Brontoforumus Archive

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:


This board has been fossilized.
You are reading an archive of Brontoforumus, a.k.a. The Worst Forums Ever, from 2008 to early 2014.  Registration and posting (for most members) has been disabled here to discourage spambots from taking over.  Old members can still log in to view boards, PMs, etc.

The new message board is at http://brontoforum.us.

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6

Author Topic: Spectacular Spider-Man  (Read 13643 times)

0 Members and 7 Guests are viewing this topic.

Thad

  • Master of Karate and Friendship for Everyone
  • Admin
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65394
  • Posts: 12111
    • View Profile
    • corporate-sellout.com
Spectacular Spider-Man
« on: March 18, 2008, 12:56:07 PM »

...So, okay.  I hadn't been keeping tabs on the new Spidey cartoon, but I read an interview (part 1, part 2) with producer Greg Weisman on Nrama (which I have also not been keeping tabs on), and read enough to get excited about it and check out the first episode.

This cartoon is good.  Really good.  Within the span of the first minute, we see a shot of a gargoyle (oh yeah, Weisman is the creator of Gargoyles), and Spider-Man reminds the audience that his name is hyphenated.  Within minutes of that, we've got shots of Flint Marko, the Spider-Signal, and, no shit, the Enforcers.

That was pretty much the moment I knew I was going to love this thing.  It's one thing for somebody to SAY their favorite version of Spider-Man is the Lee-Ditko-Romita era -- it's sort of a given; it's not like Superman, Batman, or X-Men where there are a huge number of classic periods to pick from, it's more like Fantastic Four where there's only one right answer -- but to actually bust out with throwbacks like the Spider-Signal and the Enforcers is putting your money where your mouth is.

And everything about the first episode had that nostalgia about it, from the Ditko-style Spidey costume to Gwen and Harry to the Vulture, while simultaneously feeling like a breath of fresh air (I'm digging this version of Eddie Brock so far).  That's one of the things Weisman said in that interview that got my attention: "It's 2008, but it's also 1962."  Perfect -- first thing I thought of was Batman's expert juggling of 1939 and 1992.  Obviously this is tonally way different from Batman -- and thank God it is, because for God's sake Spider-Man's SUPPOSED to be lighthearted.  And his banter here is top-notch; that's something that was really lacking in the movies (with a few exceptions, like the "Here's your change!" when he slung the money bags at Doc Ock).

Anyway.  Haven't watched the second ep yet, but if it's half as good as the first, then I'm sold.

...I guess this post could have consisted entirely of "It's Spider-Man.  By the guy who did Gargoyles." and that would have said the same thing much more succinctly.  But it was good enough that I had to gush a little.  It's so cool to see Spider-Man done RIGHT for a change; I could write a book on why he's such an appealing character and yet has been so poorly used since the late 1960's.

So in summary: Watch this cartoon.  It's Spider-Man.  By the guy who did Gargoyles.
Logged

Niku

  • MEAT
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65350
  • Posts: 6705
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2008, 06:14:31 PM »

Just watched the first episode after you reminded me this started airing.  Totally thumbs up for .. the reasons listed above, really.  I also liked how they very breezily just flew through setting up tons of pins for later characters, the Connors and the Kingpins and the Markos and whathaveyou, without lingering on each and everyone one  going THIS IS IMPORTANT, REMEMBER THIS.  I've got high hopes.
Logged
i'm a blog now, blogs are cool: a fantastic machine made of meat

Thad

  • Master of Karate and Friendship for Everyone
  • Admin
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65394
  • Posts: 12111
    • View Profile
    • corporate-sellout.com
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2008, 06:25:25 PM »

Yeah, they threw a fuck of a lot of characters at you.  Off the top of my head:

Peter
Aunt May
Harry
Gwen
Flash
Liz (mentioned)
Aunt Anna
Vulture
Flint Marko
Enforcers
Norman
Eddie
Kingpin (assuming that's who we saw in the shadows)
Dr. Connors, both of them
Jonah
Betty
Robbie

I'm sure I'm missing some, but the point is, there are a hell of a lot of them, and that makes MJ's absence all the more conspicuous.  Very true to the Ditko/Romita era; with any luck they'll give us teases for a few more weeks before she finally walks down the stairs.
Logged

Niku

  • MEAT
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65350
  • Posts: 6705
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2008, 08:37:35 PM »

Episode two thoughts:

-Electric eel experimentation in the first thirty seconds.  You know where this is going even before the introduce the handyman Max in the next thirty.

