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Todd Jensen writes...

My review/report on the latest episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man", if a day late.

Obviously, the big question about this episode is: Is Harry really the Green Goblin, or has he been framed? Bishansky's already said a lot about that, so I won't say anything more (except that I also think that Harry *is* being set up).

What more appropriate time for the Goblin to show up than Halloween? I enjoyed Spidey's parody of "Twas the Night Before Christmas", especially his not-too-successful effort at the rhymes. And talk about daring! Peter actually making Spider-Man his Halloween costume. Shades of the gargoyles' own two Halloween parties ("Eye of the Beholder" and the Double Date story in the comic).

And not only does Flash Thompson wind up dressing as a cheerleader, but so do all his football buddies. I hadn't expected that latter part.

Tombstone's as imposing as ever (I can see why Hammerhead respects him). And I got a kick out of Goblin's "deja vu" remark to Spidey.

Great to see more of J. Jonah Jameson's human side, as he waits anxiously for news about the shuttle landing. Which itself looks like it'll have its own big consequences: now Venom's in town. Things are going to get even more lively in the Big Apple now....

Greg responds...

I'm not sure Pete was planning to go as Spidey for Halloween -- of if he was just improvising.

Response recorded on June 17, 2008

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Greg Weisguy writes...

Harry looking like the Green Goblin when seen through the vial of globulin green was a nice touch.

Clones have a bit of a stigma attached to them among Spider-Man fans, but you've shown you can execute the concept well in Gargoyles and Buzz Lightyear. How do you feel about the issue? Can clones work in a (relatively) grounded property like Spider-Man?

Greg responds...

We'll have to wait and see...

Response recorded on June 17, 2008

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Harvester of Eyes writes...

Thoughts on the Spectacular Spider-Man episode "The Uncertainty Principle."

Wow. So many good scenes in this episode. I'll do my best to keep my thoughts following some sort of coherent pattern.

First off, I'm very impressed with the Green Goblin so far. I was a little stunned to learn Steve Blum was doing his voice (my reaction was probably the same as my reaction way back when I first learned Mark Hammill voiced the Joker), but it fits the character well. I love all his gadgets, and I'm glad to see that he has the charged gloves again (something I missed from the movie). I also love the sound effects his pumpkin bomb explosions make. Like sick, mutilated laughter, which is very appropriate.

I also love the way that his mind works. Blackmailing Tombstone was never his intent. He was simply trying to get his two main enemies into the same room to eliminate them.

"Anyone else getting deja vu? Oh well, let's run with it!" Great watching Spidey and the Goblin interact.

It's kind of funny how the Goblin keeps making Spider-Man and Tombstone work together. And wow... Tombstone took three blades in the back. Makes me wonder what exactly he had done to himself. Also thought it was interesting the way Spider-Man saved himself from going splat. Reminds me of an old episode of the first cartoon where he fought the Sandman, but what he did in this series is much cooler.

As far as the ending is concerned, I loved the confrontation between Harry and his father. Norman raised a good point. Tombstone probably wouldn't have let Harry live if the Goblin's identity were revealed, but I can't help but wonder if anything else was going through his mind. Norman is a ruthless man who never apologizes. And as far as unmasking the Goblin is concerned, I'm convinced there's another angle, but I'll avoid delving into "ideas masquerading as questions," and won't get into specifics.

Still, it was a good character moment for Norman. We also got a nice character moment from Jonah. It's fun seeing hard men have moments of softness. I particularly liked how Jonah's actions bit him on the rear, forcing him to swallow his pride again (the first time being in the episode "Catalysts," when he was forced to give Spider-Man credit for stopping the Goblin). I like his voice a lot better than in the 90s cartoon. Ed Asner was good, but he wasn't a perfect fit. I like what Daran Norris does with it.

It was also nice to see a cameo from the Black Cat. Wonder if she'll be popping up again.

Greg responds...

She does pop.

