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Spectacular Spider-Man, The
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Paul writes...
1) If The Spectacular Spiderman gets a third season, will Aunt May, Betty Brant and Robbie Robertson get more screentime than they did in season 2? They were criminally underused in season 2.
2) If there's a third season, will Debra Whitman actually speak and be an important part of certain episodes?
Greg responds...
1. I've answered this before. Check the archives.
2. No comment.
Forrest writes...
Greg do you think Spectacular Spider-Man will do good on Disney XD. I have been watching it every Monday, and the other days its on, (I tell my mom I'm sick, so I dont go to school, because its always on when I'm at school). So If you CAN, could you change the hour to like 4:00 or 5:00 P.M., instead of 9:00 and 10:00 A.M. (I'm at school at that time). Thank You
Greg responds...
Forrest,
I appreciate your love of the series, but...
I have ZERO control over the time period. I don't know what timezone you are in, but in most of the country the newest episode premieres somewhere between 4pm and 8pm on Mondays. And if you are REALLY skipping school to watch the show, then I'm NOT happy. Cut it out. No television series is worth that, including any or all of mine. It would be much better, if it's at all possible, if you could find a way to record the show, using TiVo or some other DVR or a VCR. There are also DVD releases. But skipping school is NOT okay with me. And telling your mom that you're sick when you're not is even worse.
Mo writes...
Hello. I've recently watched the second season of Spectacular Spider-Man and I gotta say, this is the best cartoon to come out of Marvel. Spider-Man is an amazing character and seeing him get such great animation treatment is an absolute godsend. So thank you for that.
Now onto the questions:
1) I understand that the 3rd season is very under wraps at the moment, but I just want to know if you plan to introduce any other Marvel heroes in the series (e.g. Daredevil). Spider-Man is known for his encounters with other heroes and I want to know if that will play out here.
2) Was the revelation of the Green Goblin's identity planned from season 1 or did it just come about when season 2 was being developed?
3) Is there any character you'd really like to see in the series?
Thank you.
Greg responds...
1. Mo, I've answered this over and over. Please check the archives.
2. Planned from day one.
3. Yes.
Thailog (from Wikia) writes...
P.S.: Forgot to ask these:
1. Why did Doc Ock go from shy to psycho after the accident? It has something to do with the neurotransmitter that short-circuited (or melted?), or was the traumatic event pushed him over the edge?
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!
2. Was Mysterio a robot right from the get-go (in "Reinforcement") or was the real Beck arrested and then escaped, leaving a robot in his place?
3. How did Sandman, Rhino, and Vulture escape in "Reinforcement"?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!
1. I think physical trauma from the "accident" played a part, certainly. But I think subconsciously, the key moment is when he cries out, "But I've been good!" right before the explosion. Now, (a) one could argue he hasn't actually been good, but (b) from his point of view "good" means obedient, subservient, nebbishy. And his "reward" for that behavior is, well, <BOOM>! So his mind rejects his past behavior entirely and does a complete personality 180. Otto Octavius was ALWAYS smart enough to be Doctor Octopus. Now he had the mindset to go with it.
2. Wouldn't Spider-Man like to know? (And you too, I gather.)
3. You forgot Electro and Kraven. Anyway, I don't think the specifics are too important. But I imagine that Rhino sank to the bottom of the river (putting on the oxygen mask/tank that Spidey gave him) and slowly WALKED to shore. Then busted Sandman out of the ice. Tinkerer had some of the Master Planner's men cut a hole out beneath Vulture and cut Electro out of his rubbery confines. Kraven, I think, just slipped out during the confusion.
Thailog (from Wikia) writes...
Hi, Greg.
Sorry for using this Gargoyles platform to ask you yet another Spider-Man question, but this one has a constructive purpose, of sorts. I've been writing character bios for the Marvel Animated Universe Wiki and I have one question about the show's timeline that I can't seem to find in the archives:
When exactly was Peter bitten by the radioactive spider? In "Survival of the Fittest" Peter's teacher reminds him of the field trip hosted "last year" by Dr. Connors. However, judging by Peter's overconfident narration, he didn't have his powers before his summer vacations... So, he must have gotten his powers by the end of the previous school year, right? Late June? His opening narration also seems to convey the same idea.
However, and this is the biggest source of confusion, Uncle Ben died after Peter became Spider-Man and before school started ("Survival of the Fittest"). So that must have happened in July or August. Although when Aunt May speaks about him, it sounds like she got over it (isn't two months too soon?). Moreover, Peter doesn't sound too shaken up in the opening narration for someone who must have lost his beloved uncle only two or one month before...
Does that make any sense? Anyway, I'd like to clear that up for the sake of accuracy.
Great season finale btw, didn't see that coming.
Hope we get a season 3.
Greg responds...
When Mr. Warren says "Last year..." he meant the last SCHOOL year, not the last calendar year. So, yes, in my mind, Peter was bitten in late May of his sophomore year of high school. He DID have his powers over summer vacation. I think that's fairly clear from his voice overs. He just never faced any super-villains until September, the Vulture and the Enforcers.
Uncle Ben died shortly after Peter got his powers, in early June.
Aunt May is NOT over his death by any means. Neither is Peter. But we missed the HARDCORE grieving that took place over the first couple months of summer. In "Survival of the Fittest", May is -- largely for Peter's sake -- trying to put a good face on the new school year. And I think she's also not the type to just completely fall apart. But--
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!
I think one reason she's SO oblivious to Doc Bromwell's overtures is because she cannot fathom the thought that she isn't still married.
As for Peter, I don't think of him as shallow, but you cannot deny he's had a TON of distractions -- in both of his identities -- to keep him from dwelling overmuch on Uncle Ben. Still, I like to think we've made Ben a strong presence in the show whenever possible (i.e. whenever we could afford the screen time) in episodes like "Survival of the Fittest", "Natural Selections", "Nature vs. Nurture", "Reinforcement", "Opening Night" and, of course, "Intervention" (among others).
I'd like to do more with Ben, admittedly. I had initially hoped to bring Ed Asner back as Ben once a season. But we just couldn't find room for a Ben flashback or appearance in Season Two. Hopefully, in Season Three. That's not a spoiler, by the way. I haven't got a specific plan. Just a desire to include more Ben and an excuse to see Ed again.
And speaking of Ed, how about his work in Pixar's "UP"? LOVED THAT MOVIE!!! And Ed's performance was wonderful. So funny and heartbreaking and everything. Seriously, I feel blessed to know the guy and to have been able to work with him.
Good question, by the way. Happy to clear this up. And much relieved not to be answering another "Has the Third Season been picked up yet?" or "Will you please spoil all your future plans?" question.
Anonymous writes...
Hey Greg, since Harry became the New Goblin in the movie Spider-Man 3, will we see him in that form on a future season of The Spectacular Spider-Man? Because I bet it'll be cool.
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
No comment.
Aaron writes...
when willl the 3rd season of the spectacular spiderman start and wat villans will we see in the season and wat will happen of norman osborn since he didn't die...
Greg responds...
I've answered all this before. Check the archives.
adam writes...
will other superheroes appear in the series like the x-men or prowler in the spectacular spider-man?
Greg responds...
I've answered this before. Check the archives.
The Whistler writes...
Hi Greg,
I was wondering if, in the event that the Spectacular Spider-Man isn't renewed for several more seasons, will anybody at Sony or Marvel be planning to make available a suicide hotline staffed with sympathetic counselors knowlegeable in Spidey-lore, for those of us who feel we will not be able to live without MORE of this show???? (I'm kidding of course... Barely.)
I'm almost 40 years old, grew up with Spider-Man, have been an avid fan all my life, and truly I have to say this is without a doubt the BEST animated adaptation ever, and is possibly better than the Spider-Man live action movies. I wouldn't be surprised if the main fan base for this show turns out to be males age 30 to 50.
So now, my real question: When are we going to find out whether there will be a season 3? (And when it will air?) This is killing me!! Uh... Just a figure of speech.
Greg responds...
The answer to your second question (when will the third season air) is of course totally dependent on the answer to your first question (if and when will we get a pick-up).
And AGAIN -- the earliest we could possibly find out about a third season pick-up is AFTER the second season starts airing this coming Monday (6/22). Frankly, the earliest we could REASONABLY expect a pick-up is July. And it would not be surprising to me if the pick-up didn't come until after all thirteen episodes had aired, in which case we're talking September.
But AGAIN, I just don't know. And AGAIN, I promise to tell you as soon as I do. SO PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, STOP ASKING!!!
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg.I wrote about Doctor Octopus and storylines.So now i want to share my thoughts about Venom.
Venom as i said is one of my favourite Spider-Man Villains,and i like fact that he was created after later(i mean after Gwen Stacy Death).He may be even more dangerous enemy than Green Goblin A.K.A Norman Osborn.Now i will write what Eddie's role was in every arc.
Lizard Arc:He was good guy,spent time with Peter.But after Peter took pictures of Lizard,he became angry with and it hurted their friendship.
Big Man Arc:He forgave Peter but said that he(Peter) should back off for some time.And later invited Gwen to Fall Formal.
Green Goblin Arc:He was shown angry when Gwen thought that Peter lied to her.
Symbiote Arc:In first two episodes he becomes very very,and VERY Angry to Peter and blamed Peter when he(Eddie) was fired,because ESU Can't get funds.In last two episodes he became Main Villain(possibly he was main villain from beggining of arc and possibly main villain of series)Venom,and tried to make Peter's life miserable.
Now for Season 2
WARNING SPOILERS!!!
Master Planner Arc:He made small appearence in Blueprints and attacked Peter.But it was just a nightmare(but i realy liked his appearence in that episode).And Peter searched for him but he didn't find him,but he (Peter) was distracted by Master Planner and him super-villains.