-Really dig Electro's redesign.  It's got a nice homage to the old look, while also looking .. kinda Batman Beyondish?  I liked Vulture's too, actually.  Honestly, the only one I've seen I'm not crazy about is Doc Ock's flat top look, but maybe it looks better in the toon than it does on the toy.

-Ethnic Liz Allen.  Score.

-I hope the Aunt May running gag never dies.

-Connors ain't wasting no time.

EDIT!:
Episode three thoughts:

-Nope, ain't wasting no time.

-Fastest and kinda-creepiest limb replacement EVER.

-I really like Gwen and Eddie both a lot.

-FUCK YES AUNT MAY YOU ARE THE BEST RUNNING GAG EVER.

-Chekov's Spider-cure, huh?
Logged
i'm a blog now, blogs are cool: a fantastic machine made of meat

Mongrel

  • Emoticon Knight-Errant
  • kodePunc Team
  • Tested
  • *
  • Karma: -65340
  • Posts: 17029
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2008, 03:54:45 AM »

What is the running gag?
Logged

M.Nicolai

  • Tested
  • Karma: 0
  • Posts: 6
    • View Profile
    • Untitled Gamespite Comics Project
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2008, 10:24:49 AM »

How many episodes have aired so far? I caught one with the Lizard last weekend and I thought it was OK. I wasn't really paying attention, though. The two things that impressed me the most was that it had an actual theme song with words and everything and that Peter Parker looks like Scott Pilgrim.

Why does Gwen Stacy look like a nerd? Or is it going to be like one of those teen movies where she lets down her hair and takes off her glasses and it turns out that her outer beauty also matches her inner beauty?
Logged

Thad

  • Master of Karate and Friendship for Everyone
  • Admin
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65394
  • Posts: 12111
    • View Profile
    • corporate-sellout.com
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2008, 12:21:57 PM »

-Really dig Electro's redesign.  It's got a nice homage to the old look, while also looking .. kinda Batman Beyondish?  I liked Vulture's too, actually.

I would have said Ultimate rather than Beyond.  The costumes have traces of the old but look like something a person might actually wear.

Which makes a great contrast to Petey's costume, which is pure 100% 1962 Steve Ditko, implausible armpit webs and all.  God I love it.

Honestly, the only one I've seen I'm not crazy about is Doc Ock's flat top look, but maybe it looks better in the toon than it does on the toy.

We'll see.

What is the running gag?

It's a modern update on the old "Peter keeps coming home late" bit.  Every night at 10 his cell rings to remind him he needs to be home; he calls Aunt May to let her know he's going to be late, usually in the middle of trying to fight a supervillain.

How many episodes have aired so far?

3.  I've seen the first 2.  The first was better IMO.

Why does Gwen Stacy look like a nerd? Or is it going to be like one of those teen movies where she lets down her hair and takes off her glasses and it turns out that her outer beauty also matches her inner beauty?

Well, first thing to remember is Spider-Man IS a teen drama, and always has been.

Second, I'd say her archetype is less "girl who looks homely until she takes off her glasses and lets down her hair" and more "girl nextdoor who is perfect for the hero if only he'd stop chasing cheerleaders and fucking pay attention to what's right in front of him".  I'm pretty sure she's supposed to be cute already and Pete just hasn't noticed.  (If they're to follow the obvious route here, he'll finally notice about the time she starts dating Harry, or possibly Flash.)

Anyway.  Gwen was always a smart girl and a bit of a science geek, and part of the point of her role here is to serve as a role model for the little girls in the audience.  She's smart, she's pretty, she's sweet, and she's a peer for Peter.  Her waist's a little skinny, but overall she's reasonably proportioned and doesn't dress like a whore.
Logged

Royal☭

  • Supreme Court Judge President
  • Tested
  • Karma: 88
  • Posts: 6301
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2008, 12:37:13 PM »

She's an excellent role model for all the girls who seek to get thrown off a bridge.

Lady Duke

  • Shiny Ranger
  • Tested
  • Karma: 3
  • Posts: 2339
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2008, 12:41:09 PM »

Wait, what channel is said cartoon on?
Logged

Thad

  • Master of Karate and Friendship for Everyone
  • Admin
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65394
  • Posts: 12111
    • View Profile
    • corporate-sellout.com
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2008, 01:52:16 PM »

Kids' WB, which generally means CW.
Logged

Niku

  • MEAT
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65350
  • Posts: 6705
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2008, 02:48:48 PM »

The first was better IMO.

