Greg responds...

We came up with it - probably inspired to some degree from the origin of the mutates in Gargoyles - to fit our Biology 101 theme for that particular arc. But I don't consider what they did in the movie to be a rip-off. Marvel and Sony own everything that was done in The Spectacular Spider-Man, so they can't rip-off themselves. Frankly, I'm glad they liked it. Though I do wish that if they liked it that much, they would have hired me to write the movie. ;)

Greg responds...

I wrote it, and I think you got most of it:

In the opinion of this unassuming and civic-minded publisher and humanitarian, the question is not whether the so-called Spider-Man is a hero or a vigilante. The question is whether he's a THREAT or a MENACE! How a civilized society can allow a glory-seeking, masked scofflaw to swing through our city - littering it with his sticky leavings - with no fear of repercussions is beyond the intellect of your humble servant, J. Jonah Jameson. Is it not a fact that criminals like the Vulture, Electro, the Lizard, Shocker, Sandman, Rhino, Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and Venom did not exist until the presence of the Web-Head created a void that summoned them forth like a plague upon our fair town, striking terror into the hearts of our beloved citizenry? Does Spider-Man make our city safer? Balderdash. Humbug. Nonsense. Spider-Man creates the danger threatening our lives, liberties and pursuits of happiness. Banish the Web-Slinger, and with him you banish those who seek to knock him from his web - making us all quantitatively safer. As for heroes, we have plenty to inspire us, if only we are willing to seek beyond the showy primary colored carnival suit of the Spider. One need but cast a glance toward the policeman, the fireman, the soldier overseas. The astronaut and the crusading publisher-journalist provide legitimate role models for our children and ourselves. What need have we of the cursed arachnid? A deadline should be set - sixteen seconds seems appropriate - for the Web-Head to end all activity in New York. After that, he must be apprehended and placed in Ryker's alongside the "villains" he claims to have defeated. On this point, I'm sure we all agree. The Spider-Man must go!

Greg responds...

I did, yeah. It's flattering... and a little ominous.

Of course, the reason listed for YJ's demise isn't quite right. If I had to (oversimplify and) pick only one cause, it was the failure of the toy line.

Greg responds...

Everything is situational. I'd love to do Spider-Man again in almost any form. (I wrote one issue of Amazing Spider-Man that wasn't in continuity with Spectacular, and would be happy to write more.) But the question's almost too hypothetical to answer. Readers familiar with this site know I'm not big on hypotheticals.

Greg responds...

As with all the supporting characters, we had additional plans for him. But Pete/Spidey was always the lead.

Greg responds...

I don't think I ever hinted that. Coming up with a legit story excuse to do a musical episode is usually the biggest challenge. Puck would have made a great excuse on Gargoyles, but it's harder to figure out how to do that on SpecSpidey. Nevertheless, we had an index card on my board for the run of the show that said, "Spectacular Spidey - The Musical". It was mostly a joke, but if I could have figured out a solution...

Greg responds...

I love working with Peter. He's a consummate professional, who makes constantly interesting choices. I've been a fan of his since Dragonslayer, and have loved his various T.V. work. Though I had never worked with him before, I suggested him for Doctor Octopus in Spectacular Spider-Man, because I thought he could capture both sides of the Doctor Octavius we were creating, i.e. the shy, nervous man we first meet, and the megalomaniac he becomes. That worked out so well, that I knew he'd give us a great Professor Ivo on Young Justice and a great Tseebo on Star Wars Rebels. I'd work with him again in a heartbeat. Just need a show. ;)

Greg responds...

We didn't have the same kind of "Business Plan" for YJ as we had for TSS-M. But we had definite plans for a Season Three and many, many, many story lines for either the show or the comic.

Greg responds...

We felt we had enough Russian villains without adding Rhino. At some point you gotta wonder why all these Russian natives hate Spidey. It made sense in the Cold War context that Spidey - and much of his rogue's gallery - was created in. Made less sense in a modern context.

The O'Hirn name came from the comics; we didn't create it. I seem to recall it was an alias Rhino used at some point.

For good or ill, it had nothing to do with my desire to add diversity. Again for good or ill, all I did was trade one caucasian male for another. A wash.