Venom Returns Arc:He was big baddie there.In First Steps,he stalked Peter and found symbiote.In Growing Pains he posed as Spider-Man and framed him.Although in Growing Pains more attention was given to Coloner Jupiter,but Venom was mastermind behind Jameson's hatred and Coloner Jupiter hatred towards Spider-Man and worst Venom action was when he revealed Spider-Man's identity.And tried to force Peter to drink Gene Cleanser.Then Venom would unmask him,and Peter would be victim of his worst villains.But that didn't happen and both fought in school(one of best episodes ever)
He was absent in Gang War and Green Goblin arcs.He should return in Season3 and if he and Peter will not become friends,you should let him be Venom until Season 5.
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!
Yep, that's what happened all right.
Dylan writes...
Hey Greg,its been awhile since i saw you at comic con 07, i was the in the white hat, and was called "Peter Parker". I have a cuple of questions i wanted to ask.
1. I was wondering, have they (Disney/4kids or whoever is airing Spider-man.) Greenlight season 3?
2. Will we see you and Vic have another Cameo in season 3?
3. Will Venom return? or will this bring the brith of Carnage? (you don't have to anwser the last one, I just had that idea,since it seem,well logical to me, but you and Vic, are the bossess,so,its pretty mutch up to you and wirters i think.)
Greg responds...
1. Not yet, no.
2. I don't know.
3. No comment.
steve writes...
first of, spectacular spiderman is the greatest show i have seen in a long time...just one of those episode can beat a whole entire series of some other shows.
second, i hav a few questions involving the show, but if they dont get answered thats cool:
1. since eddie went of to ravencroft will we see carnage anytime soon...i heard u dont like the character and why is that exactly.
2. villains not so popular such as spot, beetle, boomerang, and the smythes, will they be in the series at all.
3. are there anything that says morbius cant bite people because if you put him the show it would be shocking and disgusting to see that but cool
4. are we gonna see any villains such as demogoblin and jack o lantern. it would be a first.
5. last but not least but a reliefe to u probaly...will hobgoblin be harry like in ultimate spiderman or green goblin II like in amazing...either way i think u could work it out.
thnx for ur time and the greatest series out there.
Greg responds...
1. Who told you I don't like Carnage? I keep refuting this rumor, and it's still out there. Otherwise, no comment.
2. As I've mentioned, I don't think I have access to the Beetle. No comment on the rest.
3. No comment.
4. No comment.
5. No comment.
nacnud writes...
dear greg,
do you think a live action Spectacular Spiderman movie could work, you know, like having the movie take place between season 1 and 2? I think that would be really cool, especially because it's ratings could help get a seaon 3.
Greg responds...
There already is a live-action Spidey franchise. You might have heard of it. I have no desire to compete with that.
Anonymous writes...
Will Gwen Stacy be removed from the show, and if she is when possibly?
Greg responds...
No comment.
Paul writes...
In "Blueprints" and "Identity Crisis", there's something suspicious about the way that Norman acts when interacting with Peter in the latter or talking about him possibly havingan alter-ego in the latter. I thought that those instances implied that he knew Peter's secret, but in "Final Curtain", he doesn't seem to know, which confused me. Does Norman know Peter's secret identity in "Final Curtain", or does he not?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!
No comment.
wood writes...
holly molly
whats with all these difficult confusing in depth questions all these guys ask.
why can't anyone. (like myself) just say..
greg. man you have done an absolutely AWSOME job on spectacular spider-man season 1 and 2
i loved every single bit of it
you are a big inspirtation to me and where i will be going with my life
thank you so much
fingers crossed for a 3rd season
i realy hope there will be.
thank you
wood
Greg responds...
You're welcome, wood, and thank you.
And, just to be clear, I don't mind in depth questions, but mostly what I'm getting is various versions of (1) "Please provide Season Three Spoilers" or (2) "Can we have team-ups?" or (3) "Has the show gotten a pick-up?"
So one more time...
1. I'm not going to give any spoilers beyond what I've already revealed (Hobgoblin and Scorpion will appear). No matter how one rephrases this question (being extremely specific or ridiculously vague), it still won't change the fact that I'm NOT going to spoil Season Three.
2. As of now, no. We just don't have the rights to any character not firmly part of the Spidey corner of the Marvel Universe. If that changes, I'll let everyone know. I SWEAR!!
3. The moment it does, I PROMISE I'll let you all know. Until then, there's just no point in asking me.
Praise, of course, I'll take any time! So again, thanks, wood.
adham writes...
will there be any heroes or allies in the spectacular spider-man?
Greg responds...
Please check the archives. I'm tired of answering this question.
GreenGoblin45 writes...
When's the absolute latest you can get a pick-up for season 3? Also, do you have any plans to bring back Norman Osborn in season 3?
Greg responds...
There is no such thing as an "absolute latest" time for a pick-up, unless you're going to add some other criteria, like "What's the absolute latest you can get a pick-up for Season Three and still have new episodes ready to go in September 2010?" Or whatever. But theoretically, Sony could pick up the show three years from now. It's not likely that if they waited that long that they would still pick us up, but nothing "absolute" prevents them from doing that.
As for Norman in Season Three: no comment.
Well Peter writes...
Do you know if Thor is ever going to be in Spectacular Spiderman. Can it be a Thor cartoon some day?
Greg responds...
Well, no, it's not likely to MORPH into a show about Thor. That's a completely separate license -- and as I've said MANY times before, we currently don't have the rights to ANY other Marvel heroes.
Eric writes...
I want what is best for this series and i just want to let you know that if Gwen Stacy would die that would leave me heart broken. How do you stand if she will die or you will get rid of her so Peter and MJ start up? My stand point is that Peter and Mj never get together and it's only Peter and Gwen together.
Greg responds...
I've reread your question three times, and I'm not sure what you're asking exactly. I'm not sure the word "stand" means what you think it means. But if you're asking what I have planned for Peter, M.J. and Gwen, the answer is no comment.
Dan writes...
Mr. Weisman,
First of al thanks for what is easily the greatest adaption of Spider-man.I have a couple of questions.
POSSIBLE SEASON 2 SPOILERS
1. Where did the idea come from to have the pumpkin bombs emit screams?
2. Was the final twist in the season 2 finale kept heavily under wraps? For example did Josh Keaton, Steve Blum,etc. know when they recorded "Uncertainty Principle"?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
1. That was Vic Cook's truly brilliant idea.
2. I don't remember who knew what when. The writing staff all knew the truth from day one.
SPECTACULARspideymanfan writes...
why is it that you didnt use kingpin, dont get me wrong i love tombstone but i heard you wanted to use the kingpin at first.
Greg responds...
Kingpin was not available to us. Check out the Spectacular Spider-Man archives here at ASK GREG for a fuller answer to a question I've covered many times before.
spideyfan215 writes...
In the spectacular spiderman episode the uncertainty principle was that man-wolf cameo just there for us hardcore fans or did it imply we might see john turn into the man-wolf...also hope we see carnage in pcoming episodes.
Greg responds...
No comment.
Bianca Louise Lapuz writes...
HI Greg!When will "The Spectacular Spider-Man" show in television??? I'm very excited!!!
Greg responds...
It's showing now on Disney XD.
Anonymous writes...
in spectacular spiderman i loved what you did with green gobli, lots of mystery...but i was disappointed that he didnt find out spideys true identity and he didnt kill gwen. will norman come back and do that or will you leave that to the not so evil harry osborn green goblin. or are u just gonna leave all that out?
Greg responds...
No comment.
Denis writes...
Congratulations!
I'm from Brazil, and I loved seeing spidey swing on the webs once more in a new version.
The best version. Totaly adapted on this days. E-mails, mobiles, Gps... And... the character is the one that i think that always needed to be... A Teenager with problems ...
I like the fact of every character... harry.. Mj.. flash.. have importants ways to appearance...
I dont want to ask anything just say thanks by this animated series!
I hope Carnage appears!!!!
Greg responds...
Thanks, Denis. Glad you like the show.
Paul writes...
A few questions about The Spectacular Spiderman:
1) Does Calypso possess powers in this series? It was sort of implied when she came to Kraven's rescue at the end of "Destructive Testing" that she did, but it wasn't made clear.
2) Will the blossoming relationship between Flash and Sha Shan contribute in some way towards the ongoing story of Spiderman/Peter Parker in the long run? It's just that while the Flash/Sha Shan stuff is interesting, I can't see it laying the groundwork for anything really significant to Peter Parker's story, at least not in the same way that exploration of a possible Ned Lee/Betty Brant romance or John Jameson/Ashley Kafka romance might.
3) Will the episodes on the season 1 set feature altered opening credits to correspond with the trend that started in season 2, where the key characters featured in the episodes were shown in the opening credits? Gwen, Harry, MJ and Jonah hardly played pivotal roles in every season 1 episode that they were in the opening credits for, after all.
4) Did Vulture and Silver Sable both escape at the end of "Gangland"? It wasn't really made clear.
5) In "Final Curtain", how could it be that the wine cellar wasn't a secret when Harry's best friend had never seen or heard about it?
Greg responds...
1. Are you saying it was left ambiguous? Hmmmm...
2. Well, it already has, so I think the answer is yes.
3. No.
4. Yes.
5. Pete's not much of a wine drinker, I guess.
lukas harrison writes...
will morbius make an appearance in the show and will black cat ever be shown without her suit?
Greg responds...
No comment.
Anton writes...
Question about kingpin. Does fosswells alter ego patch work for him. I thought it was very much implied during the rhino bidding. Also, if your going to use kingpin, is there any chance for us to see Bullseye make an apperance?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!!!
I don't have access to either Kingpin or Bullseye at this time. And, no. Foswell was working for Jonah.
Anonymous writes...
Why was the role of Tombstone recast? I know Keith David originally voiced him in the pilot and that Kevin Michael Richardson replaced him.
Greg responds...
