Spider-Man

Thought I was going into a new season of Spider-Man, packed with good action, funny Spidey quips, and the occasional moments when an animated show for younger audiences doesn't shy away from getting serious. First episode in I already knew what was gonna happen, unlike the Ultimate Spider-Man (the best spidey animated series of the 21 century, in my opinion), it does it's origin story. Thought we were done with this story trait, no recent comic books, games, even movies have covered this in the main story of the media, and yet I have to sit through the first episodes, watching something I've seen thousands of times (not done well, let alone entertaining in general) because I don't want to see if I missed anything if skipping to the next episode.

So anywho it's probably for new comers to the story, but the millions of people who have known and loved Spidey have no need to watch this, especially us nerds.

To sum up: waste of time to previous fans, and also not the best introduction for new ones either if I'm being honest.

This show is definitely not what Spider-Man needed to be redeemed from Ultimate Spider-Man series, but in ways is just as good or maybe a bit better. Unlike Ultimate Spider-Man, this show is a little more serious and yet not as creative in design. The character designs are pretty simplistic and almost every character is just a slightly different replicate of the other. One thing this show does have, is its ability to take things pretty serious for the most part and still stay true to a high school version of Peter Parker.

Some major issues that I have concern for is staying true to it's source material. Everything that happens and is placed in the show is from some form of comic, but not in a way that will please the fans of Spidey. Some of which includes Horizon High and Peter getting transferred from Midtown over to there for school instead (happens in first 2 episodes). There are other minor issues like that, plus the character development is either too weak or too fast-paced, at first. As this series progresses, you get to understand each character and get more and better development from the characters. Some other character arcs I feel were pushed too far in advanced or just too predictable, especially if you are a fan of the comics. What I mean is there are characters that you may know to develop and become a villain later in the show.

The good thing about this show is that it is enjoyable and really embraces and focuses on Spider-Man at it's core rather than universe building. Don't get me wrong, there is some of that, but its not as forceful as Ultimate was. It definitely almost feels like Disney is trying to look at Spectacular Spider-Man and their Ultimate series, and they are trying to take the good from both. At first I failed to see any success in that, but as you delve deeper into the series, it really pays off. You get a lot of unique story arcs and lesser known characters and villains making their debut and it's more exciting than I thought. Still not a "Spectacular," "Ultimate," or "Amazing" series, but for just being labeled as a basic Spider-Man, it really is pretty basic.

PS: Ultimate Spider-Man did not live up to it's name

I'll admit that this isn't the worst Spider-Man show ever made. Not by a longshot...

However, it leaves a LOT to be desired. We went through 5 years of Ultimate Spider-Man, which was bad enough. I appreciate this show for not doing the EXACT same stuff as the last show we had, but... it's not great, and it feels almost like a direct continuation of Ultimate in some areas. The writing seems to be only a NOTCH above the quality of Ultimate, since that show was mostly just a comedy.

However, one thing I will say is wrong with the show, and I think the biggest issue by far, is how it takes away from the individuality of Spider-Man as a character, Peter Parker in specific. I feel like they should have stuck to one version of Spider-Man/Spider-Woman as opposed to trying to do all of them. Every show we've ever gotten that's had the headlined title Spider-Man has focused on Peter Parker, yet Peter feels like a background character in this one even though he's supposed to be the main character. If you're gonna do a reboot, how about take advantage of the other popular Spider-Characters out there? They could have EASILY made Miles Morales or Gwen Stacy the main character, especially with their elevated status within the Marvel Pantheon thanks to the then-upcoming Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse film. The show could have been a massive tie-in with Into the Spider-Verse. However, it decided to focus on Peter again, which is fine, but then don't go making him the comedic relief in his own show while doing the "everyone else solves the problem except the bumbling, idiot main protagonist". I get that Spider-Man is a teenager, and he's supposed to make mistakes, but if you do it to the level as this show does it, it makes it hard to root for our hero and it makes you think "why is this guy the main character?"

I dunno. That's just me. Show's over, tho, so hopefully, once Freshman Year is said and done, we can FINALLY get a proper, new Spider-Man animated series.

I think Spider-Man animated series must follow the same storyline as the original comics. And this series definitely doesn't do that ! There are huge changes in what we're used to see about spider-man. Some might say that's good , but I don't. The story is too sentimental and sometimes things are too irrational. Like they made it for 9-year-olds than teenagers. For example Pete and Harry are enemies now and 10 seconds later , a simple emotional scene happens and they are best friends. I consider this series a step back from the Ultimate Spider-Man. (And even that wasn't very good.) In my opinion , Marvel should simply stop adding idiotic characters and happenings to its animations and make a little more rational and more like the comics.

Like many people who watch this show, i'm very fond of Spider Man and have definitely read some of the comics! I absolutely love him and although this show takes a different turn when it comes to how Spidey does things, as it's more science-based compared to past Spider-Man shows, that doesn't mean that you should turn your back on it. Give the show a shot and eventually it will grow on you (hopefully).

I might go a bit on a ramble here, but I don't really get why this show gets so bad reviews! I mean sure, it's not as close to the comics as some cartoons, but that's being done for a reason! If all of the cartoons were the same then Spider Man would become a character that just becomes repetitive, you wouldn't get anything new out of him.

I see these new cartoons that give him something a bit new more like a 'What If' type of series. What different adventures would he encounter here because he thinks more like this and goes to this school? What new problems will arise from it? The events could become endless! You just have to give it a shot.

Now you might be wondering why I didn't give it a 10/10 if i'm so fond of the show. Well there are some things that I can agree on when it comes to people who don't like the show. One BIG thing that hit me is that it seems like Spidey isn't doing things as solo as he used to like he did in the comics. He's definitely getting a lot more help from his friends to a point where they /almost/ overshadow him. That part sort of throws me for a loop because this is Spider-Man and he knows how to kick butt by himself and without the extra help and someone telling him how to do his job.

But take into the fact that THIS IS A KID'S SHOW. By watching a lot of the episodes, this show encourages teamwork and working with others, which is no doubt a good trait to learn as doing things by yourself a lot isn't always the best thing. The fighting might not be as graphic as you want it to be because this is Disney and they don't want to start exposing the young ones to crazy fights. I wish the fighting animation was more action-packed, but with that thought in mind i'm actually pretty happy with it.

That's the bad part, but luckily the series is getting to a point where the plot is getting darker, the story is going deeper again into who Spider-Man is and why he does what he does. Clashes between characters are amazing and I have to admit that the art style isn't half bad. Just like the show, the art style and animation improves as the series continues on and same goes with the action!

As stated before, you just have to experience the series past the first three episodes and then you'll start seeing why I admire it so much. If you get at least past those pilot episodes then you can really start saying that you know how the series is. Don't judge a book by its first few pages. Take time to get to know it!