Response recorded on June 17, 2008

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Greg Bishansky writes...

"The Uncertainty Principle"
*** SPECTACULAR SPOILERS ***

I loved this episode.

Very good title, as curve balls continue to be thrown at the audience. The mystery of the Green Goblin's identity is far from over. Well, after re-watching "Catalysts" and "Reaction" over again before watching this I am more convinced than ever that Harry is not the Green Goblin. Either he's been brainwashed or Norman has the Chameleon (who is showing up in the next episode) standing in for him as an alibi. But I'll get to that later.

Nice to finally see Hammerhead in action. Yes, this is why he's Tombstone's enforcer. But, nope, he's no match for the Green Goblin... that's why he's Spider-Man's arch-nemesis.

I loved scene with the Goblin and Tombstone. Just watching the two most dangerous characters in the series go at it like that is priceless. You can see why Hammerhead respects Tombstone so much. The Goblin is arguably more dangerous, but Tombstone commands respect just as much as fear.

It wouldn't be Halloween without costumes, and is that the Black Cat I see? Nice. Mary Jane shows up dressed as a sexy vampire. Liz shows up dressed as a Johnny Depp Fan Girl. Gwen... doesn't even have time to get into a costume because she is too busy worrying about Harry. Poor Gwen, when I see her, I think to myself that she is the only sane person in an insane world. "Some one is getting the look!"

I've been waiting to see Flash dressed as a cheerleader, but I did not expect the rest of the football team to be joining him. Way to show unity, guys. Flash seemed to like having boobs a little too much. So, how long until Rand tells Sally where she can stick it?

I loved Jameson in this episode. People have complained about him being two dimensional, but I never saw it. Hopefully this shut them up. His concern for his son's life was touching. I like this reasoning for his hatred for Spider-Man in this universe. He can't stand to see the spotlight stolen from his son. Is it rational? Not really. Is it understandable? Yes.

"Trap?" "Trap!" Someone's been watching "Serenity".

The fight scene at the end of the episode was stunning. A tip of the hat to everyone involved. Though this borders on cliche, you could feel the heat. I'd say it would be hard to top this one, but I said the same after Spidey's fight with the Lizard.

The final scene at the Osborn residence was... great. Norman is such a manipulative bastard, and I really felt for Harry. But this is the finest case of "the writers are trying to trick you" that I have ever seen. Now, Harry is taking a leave of absence. I hope we see him again soon.

Harry as the Green Goblin just does not add up.
* When the Goblin stole the tech-flight glider from OsCorp, it didn't have the bat-head designed to fire pumpkin bombs and extend a spear on it yet. Harry does not have the technical know-how to add on a feature like that. Norman does. Or the expertise to add that Inhibitor cannon to it. Harry's a moron.
* If Harry were the Green Goblin, he would have attacked the Fall Formal instead of going after Tombstone.
* How would Harry even have access to the Globulin Green in the first place?
* Why would Harry attempt to kill Octavius? Norman knew Otto was a liability, Hammerhead said so in "The Invisible Hand". Norman berated Otto for being a weak man. Then he dressed up as the Goblin so he would have an alibi to show Hammerhead.
* The Green Goblin and Norman Osborn both had the same safety key for Otto's experiment.
* The Big Man was only ever referred to as "Mr. Lincoln" by Norman once and that was in the underground lab while Rhino was being created. Harry could not have overheard that.
* Norman Osborn just so happens to have a secret chamber, which we never saw the inside of. Where's Harry keeping the glider and equipment... not under his bed. For that matter, stealing one or two vials of Globulin Green, I can buy... but we've seen Harry drink from too many.
* Norman's knowing smirk at the end of "Reaction" about unmasking the Goblin before it's too late.
* Peter tipped his hand, told the Goblin he figured out who he was. The Goblin knew Spidey would be coming to the Osborn residence.
* Harry in "Goblin mode" didn't admit to anything except taking the drug. To be the son Norman always wanted. A straight A student and a star athlete.
* Norman is thrown twenty feet up a wall by Harry and is uninjured.
* And it was Norman himself who rationalized it all at the end (a very rehearsed sounding explanation). Then offered to take he fall.

