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Greg Bishansky writes...

"Catalysts" marks the first real appearance of my favorite Spider-Man villain, the Green Goblin. So, needless to say, I've been anticipating this one for a long time, and it did not disappoint.

I loved the Green Goblin. Cheeks' design looked great, like an updated version of Ditko's design that took out all the hokey aspects of it. I love the Goblin, but even I'll admit that Ditko's design was always very hokey looking. Steve Blum just nailed that voice. His cackle was as good as Mark Hamill's Joker cackle.

I think I'll take this moment to compliment the casting and voice direction on this series. Jamie Thomason is a genius. He, along with Andrea Romano, are the two best voice directors in the business. I'm loving what I've been hearing. Vanessa Marshall was terrific as Mary Jane. Very sexy voice. And I've been a fan of Steve Blum since I first saw "Cowboy Bebop" six years ago. As soon as I heard him on that show as Spike, I knew he was going to go places. Unfortunately, most of the time it seems he gets hired just to do the Spike voice, and it's a great voice, don't get me wrong, but it's nice to see what else he can do. The man has range. His Goblin was excellent, and blows every other Goblin voice actor out of the water. It's like the voice I always had in my head when reading the comics without ever quite knowing what that voice was. I felt the same way about Robert Englund's Vulture, come to think of it. Okay, tangent over.

This version of the Green Goblin seems to have just about everything that I love about the character going for him. Smart, cunning, insane, ambitious, and more than a match for the spectacular Spider-Man. This is the first villain (aside from Tombstone) that really, really, really felt like a real threat. Which is as it should be. The Green Goblin is an A-List villain. Him, Doc Ock, Kingpin, Venom and the original Hobgoblin have always been the elite of Spidey's rogues gallery. So, it is great to finally, after all these years, see him being done justice in one of the cartoon series. The 90s series didn't do him justice. Neither did the 80s series or "The Amazing Friends". The movie came very close but didn't quite nail it. But, between Blum's Green Goblin and Alan Rachins' Norman Osborn, I think we have a winner here.

Tombstone was great last episode and I am really enjoying him in this episode. I no longer lament the lack of the Kingpin. Tombstone is just fun. I love how cool he is under pressure, and how he's able to get Spider-Man to protect him like that. I also thought it was great how instead of fleeing, he stayed and helped Spider-Man look for the bomb.

But where would I be if I didn't discuss Mary Jane? I already said that Vanessa Marshall sounds great, and I love Cheeks' character design for her. I've called this the first time Mary Jane has appeared outside the comic book medium. The 90s series had a character named Mary Jane Watson, but that wasn't Mary Jane Watson. The movies turned MJ into Gwen-Lite. But here she was smart, witty, funny, and someone you'd want to hang out with. I also suspect that she already knows Peter is Spider-Man. Poor Gwen. Hell, poor Flash... he's going to have to dress up like a cheerleader.

And poor Harry. Glory used him to get back at Kenny. Now he's drinking "Gobulin Green #994" (Nice "Gargoyles in-joke there, Greg.) Also, nice red herring. But no, I don't think he's the Green Goblin, if that is what they're trying to make us think. For one, how would he know about Tombstone being the Big Man? For another, how would he know about the Tech-Flight glider? Besides, after Hammerhead tried to blackmail Norman in the last episode, taking out Tombstone would probably be at the top of Norman's to-do list. If anything, Harry taking the formula looks like a great way to tell the Harry drug addiction story. Cool. Also, Norman was more than conspicuous in his absence... except that he wasn't really absent.

"Randy?"
"Very!"
How did that get past Standards and Practices??? Nice!

Looking forward to Dr. Octopus next week. Come to think of it, I am beyond amused that Doc Ock makes his villainous debut in the eighth episode of the series.

Greg responds...

Just trying to push the envelope...

Response recorded on May 29, 2008

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Avalon writes...

Just watched the Spider-man episode "Catalyst" where Spidey took on the Goblin. However, something seems amiss. I thought I'm caught up with all the episodes, but did I miss a storyline somewhere? How did Spiderman figure out (or at least it was insinuated in the episode) that Tombstone is the "Big-guy" or even know who Tombstone is? (anyway, I thought the "Big-guy" would have been the Kingpin, but guess I was wrong...)

Greg responds...

You must have missed our sixth episode "The Invisible Hand" featuring Rhino and Tombstone.

Response recorded on May 28, 2008

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Anonymous writes...

The Spectacular Spiderman is terrific Mr Weisman I hope it continuous to be a success. My question for you involves one of the characters particularly Liz Allen. I just want to know the reason for her ethnicity being changed from comics. Please don't take my question as a negative I'm just curious thank you.

Greg responds...

The traditional Spider-Man cast was predominantly caucasian, and that just didn't feel realistic to us in modern day NYC. (Wasn't realistic then either, but in 1962...)

So we made a conscious decision to change the ethnicity of some of the characters. Certain characters seemed too iconic to change. Others did not. For us, Liz fell into the latter category.

Response recorded on May 28, 2008

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Vasy writes...

