Canyon Country resident Chris Moreno is supervising director of “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends.” Courtesy of Disney
Comic industry veteran and Canyon Country resident Chris Moreno recently got the opportunity to help bring one of his favorite superheroes to life as supervising director of “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends,” the first full-length Marvel series for preschoolers.
While Moreno has worked in animation for about 10 years, most recently serving as co-producer and art director of Disney Junior’s Emmy-Award-nominated “Muppet Babies” and as art director on Disney+’s “Legend of the Three Caballeros,” he’s worked in the comic book and illustration industry for more than 20 years and was excited to bridge his experience in both industries.
As the supervising director, Moreno described his role on the new show as “director of the directors,” meeting with all departments and teams across the production, as well as Disney Junior executives, to help them get what they need to bring the show to life.
“When I was approached to join the project, I was just so excited about it. … It made perfect sense to me,” Moreno said, referring to the idea of making a kids’ version of Spider-Man.
“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for preschoolers, airing on Disney Junior. Courtesy of Disney
“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” features some of Spider-Man’s most beloved and iconic characters in new storylines that follow along as Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales team up in heroic adventures to protect their community.
Geared towards preschoolers and their families, the series focuses on many of the classic Spider-Man values seen in the comic books, such as teamwork, friendship and cooperation to solve problems.
“That’s the thing I’m most excited about with this show is that we’re playing up the friendly neighborhood aspect of the character … (which) are such great values for kids,” Moreno said. “No problem is too big or too small for Spidey and his friends, and I think that’s always been key and core to the characters. They’re not superheroes that live above us … they’re part of our neighborhoods.”
These values are showcased in each episode as Spidey, friends and other Avengers, like Black Panther, Miss Marvel and Hulk, work together, learning that teamwork is the best way to save the day.
“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for preschoolers, airing on Disney Junior. Courtesy of Disney
“The teamwork aspect of the show is very much indicative of the teamwork aspect of making animation in general, (as) all of these people band together to achieve a goal,” Moreno added. “That’s a big part of what makes them fun for me and why I enjoy it.”
And it’s been these values of teamwork and friendship that Moreno has heard from family and friends that has resonated with kids, he said.
“The fact that our cast of characters is so diverse … brothers are letting their sisters play and saying there’s a Spider character for everyone,” Moreno said. “It’s opened up a new way of play for kids to understand these characters and imagine being these characters.”
While Moreno said it’s only a coincidence that Spider-Man is one of his favorite superheroes, he’s grateful to bring them to life in this new iteration.
“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for preschoolers, airing on Disney Junior. Courtesy of Disney
“The characters in that world have sort of stuck with me through my whole life … (and) I really feel grateful to be able to work on some of these characters that are childhood favorites of mine,” Moreno added. “I think that’s the thing I’m probably the most excited about is just introducing characters that we all love to a whole new generation.”
The series’ voice cast includes Benjamin Valic (“Sonic the Hedgehog”) as Peter Parker, Lily Sanfelippo (Disney Junior’s “The Chicken Squad”) as Gwen Stacy and Jakari Fraser (“Ben Is Back”) as Miles Morales.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” directed by CalArts Character Animation alum Bob Persichetti (Film/Video BFA 96) with Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film at Sunday night’s Academy Awards telecast from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," directed by CalArts Character Animation alum Bob Persichetti (Film/Video BFA 96) with Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, won the top prize for best animated feature at Sunday night's Golden Globes.
More than a dozen graduates of California Institute of the Arts were nominated for the second annual National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Children’s and Family Emmy Awards. CalArtians were nominated across the 50 categories.
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The Sierra Hillbillies Square and Round Dance Club invites you to the National Tartan Day themed Square and Round Dance on Sunday, April 6, 2-4:30 p.m.
Kevin Nealson, Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian will perform 8-9:30 p.m. Friday, April 18 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons on the main stage.
If you’ve ever seen “Whose Line is it Anyway,” you’ll know what to expect when you come to see The Society perform their brand of hilarious and clean improv comedy live on stage at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall on Saturday, April 5, 8-10 p.m.
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Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit is asking for the public’s help locating At-Risk Missing Juvenile Isabell Ann Lim. She is a 13 year-old female Asian who was last contacted on March 28 at 9:40 a.m. on the 17900 block of River Circle, in the city of Santa Clarita.
The Sierra Hillbillies Square and Round Dance Club invites you to the National Tartan Day themed Square and Round Dance on Sunday, April 6, 2-4:30 p.m.
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College of the Canyons softball pounded out 13 hits in a shortened 12-4 five-inning win over L.A. Valley College on Tuesday, March 25 to win its second straight conference game.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, joined a press conference on Thursday, March 27, on the west steps of the state capitol in Sacramento organized by community members from Val Verde, Castaic and the Santa Clarita Valley. The press conference was held to call attention to the growing public health disaster at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.
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The Santa Clarita Artists Association will celebrate its 2025 Spring Art Festival and Sale at Le Chene French Cuisine. Enjoy art in the beautiful gardens at Le Chene on Sunday, April 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a 6-3 home win over L.A. Mission College on Tuesday, March 25 with the Cougars winning five of six singles matches to earn the conference victory.
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