Spectacular Spider-Man

[thalaw2]

This is a great cartoon series.  The subplots really steal the show  There is so much action going on that it's sometimes hard to keep up..

Just how durable is Spidey?  He really needs some help in the allies department....The number of villains is way too high.

[Talavar]

Thanks for the heads-up on that Prev.

Probable Cause was another solid episode - this really is a great show.  I think a true speedster would be difficult for Spidey (and also interesting to see) but Ricochet seemed to be really only fast while he was, well, ricocheting. 

[Midnite]

Episode 10 Gangland is out. 

[Talavar]

Episode 10, Gangland:

Spoiler

Pete, Liz, Harry, Gwen, MJ & Liz's brother whose name escapes me are out on a date for Valentine's Day, when their table gets crashed by Flash, Sha Shan, & the other football players +dates.  Meanwhile, Tombstone, Silvermane & Doc Ock are at a meeting to determine the fate of the criminal underworld of New York - a meeting none of them arranged.  Hammerhead starts a fight, supposedly on Tombstone's orders, and a 3-way brawl between Tombstone, Doc Ock & Silvermane in power armour begins.  Pete gets called away from his date to photograph it, and apologizes to Gwen for leaving, rather than his actual date.  As Spidey, he takes on the 3 crime bosses, who are also still fighting each other, while trying to keep anyone from getting hurt.  One by one he takes down Silvermane, Doc Ock, and finally Tombstone, who stands revealed as the Big Man at episode's end.  Out on bail, Tombstone discovers the Green Goblin in his office - apparently who Hammerhead has begun working for.  Finally, Peter tries to go see Liz after everything's over, but her brother won't let him see her, and says he's not good enough for his sister.

It's another good episode - my only real complaint is in the number of cuts between the fight scene & the date folks.  The use of the opera music the villain trio were nominally attending over the fight was a nice touch, particularly when the other sounds faded out for the Spidey/Tombstone showdown.  I wish Wolverine & the X-men was this well done.

[detourne_me]

man, i'm gushing too much about the show,  gotta put it in spoilers

Spoiler

Seriously this show is amazing. Top-notch writing, design and style. I'm not qualified enough to judge the animation, but it just seems so spot on. Excellent action scenes that are well choreographed.  I'd put this show on the same rank as early TAS Batman, really. It's got it's own continuity, excellent subplots and running themes. foreshadowing that isn't heavy handed (I feel Hobie Brown may step up as an ally soon, Possibly something to do with Mark Allen). and a lot of great references to early lee/ditko/romita/and conway tropes.

oh, and the theme song is just as fun (if not more) than the teen titans song. It's better than the 90's theme song, but not quite up to the 60's version

[Previsionary]

Spec. Spidey #211: Subtext

Spoiler

This episodes opens with a fire in, I assume, a pool lounge started by Molten Man as he battles an overwhelmed Spidey. As the battle rages on, Spidey notices a scared MJ and Liz behind one of the nearby counters and alerts Molten Man to this. MM doesn't believe Spidey and the fight continues as Liz watches on.

As Liz watches Molten Man, we jump back to the points leading up to the current predicament. Liz and MJ are on stage reciting their lines and the director is none too pleased with their performances. A quick cut back to the fight is then interlaced with more build up scenes which involves Peter trying to apologize to Liz. It's at this point that Liz relays to Peter that she's worried about her brother Mark. She think he's addicted to gambling and has a debt. Harry overhears this and warns Peter that he can't help Mark unless he's ready to be helped.

Back to the fight, Peter manages to finally save MJ and Liz and Molten Man realizes that Spidey was telling the truth. We then jump into another flashback which involves Mark being brought in to pay his debt to a bookie. Seconds later, Green Goblin interrupts and declares himself the new "Big Man" and single handedly defeats the whole bar. GG then asks the Bookie to fulfill a deal for him and the Bookie has a perfect candidate. Mark is then taken to Osbourne who inquires about Hammerhead. Plans have changed and Molten Man is created.