As A sPiderman fan through the ages...

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...
No show or movie has ever got it right with Venom...

He got the costume int he Secret Wars...which involves outer space and alot of Super heors and Villians

PLEASE DO IT THIS WAY

WOULD LOVE TO SEE OTHER MARVEL CHARACTERS IN THE SHOW.

THANKS

Greg responds...

We aren't using other Marvel characters in the series, save those from the Spider-Man corner of the Marvel Universe (which is huge, btw). So that eliminates the possibility of using Secret Wars as a source for the Symbiote. (Can't say I'm sorry, either. Not as big a fan of that series as you obviously were.)

Response recorded on May 28, 2008

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Anonymous writes...

I've been waiting with great anticipation for the Spidey cartoon since even before I attended the panel at last year's San Diego Comic Con. I never once feared that I would be disappointed, and I certainly have not been. Hats off to you and your crew for making the best animated incarnation of any Marvel Comics character I've ever seen. The show is fun, stylish, unforced, and very much in the spirit of the old Spidey comics. I actually get up at 9:00 am on Saturday mornings (when I'm not working) to watch a cartoon when I am not one who has much love for the idea of appointment television. So far, I've loved how you have handled every character, and I love how each episode is not simply a villain-of-the-week affair, but also further develops Pete's situation and even features the occasional surprise villain (that Tombstone appearance at the end of "The Invisible Hand" was fantastic). I love that we've seen Jean DeWolff and George Stacy without even having been told who they are yet. I just love a lot of stuff about this show. :)

I guess I do have a question, so forgive me for even MORE preamble: For some reason, I've always had a soft spot for Spidey's less popular, but strange and off-beat villains. I'm sure you've got plenty of stories to tell with the likes of the Goblins, Doc Ock, and other heavy-hitters, but are there any villains off the beaten path that you personally have lobbied to get included, or would like to at some point, even if it might require a big change in origin/design/etc? I'm thinking on the level of Man-Wolf, the Swarm, Stegron the Dinosaur Man, etc., just some villains that are a bit ridiculous but that still have their fans. I have nothing but confidence that you guys could put a cool new spin on guys like these and introduce them into the show in an organic and interesting way. And since I mentioned Man-Wolf: are we going to be seeing John Jameson at all in this show?

Again, apologies for my long-windedness, but this show has visions of sugar plums dancing in my head. :)

Greg responds...

By now you've seen John in three straight episodes... and he'll be appearing more in Season Two as well. We'll also be hitting a few more obscure villains, but I don't even feel we've hit all the majors yet...

Response recorded on May 27, 2008

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Anonymous writes...

Hello, Greg. How will "The Spectacular Spider-Man" show will be affected when Kids WB will be gone? Will the show still air at the same channel? Will the show continue normally?

Greg responds...

We don't yet know where the second season will air. But we are definitely making it, and I'm confident it will air somewhere.

Response recorded on May 27, 2008

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webhead2006 writes...

Hello again Greg. I have a quick question i wanted to ask you. I was just watching the episode promo for ep 7 "Catalysts" and first off wanted to say goblin looks great in motion and i loved his signature goblin laught, the only thing i was wondering why did you make his regular talking voice sound like he is irish like the lucky charms elf?

Greg responds...

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Response recorded on May 27, 2008

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Andrew writes...

Hi this question might have been asked before but...
Are there going to be any guest superhero appearances on The Spectacular Spider-man
I understand that it's probably too soon to tell it's only been 6 episodes
But are you planning any appearances for the future?
Thank you in advance...

Greg responds...

Not currently.

Response recorded on May 27, 2008

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SpaceWay2007 writes...

Hello, Greg. I enjoy this new series of "The Spectacular Spider-Man." It's very interesting and funny to watch. You wouldn't believe how much I enjoy and look forward to watching this show. It's one of the reason why I wake up early just to watch this show. Great voice acting, great animation, excellent character development, and spectacular storyline. Keep up the good work!
Now, for my question, how come all of a sudden "The Spectacular Spider-Man" shows every other Saturday? Whatever happened to showing new episodes consecutively? And sorry if this question have been asked already, but will there be 13 or 26 episodes for the first season. Thanks for you time.

Greg responds...

There are 13 episodes in this first season. Thirteen more are in the works for season two. The short answer as to why we've had a few weeks of reruns interspersed is pretty straightforward: the episodes weren't ready. As of this writing, the eleventh episode finished posting JUST today. Twelve and thirteen aren't done.

Response recorded on May 23, 2008

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Philip writes...

Hello Greg.

I'm a long time Spider-Man fan, ever since I was a kid. And when I learned that the man behind Gargoyles would make an animated Spider-Man series, well, I was damn happy. So far, the show really is 'spectacular'.

Now, for my question; when is "The Scorpion" going to appear on Spectacular Spider-Man? And will the character's origin be the same as in the comics? From what I understand, the series is suppose to resemble the Lee/Ditko era, so I'm rather shocked that ol' Scorpie haven't appeared already :P

Greg responds...

Season Three.

Response recorded on May 21, 2008


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