Comic-Con: Is Spider-Man's New Movie His Best One Yet?

Sony reveals Spidey in action, and our first look at The Lizard!

The next clips center on Peter learning more about his father, who left Peter when he was a young boy. Peter finds his father's satchel, and his OSCORP ID inside. This discovery eventually leads Peter to OSCORP, to Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans). The footage then rushes ahead in time, skipping Peter's spider bite and going straight to him going through trial-and-error attempts at his webshooters and costume.

The first time we see Spider-Man in action, we also get to hear the character's trademark sarcasm (portrayed much more accurately than Raimi's films ever captured it). The tone here is very much in line with Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man. This is apparent in a scene where Spidey surprises a car thief in the act. Spidey's sitting in the back of the car when the thief asks "Are you a cop?" And Spidey can't resist sarcastically tearing down the guy for thinking cops wear red and blue tights.

Outside the car, the thief pulls a knife and Spidey melodramatically falls to his knees, "begging" not to be hurt. He then shoots a web, pinning the thief's knife to the wall and following that bit by showing off his webslinging in increasingly showy and comedic ways. (At one point, Spidey fakes a sneeze to shoot out his webs.)

Then the footage's tone trends a little darker, emphasizing the consequences of Peter's duality. Gwen's dad, Police Captain Stacy (Dennis Leary), has sicced a task force on the "masked vigilante known as Spider-Man." The most brooding beat centers on Peter coming home late one night with bruises on his face, trying to hide them from a confrontational Aunt May.

Peter desperately wants to protect her from his dual identity while simultaneously just not wanting to deal with it. "Who keeps doing this to you?" May asks. Peter insists that she shouldn't worry about that, that she should go to sleep. "I can't sleep!" May barks. (This scene feels like it takes place at some point after Uncle Ben has died, although the footage gives no clear indication if or when the character dies in this film at all.)

The footage concludes with a quick-cut montage, with the two really memorable shots. The first is one of Spider-Man descending upside-down on a web, in an iconic pose. The second is a shot from above and behind Peter while he's sitting on the carpet, in his suit, with his mask on the floor, staring back at us.

The verdict? Great. The tone is unlike any Spider-Man movie we've ever seen. It feels like an indie drama that just so happens to feature a superhero in it. We're really excited for this movie now, but hope that it remembers to have some fun in between all the pathos, as the character, at his core, provides a jolt of entertainment different from any other Marvel hero.

Webb also gave us our first look at The Lizard, by way of a highlight reel of sorts illustrating the villain's origins. Basically Connors, as the world's leading expert in reptiles, is looking to genetic splicing as a means to grow back his missing arm. He uses himself as a test case, and the results lead to Connors growing back his arm, after shedding a very sticky, very gross layer of skin around the new limb.

He then starts growing a network of scaly flesh on his face before finding himself naked and in the sewers, screaming as the final transformation takes over.

The footage gave plenty of screentime to Spidey's webshooters.

Two girls are in the bathroom stall of their school bathroom, preparing to burn a snap shot of a cheating boyfriend, when the tile beneath them quakes and shatters. The toilet is violently yanked underground and, in its place, a large reptilian claw reaches out... Then another, and The Lizard eventually pulls himself topside. The character looks equal parts Killer Croc, Raptor and Koopa as he menaces the two girls against the far wall, his tail snapping back and forth as he makes inappropriate gestures with his tongue. (Gross.)

The Lizard's look seemed to garner the most polarizing reaction of people in attendance. We'll reserve final judgment once we see the bulky creature go up against Spidey's leaner, skinnier frame.

The Amazing Spider-Man concluded a very long day in Hall H, but the footage made the time well spent. Spider-Man hits theaters July 3, 2012.

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