Keith went to New York to play Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream. So Kevin stepped in. Both did a great job.
MisterDrBob writes...
Hey Mr. Wiseman,
love the Spectacular Spider-Man and your take on the original Stan Lee stories. I especially love your characterizations of Shocker, Mysterio and Molten Man.
I have two questions. I think the first one was already asked, but I can't find it anywhere. How did you come up with the idea of making Montana the Shocker? Second, is there any significance to the fact that Morris Bench is voiced by Bill Fagerbakke, the voice of Patrick on SpongeBob SquarePants? A reference to mr. F's other watery work?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!
If you can't find my answer to your Montana/Shocker question, you haven't looked very hard. Check the Spectacular Spider-Man archives here at ASK GREG or any number of interviews I've done over the last year or so.
Bill is a great actor, who I've worked with many times before on shows like Gargoyles and Starship Troopers, etc.
Spidey on Disney XD
FYI, Disney announced this morning the rollout of SSM Season Two on June 22 with two back-to-back episodes: "Blueprints" and "Destructive Testing."
For times, check local listings.
Mike again writes...
What are the musical scores playing in the Spectacular Spider-man episode Ganglands? Also what is the opera that is playing?
Greg responds...
The opera is Rigoletto. The rest of the music is by our composers, Lolita Ritmanis, Kris Carter and Michael McQuistion.
Marjorie writes...
Hi Greg,
just read your response concerning other marvel superheroes in Spectacular Spider-Man. Even if we don't see them in the show, I think it's awesome that you give them a nod here, and let us marvel comic geeks imagine what their places would be in the show if time/situations allowed.
Obviously the center of the show is Peter Parker, and that's as it should be. I was just curious, however, if the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Ant-Man and Professor X are there (unseen) within the Spidey universe you've got going on, what is the general public's knowledge about them? Like, the Fantastic Four weren't underground like the X-men. They were an adventuring team that fought crime and didn't have secret identities, living like celebrities. Is it the same way in your verse? Are there strange news reports and sightings of a green giant springing up around the country? Is there public unease concerning people with strange inborn abilities on the rise?
I ask these questions not because I expect these characters to appear in the show, but out of curiosity for the world you're building up. It would be cool if Sally or Flash or somebody said in passing, "Did you hear what the Fantastic Four did yesterday? It was amazing!," I understand why that probably won't happen. It's just nice to know that the possibility of other heroes out there exists, even if it's never realized. Thanks!
Greg responds...
In my mind in the Spec Spidey universe, no one knows anything mutanty about Charles Xavier. He's simply the headmaster of a private school. The Fantastic Four are indeed celebrity super-heroes, the kind that fight COSMIC menaces, like the Skrull. Ant-Man, I'd think is pretty much operating under the radar (pun intended). Hulk is like a myth. Captain America is a memory.
Anonymous writes...
If the show returns which villains besides Scorpion and the Hobgolbin will appear?
Why can't you use the Kingpin?
Will Peter and Eddie become friends again?
Greg responds...
1. I've already refused to answer this question about a hundred times.
2. I've already answered this question about a hundred times. Check the archive.
3. No comment.
And just so it's clear, I do NOT enjoy answering nearly every post with "NO COMMENT". This isn't fun for me either, gang, but since collectively you all keep insisting on asking for Spoilers that I've already made clear I'm not going to give, you're not leaving me much choice.
It would be LOVELY if you guys reread the guidelines, and checked the questions answered, archives and/or questions waiting to be answered sections before posting a question here. LOVELY. But if you don't, then we all get to enjoy me saying No comment again and again and again and again...
Happy to talk about Season One of Spidey, btw.
David B. Jacobs writes...
Hey, Greg!
Well, you've talked guest heroes before, but what about guest villains? If it's not "No comment" area, could you say whether or not you'd like to use guys like Doctor Doom or Juggernaut, assuming you could get the rights?
Greg responds...
I'm not going to start going through a laundry list of non-Spidey villains (beyond Kingpin) that I might like to use. There are some that seem like natural fits to oppose Spidey, but any character I don't have access to is still a character I don't have access to, so I haven't spent a ton of time coming up with stories that I couldn't use.
And I have barely scratched the surface on SPIDEY VILLAINS as it is. In fact, I know a bunch of fans think I've already introduced too many of Spidey's villains. I don't agree. I enjoyed introducing -- on average -- one per episode first season. And then a handful of additional villains with each following season, while trying to keep ALL the villains (heroes and supporting cast) alive. It's a challenge, of course, but it's a challenge I enjoy. Opening up our little Spidey series to the ENTIRE Marvel Universe never interested me.
Anton writes...
Will you make an adatation of The night Gwen Stacy died, and actually kill off Gwen?
Greg responds...
No comment.
GreenGoblin45 writes...
Regarding Spider-Man villains that appear in the Ultimate universe, will you use their mainstream identities or their Ultimate identities for The Spectacular Spider-Man. The characters I am talking about are as follows:
Hobgoblin (Roderick Kingsley OR Harry Osborn)
Scorpion (Mac Gargan OR Peter Parker clone)
Carnage (Cletus Kasaday OR Gwen Stacy)
Greg responds...
No comment.
Seriously, guys, how many times do I have to say it?!! I'm not SCOOPING the third season!!
Arthur Jr. writes...
Here are some questions and comments:
1. In another fact about the Beetle, the other bad guy to fight him was Iron Man. As a member of Egghead's Masters of Evil, he fought the Avengers.
2. Though Mac Gargan was mentioned in "Final Curtin," this might be a hint for his appearance if the third season is confirmed. A reference linking to one your answered questions mentioned the appearance of Hydro-Man. True or False? If a Season Three is announced, will some of the villains you plan to include have their VAs made public?
3. When it came to Molten Man, he first met Spider-Man around the time of his high school graduation. Should the series continue, will you have an episode revolved around that?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!
1. I knew that.
2. What's the question, exactly? Voice actors are always listed on the credits. If you're asking if I plan to scoop the third season if and when it's announced, the answer is NO.
3. Around what? Graduation? We will depict the senior class (i.e. Rand and Kong) graduating in Season Three if we get a Season Three. That's a given, since the third season would obviously include the months of April, May and June at least, so I don't feel like I'm spoiling anything. It's not likely that Mark will graduate with Rand's class, since he missed finishing his Senior Year with Eddie's class by being sent to Juvie and then wound up getting sent to Rykers after only a couple months of being back in school. Whatever course work he needed to complete to earn a diploma obviously could not have been completed.
Fred M. writes...
I have watched the first two seasons of Spectacular Spider-man and absolutely love them! I think the thing I appreciate the most is the fact my 3 yr old son and I can watch them with both of us being entertained. We can share that experience and take completely different things from the episode. Kudos for walking that tightrope. With the series moving to Disney XD I have a few questions. 1) How does the ratings thing work? We record and watch every episode that comes on and would LOVE for that to be counted as credit for you guys. I want to do whatever I can to ensure a third and forth season. 2) Is there somewhere or someone we can contact and/or email with our support for this series? I would hate for it to not get picked up. Keep up the good work if you get the opportunity!!
Greg responds...
Thanks. I'm glad you and your son both enjoy the show. That was the intent, for there to be something for kids and adults without short-changing either demographic.
1. Unless you are a Nielson household, your personal viewing is not specifically counted, but IN THEORY if you and your kid are watching and a bunch of other folks like you are watching with their kids, then the odds are some Nielson family just like yours is mirroring your collective behavior and that DOES count in the ratings. It has to do with statistics, and I don't pretend to understand it really -- or even fully buy into it. But that's how it works. Again, IN THEORY, if you stop viewing the show it suggests that somewhere some Nielson family just like you has also stopped. So DON'T STOP!!!
2. You can try to contact Disney XD through their website or write a letter to them. It can't hurt.
Wolf E. Urameshi writes...
Greetings, Mr. Weisman. First off, let me say that it is an honor to be able to speak to you, regardless of whether my question is accepted or not. I truly wish I were able to meet you someday being a writer myself! If only my living in Puerto Rico were not so bothersome... (why not make a Gathering here? :3)
Anyways, on to my question. We all know the story: for reasons beyond us, Disney canceled the legendary Gargoyles TV show we all know and love, and then we got a certain spin-off fiasco. Then, literally a decade later, we get a gratifying notice: the comics! (which I will definitely buy this summer, hopefully, even if it's only the Clan Building trades.) But now, sadly, Disney's gone EPIC CANCEL on us. Again. Therefore, I must ask this question. Apologies if it has been asked, by the way. Here goes:
Has it crossed your mind to consult other animation companies, such as Viz, Funimation, Man of Action (creators of the excellent Ben 10 series) on acquiring the license off Disney, or perhaps giving the series a new animated show on a different genre, such as anime or CG? Hell, I'm pretty sure people would pack the theater if it were to be turned into an anime or CG, especially given the highly impressionable teenager crowd of today that's into these genres.
If you ask me, Gargoyles is definitely not doing well under Disney's wing- I mean, it was virtually untouched for a whole decade and more and would have been thrown into the dark hell of obscurity were it not for the fans-i.e. us, and I'd like to take the chance to thank the fans for doing everything the fandom has done.
Thank you very much for your time, sir. It has been an incredible privilege that you even read this letter. Greetings from Puerto Rico, God Bless and please keep giving us great stories to enjoy.
Wolf E. Urameshi
Lares, P.R.
PS: Did I mention your Spider-Man series is awesome? If not, there we go. :)
Greg responds...
First off, thanks for all the praise.
You're welcome to organize and hold a Gargoyles Convention in Puerto Rico. I'd be happy to attend too.
The reasons for Gargoyles being cancelled are NOT beyond us. I've laid them out many times, and you can find them by looking through the ASK GREG FAQ. Calling "Goliath Chronicles" a spin-off, isn't really accurate either. It was a third season, rebranded, and with different behind the scenes talent running the production.