In the present, Molten Man has a change of heart and tries to help Spidey save the girls + the Bookie. Unfortunately, he only manages to spread the fire as we jump into another flashback of Mark seconds after he gains his new powers. Mark freaks out, but he's informed that he can control the armor by having a strong will. Mark does so and is released with a C-note...which he bets on a horse race...which he loses (GG is also there). This loss triggers his transformation and a set of guards attack him. Spidey catches this and tries to handle Mark himself.

In another substory, MJ goes to the Allans to check up on Mark whom she hasn't seen in 3 days. Liz isn't thrilled with MJ and suspects that the red-head doesn't really care about her brother. When MJ tells Liz that she suspects Mark is gambling, they begin to bond.

To tie this all up, Spider-man saves Liz, the Bookie, and MJ and they plead with Mark to stop attacking Spider-man. He doesn't listen and we find out Mark was never able to control his armor. It was all a ploy by GG to test his latest gadget and to force Mark into his bidding to kill Spider-man. This last series of flashbacks brings us to the beginning and aftermath scenes of the episode.

The episode comes to a close with Spider-man detaining Mark and GG removing the armor from afar. Liz is devestated and turns to Peter for support. Meanwhile, at the Conner's lab, Kurt learns about the experiments Miles has been doing and is blackmailed to keep quiet. The episode ends on a mixed note, on the plus side, MJ and Liz are able to channel their sadness into their acting, on the negative, Mark is in jail.

And that's that. It was a pretty good episode and not an issue that is typically tackled by cartoon's in today's heavily PC/"G" world. Only two episodes to go before another GG/Spidey showdown.

[Podmark]

I saw the Enforcers ep this week, and I must say I love this show. It knows how to do subplots and work with a lot of characters. I kinda marvel at how they can fit so much in every episode.

[Previsionary]

Spec.  Spidey #212: Opening Night

Spoiler

The episode opens with JJJ, Norman, and Captain Stacey in a penitentiary overseeing the lockup of their newest captive...SPIDER-MAN! Why is he there you ask? Simple! He's testing the security. Meanwhile, outside, Felicia/Black Cat finds herself breaking into prison.

Meanwhile, at the play, Harry is late and MJ is looking for him. She calls Gwen, but she doesn't know where he is. Liz also calls Peter to make sure he'll be at the play, but he doesn't respond. Obviously.

Back at the prison, Spidey has remained unmoving in his cell for over an hour. JJJ is overjoyed, but Norman has to leave the "party" to handle other business. After waiting a few more minutes, Peter finally makes his move and escapes his cell with ease. As Spidey races towards freedom, JJJ and the prison operaters realize that their computers have been hacked and all of their men have been locked in their stations. This is revealed to be yet another plan orchestrated by Green Goblin, who's outside the prison controlling various electronic devices within the prison. Spidey eventually reaches the cells of some of his old foes, and thanks to his big mouth, gives GG the plan to unleash them all on him. Spidey takes care of most of them easily, but the Enforcers/Silvermane/Mysterio bot give him a tougher fight. As Spidey handles his foes, Felicia manages to save her father. Spidey and Black Cat are eventually overwhelmed and end up hiding in a cell where it's revealed that Cat's father is the same man that killed Peter's uncle.

Eventually, Cat, Spidey, and Mr. Harding end up in a room where the villains can be gassed to sleep. Peter, of course, leads them to the room. In a flashback, Cat learns the truth about her father's actions towards Peter's uncle and she leaves him angrily. This scene also reveals that Mr. Harding agreed to stay behind to manually release the gas as the other two escape. Peter accepts this, but doesn't forgive his uncle's killer.

Peter finally makes it outside the prison and is instantly attacked by GG. Black Cat comes to his rescue, and together they are able to drive GG off. However, the friendship between Cat and Spidey is now strained. The episode ends on the play as the "Goblin" gives his final speech.

I enjoyed the episode, and I loved how the play paralleled Spidey's predicament so very well. The episode didn't involve any Peter action and it foreshadows that Liz and Peter might not get their happy ending in the finale.

