Spectacular Spider-Man
Spectacular Spider-Man
The fall television season is in full swing once again with a number of great shows such as House, The Office and even Smallville is back for an amazing 9th season. You have returning shows like Heroes (whose latest arc is appropriately titled "redemption"), Dollhouse or the show Fringe, which is rapidly becoming one of my favorite shows on television. You even have new shows like FlashForward (which is being hailed as the new 'Lost' by some') and the guilty pleasure Glee making its way to the small screen. Of course, in a few months, you have even more shows to look forward to like Chuck, 24 and of course, can't-miss-television with the final season of Lost. But, there is one glaring omission from the fall television schedule that has me seeing red. I am talking about nothing other than the one, the only, the Spectacular Spider-Man.
The Spectacular Spider-Man
There have been numerous attempts to bring an animated Spider-Man to the small screen, both live-action and animated, though most have wisely gone the animated route as the live-action version was an embarrassment, starring Nicholas Hammond. Then, you have numerous animated adaptations that have spanned from the 60's until our current series. You have the original Spider-Man series from 1967, which is probably most notable for its theme song. (You know the one - "Spiderman, Spiderman, does whatever a spider can..."). You have the show Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, which was certainly less than amazing. Of course there was the titular 1994 adaptation, which is probably the most well-known and the longest lasting (65 episodes), but none of them quite are in the same league as this latest animated offering. The Spectacular Spider-Man is not simply the best Spider-Man animated version, but perhaps one of the best versions of Spider-Man on any medium. (Perhaps, in fact, the best animated superhero cartoon of all time - maybe even besting the acclaimed Batman the Animated Series, but that's a debate for another day)
The Spectacular Spider-ManThere have been numerous attempts to bring an animated Spider-Man to the small screen, both live-action and animated, though most have wisely gone the animated route as the live-action version was an embarrassment, starring Nicholas Hammond. Then, you have numerous animated adaptations that have spanned from the 60's until our current series. You have the original Spider-Man series from 1967, which is probably most notable for its theme song. (You know the one - "Spiderman, Spiderman, does whatever a spider can..."). You have the show Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, which was certainly less than amazing. Of course there was the titular 1994 adaptation, which is probably the most well-known and the longest lasting (65 episodes), but none of them quite are in the same league as this latest animated offering. The Spectacular Spider-Man is not simply the best Spider-Man animated version, but perhaps one of the best versions of Spider-Man on any medium. (Perhaps, in fact, the best animated superhero cartoon of all time - maybe even besting the acclaimed Batman the Animated Series, but that's a debate for another day)
Already it may have surpassed the original 1994 adaptation, since towards the end of its run, it veered off into such failed storylines such as Hydro Mary Jane or the introduction of Madame Web, who is to this day one of my least favorite comic book characters ever. In fact, she may even replace Jack Hanna as the celebrity I'd like to punch most in the face. Overall, it had a strong run, but the initial 26 episode run of Spectacular Spider-Man has been nothing short of amazing.
From the very first episode, you can tell it's gonna be great as they manage to introduce characters such as Doctor Connors, Flint Marko, Alex O'Hirn, Hammerhead, The Enforcers, Eddie Brock, Adrian Toomes, Doctor Octopus and Norman Osborn in the very first episode. In fact, you get to meet most of those characters before they become villains so that you get to see them transform into the villains that threaten Spider-Man and New York City. It continues with the fun nature that is the hallmark of Spider-Man, perfectly capturing the witty banter that has been so missing in the live-action version. Wisely avoiding the origin story which is already too well-known, it instead dives head first into the familiar Spider-Man mythos in an exiting and fresh manner. Perhaps most importantly, you get to see Gwen Stacy (a character that all too many people are not familiar with, but is an important character in Spider-Man's history and has never been seen before in an adaptation and no, Spider-Man 3 doesn't count). You get to see Spider-Man at his most relatable, dealing with the pressures and headaches you can expect from a 16 year old superhero. With a great supporting cast, plot, pacing, writing, animation - the creators of Spectacular Spider-Man excel in every category and exceed any expectations I had.
Words can't really do it justice, but trust me when I say this is one of the best shows I've ever seen. You can catch both seasons now out on DVD and you should as the producers really seem to understand the character so well. If you're fortunate enough to have cable, try to watch it on Disney XD as well. For reasons that are incomprehensible to me, there has yet to be a season 3 announced, although the recent merger of Disney and Marvel should hopefully only increase its chances. They seem to be waiting to see the ratings from Season 2 and DVD sales as this economy has made people more hesitant than ever to stick with a show. So watch it, support it, tell your friends, write about its complete and epic awesomeness, shout it from the rooftops, but whatever you do...
Don't miss this show.
The end of the very first show sums it up best as Peter Parker/Spider-Man declares "Tell me there's something better. Go ahead. Try." It's quite a challenge thrown out there but I'm confident that if you take that challenge and watch this show, you won't be able to find anything better.
Go ahead. Try.
From the very first episode, you can tell it's gonna be great as they manage to introduce characters such as Doctor Connors, Flint Marko, Alex O'Hirn, Hammerhead, The Enforcers, Eddie Brock, Adrian Toomes, Doctor Octopus and Norman Osborn in the very first episode. In fact, you get to meet most of those characters before they become villains so that you get to see them transform into the villains that threaten Spider-Man and New York City. It continues with the fun nature that is the hallmark of Spider-Man, perfectly capturing the witty banter that has been so missing in the live-action version. Wisely avoiding the origin story which is already too well-known, it instead dives head first into the familiar Spider-Man mythos in an exiting and fresh manner. Perhaps most importantly, you get to see Gwen Stacy (a character that all too many people are not familiar with, but is an important character in Spider-Man's history and has never been seen before in an adaptation and no, Spider-Man 3 doesn't count). You get to see Spider-Man at his most relatable, dealing with the pressures and headaches you can expect from a 16 year old superhero. With a great supporting cast, plot, pacing, writing, animation - the creators of Spectacular Spider-Man excel in every category and exceed any expectations I had.
Words can't really do it justice, but trust me when I say this is one of the best shows I've ever seen. You can catch both seasons now out on DVD and you should as the producers really seem to understand the character so well. If you're fortunate enough to have cable, try to watch it on Disney XD as well. For reasons that are incomprehensible to me, there has yet to be a season 3 announced, although the recent merger of Disney and Marvel should hopefully only increase its chances. They seem to be waiting to see the ratings from Season 2 and DVD sales as this economy has made people more hesitant than ever to stick with a show. So watch it, support it, tell your friends, write about its complete and epic awesomeness, shout it from the rooftops, but whatever you do...
Don't miss this show.
The end of the very first show sums it up best as Peter Parker/Spider-Man declares "Tell me there's something better. Go ahead. Try." It's quite a challenge thrown out there but I'm confident that if you take that challenge and watch this show, you won't be able to find anything better.
Go ahead. Try.
1 comments:
ok. so I have been waiting PATIENTLY for the "Finding Love at the Comic Book Convention" post... I mean, we discussed it- the promise that is there, but yet.. nothing?
Think about all the girls out there who Google comic book conventions every day. Think about the girl who could have googled it and and came upon this really great post about finding love there....But that will never happen, and she will never stumble across this web page BECAUSE you never wrote the post. That's sad Richard.. You are just squandering opportunity.
You have the power- but choose to do nothing. With great power comes great responsibility.
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