And again, to be accurate, Disney didn't cancel the comics. Technically, SLG did, because they could not afford the license under the terms Disney was offering. But sales of the trades will determine whether we'll eventually be back.
And, yes, this question has been asked and answered MANY, MANY times, so check the archives for fuller answers. But briefly, there's no way Disney would release the animation license to another company. And bashing Disney's efforts doesn't further our cause.
Clark Cradic writes...
Some how I doubt this is your first crossover question, so I'm not going to go all FIRST on this one. Anyway: Which of the villains from Spectuacular Spider-Man do you think would be a good match for the Manhattan Clan, without it being too one sided?
Greg responds...
I'll leave that to your imagination, Clark.
Matteo Garofalo writes...
1. I am a huge fan of the show and I think that you have created the first truly perfect animated television series (it's not a question, but it's true).
2. I am also a fan of the J. Michael Straczynski run on ASM, will we see some of his villains (like Morlun, Shathra, est.) in any upcoming seasons?
3. Can you add in the Spider-Mobile, for one episode, just for the fun of it?
4. Will we be seeing Iron Patriot any time soon (I'm also a big Norman Osborn fan)?
Greg responds...
1. THANKS! (Uh, which show are we talking about?)
2. No comment.
3. No comment.
4. No comment, but now I'm guessing you were talking about Spectacular Spider-Man, right?
Anonymous writes...
In Gangland, when Silvermane is in his exo-suit, what exactly is it he uses against Spidey and the other crimelords? Is it sonics or some kind of energy pulse?
Greg responds...
I think the latter, but that weapon was the brain child of director Jennifer Coyle, so you'd have to ask her to be positive.
Paul writes...
A few questions about The Spectacular Spiderman:
1) Has the real Mysterio even crossed paths with Spidey at all, not counting the pre-Mysterio encounter in "Persona"? Just wondering because of the running gag about Mysterio's robot doppelgangers.
2) In “Personaâ€, who hired Chameleon and who hired Black Cat?
3) Do you plan on having Felicia Hardy appear out of costume in a future season?
4) Was there any significance to the lone pumpkinhead goon who got away at the beginning of "Final Curtain"?
Greg responds...
1. Define "crossed paths".
2. No comment.
3. Yes.
4. Yeah. He got away with all those weapons loaded in the truck. So even though Spidey webbed up the majority of goons at that heist, the weapons still made it to Gobby's Gob Squads.
Joseph writes...
So, first, gushing praise: I've been a Spidey fan since my dad bought me my first comic, and I'm one of the ones that says that Spectacular Spiderman is the best adaptation to hit the screen (big or little).
Next, a few backstory questions:
1. What happened to Gwen's mother in this continuity? Are the Stacys divorced or separated (as in Ultimate Spiderman) or did something happen to her?
2. Next, kinda wondering how Harry, a rich, not terribly bright kid, ended up being best friends with two geeks, and the circumstances around that. Middle school/high school cliques being practically forces of nature unto themselves, Harry linking himself with the "brains" probably would have upset socially conscious Sally long before the spider bite and complaints about "upset social order" (which was pure gold, by the way).
3. Eddie mentions that his and Peter's fathers were lab partners together. In what field? (And was there anything "funny" about that plane crash?)
4. Where *did* Peter get his costume and equipment from?
And one last question:
Where is a good place to check to find out about the current status of The Spectacular Spider-man and the third season? Keeping an eye out here on new questions is a bit... clunky.
Greg responds...
1. She passed away. I'm actually thinking breast cancer, but don't hold me to that.
2. I think Harry is actually pretty smart, just not on Pete or Gwen's level in science. And certainly his father cares more about grades than football or popularity, and we all know how important Norman's opinion was/is to Harry.
3. No comment.
4. We'll reveal this eventually.
5. Sorry, but I don't know where else to send you. You can try some of the boards like ToonZone or SuperHeroHype, but I lurk there occassionally, and I see a LOT of misinformation. Sometimes it's innocent. Someone presents a theory or opinion. And days or weeks later, someone misremembers it as fact. Other times, I feel like certain people willfully post misinformation for their own reasons.
Spidey Ratings
Folks at Sony are feeling pretty good about Spidey's recent ratings on Disney XD. Here's some info...
Returning to its regular time period, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN "Nature vs. Nurture" delivered a season high 1.71 B6-11 Rtg, up +67% from its season average (1.02).
The 18-episode marathon on 5/25/09 improved significantly over the time period's prior 4 week average… +279% in B6-11 Rtg, +250% in B6-14 and +226% in B9-11.
Second Season episodes will begin airing Monday 06/22/09. Check local listings for times.
CL writes...
I found out what the ratings were for Spectacular Spider-Man: low. Does this kill the chances of season 3? Does it worry you, or are they expected to increase come the next season?
Greg responds...
Your information has no context. From what I've head, relative to other Disney XD fair, the ratings have been decent.
Obviously, I'd prefer them Spectacular, but since the second season hasn't even aired yet, we are still in wait and see mode.
Anonymous writes...
Dear Greg,
i love your version of spiderman it keeps me entertained and i just can't seem to be patient for the next one. i like yours for various reasons. one of them being of that gwen stacy is the main love interest not mary jane. Which is cool cause it's not like the original but i do know how things can change around. You can make relationship not work(which would be a drag) or even kill her off which brings to my next point, i don't like the original Spiderman story because everyone dies: Gwen Stacy, Mary-Jane, Aunt May, Harry, the Sandman etc. its so DEPRESSING. i just pray that you make a good story and end it good if not great(you have so far). Also just wondering do you have and idea when season 3 will debut?(not in America cause i know season 2 is starting over here)
Greg responds...
I know Aunt May has died at least once, but that wasn't permanent. Even Harry is back. And I don't ever recall Mary Jane or Sandman dying. But maybe I missed that.
As for Season Three, please, please check the archives.
Paul writes...
What are the titles for the second, third and fourth story arcs in The Spectacular Spiderman? I know that the first is Biology 101, and you recently posted the titles for the ones from season 2 (Engineering 101, Human Development 101, Criminology 101, Drama 101). And will you ever revisit certain subjects/modules/courses of study in future seasons (for example, by having a Biology 102)?
Greg responds...
I'm not running out of titles yet.
Anyway:
Biology 101
Economics 101
Chemistry 101
Psychology 101
Engineering 101
Human Development 101
Criminology 101
Drama 101
Martin writes...
this was buggin me for a while. is Hammerhead's driver someone from the comics?
PS: this is not a question. One of the reasons I want so bad season 3 is to see what you will do with Hobgoblin. You used many of Hobby's aspects for Green Goblin - the whole framing other people thing, Osborn taking the green in small doses so he wont become insane, heading to Carribean (probably???). All of this happens to Roderick in the comics so I'm very curious what you will do with Hobgoblin.
Greg responds...
Yes.
Paul writes...
Is Ben Urich off limits in The Spectacular Spiderman? If so, does that mean that Phil Urich is off limits too?
Greg responds...
Ben is off limits. I'd have to check on Phil, but if I had to guess, it's likely he's off-limits too.
Jim writes...
1. So now that Norman is dead to the world, where does this leave Vulture? Is his place in Ock's organization and his Spider-grudge enough to keep him in the rogues' gallery, or will he figure "mission accomplished" and hang up his wings? Is this topic something that we should expect to see explored next season?
2. Without getting into spoiler territory, was the Tombstone/Venom scene meant to be building to something? I can't decide if it was a one-off and meant only to highlight what Spidey wouldn't do, or whether I should keep that connection in the back of my mind for future use, as an unresolved plotpoint.
Speaking of Venom, it just occurred to me that they are the only ones that would still think Harry is the Goblin. Unless Gobby's identity is public knowledge by now?
3. Someone asked a question earlier, but I didn't think your answer was the most clear (you seemed to be responding only to another part of his question): Was Mysterio ever in jail? Was the Beck who talked to Lee a robot, or was it the real deal, and he escaped at a later point?
4. Was Tinkerer working for Tombstone because he had defected or was he merely lending his services for a fee? If the latter, why would Otto let him give the enemy weapons when he knows a gang war is looming?
5. I had assumed that the money Norman got from Kingsley was being used solely for his getaway to the islands. Someone else thought he had used the entirety of his unmarked account to rig the city for his duel with Spidey. Which is correct? Or is it a combination?
Greg responds...
1. No comment.
2. No comment.
3. Though I have my opinion, I'll leave this up to the interpretation of the viewer.
4. Tinkerer is a freelancer.
5. He has the money. How he spends it is his business.
Chirag Rana (Zilla) writes...
Hey Greg I've been the biggest Spectacular Spider-Man Fan. After Season 2 ended I was thinking what could happen. So I'm making a Novel called Spectacular Spider-Man The Big Change. Now I need to get get this approved by you so can make a Comic Novel edition for the fans. i really want to publish this Novel to the world. I'm not really a good artist so can you get somebody to make the Comic Novel Edition. I'll tell the Plot once I'm done with it.
Greg responds...
Hey, have fun with your project, but please do NOT involve me. If you're wondering why I'm passing, please review the guidelines here at ASK GREG once again.
Peter writes...
Will 90's Spiderman Cartoon ever come out on DVD.
Greg responds...
I thought it was.
Paul writes...
Which week in March does “Final Curtain†take place?
Greg responds...
Mid-March.
Clark Cradic writes...
Will the couple that Spider-Man saved (and ended up marrying) make further appearances in the series? Do they have any established names and are they going to be Spider-Man's equivalent to the Yuppie Couple?
Greg responds...
No comment.
Greg Bishansky writes...
*** SPIDEY SPOILERS ***
Okay, so, I exist in the Spectacular Spider-Man Universe, and I was Norman Osborn's chauffeur at one point. Harry mentioned me as the worst chauffeur ever, and that he thought his dad was going to pop a vessel.
