Spider-Man is an Avenger, and has pretty consistently been a major part of Marvel's other team-up comics pretty much since they started doing them, so I really don't see where he's ever been that independent.
Spider-Man was not a member of a team for decades after his creation, and in that time, his attempts to join any group (e.g. Amazing Spider-Man #1--proving he was not fit for one / Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5) ended with his loner status intact.. Further, team-ups do not invalidate his aforementioned loner status as they were one-offs, not a continuing team book like Power Man and Iron Fist. His life as a loner in and out of costume were the defining poles of his characterization.
Hmm...yeah, I can see that. He did feel rather tacked on in Civil War (a film I largely find unenjoyable anyway)
Aside from a few Cap-centric moments, yeah, that's the case with this film and it does not age well.
Now, my main exposure to Spider-man was via the cartoons, and some comics prior to the movies, but yeah he definitely always felt like a loner. And that was part of his appeal was this teen struggling with his sense of self and feeling alone with the burden he carried. Even as a teen that was something that appealed to me, and still does.
That is what set him apart from the rest of the Silver/Bronze Age Marvel characters--not only was he a loner (who had to work to open himself up to those in his civilian peer group), but as a crimefighter, he was misunderstood, often accused of crimes (including murder) and never had the support system of teams, because his nature was one of the outsider, not a joiner squealing "Mister Stark! M-mister Stark! C-can I--" as seen in most of his latest film incarnation.
I can see where the MCU is coming from but it wasn't a Spider-man interpretation I find enjoyable.
Agreed.