Search - Spectacular Spider-Man: Complete First Season on DVD

Spidey rocks!

zuzu | 12/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bought this for my 5 yr old. This is the only spiderman I will let him watch. Does have violence - fighting and such - but no shooting. No one dies. Some scenes seem to me a little scary - but by far - the only spiderman suitable for his age. And now I have to get season 2 just to see what happens next!"

A modern synthesis of old and new, with a Spider-Man wise fa

trebe | 03/05/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's kind of hard to believe, but Spider-Man has been around for nearly fifty years. The character has been the subject of feature films, television, and several animated series. This new take on the webslinger, features Spidey as a relative newcomer to the superhero scene, as a sixteen year old Peter Parker is living in Forrest Hills with his Aunt May.

The Spectacular Spider-Man is very modern, but reflects aspects from the character's early comic genesis, and has a more traditional flavor than Sam Raimi's films, or 2003's Spider-Man the New Animated Series. Little touches like the Spidey signal, the split Parker/Spidey view, and the overshadowing web background across the sky, pay homage to traditions from the comics. Peter pursuing Betty Brant, and Mary Jane Watson the neighbor with `personality', are also true to the comics, but Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn are introduced early in the chronology, making them contemporaries with Flash Thompson and Liz Allan. Incorporated into the stories are the Parker's financial woes, Aunt May's health, and Peter's troubles with girls and his peer group. Peter's personality seems to be in line with the comics. Because he is not accepted, and is the subject of ridicule from the in-crowd, like a dog that is kicked, Peter often reacts out of hurt or anger. He is not a shy, uncoordinated, wimp.

The stories often feature the introduction of various classic villains, in their initial encounter with Spider-Man. Here the episodes parts ways with the traditional Marvel Universe, as the cartoon incorporates arcs involving conspiracies, that result in the creation of The Sandman, The Rhino, and even Dr. Octopus. The Enforcers, are the main muscle for the mysterious Big Man, a criminal mastermind, who also has an association with Tombstone, and Norman Osborn. Osborn is very with many schemes, and also makes an appearance as the Green Goblin. The Shocker is an impressive and skillful fighter, but Electro is given a major makeover, that is a disaster. Doc Ock's somewhat passive personality, and poorly animated appearance, is another disappointment. Peter Parker's involvement with Curt Connors, makes an appearance by The Lizard is almost obligatory.

Spider-Man quickly progresses from a wisecracking teenager, to an awesome fighting machine. In `Group Therapy' he takes on a deadly version of The Sinister Six (Doc Ock, Sandman, Shocker, Rhino, Vulture, and Electro) and emerges victorious, after displaying mind-bending fighting skills. Most of these villains are from the same era, the first sixty or so issues of The Amazing Spider-Man, published in the mid 1960's. But in a bold step, the series jumps ahead almost twenty years, to also include the alien symbiote, Eddie Brock, and Venom. This appearance so early in Peter Parker's life, crosses eras and requires some major massaging to bring Brock into an unfamiliar timeline, to introduce Venom. It is a very unconventional, and perhaps controversial. The emotional intensity increases, surreal elements are introduced, and some furious fighting takes place, leading to an exciting and dramatic conclusion, to what is a sensational first season.

The producers' lofty goal, is for The Spectacular Spider-Man to become a classic representation of the character. Time will tell regarding that matter, but the series does show promise, and deserves credit for attempting to incorporate many elements from the original Marvel Universe. The animation is high quality, hand drawn by artists in Korea. It features cool settings, and does a very good job of capturing movements, particularly in some impressive fight scenes. With stylized characters with anatomically exaggerated looks, soft facial features, and some with voices that sound childlike, the cartoon is aimed at a younger crowd.

The amount of violence is very high. Harry Osborn's foray into substance abuse is somewhat premature, and is an element that is not suitable for young kids. Overall, the writing is quite good, focusing on incorporating mostly traditional elements and characters. Peter is finding his way in the romance department, and does not have a have a steady girlfriend, but most of the other significant relationships, like Peter and Flash, Norman and Harry Osborn, Peter and JJ, and Peter and Aunt May, seem to be on the right track. Not everything the writers come up with works well, in battle, Spidey has always been something of a trash talker, but it is way overdone here.

In Nature vs. Nurture, the spirit of Uncle Ben appears, and amazingly Peter is able to discern the precise nature of the alien symbiote. Peter often demonstrates incredible intelligence and wit, far beyond his sixteen years, but this is a bit much. Brock's backstory of how his parents and Peter's parents both perished in the same accident, tarnishes the memory of Peter's parents, Richard and Mary Parker. In The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5, Peter learns that parents died in Algeria in 1949, suspected of being traitors to America, and Spider-Man investigates, battles Red Skull, and vindicates them. With World War II over sixty years in the past, it's understandable, that the original story would not work, but was it necessary to use Peter's parents as so much plot fodder?

The two DVD set contains thirteen episodes, and two short bonus featurettes. Although aimed at a younger demographic, this animated feature is definitely recommended to Spidey fans of all ages."