Okay, so later on, Norman went nuts, and became the Green Goblin. He went after the Big Man, tried to kill Otto, and just plain went nuts on people he doesn't like.
Am I still alive in the Spectacular Spider-Man Universe? I think that if I had that guy mad at me, it's okay for me to inquire to my present health.
Where am I now in the Spideyverse? ;)
*** SPIDEY SPOILERS ***
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
Dude, could this question be any more self-aggrandizing if you tried?
But somehow I doubt that Goblin ran around avenging every petty annoyance. I mean, hell, I let you live.
Martin writes...
in a previous response, you stated about the Spectacular Spider-Man series, "We have been provided with a list of characters as per Sony's contractual agreement with Marvel." it's obvious that you cant reveal the characters, but can you at least tell how many they are? can you reveal the characters? :)
Greg responds...
I don't have the list with me. And even if I did, it's a legal document. It's not my place to go into detail about it.
Clark Cradic writes...
How do you decide what villains/characters to include in Spider-Man? Is it a matter of what they can provide to the story, personal preference, or is their a certain formula to balance out well known and not as well known characters?
Greg responds...
It's a very organic process. Basically what feels right, respecting the core of the characters.
Rafael writes...
We are going to see in the Spectacular Spider-man more science fiction elements that exist in the comicbooks like aliens and journeys through time and space. And supernatural elements like travel to other dimensions via magic, and the presence of supernatural creatures like Morbius the vampire and the transformation of Stan Carter into the Sin-eater.
Greg responds...
No comment.
Robert Lee writes...
Hey Greg, I'm a huge fan of The Spectacular Spiderman, and by far it is the best Spiderman series that I have seen. I was curious to see if there were any further developments on a season 3 for the show. So I guess my question is:
Will there be a season 3? If so when do u expect it to make its debut?
Greg responds...
Seriously? You didn't see the thirty plus times I've already answered this question or the thirty plus times this question was in the queue ahead of yours. I mean, dude, do you think I'm HIDING a pick-up from you guys?
<sigh> We won't know anything until sometime AFTER the SECOND season starts airing on Disney XD in late june. Figure July or August for news on a pick-up. If it comes, I'd guess ew episodes would probably be held for September 2010.
Bazell writes...
in a previous response, you stated about the Spectacular Spider-Man series, "We have been provided with a list of characters as per Sony's contractual agreement with Marvel."
When you were given the list, where there any surprises as to characters you wish/thought you had access to or wondered why he or she was being offered for a Spider-Man series?
Any chance you can divulge the list?
Greg responds...
Kingpin wasn't on the list, which semi-surprised me. Not like I'm unaware of how Miller turned him into Daredevil's arch-nemesis, but still, he was created as a Spidey opponent. There was no one on the list that surprised me. And, no, that's a Sony/Marvel legal document. I can't post it.
Paul writes...
A few questions about changes to and potential changes from the comics in The Spectacular Spiderman:
1) Are Kraven and Chameleon siblings or half-siblings in this series, as they are in the comics?
2) Is Chameleon's surname Kravinoff in this series?
3) Why was the decision made to make Liz Allan and Mark biological siblings in this series?
Greg responds...
1. No comment.
2. No comment.
3. We were combining Mark Raxton with Bennett Brant. Bennett was Betty's full sibling and it made the emotional context more intense. So that's the direction we followed.
Arthur Jr. writes...
Here's a bunch of things I have to ask you
* I got your Kingpin and Marvel Team-Up response. I'm just wondering that if you plan to break the record of seasons that the 90's series have should "The Spectacular Spider-Man" be popular, you might feature the said heroes then. Any chance you want to break the record if Sony will allow it?
* Though the rights and contracts to Kingpin aren't available is what a know now. Yet I didn't get your answer on the Beetle from the same question though. Of course it could be that he came when other heroes and villains were introduced over time. Right?
* When I first heard Hobie Brown in "Opening Night," I thought it was Greg Cipes voicing him. It turned out to be Charles Duckworth voicing him. Good thing the credits confirmed me on that.
* When Silvermane was featured, Silver Sable (who led the mercenary Wild Pack team in the comics) was featured as his daughter. I guess this was a creative part on your side since his son Joseph Manfredi (known in the comics as Daredevil villain Blackwing) wasn't introduced yet. I did like that you made Silvermane a bit younger than his comics counterpart.
* Doctor Octopus being an OsCorp scientist and the accident that caused his tentacles to be apart of him reminded me of the Ultimate Marvel version of Doctor Octopus (whose tentacles have ends that are made up of nanobots that enable the tentacles to have various lethal accessories transforming the three-pronged 'claws' into flamethrowers, tasers, and machine guns) at the time the Ultimate Marvel version of the Green Goblin came into view. In the Ultimate Marvel Comics, Doctor Octopus blamed the accident on the Ultimate Marvel version of Justin Hammer (who was responsible for creating the Ultimate Marvel versions of Electro and Sandman).
Greg responds...
1. It's not like there's some competition. That was a Spider-Man for it's time. I'm trying to do one for now. And exactly what record are you talking about anyway? How do you measure it? This is silliness, frankly. First of all, it's moot until we get a pick-up. Second of all, it's moot until I have legal access to these other characters. And third, my basic response hasn't changed. I'd like to use Kingpin, and I'd like to do the OCCASIONAL team-up. But I'm not going to change the game plan to break some record that we both know doesn't really -- and shouldn't -- exist.
2. Simply put, Beetle isn't on the approved list. If I had to guess, I'd say he's on the Fantastic Four's list. Or maybe Daredevil's. But he's not on Spidey's.
3. Yep.
4. Thanks.
5. Is there a question here? I was definitely influence at least in part by early issues of Ultimate. But the bigger influence was of course Lee/Ditko.
Paul writes...
Thanks for doing such an amazing job with The Spectacular Spiderman. Both seasons are really enjoyable. I've just got two questions:
1) Why is it that a lot of the background music in season 2 was stuff that had previously been used in season 1? Aside from character themes, nothing seemed to be repeated in season 1, but in season 2, lots of music from previous episodes kept popping up again and again. Was a smaller budget used for the music in the second season?
2) The animation in season 2 seemed to be weaker than season 1 as well. Some episodes looked beautiful, but others seemed a bit choppy and off-model at times, like "First Steps" and "Identity Crisis". Was there a smaller budget for the animation in season 2?
Greg responds...
1. Themes were reused intentionally -- and by the second season we had a LOT more themes to reuse -- but to my knowledge, no actual music was reused, and I attended EVERY music spotting session, muisc preview session and sound mix.
2. No. We've had inconsistent animation here and there both seasons. Both our seasons contain some of our most gorgeous stuff and some of our weakest stuff.
Bazell writes...
This Spider-Man question pertains to the show's relationship to the official "canon" of the long running comic book (now in the early 600s for issue numbers).
When Marvel comics first started getting more popular due to books like Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, the connections between the books began to take shape along the way, sometimes independant of the individual on-going arcs. In some history channel documentary on comics I saw, Stan Lee talked about the creation of the shared world of many super-hero characters, the "Marvel Universe," began in an issue of Fantastic Four in which Reed was giving some press conference. the artists decided to draw Peter Parker as one of the photographers, clearly representing the Bugle at the event. That was somewhat of a digretion, but an interesting tidbit nonetheless.
Anyway, The Spectacular Spider-Man has clearly not had any interaction with any other Marvel characters for all the obvious reasons, but has also not to my knowledge acknowledged - even peripherally - the existence of other Super-Heroes elsewhere. Is it still safe to assume that the action depicted in the show is in the context of the Marvel Universe's continuity of, say, the mid to late 60s, which comprises a good portion of the storylines from which you are drawing?
Greg responds...
In my mind, yes. But until we get legal permission, I can't acknowledge that in the series itself. I even had to fight to use the phrase "Amazing Spider-Man" in the first episode, as we're not allowed to use that either generally.
Bazell writes...
**SPIDER-MAN SPOILERS**
Spidey's original suspision of Norman as the goblin seemed justified when he saw Osborn come out of the disguised doorway at a time convenient to a quick goblin getaway. However, later Harry reveals that the door just led to a wine cellar. Seeing as how they already seem to reside on a top floor penthouse, how much extra room do the walls have? WAS there a goblin hideaway behind the hidden wine cellar?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
No comment.
Cartoonlover writes...
Do you know what Spectacular Spider-Man's ratings on Disney XD are like? There is no mention anywhere.
Greg responds...
I have a vague idea. Relative to the network's general ratings and given the fact that so far they've only aired reruns, they seem to be respectable, especially after being cumed. I'd like to see them higher, but frankly no matter high they get, it's hard to imagine me NOT feeling that way still.
Spidey writes...
Hey Greg. I love the Spectacular Spider-Man and wanted to know if you have anymore plans for Venom in future seasons.
Greg responds...
Yes.
And before anyone starts posting a shopping list of characters, let me state that, YES, I have future plans for EVERY SINGLE character already introduced or mentioned, including the dead ones, and for many that have not yet been introduced or mentioned. And NO, I'm not going to reveal them here anytime soon. So there's no need to ask.
Greg Bishansky writes...
Another Spidey question.
Is Midtown High a private school in "Spectacular Spider-Man?" I'm a bit puzzled that Peter and Flash both live in Queens and attend High School in Manhattan.
It's got to be top notch if they can get a major Broadway star like St. John Devereaux to direct the school play.
Obviously, Norman Osborn would send his son to a top notch school, and Liz's parents seem well off enough to do the same. Ditto with Robbie being the Editor-in-Chief of a major metropolitan paper. As well George Stacy as a police captain.
But, considering the Parkers' money problems, if Midtown is a private school, how did they afford to get Peter in there and keep him there?
Greg responds...
