Why was Spectacular Spider-Man TV show so good?

[Mistah K88]

Harry's presence always tended to piss me off in that show...


The reason why Spec was so good is because it have great depths to the characters. The overall theme of the show was the education and growth of Peter Parker. You watch people like Mary Jane, Flash, Gwen, Liz, etc. develop.

The villains being around for so long before they actually become supervillains builds some sort of starting point to things happening in New York.There were so many villains in the first episode that you were going crazy to witness how they were going to decend into supervillainy.

Eddie Brock had a story that rivals a villain from BTAS. While he's generally a good guy, who does have morals, he does have some mental issues that started to slip out as the first season went on. We know his parents died when he was young, and we could guess he was bounced around from foster home to foster home as a child. Not being "wanted" obviously has affected him to the point where he's become very petty and relies on a parasite to "love" him. So much to the point that he forces himself to hate Peter/Spider-Man just to keep the symbiote which is just using him to feed off of his negative emotions. From his last appearance, it seems that he doesn't even know why he hates Peter anymore...he forces himself to. I remember wondering why he didn't just put two and two together of Peter's little mishaps when the symbiote first showed him the truth behind Spider-Man. However by Identity Crisis, I'm sure he understood why Peter seemed to be screwing people over...he just doesn't care anymore. He truly is a broken man...although he's only 19, you can't help but feel sorry for him.

[Oni Squirrel]

Spectacular took elements from the various spider-man stories and meshed them into a brilliant form. Mostly it just tells the purest Spider-man story in a televised format to date. Peter, Gwen, MJ, Harry, and even Flash in their most recognizable forms. Bringing the Ultimate universe Eddie and Pete relationship in made Venom a stronger villain and the other minor villains they managed to bring in were always brilliant. The episodes stand alone really well while also telling a strong cohesive story.

Most of that echoes what others have said, but I don't think it can be said enough.

[wyokid]

I actually found the show quite boring. The animation was poor, the jokes were lame, the plots were unoriginal (most of them already being done in Spider-Man (1994) which took them mainly right from the comics so it gave a terrible sense of deja vu), the writing didn't really seem like it was geared towards getting new people into Spider-Man but rather to cater to people who were already fans (who were going to watch the show anyway so why bother?), and it never captured the fun that Spider-Man should be. I think that had it focused on telling original stories and lightened it's tone a bit it could have had have been a show that would be set in the history books, instead it's just a rehash of stories that have already been told.

To be fair I may be judging it harshly because the last time I saw it was when it aired and I hated it then. Best part was the theme song.

[Kevinroc]

Also, it ended too soon. People always yearn for something that ended too soon.

[KurtW95]

I actually found the show quite boring. The animation was poor, the jokes were lame, the plots were unoriginal (most of them already being done in Spider-Man (1994) which took them mainly right from the comics so it gave a terrible sense of deja vu), the writing didn't really seem like it was geared towards getting new people into Spider-Man but rather to cater to people who were already fans (who were going to watch the show anyway so why bother?), and it never captured the fun that Spider-Man should be. I think that had it focused on telling original stories and lightened it's tone a bit it could have had have been a show that would be set in the history books, instead it's just a rehash of stories that have already been told.

Says the guy who enjoys that abomination Ultimate Spider-Man.

[Songbird/Diamondback]

I actually found the show quite boring. The animation was poor, the jokes were lame, the plots were unoriginal (most of them already being done in Spider-Man (1994) which took them mainly right from the comics so it gave a terrible sense of deja vu), the writing didn't really seem like it was geared towards getting new people into Spider-Man but rather to cater to people who were already fans (who were going to watch the show anyway so why bother?), and it never captured the fun that Spider-Man should be. I think that had it focused on telling original stories and lightened it's tone a bit it could have had have been a show that would be set in the history books, instead it's just a rehash of stories that have already been told.

To be fair I may be judging it harshly because the last time I saw it was when it aired and I hated it then. Best part was the theme song.

My friend who hates comics loved this show, and he doesn't even like Spider-Man. This show is perfect for getting people into Spider-Man, just like Young Justice is making new DC fans.

And it didn't really rehash everything as so much as their own spin on stuff. It was great to see the villains as normal people for a while before they came villains. Not to mention making Harry seem like the Green Goblin? They really pulled our legs on that one.

And jokes were lame? How could you think its jokes are lame when you praise Ultimate Spider-Man's humor?

[wyokid]

The MTV show was better.

I agree. It had original stories, was mature but still managed to capture the fun. I feel like Spectacular Spider-Man tried to do mature, but much like the 90s cartoon was restricted by censoring to water it down for children however unlike the 90s cartoon the stories weren't compelling enough to make up for it.

[KurtW95]

I agree. It had original stories, was mature but still managed to capture the fun. I feel like Spectacular Spider-Man tried to do mature, but much like the 90s cartoon was restricted by censoring to water it down for children however unlike the 90s cartoon the stories weren't compelling enough to make up for it.

Oh please.

[Songbird/Diamondback]

I agree. It had original stories, was mature but still managed to capture the fun. I feel like Spectacular Spider-Man tried to do mature, but much like the 90s cartoon was restricted by censoring to water it down for children however unlike the 90s cartoon the stories weren't compelling enough to make up for it.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?! The show where SPider-Man is actively CHOCKING someone captures the fun?!

[KurtW95]

ARE YOU SERIOUS?! The show where SPider-Man is actively CHOCKING someone captures the fun?!

I know. It's like doesn't even know what Spider-Man is.

[wyokid]

Says the guy who enjoys the sucky Ultimate Spider-Man. (which has a talking brain and stomache)

Which are hilarious!

My friend who hates comics loved this show, and he doesn't even like Spider-Man. This show is perfect for getting people into Spider-Man, just like Young Justice is making new DC fans.

Young Justice is terrible, ALL of the characters in that show are unlikable.

And it didn't really rehash everything as so much as their own spin on stuff. It was great to see the villains as normal people for a while before they came villains. Not to mention making Harry seem like the Green Goblin? They really pulled our legs on that one.

Hmm...I remember him being the Green Goblin...I may have to get back to you guys after I watch it again.

And jokes were lame? How could you think its jokes are lame when you praise Ultimate Spider-Man's humor?

Because it's fun and it's telling over 70% original stories.

[wyokid]

ARE YOU SERIOUS?! The show where SPider-Man is actively CHOCKING someone captures the fun?!

O_O Do not remember that. Looks like I need to watch that one again too.

[EuphemismForSex]

Oh god, cannot unsee.

[Kevinroc]

Oh good, just what we needed. Another Spectacular Vs. Ultimate thread.

[wyokid]

I remember only the 90s one the best really. I'll watch SMTNAS and TSSM again and get back to you guys on them.