[Previsionary]

double post, but the finale seems to have been aired already.

Episode 213: Final Curtain

Spoiler

This episode ties up most, if not all, of the storylines of season 2. The Green Goblin is reigning havoc across New York with his new Goblin crew and Spider-man still hasn't figured out who he is for sure. When Harry finally returns and asks Gwen (with her full new look) and Peter for help, he reveals that he may have been Goblin at one time, but he's not now. The current Goblin kidnapped him. peter and Gwen convince Harry to tell his father. When Harry leaves, Gwen and Peter finally admit the truth to each other--they love each other. Pete and Gwen agree to break off their current relationships, but Harry overhears and walks off angrily.

The rest of the episode focuses on Gwen and Peter trying to break off their relationships and Spider-man's final showdown with Goblin that reveals something shocking from the finale of season 1. It also cements the damaged relationship between Harry and Spiderman AND Harry and Peter.

[Talavar]

I just watched Subtext and my only complaint is the flashback/forward setup.  I don't think it really added anything to the story, and I'm pretty sure they've done it before to better effect.

[Talavar]

I just saw the finale: any word on whether Spectacular Spider-man has been picked up for another season yet?

[JeyNyce]

It's a shame that the toon is better than the comic.  I'm loving this show.

[TheMarvell]

just watched the last episode on youtube. It was quite a finish and I wasn't expecting it

Spoiler

(especially when one of the characters shows up that hasn't been in any of the episodes for the entire season - Chameleon - who I'm still not a fan of in this series, but that was pretty cool nonetheless).

All in all this is a great series and even though season 2 started off pretty badly, it certainly ended very well and exciting.

FYI - I've read a few times on IGN that the producers of the show are planning on releasing actual seasons of the show starting sometime this summer with season 1 and then later on season 2 (probably around christmas) so it looks like the "few episodes on dvd" dvds that have come out so far are for the kids, while adult fans will get theirs this summer. Keep your fingers crossed. And I hope they get picked up for a third season, as it would really suck to end it so soon.

[Talavar]

I think saying the second season started off pretty bad is a complete overstatement.  It wasn't as good as the end of the season, but that's still a long way from bad.

I too hope for complete season DVD sets, because I refuse to buy those individual disc releases.

[thalaw2]

Wow this was awesome!  I wish I was a kid again so I could grow up with this.

[TheMarvell]

I think saying the second season started off pretty bad is a complete overstatement.  It wasn't as good as the end of the season, but that's still a long way from bad.

In your opinion. I thought the first few episodes of the season felt pretty rushed and, at least in comparison to everything else the show has shown so far, were pretty bad. I really didn't like Mysterio or Kraven's debut here. But then again, these were two villains I was never that fond of to begin with. Still, it didn't help when Mysterio's trash talking disney-esque bat creatures show up (wtf?), nor Kraven having a pet lion that acts exactly like a dog. I know it's a kids show, but cmon.

[Talavar]

I think saying the second season started off pretty bad is a complete overstatement.  It wasn't as good as the end of the season, but that's still a long way from bad.

In your opinion. I thought the first few episodes of the season felt pretty rushed and, at least in comparison to everything else the show has shown so far, were pretty bad. I really didn't like Mysterio or Kraven's debut here. But then again, these were two villains I was never that fond of to begin with. Still, it didn't help when Mysterio's trash talking disney-esque bat creatures show up (wtf?), nor Kraven having a pet lion that acts exactly like a dog. I know it's a kids show, but cmon.

Yes, in my opinion - clearly delineated by my opening with "I think."  But whatever.  If you think the beginning of the season was bad and the end of the season was good, I just can't see it - because the increase in quality wasn't very big. 

[TheMarvell]

Well, I guess we can just agree to disagree then, lol. I explained why I didn't like the first few episodes. No need to get into it further. They weren't completely horrible by any means, but every series has at least a handful of episodes that aren't very good. It's still a very good show and that's what matters.