Yeah, the first has definitely been the best so far.
Logged
i'm a blog now, blogs are cool: a fantastic machine made of meat

M.Nicolai

  • Tested
  • Karma: 0
  • Posts: 6
    • View Profile
    • Untitled Gamespite Comics Project
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2008, 03:25:39 PM »

Anyway.  Gwen was always a smart girl and a bit of a science geek, and part of the point of her role here is to serve as a role model for the little girls in the audience. 

That's true. I must have been thinking of MJ.

Logged

Lady Duke

  • Shiny Ranger
  • Tested
  • Karma: 3
  • Posts: 2339
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2008, 04:04:38 PM »

Well fuck I don't have that channel.
Logged

Rosencrantz

  • Renegade Game Counselor
  • Tested
  • Karma: 3
  • Posts: 1068
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #13 on: March 19, 2008, 04:21:40 PM »

Logged

Lady Duke

  • Shiny Ranger
  • Tested
  • Karma: 3
  • Posts: 2339
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2008, 09:10:40 PM »

Everyone and their...torrents.
Logged

Thad

  • Master of Karate and Friendship for Everyone
  • Admin
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65394
  • Posts: 12111
    • View Profile
    • corporate-sellout.com
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2008, 01:52:41 PM »

Episode 3:

Spider-Man can't catch a break.

That was always one of my favorite things about the old stuff (and Busiek's Untold Tales of Spider-Man series), the feeling that the more good things Spider-Man does, the worse Peter Parker's life is.  (Looking forward to seeing Flash's hero-worship of Spidey; that little irony had a lot of mileage.)  Seeing the disappointment on his friends' and colleagues' faces at the end over what looked like a dick of a thing to do when in fact he actually saved the day...that's Spider-Man for you.  (Seems like he could have played it as "I went and got Spider-Man for help," but I suppose when people get the idea that he and Spidey are friends his cover's one step from being blown anyway.)

Ending was setup for a Spider-Man No More adaptation, which I guess is inevitable in pretty much every version of Spidey.  Hell, the cover alone is one of the most memorable pieces of comic book history (was even spoofed in a Simpsons ep this season).

Of course, if he actually takes a tonic that removes his spider DNA, how does he get his powers back afterward?  Best guess is that it turns out the effects are only temporary.  (Or maybe he gets his powers back when he bonds with the symbiote?)

Moot for now, which is good because it's too early for that story yet, but looking forward to seeing it play out.

Any favorite stories you guys would like to see?  I'd love an adaptation of something offbeat like Just a Guy Named Joe.  Probably the coolest to see would be the Spider-Man fights Doc Ock while Aunt May is in the hospital arc, but I don't know that it would work here since an important part of the story was that Peter was just starting college and, by being preoccupied with Aunt May's condition, totally snubbed Harry and Gwen when he met them.

The Green Goblin's defeat (the first one, where they unmask each other and at the end Norman is left amnesiac and resolves to be a better father to Harry) is another of my favorite arcs, but obviously there's a long way to go before that one would work.
Logged

Büge

  • won't give you fleaz
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65304
  • Posts: 10062
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2008, 05:19:22 AM »

So does the show include Spidey monologuing about stuff? If so, I'd like to see how they do that scene where he has to find the strength to lift a subway car to get Aunt May her medicine on time.
Logged

Thad

  • Master of Karate and Friendship for Everyone
  • Admin
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65394
  • Posts: 12111
    • View Profile
    • corporate-sellout.com
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #17 on: March 21, 2008, 10:17:03 AM »

Are you thinking of the collapsing dam (best cover ever!), or are these separate incidents?

He monologues a little on the cartoon.  Soliloquizes, really.
Logged

M.Nicolai

  • Tested
  • Karma: 0
  • Posts: 6
    • View Profile
    • Untitled Gamespite Comics Project
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2008, 02:02:18 PM »

 
Seeing the disappointment on his friends' and colleagues' faces at the end over what looked like a dick of a thing to do when in fact he actually saved the day...that's Spider-Man for you.

I wonder if Ditko intended that to be a metaphor for objectivism. With great responsibility, indeed.

You guys are talking about this, right:



I think this issue has been "homaged" dozens of times. I remember reading something about Ditko improvising most of those scenes, that Stan Lee just specified he lifts the machine off of himself and Ditko turned into a multi-page struggle. Can't seem to find any evidance of it now, though.

Logged

Büge

  • won't give you fleaz
  • Tested
  • Karma: -65304
  • Posts: 10062
    • View Profile
Re: Spectacular Spider-Man
« Reply #19 on: March 21, 2008, 02:52:05 PM »

You guys are talking about this, right:

Yes. That was one of the best spider-liloquies ever writ.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6