[7.4/10] This episode loses points for, well, not being much of an episode. There’s kinda sorta an overarching story here (defeating the spider slayer), but this is more of a collection of moments and setups and teases for things to come than it is a complete narrative.
But those moments are good, and get the core of the Spider-Man character right, which goes a long way in my book. I enjoyed Ultimate Spider-Man well enough, but after 100+ episodes of a Spidey who lives a pretty charmed life, I appreciate Marvel’s Spider-Man getting back to the basics of the character: money troubles, struggles to fit in, not really being good at either the heroing thing or the being a high school student thing yet. Just a small detail like Spidey being ready to give up his spot at Horizon High in order to spare Aunt May from having to get a second job, and even trying to sign up for a second job himself to keep her from making more sacrifices for him shows me that the show gets who Peter Parker is. That’s a hell of a balm for a disjointed episodes.
I also like the joints! The opening fight with Scorpion is well done, from Spidey’s quipping, to his metrocard not working before their subway skirmish, to the old lady hitting the Web Head with her purse. There’s a simplicity to the animation style of the show which can seem rudimentary at times (particularly Spidey’s new costume), but also allows for more stylistic animation and gestures that I really like.
Otherwise, I like the other bits and pieces in the episode. I like how quickly the best friendship between Peter and Harry is complicated by Peter’s alter ego and Harry getting kicked out of Horizon High. I appreciate the flashback with Uncle Ben lining up with Max Modell’s instruction that manual labor is honest work and good for refreshing the mind. And I like Spidey’s combat with the spider slayer and efforts to disguise his voice from all the people who seem to recognize him.
Overall, this one’s a bit of a hodgepodge, but a good back half of the series’ introduction.
Spectacular Spider-Man is beloved, yet didn't have great animation either. So I think this show deserves a chance. Even if it all is too familiar at this point.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2019-04-13T01:08:59Z
[7.4/10] This episode loses points for, well, not being much of an episode. There’s kinda sorta an overarching story here (defeating the spider slayer), but this is more of a collection of moments and setups and teases for things to come than it is a complete narrative.
But those moments are good, and get the core of the Spider-Man character right, which goes a long way in my book. I enjoyed Ultimate Spider-Man well enough, but after 100+ episodes of a Spidey who lives a pretty charmed life, I appreciate Marvel’s Spider-Man getting back to the basics of the character: money troubles, struggles to fit in, not really being good at either the heroing thing or the being a high school student thing yet. Just a small detail like Spidey being ready to give up his spot at Horizon High in order to spare Aunt May from having to get a second job, and even trying to sign up for a second job himself to keep her from making more sacrifices for him shows me that the show gets who Peter Parker is. That’s a hell of a balm for a disjointed episodes.
I also like the joints! The opening fight with Scorpion is well done, from Spidey’s quipping, to his metrocard not working before their subway skirmish, to the old lady hitting the Web Head with her purse. There’s a simplicity to the animation style of the show which can seem rudimentary at times (particularly Spidey’s new costume), but also allows for more stylistic animation and gestures that I really like.
Otherwise, I like the other bits and pieces in the episode. I like how quickly the best friendship between Peter and Harry is complicated by Peter’s alter ego and Harry getting kicked out of Horizon High. I appreciate the flashback with Uncle Ben lining up with Max Modell’s instruction that manual labor is honest work and good for refreshing the mind. And I like Spidey’s combat with the spider slayer and efforts to disguise his voice from all the people who seem to recognize him.
Overall, this one’s a bit of a hodgepodge, but a good back half of the series’ introduction.