No, Harry was set up. By his own bastard father.

Spectacular episode.

Greg responds...

Many of your premises are faulty, independent of the conclusions you draw from them. Without going into too much detail, the ones that REALLY jump out at me include...

*Harry is not a moron. You don't have to like him or respect his judgment, but he was never unintelligent - even before he started taking the Green.

*If Harry were a petty moron, then maybe he'd attack the Fall Formal. But see my first point.

*The Green Goblin used Otto's safety key. Norman used an override key. Two different keys.

Response recorded on June 16, 2008

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Mary Jane origins...

My folks, Beth and the kids went to see a truly wonderful performance of "Big River" yesterday at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. "Big River" is of course based on "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Now keeping in mind that this is a show I've seen at least three times before, and that Huck is a book I've read at least four times, it stunned me that I NEVER noticed this fact before...

The girl that Huck has a huge unrequited yen for is named "Mary Jane Wilkes". And one of the women who takes Huck in at the beginning of the book is named "Miss Watson". It seems nearly impossible to think that the name "Mary Jane Watson" from Spider-Man wasn't lifted (consciously or otherwise) from Twain... I assume by Stan Lee (though possibly from someone else working at Marvel in those years).

How did this get by me?


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The Spectacular Spider-Man #113

___________________________________________________________________________

The Spectacular Spider-Man
Ep 113: "NATURE VS. NURTURE"
Main and End Title Credits ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Titles
Executive Producers
STAN LEE
CRAIG KYLE
ERIC S. ROLLMAN
___________________________________________________________________________

Developed For Television By
VICTOR COOK & GREG WEISMAN

Created by
STAN LEE & STEVE DITKO

Opening Credits

Card #1
Supervising Producer and Story Editor
GREG WEISMAN

Card #2
Producer and Supervising Director
VICTOR COOK

Card #3
Producer
DIANE A CREA

Card #4
Written By
KEVIN HOPPS

Card #5
Directed By
VICTOR COOK
___________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________
Closing Credits

Card #6
Starring
JOSH KEATON as PETER PARKER / SPIDER-MAN
__________________________________________________________________________
Card #7
Also Starring

CLANCY BROWN as GEORGE STACY
LACEY CHABERT as GWEN STACY
GREY DELISLE as SALLY AVRIL, ERIN
BEN DISKIN as EDDIE BROCK / VENOM
DORIAN HAREWOOD as DOC BROMWELL
PHIL LAMARR as RAND ROBERTSON

_______________________________________________________________________
Card #8
Also Starring

JOSHUA LEBAR as FLASH THOMPSON
VANESSA MARSHALL as MARY JANE WATSON
KEVIN MICHAEL RICHARDSON as TOMBSTONE
DEBORAH STRANG as MAY PARKER
ALANNA UBACH as LIZ ALLAN

Card #9
Voice Casting and Dialogue Director
JAMIE THOMASON
__________________________________________________________________________
Card #10
Music by
LOLITA RITMANIS
KRISTOPHER CARTER
MICHAEL MCCUISTION

___________________________________________________________________________
Card #11
Associate Producers
ERIC VESBIT
WADE WISINSKI

___________________________________________________________________________
Card #12
Staff Writer
KEVIN HOPPS

Apprentice Writer
RANDY JANDT

Card # 13
Storyboard Artists
JOAQUIM DOS SANTOS
SAHIN ERSOZ
JAY OLIVA
DAVE PRINCE
ROBERT SOUZA

Storyboard Revisionists
PAUL HARMON
JEFFREY S. JOHNSON

Card #14
Lead Character Designer
SEAN "CHEEKS" GALLOWAY
____________________________________________________________________
Card #15
Character Designers
PHILLIP BOURASSA
DANA LANDSBERG
THOMAS PERKINS
GREG GULER
JOSE ZELAYA