M-cubed: Midtown Manhattan Magnet Senior High School. It's a public "magnet" school, with a number of different magnets on campus, including a Science Magnet, a Drama Magnet and a Civics Magnet. Flash is in the latter, though one gets the sense that his football prowess may have had something to do with getting him in.
It is considered one of the best overall programs in the city.
Greg Bishansky writes...
*** MAJOR SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN SPOILERS ***
*** I'M SERIOUS ***
*** OKAY, DON'T BLAME ME ***
1. So, I'm curious. When did Norman Osborn start preparing for his stint as the Green Goblin? Before "Survival of the Fittest"? After?
2. I also noticed that on Osborn's laptop monitor when he calls Peter and Harry out onto the balcony, there's a pumpkin bomb.
It seems to me like he's been preparing for this for a while now. Granted, he stole the glider just after Hammerhead threatened him. But, since "Catalysts" and "The Invisible Hand" take place on the same day, and Norman had that Goblin mask, costume and weapons ready to go, it makes me wonder.
So, question 3. Was he always planning to take control of the Big Man's empire? Or did Hammerhead threatening him push him there?
*** OKAY, DON'T BLAME ME ***
*** I'M SERIOUS ***
*** MAJOR SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN SPOILERS ***
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
1. Depends what you mean by "preparing". But the main impetus was being kidnapped and attacked by Vulture. He did not enjoy being that vulnerable. There was a line to that effect in "Final Curtain", but it was cut for time.
2. Was there a question here?
3. It wasn't just Hammerhead's single speech.
Dan writes...
Hi Greg.
Big fan of all your work and just wanted to ask some general questions, none of which involve the possible Season 3 of TSS. (We're all hoping the show gets picked up!)
1. I'm very much interested in a career in screen writing, comic writing, and/or video game story writing. What steps did you take or what steps do you recommend for those pursuing this career? I'm an English major with a writing minor and I wondered if college degree played a large role.
2. Can you elaborate on any of the possible restrictions you may face if you persue the death of the Stacy's storyline or the introduction of Carnage? I'm not asking "if" you will develop these storylines in later seasons, but more of what kind of restrictions were you presented with for TSS. We all know how strict FOX was for the mid-90s animated series.
Thanks Greg.
Greg responds...
1. It helped me -- a lot. Both in terms of the education I received making me a better writer and in terms of the resume thing helping me get my first jobs at both DC Comics (from Dick Giordano) and Disney (from Gary Krisel). So I'm big on education. Beyond that, I've gone into greater detail in the past, so check the ASK GREG archives. But my recommendation is to READ a lot. WRITE a lot. And PROOFREAD a lot.
2. I haven't had any significant restrictions to date. Standards & Practices is NOT the reason those stories you mentioned weren't part of the first two seasons.
anonymous writes...
Hi, can yu confirm yet if Doctor Octopus will be back in season three? I love what you've done with Doc Ock on this show.
Greg responds...
No comment.
ChickenChaser writes...
I know this has been asked alot and everytime you say you have answered it by i have searched through the archives again and again and cannot find your response apart from (im not calling you a liar maybe the question was kicked i dunno)
Confused Fan [Shocker Question] writes...
So, Montana was the Shocker.
Does this mean that Montana is Herman Schultz? :S
I think Montanas real name has never been told even in the comics?
Greg responds...
If it makes you happy...
So i have to know, why the combination of these characters, also as this is my sirst comment kudos on the show, i love it, and i discovered it by accident whilst watching the 90's series on youtube i saw a link and thought why not and was pleased to see what a great job you have done. I am very new to the comics and nearly all the stuff i know is from wiki (which i hope i can trust) anyway feel like i should ask some more questions:
2) Who is your fav villian, you probably have answered this but wasnt in first 100 question asked to you (i do have a life honest)
3) when (optimistic) season 3 comes out do you know the gap between release in US and uk (as i live in uk)
ok that will do for now, thanks again for an amazing show which appeals to all ages
Greg responds...
1. I'm just not getting into this again. I know it's in the archives. I'm not calling you a liar either, but look again.
2. I've answered this to. I don't have one. I like 'em all.
3. No idea.
ChickenChaser writes...
Just another wuick one, Is the thing about harry being framed as the goblin a new idea or has it appeared in comics, i thought this was so funny and was like wtf thats not right and then when it made it look like his mum in the return of the goblin i was so confused so good work.
Greg responds...
You don't know how hard it is to keep an audience guessing -- or at least off-balance -- when they already know the answer. We obviously added a few twists and turns.
Akif kahn writes...
hi Greg I wached all of taginghe spectacular spiderman episodes 1-26 it left me haning I hope you get a pick up of season 3 I hope so they can add Professor Miles Warren as jackal and Hobgoblin and Scorpion.
best spiderman show ever
Greg responds...
Thank you.
David B. Jacobs writes...
Okay, so, I'm not sure if this'll be approved or not but:
Do you have any plans for anything revolving around the Tablet of Time?
Thanks!
Greg responds...
AND AGAIN I'M NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON ANY FUTURE PLANS. I DO NOT WANT TO SPOIL SEASON THREE.
I thought I was being pretty cool by admitting/teasing that Hobgoblin and Scorpion would appear in Season Three, but it seems to only have encouraged people to demand still more spoilers. And I'm just NOT gonna do it.
Think of it this way. The fact that I'm still adamant about not talking is an indication of how much I still think we'll be back to do a Season Three. So it's good news, right?
David B. Jacobs writes...
Hey, Greg! I just wanted to say that I'm huge fan of your series, TSSM especially (being a huge fan of Spidey). Just a few questions about villains in Season 3. It's fine if you can't answer any.
*****SEASON 2 SPOILERS*****
1. Do you have plans for Tombstone and Hammerhead? They were kind of cut out of the Goblin Returns arc, after I was expecting huge roles.
2. Is Lizard set to return? Season 2 seemed to set up for this perfectly. Even if not in Season 3, will he ever return?
3. Do you think we'll see Green Goblin again in Season 3? Or will we have to wait a bit longer?
4. Is Molten Man coming back? Your idea of having GG control when he is or is not Molten Man seems to make it a bit harder to have him in there without Norman pulling the strings.
5. Will we be seeing Silvermane come back any time soon? I've got another question here, but it may be risky, so I'll ask separately.
6. Is Walter Hardy ever gonna come back into the spotlight?
7. One character in this show I have to love is Electro. You've simply pulled him off so well. It seems obvious that he'll at least appear, but I was wondering if he would have his own episode in Season 3?
Thanks!
Greg responds...
I'm not commenting on any of this. Sorry.
anonymous writes...
Hello. I had some questions regarding a possible third season for "The Spectacular Spider-Man". I read what you said and I know that you can't reveal much about Season Three. But hopefully, these kind of questions won't really go into spoiler territory.
Still, there are SPIDEY SPOILERS in this post for those who haven't seen Season Two yet.
**SERIOUSLY, MAJOR SPOILERS**
... Seriously.
#1.) Will Peter blame himself, be haunted by or feel guilty for Norman Osborn's "death" next season? He kind of was the one who damaged the Green Goblin's glider and sent him to his explosive demise at that water tower.
#2.) So the Connors are in Florida, huh? Does this mean it'll be harder to bring them back on the show, even though classic Stan Lee stories had Spidey fight the Lizard in Florida before?
#3.) I know you cannot comment on which villains you'll be using next season, new or otherwise. I know it's still questionable if there's a pick-up for a new season or not, but let's say that our prayers are answered and, praise Jeebus [thanks for that, Homer Simpson ;)], there's a new season! You said you cannot use the Owl and possibly not the Beetle either. Does this mean you can or cannot use characters like Boomerang, Jack O'Lantern and Swarm on your show at all, or is this "no comment" territory? I'm merely asking because the three villains I listed are essentially Spider-Man villains, but they were not first introduced in a Spider-Man comic and have fought other heroes as well.
#4.) I agree that Robbie and Mary Jane kind of got underused in season two, but I loved what you did with the Mary Jane/Mark Allan relationship. Is it likely we can see more of Robbie and M.J. next season, if possible? I don't know what you have planned or can reveal, but still...
On a side note, please do not introduce any of the "Clone Saga" or "One More Day"/"Brand New Day" stories on your show. I am still plagued by nightmares from reading those fiascos, and the whole clone mess they did on "Spider-Man: The Animated Series" didn't help me like the clone storys any better either.
Thanks so much for giving us two brilliant seasons of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" and I hope you get many more. This show can't end at just two seesons, Mr. Weisman.
**END OF MAJOR SPIDEY SPOILERS**
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!
1. Guilt is one of Pete's go-to emotions.
2. No comment.
3. If and when I get back to Sony, I'd have to find out whether I had access to those characters.
4. I like 'em both too, you know.
Matthew Woodley writes...
Hello Mr. Weisman, it's a pleasure to ask you some questions. I've been a big fan of Gargoyles since I was a kid and I'm a big fan of the Spectacular Spider-Man in which I believe you're doing a great job at.
Now as for my questions...
1)Is the Green Goblins hatred for Spider-Man the same or at least close to his comic counterpart?
2) How much of Ultimate Spider-Man have you read?
3)Are you more of a supporter for the Gwen an Peter relationship? Or do you believe that a Mary-Jane and Peter relationship can work in some ways?
4) Has Marvel asked you to write for some of their other shows?
5) Is there a chance that you could (Theoretically) fit Brand New Day villains into new seasons?
6)If it comes to it, would you do the One More Day storyline if you got the chance to?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!
1. That's a value judgement. And it's a tough one to make because there have been so many different interpretations of GG in the comics by different creators. I think we're on a level with the way Stan Lee handled the character.
2. A goodly amount.
3. Things come in their proper time.
4. Nope. Though I'd love to.
5. If we get more episodes.
6. Probably not. There's not much point in REBOOTING a continuity that we've only just begun.
Sage Vega writes...