Greg Weisman has stated he wants Scorpion and Hobgoblin in season 3, and they've already introduced Roderick Kingsly, and Norman Osborn vaguely mentioned Mac Gargan. Hopefully they do a little more with these two beyond the "create a super villain to beat and/or distract spider-man" ordeal. I also hope this series includes some of the lesser used villains that didn't make it into previous series, like Beetle and Owl.

[thalaw2]

I really liked the episode with Kraven.  If you're not a big Kraven fan then it's very funny.  My only gripe is that 13 episodes is too short!

[Silver Shocker]

Greg Weisman has stated he wants Scorpion and Hobgoblin in season 3, and they've already introduced Roderick Kingsly, and Norman Osborn vaguely mentioned Mac Gargan. Hopefully they do a little more with these two beyond the "create a super villain to beat and/or distract spider-man" ordeal. I also hope this series includes some of the lesser used villains that didn't make it into previous series, like Beetle and Owl.

Actually Beetle appeared in Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, and Owl made a brief appearance in the 90's cartoon as one of Kingpin's underlings.

[TheMarvell]

Greg Weisman has stated he wants Scorpion and Hobgoblin in season 3, and they've already introduced Roderick Kingsly, and Norman Osborn vaguely mentioned Mac Gargan. Hopefully they do a little more with these two beyond the "create a super villain to beat and/or distract spider-man" ordeal. I also hope this series includes some of the lesser used villains that didn't make it into previous series, like Beetle and Owl.

Actually Beetle appeared in Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, and Owl made a brief appearance in the 90's cartoon as one of Kingpin's underlings.

I've actually never seen Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends (I know. I know. A lot of people claim it was awesome, but it aired before my time lol. By the time I was old enough to remember the cartoons I watched, TMNT was the big thing) But that's cool that Beetle was in it. And I do remember Owl in the 90's show now. He was in the Insidious Six episode, but he never showed up beyond that.

[thalaw2]

Never watched Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends?!?!?!  Go do your homework now!

[Ajax]

Why the heck did Disney decide to not air season 2 till the summer? They aren't even playing the first season so it isn't the "we are going to air season 1 and go right into season 2". It just doesn't make sense. It's as if they want the series to fail. Maybe they are ticked Marvel sued em.

[Tomato]

Disney making bad marketing decisions? Say it isn't so! [/sarcasm]

[Silver Shocker]

Just saw the season finale. The way the show played off past continuity for this story was awesome. I loved the episode. This show might actually be better than Gargoyles, which I loved (3rd season doesn't count, of course). As far as I'm concerned, the Mysterio and Kraven episodes weren't bad by any means. Wasn't a big fan of the Kraven one, but it was still good. Even the episodes with a not-that-great A plot are great because they continue B plots/subplots. That's what makes this show so good, you can't miss a single episode.

I'll be looking forward to season 3 whenever it comes out.

[Podmark]

Season finale was awesome. I really had no idea who the goblin was right down to the reveal.

[BWPS]

5 more episodes to catch up on, but so far I have to say this show is actually better than the 90s AS that I love so very much. It's pretty much perfect, and has the coolest action scenes of any cartoon ever.

[docdelorean88]

Season finale was awesome. I really had no idea who the goblin was right down to the reveal.

Wow, in the states this hasn't even started yet. It is going to be aired on Disney XD right? If not, could somone link me to a site. I have stayed away from this thread so i could watch it eventually.

[thalaw2]

The season finale made so much sense it was criminal.  I really love the sub plots more than the "main events".  I wish they would do more with Black Cat...although Petey has enough women in his life in this program.

[BWPS]

Season finale was awesome. I really had no idea who the goblin was right down to the reveal.

Wow, in the states this hasn't even started yet. It is going to be aired on Disney XD right? If not, could somone link me to a site. I have stayed away from this thread so i could watch it eventually.

I've found every episode on youtube by searching in the format S02_E01 (season 2 episode 1)

Sorry if I'm not allowed to say this, I apologize.