiences to three distinct portrayals of the iconic superhero. Thereafter, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland each brought their unique spin to the character, sparking endless discussions about their strengths and contributions.
However, while people believed that this debate about the best Spider-Man prevailed just among fans and netizens, we’re here to let you know that the argument isn’t confined to just Marvel enthusiasts. Even pop culture has picked up on the heated conversation, and Family Guy came up with an episode where they tried putting an end to the debate about the best Spider-Man.
Family Guy Engaged in Their Own Version of the Best Spider-Man Argument
In a humorous nod to the fan phenomenon of debating about the best Spider-Man, after Marvel introduced three different actors in the iconic role, the animated sitcom Family Guy took on the Spider-Man debate in one of their episodes. Setting a dinner table arrangement in Season 19, Episode 15 titled “Customer of the Week”, the show portrayed the Griffins engaging in their own version of the Spider-Man argument.
Reflecting the broader conversation that has captivated audiences for years, the Family Guy episode showed Peter Griffin, the patriarch of the family initiating a playful debate about everyone’s favorite Spider-Man. During the conversation each of the young characters, their dog as well as Peter tried stating their points, while Lois Griffin remained mum and focused on arranging the dinner.
All right, on three, everyone say their favorite Spider-Man. All right? One, two, three. Peter announced.
In fact, there’d be no superhero movies without Tobey Maguire. Peter claimed.
No way, Garfield never got a chance. Chris argued.
Setting the stage for a lively exchange, Peter sparked the conversation that humorously mirrored the real-world arguments among Marvel fans. During the debate, Peter championed Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man highlighting the significant impact Maguire’s portrayal had on the superhero genre. To which, Chris Griffin expressed his frustration with how Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man was never even given a chance.
Much Like Marvel Fans, Even Family Guy Failed to Settle the Argument
Each character from the Griffin family argued about their personal favorites, simply forgetting about reaching a conclusive end. Meanwhile, amid heated debate among the characters, Brian Griffin surprisingly offered the conversation to an unexpected turn, as he interjected with a comparison to Batman. Speaking about Ben Affleck’s Batman from the DC universe, Brian’s out-of-left-field comparison humorously underscored how passionate fans can be about various superhero portrayals, often leading to tangential arguments.
Is Affleck the best Batman? No. But he had the best Batman body. Brian interjected.
Once again taking the conversation back on track, Meg made a bold claim about Andrew Garfield, asserting, “he’ll be the first ex-Spider-Man to win an Oscar”. This hinted at the actor’s nomination for the musical Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021). Meanwhile, giving the debate another significant twist, Stewie chimed in with a point about animated Spider-Man movies and their characters.
Just ’cause it’s in animation, people think it’s not legit. Stewie added.
In the end, the Griffin family’s debate, much like the real-world discussion, failed to reach a definitive conclusion. The humorous portrayal of this argument in Family Guy served as a testament to the enduring popularity of the Spider-Man character across different media. Ultimately, we’re back at square one, wondering if Maguire’s nostalgic charm, Garfield’s intensity, or Tom Holland’s youthful energy, could topple the other either of the Spider-Mans.
Marvel’s Spider-Man movies are available on Disney+.
Family Guy is currently available to watch on Fox and Prime Video.