Hey Greg, it's me again. to tell you the truth, Venom is my #1 favorite Diabolical villain in the Spider-Man Legacy. Thanks for bringing him in. I was wondering will Venom return in season 2 for some fun revenge on the Web-Slinger?
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!
Absolutely!
Ming writes...
About the Spectacular Spider-man cartoon, are you going to incorporate some (if not all) of the characters and storylines from the Spider-man: Brand New Day era into the show?
Greg responds...
There's one that immediately appealed to me. As for the rest, it depends how many episodes we get in the future.
AJC writes...
Hi Greg!
Big fan of the The Spectacular Spider-man show! I love the animation and the designs (I was weary of the designs at first but I afterwards became accustomed to them. Now I LOVE Cheek's designs!). Your show has actually led me to read some key issues from amazing spider-man and maybe during the summer when I have more free time, I'll begin reading from issue number one. So thank you for that! Even after reading just 2 or 3 random issues, I was absolutely impressed with the characters and plots that you have taken from the comics and shaped it into a modern vision for the show.
(Spoilers SPOILERS spoilers from Season 2)
Questions:
1)Don't you think it would have been appropriate to show the reactions of the Connors and Gwen after Eddie was carted away for his insanity? Do they not care? :(
2) Wasn't it a little too coincidental for norman to assume his son would be passed out (Even if Norman knew Harry was drinking it) as soon as he got back from fighting spider-man? BTW, loved 'Final Curtain'... Very suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat (Even better than the season one finale)!
3)What was the point of flash and Sha Shan getting together? Other than developing Flash's character, it didn't seem to affect Spider-man/Peter's life?
4)Would you revisit the gang war? I was kinda hoping there would be huger scale of the gang war like accomplices and gangland (I really loved accomplices because of that).
5)When the full season sets come out, will they have the gun fire sounds or lasers? Extra scenes? Any plans for commentaries for the episodes?
6) If you do not get a season 3 (which would be complete blasphemy!!!!!), would you think about doing plans for Spider-man DTV's sooner?
As a fan, I hope that when you DO get a pickup for further seasons, I really hope you get more than 13 episodes per season. This show deserves it!
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!
1. Of course, they care. But AGAIN, I just don't have room in 19 and a half minutes to show every possible reaction from every relevant character. To put in a Connors and Gwen reaction SOMETHING ELSE would have had to get cut. I feel we showed the MOST important scenes.
2. He didn't assume that. He wasn't planning to frame Harry. But he found Harry passed out beside a vial of Globulin Green, so he took advantage of the opportunity.
3. Actually, it's already had an effect on Peter. Remember Flash slamming Pete against a locker to get his advice on how to win Sha Shan over? Pulling him under the table on Valentine's day to make sure he didn't say anything stupid? And that's just the start.
4. Nothing is over.
5. I don't know.
6. I'm not clear what you're asking. If we don't get a third season, we're not likely to get the opportunity to do Direct to DVDs instead.
Thomas writes...
Spectacular Spider-Man is an amazing show, and you've done what other spidey shows haven't by having some of the story-lines from the comics like Master Planner and Molten Man and such. Are there any other story-lines form the comics that you'd like to use? Or are there some that you've made up that you feel would make the show even more spectacular then it already is?
Greg responds...
Yes.
Mike writes...
I'm sorry if this question has already been asked before but when do you expect to get any news on Season 3? Also how is your "cause" to get Season 3 on production?
Greg responds...
My "cause"? I don't know what you mean.
We'd expect news on Season Three sometime after Season Two begins airing on Disney XD, i.e. NO SOONER than late June. Probably more like July.
Galax writes...
Hi Greg.
Can you tell me, which Animationstudio produced the episodes of the show?
Maybe a name of one or all?
thx a lot.
Greg responds...
Sony TV Animation produced the series. But if you mean what studios animated them, we used Dong Wu, Han Ho & Moi.
RTS writes...
*SPIDEY SPOILERS*
Hi Greg.
Great work on Season 2, I might not know exactly how the system works, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be renewed. Hopefully by the time you answer this you will have good news to tell about that, but for now, a few questions regarding what's been done so far.
1) In season 2 episode 8, "Accomplices", we see Black Cat spray something onto a window before going through it, we then see the window wobble around or something after she goes into the vent. What did she do to the window, exactly?
2) Was the lead into Hobie Brown first speaking in the role of Puck something you planned well ahead of time, or did Hobie's silence become a running joke before you made that decision?
3) On the subject, any chance that you tried to get Brent Spiner to do the role?
4) In "Growing Pains", I couldn't help noticing that a certain "Greg Weisman" is named on the cast list shown at the end. I was just wondering whether you have ever performed any role in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", since it is mentioned in one of the FAQs that you've taken acting classes in the past.
5) You're the best. (This isn't a question)
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!
1. First she melted the real glass with acid. Then she replaced it with a reflective "paper" that mimicked the look of the glass. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
2. The former.
3. The role of Hobie? No.
4. Yes, I've been in "Midsummer" as Theseus and in another production as Philostrate.
5. Right back at ya.
Kyle Tonarella writes...
I just want to apologize for asking for the black cat question and say i won't bug you anymore about your season 3 plans. I'll just stop asking season 3 questions and support the show buying the season box set for starters and watching the show disney XD which I've been doing.
Greg responds...
Thanks!
Thomas writes...
Alright, you've had Venom in season 1 and 2 or 'The Spectacular Spider-Man, and you gave Cletus Kassidy a cameo in season 2. Does this mean your going to introduce Carnage into the fray, or would that be a bit much for the show?
Greg responds...
No comment.
Michael Byrne writes...
Hey, Greg! Just wanted to say that I loved every new episode of Season 2, all the way up to Goblin and Spidey's climactic battle! But...there is something I want to understand about [[spoiler]] Norman. Why did he go to such measures to take over the Big Man's empire after his identity was guessed by Spidey? I mean, Normie has it all: a great tech company, a loyal son, and a home people only dream of renting. Was he trying to protect all that from others by taking command, or was he simply an ungrateful tyrant obsessed with power and money? I mean, I know he cares about his son in little amounts...but I just can't fathom the reasons for why he did what he did.
Either way, it's been a great two seasons so far, and I encourage you to keep the dream of a season 3 alive. This series, simply put, is lightning in a bottle.
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!
Well, my gut reaction is to say if it isn't clear what kind of guy he is from the episodes themselves (let alone 40+ years of continuity) then nothing I say here is going to matter much. But basically, he wanted MORE.
Tom Daylight writes...
Hi Greg,
Congratulations on putting together the best screen adaptation of Spider-Man of all time. I was particularly impressed with your Green Goblin whodunnit. I wonder if you're going to take a similar approach to the Hobgoblin story?
As far as I can see, there are not only a ton of "red herring" candidates in the source material (in fact Roger Stern said it could have been absolutely anyone other than Peter Parker and Robbie - and indeed he invited his replacement Tom DeFalco to unmask Hobgoblin as anyone he liked, although ironically he'd left the book by the time that happened), there's at least four alternative candidates you could genuinely cast in the role (names and descriptions omitted for the sake of spoiler aversion; I hope you know which I'm referring to). The character who was unmasked and officially was the first Hobgoblin for nine years, the character who was revealed to actually be the original Hobgoblin after all that time (mainly due to some writer switches), the character who took on the Hobgoblin's mantle after believing he'd murdered the first one, and the character who became Hobgoblin in Ultimate Spider-Man.
So the way I see it, the casting of this character won't be as clear-cut as "the guy it technically was in the comics all along", because in reality it was a whole bunch of different characters depending on when you were reading it. And casting Montana as Shocker, Tombstone as the Big Man, etc, suggests to me that you're not afraid of playing against the diehards' expectations. So, presuming there is a season three... will this kind of thing play into your Hobgoblin story, or will you be introducing him more as a viewer-in-on-everything supervillain?
Hey, maybe you could even satisfy that Robbie fan by making him a suspect this time. :)
Greg responds...
No comment.
THE BIG CHEESE writes...
Hi Greg. I have always wondered why did you make the Big Man of Crime Tombstone? Because in the comics, Tombstone was a hitman. Thanks. Please write me back.
Greg responds...
As I've stated (many times) before, our original plan was to use Kingpin, but he turned out to be unavailable to us. Tombstone seemed like a character who would well-fit that roll, and I think that proved true. I'd still like to have a shot at Kingpin some day, but I can hardly regret how things turned out.
Anonymous writes...
"I did read "One More Day" and I read the first year or so of "Brand New Day" before my workload overwhelmed me. It would be pretty hypocritical of me to rant against the resetting of timelines, since in essence that's what I've done on this show. "
How would it be hypocritical? You are starting a new universe from scratch with the benefit of hindsight. Marvel reset an existing universe to a status quo that hadn't existed in two decades.
What are your thoughts on the marriage between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson? Do you think it was a good idea? Marvel, and a lot of anti-marriage fans seem to be stuck on this Spider-Archie character. It's like they don't want their characters to grow and evolve.
Spider-Man has always seemed to be a story about coming of age and growing up. That seems to be the theme of your show also.
Did Marvel drop the ball and lose sight of who this character is? Because it seems that way to me.
I would have loved to see him as a dad, raising Baby May with Mary Jane, but Marvel chose to have Norman Osborn kidnap or kill that child (they never said what happened) because they felt it would age him.
But what sucks the most is that Stan Lee was the one who married them. It's what he wanted for his characters. What Marvel did to them would be like some future writer of "Gargoyles" deciding that it's boring if Goliath and Elisa get together because the tension there was the core of the relationship and resets their entire relationship back to what it was in the first episode.
Greg responds...
SIMPSONS SPOILERS!!!!
Personally, I like characters who grow and change. My all time favorite episode of The Simpsons, is the one where Lisa is having her fortune told and we flash-forward to her in college, falling in love and NOT getting married.
