Pioneer of NextGen Cartoons doesn't disappoint

RedErik

I religiously tune in to Spider-Man every week.

While it does use the Villain-of-the-Week scenario, I don't think this detracts from the success of the show.  The animation is spectacularly done: it captures Spider-Man's motions with a McFarlane-esque fluid grace that has only ever been accomplished in comic books.

The villains themselves are modern:  don't look for Electro to wear that laughable starfish mask!

What I like most about this series, though, is that the character of Peter Parker/Spider-Man portrays a lot of the duality and pathos that has made the character so popular over the years;  here's a teenager with everyday problems and even superpowers out the ying-yang doesn't help him hold a job or get a passing grade.  He's very... human.

What I don't like:  the Harry Osborn and Indie characters.  Harry's very 2-dimensional and his hatred for Spider-man (carried over from the movie) feels forced, it's more like the hatred one reserves for a rival sports team than the man who killed your father.  He also flip-flops between brooding and vengeful to aloof playboy (for the love of God, pls stop swirling martinis!!!).  Indie just feels out of place.  A character they dreamt up but didn't have any other place to put her.

I love the series, I hope to see more, deeper stories and moreover, I hope this is a sign of cartoons to come!!

score /10

RedErik 6 March 2004

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0827136/