Assistant Character Designers
JOSH BISHOP
WALTER GATUS
JEFFREY S. JOHNSON
JOEY MASON
KAY PARK

Card #16
Background Supervisor
VINCENT TOYAMA

Background Designers
KENNY McGILL
ART MORALES
BOB KLINE
TED BLACKMAN

Prop Designers
TAE SOO KIM
ANDY CHIANG
ART LEE

Card #17
Background Painters
JOEY MASON
MIKE INMAN
WEI ZHAO
FRED WARTER
LIN HUA ZHENG

Color Stylists
PAMELA LONG
DAVID SVEND KAROLL
CRAIG CUQRO
NANCY ULENE

Card #18

Supervising Timing Director
GORDON KENT

Timing Directors
BRIAN HOGAN
RICK LEON
RANDY LUDENSKY
SWINTON SCOTT
JUNG JA KIM WOLF

Animation Checker
SANDI HATHCOCK
__________________________________________________________________________
Card #19

Storyboard Production Manager BRIAN G. SMITH

Production Art Supervisor JOHN DIAZ

Production Coordinator SHERRIAN FELIX

Episodic Casting Supervisor MATTHEW C. OTOSKI

Production Assistant BEN MALONEY

Post Coordinator GEORGE COX III

Post Production Assistant JENNIFER L. ANDERSON

Production Accountant NATHAN HARAMOTO

__________________________________________________________________________
Card #20

Associate Producer for Marvel
JOSHUA FINE

Production Coordinator for Marvel
ADAM TOOTLA

__________________________________________________________________________
Card #21

Recorded at
STUDIOPOLIS, INC.

Dialogue Recording Engineer
ERIC LEWIS, C.A.S.

Dialogue Editor
TERRY REIFF

Track Reading
SOUND BYTE, INC.

__________________________________________________________________________
Card #22
STUDIO POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
JHG BOYAN

Editors
RALPH A. EUSEBIO
BRUCE A. KING

Assistant Editors
MYRA OWYANG
CHUCK SMITH

Digital Effects Supervisor
ULYSSES ARGETTA

Card #22

Music Engineers MARK MATTSON
MAKO SUJISHI

Post Production Sound Services ADVANTAGE Sound Services

Sound Designer ROBERT POOLE II

Dialogue Editor ROBBI SMITH

Foley Artist CRAIG NG

Foley Mixer MARY ERSTAD

Digital Audio Transfer ROBERT PRATT

Re-Recording Mixers MELISSA ELLIS
FIL BROWN
Card #23
Main Title Theme by
THE TENDER BOX

Main Title Directed by
VICTOR COOK

Main Title Storyboard by
PHIL WEINSTEIN

Main Title Color by
JOEY MASON

Main Title Animation Production by
HANHO HEUNG-UP CO. LTD

___________________________________________________________________________
Card #24
Animation Production by
MOI ANIMATION CO. LTD

Card #25

This Motion Picture is protected under the laws of the United States and other countries, and its unauthorized duplication, distribution, or exhibition may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution. Many of the characters and incidents portrayed and the names used herein are fictitious, and any similarity to the name, character, or history of any person is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

"The Spectacular Spider-Man, the animated series (C) 2008 Adelaide Productions, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Spider-Man and all related characters TM & (C) 2008 Marvel Characters, Inc."

Adelaide Productions, Inc. is the author of this film/motion picture for the purposes of Article
15(2) of the Berne Convention and all national laws giving effect thereto.

___________________________________________________________________________
END LOGOS

MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT CULVER ENTERTAINMENT

SONY PICTURES TELEVISION


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Antiyonder writes...

