The Spectacular Spider-Man is a TV show that was made in 2008. This show only has two seasons and thirteen episodes per season. This was due to the fact it was cancelled early due to a situation involving rights to Spider-Man with Disney and Sony. This really sucks because this show is literally the best Spider-Man show of all time, even better than the 90’s one. This show had great characters and perfectly developed them even with only two seasons. The story had a great build up at the ending of season one leading into two.
The way they introduced the villains was also good. They brought some iconic ones that are fan favorites. They also did a good job with Peter Parker’s life and Spider-Man, as Peter is just a junior in high school that needs to help out his aunt and his best friend is Harry Osborn. As for Spider-Man they did great. He quips during fighting and he has web shooters he hasn’t fully developed since it’s his first year. They also did good with his suit design, as it has a classic look but they decided to do something different when they added web wings under his arm pits which is a cool and different design.
This show is also patient, as it takes it’s time to develop its characters giving Spider-Man’s villains more depth than they usually get. Eddie Brock, for example, is Peters best friend that attends ESU. They made him a more laid back jock and biology student. Him and Peter work together, which makes him more likeable, and when he falls to the symbiote it makes it more hard to take in. Unlike most adaptations where he’s this jealous guy, Eddie actually has good reason to hate Peter and makes more sense from his perspective. They also follow this theme with other characters.
Norman always has extreme expectations for Harry, and even when Harry lived up to them. Norman makes sure to let him know that it isn’t enough, which the show then blends into Harry’s problem with drugs. They did really well with Mary Jane making her comic accurate, which is what most shows and movies fail to do. Gwen usually is this boring character on the side shows, but this one switched her and MJ’s roles, which makes it make perfect sense for the story.
I think they did okay with Flash Thompson, Peter’s high school bully. But I also think they made him a little too goofy. He does get better as the show goes on, and has some good character development and actually starts caring for other people, other than himself. With Aunt May they nailed and even switched her up a bit, as not the saint or chill aunt they usually make her. She’s on top of and strict of everything Peter does, like giving him a curfew, as she doesn’t feel safe with him out so late because she lost her husband to a car crash. The symbiote version of Peter is the second best we’ve seen on television. The suit doesn’t change his personality immediately, as it takes time and he gets meaner and meaner as the show goes on.
Overall, this show nailed the characters and story perfectly, and it’s sad that we only got two seasons when it was supposed to have five, just because of licensing rights. They proceed to make Spider-Man Ultimate, but it beats most shows by a longshot and is a definite must watch for any Spider-Man fans.