Since, I haven't done any particular episode comments or reviews for The Spectacular Spider-Man I'll be commenting on each story arc for the time being. That said:

Episode 1- Survival of the Fittest
- Considering the plan of using comic book only characters, I'm a bit embarassed that I didn't identify Randy earlier when seeing the episode prior to Market Forces.
- As much as I feel sorry for Peter's rejection from Sally, I couldn't help but laugh when Gwen and Harry commented on it. Either the scene was well written and executed or deep down I'm a jerk. I'll go with well executed scene :).
- Same with the comment above, I had a small laugh when Eddie tell Peter that being a high school student with lack of experience keeps him from getting paid.
- Relating to the comment on the podcast, as a fellow sap (I have a box of Shojo Manga for crying outloud), I too enjoyed Peter's dialogue about having Aunt May at the end.

Episode 2- Interactions
- Unlike the identifying of Randy, I was able to pick up on the cellphone dial tone immediately (which would be impossible to miss).
- In Flash's defense, he did get a higher grade than Liz, so maybe Mr. Warren was a little too judgemental of him (interms of how he would function as a tutor). I'm half serious and half joking about this of course.
- Not being able to have coffee for the rest of my life, I certainly hope I wouldn't go mad.

- I do have a question which my brother brought up. Was Curt's serum going to turn him into the Lizard as it was or was it partially due to exposure to Electro's voltage?

Episode 3- Natural Selection
- Have to say that this episode was a nice flipside to the 1994 cartoon episode "Night Of The Lizard". Basically both had Eddie and Peter involved in the story, but this time Peter looks like the bad guy. Also a good example of Pete winning and losing at the same time.
- My favorite scene is definitely Spidey trying to sneak up on the Lizard only for the cellphone to go off.

Greg responds...

Electro gave the serum an unintenional boost.

Response recorded on June 11, 2008

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Algernon writes...

Spectacular Spider-Man

S
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Reactions

Another strong outing from what might be the greatest superhero toon of all time

After seeing the timid nebbish Dr. Octavius over the course of the series, I was wondering how you were going to handle his transformation into a crazed supervillain. Peter MacNicol deserves some kind of award for so perfectly capturing all the power and arrogance of Doctor Octopus. I especially liked Otto's little "daydream" while being chewed out by Norman.

The whole High School Soap Opera aspect of the show continues to be surprisingly engaging. Harry's continuing downward spiral makes for pretty heavy TV and puts the lie to anyone who still dismisses this show as kiddy fare.

I have to admit though I was expecting to see more of the Green Goblin, since the episode blurb implied he'd play a larger role. Considering all the other stuff going on in this episode that's probably just greedy of me.

Greg responds...

Only 22 minutes per episode... can't fit everything...

Response recorded on June 11, 2008

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Lee H writes...

Hey Greg, I'm loving Spectacular Spider-Man!

The Spectacular team has done a great job at forming a diverse supporting cast in regards to race and sex, but what is the plan where female villains are concerned?

Spider-Man has had very few female villains and most of them were forgettable. The two major female antagonists were Black Cat and Silver Sable, but they quickly became more allies than bad guys.

In May 2008's issues of Amazing Spider-Man two new female villains are introduced - Screwball, a young thrill seeker who commits crimes and uploads videos of them on the Internet, and Paper Doll, a villain who is... well, like paper!

Is there a chance of either of them being featured in later seasons of Spectacular Spider-Man, a few years down the line, or is the plan to stick with older tried and tested villains?

Thanks for your time!

Greg responds...

I'm partial to female villains myself.

There are no current plans for Screwball or Paper Doll, but if we last long enough, who knows?

Black Cat has of course appeared, and she'll be back in Season Two. Silver Sable will make her debut in Season Two, as will Calypso. Others are in my head for later seasons, but I think I'll hold off on going into any more detail at this time.

Response recorded on June 11, 2008

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Greg Bishansky writes...

So, quick question.

Did Peter kick Sally's dog or something? I understand the whole clique thing, but this full blown hatred.

Greg responds...

Seen Mean Girls?

Response recorded on June 10, 2008


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