But when you're working on a commercial property that fundamentally has to work commercially, it can be tough when your series has evolved beyond its original premise, especially when you have MULTIPLE authors who have pushed and pulled the thing in multiple (well-intentioned) directions over the course of 40+ years. (Stan wasn't REALLY the guy who married Pete & M.J., no matter how much he participated in the decision and execution of the wedding itself. His run on the book had long since ended.)
Ttake the argument to it's natural extreme. Let's say, to be generous, that Pete was 15 in 1962. So now in 2009, he's 62-years-old. By all rights, if we really wanted to see him change and grow over time, we wouldn't be reading about Pete and M.J. raising baby May. We'd be reading about Pete and M.J. attending May's wedding and the birth of HER kids. (Or whatever.) And we'd be seeing a 62-year-old Spidey swinging around the city... or seriously considering retirement (or whatever).
Now, me? Yeah, actually, that REALLY interests me. It totally does. But I get why it's a commercial nightmare -- and you must also.
You ask how would it be hypocritical of me to rant against resetting timelines, but the answer is pretty obvious. Sony and Marvel approach me about doing a new Spidey show, and I pitch them a sixteen-year-old Pete in high school in 2008. I'm resetting. (You call it "starting a new universe from scratch", but really, what's the difference?) I could have pitched them: I'd like to see Spider-Man as a grandpa. They wouldn't have bought it and frankly, as much as it interests me, I'm not sure I'd have wanted to do it as a Saturday morning cartoon even if they had said yes.
And bringing up an ensemble show like Gargoyles with (more or less) a single guiding hand is really apples and oranges. I can evolve the premise and the relationships and even age the characters, because I can constantly add younger characters at the other end to maintain commerciality. Best of both worlds.
But with a single character property like Spider-Man, what happens when you've aged him beyond his premise. Do you live with it? Do you try to make it work commercially anyway? Can the premise evolve? Or do you find a way to reset. There's no one right answer, but folks have to bite the bullet and decide. Once a decision is made, then it becomes about execution.
STAR TREK SPOILERS!!!
Look at the recent Star Trek movie. They took the continuity and reset it using time travel. The Spidey staff used Mephisto. The concept of the reset/clean slate was surprisingly similar. What remains is execution. Some folks may buy into the Trek reset because of the execution. Some may not. Same with Spidey. And then there are some folks who just don't like the idea of doing a reset AT ALL. That's legit too.
I had the advantage of doing an adaptation for another medium. So I could reset without any continuity excuse. And still, at the end of the day, whether people liked what I did had a lot more to do with execution than themere FACT that I did or didn't reset. Same, I'd guess, goes for One More Day/Brand New Day.
Clark Cradic writes...
Are there any particular Sagas you're hoping to intergrate with the Spectacular Universe? Like the Clone Saga, Six Arm Saga, Indentity Crisis Saga, or some combination?
Greg responds...
Yes.
Anonymous writes...
why is Peter not trying to be with Mary Jane? Why is it Gwen? He married Mary Jane in the comics. He was in love with Mary Jane in all the other cartoons. He was with Mary Jane in the movies. Why is she not important here?
And why this stuff with Liz? Gwen/Peter/MJ should be the triangle. Not Liz.
And Mary Jane should be who he loves, not Gwen.
Greg responds...
Well, if you read the original comics, Gwen was his first real love, and his (much later) relationship with Mary Jane was a DIRECT result of their shared grief over her death. Betty was his first girlfriend, and Liz was someone else he was into as well for a considerable period of time. M.J. was always hot, but early on, she was never interested in being a one-man woman. That's just who she was. We're trying to be true to all that, and more. So have a little patience.
Brad writes...
You answered my question about Morbius by saying that you could only confirm plans for Hobgoblin and Scorpion, but I guess what I really wanted to know was if you could actually use him at all? I've heard the 90's show had many problems clearing him for the network, not allowing him to use his fangs or say the word 'blood' (opting instead for suction cups in his hands and a desire for 'plasma'.)
Loved the first two seasons and particularly the framing devices used in the second (nice touch with the Opera), anxiously awaiting a season 3.
Greg responds...
No comment on Morbius. Thanks for the kind words.
Bazell writes...
Glad this site is back up and running. I hope you got everything done that you needed during the hiatus.
Spectacular Spider-Man has been, well, freakin' spactacular. As a life long Spider-Man fan and current comic book reader, it is with an air of nerdy sophistication that I lend my compliments to all involved in the process.
Now that my nose is sufficiently brown:
I know that translations from one established medium to another require changes and adaptation, not only in terms of style but content as well. I don't pretend to know much about the official process of adapting a story into a new format, but watching many of these television shows and movies that are based on comic book (or novel) storylines that I am intimatly framiliar with often can leave me... wanting. Even in this current show, clearly many alterations of the original storyline have been made. Certainly some of the changes are for the purposes of pacing, keeping episode count down, updating things for modern audiences, etc. But other changes seem unneceassary in terms of such thing to the casual, yet involved, viewer like me. Now understand, I am in no way asking you to justify changes that have been made to a story I already know. If it was the EXACT same story, then I would know what's going to happen at all times. I am confident that changes you and your team have made have been for the purposes of telling the best Spider-Man story you could, so my question is this: what can dictate the changes you make? Also, I assume you must seek some sort of approval from Marvel or Lee/Ditko or someone... is that oversight strict, or are you given certain measures of freedom? Are there any changes you made that you regret? What aspects of the Spider-Man mythos did you consider sacrosanct beyond the obvious necessities about his origin story?
Thank you, as always, for the time you give us fans.
Greg responds...
SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!
Marvel approves everything. But I have to say, they've been great partners -- which of course to me means they seem to love what we're doing! ;)
Changes are dictated by all the things you mentioned above, but in adapting the property, we tried to follow what we came to call "The Five Cs": Make it Contemporary, Cohesive, Coherent, Classic and iConic.
When you lay eyes on any character for the first time, especially the villains, you want the viewer to say, "Wow, yes! That IS Doctor Octopus [or whomever]!" He has to be that iconic, that classic. But at the same time we want to make his look contemporary.
The same notion applies to storytelling. Over forty plus years of continuity (with ideas coming from Lee/Ditko, Lee/Romita and everyone since including Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the Raimi movies, etc.), there's going to be a ton of interesting characters and story ideas, but there's also going to be considerable duplication, a false start here and there, conflicting interpretations, etc. Having the advantage of hindsight when looking at this wealth of material, we strived to make the show more coherent and cohesive than the original.
This in turn helps it feel more contemporary. Storytelling has changed over the last set of decades, and a modern audience is more sophisticated with more stringent expectations. For example, just having every villain (and your hero) created from random exposures to radiation is a bit tough to swallow... on many levels. So -- as arrogant as I know it sounds -- we try to improve on the origins, by weaving characters and plotlines together, by limiting the sources of where someone can get super-powers, etc. Likewise, we may combine two characters that overlap so much that they fulfill the same function. For example, Bennett Brant + Mark Raxton/Molten Man = Mark Allan/Molten Man, or it did for us, anyway. Doing this made things more coherent and more personal to Spider-Man/Peter.
Having said all that, it was EXTREMELY important to us that the characters remained Classic and Iconic in the writing as well as the visuals. I STUDIED these characters and all the source material intensely. I tried to get down to the core essence of each character, i.e. what made him or her who he or she was to the reader. Flash is a bully, who deep down is actually an honorable guy. He's a guy who starts out as Pete's nemesis (and ironically Spidey's biggest fan) and eventually becomes both a decorated war veteran and one of the few people that Pete can count on. We knew we were starting with High School Flash, but we wanted to plant seeds of the guy we knew he'd become.
On the other hand, I studied Shocker. Great powers. Fun battles. Iconic costume. Secret i.d. = a cypher. Yes, we know his name, but there's nothing about Herman that makes him special. So in an attempt to make our universe more cohesive and coherent, I combined Montana with Shocker. I don't make that decision likely, and I do get that this bothers some folks, but it really felt like it worked in the context of our series, and Marvel agreed.
Another example: The Green Goblin was introduced as a mystery. Stan and Steve kept us guessing as to who was the man behind the mask for years. That mystery seemed FUNDAMENTAL to the character. And yet we knew that the audience knew that Norman Osborn was the Goblin. So how do you create a fundamentally necessary mystery when the audience already knows the answer? The solution was misdirection. Many people still guessed or assumed that Norman was the Goblin, but some people were fooled (at least briefly) and because I was NOT above making Montana into Shocker, seeds of doubt were planted. There's been (thankfully) a lot of positive feedback on our second season finale. And many people said something along the lines of, "Even though I knew it was Norman Osborn, you still kept me guessing." That's exactly what we hoped would happen.
This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other examples. But it should give you something of a window into our very exacting process.
Anonymous writes...
Hi...
Can we see th Chameleon in season three?
Can we see the Lizard in season three, too?
Will Sandman be back in season three?
Will Rhino return for a third season?
Do you have plans for Doc Ock be in more than one episode for season three?
Is Venom going to be back for season three?
Can Mysterio be back in season three?
~ Thanx
Greg responds...
And again, no comment. NO COMMENT on what's planned for Season Three, beyond the arrival of Hobgoblin and Scorpion. Those are two BIG spoilers. And I'm not giving out any others.
BackLash writes...
Hello sir,
1. In episode 9 "The Uncertainty Principle, who was that "cheerleader" in the ping wig and green jacket, hanging out with Flash and the "girls"?
2. How come Montana is the Shocker in the show?
3. If there is later seasons, will Bluebird or Prowler make appearances?
Greg responds...
1. Uh... honestly, it's been so long since I saw that episode, it's hard to remember which guy was wearing the pink wig. Was it Rand? Kenny? Hobie? Tiny?
2. I've addressed this. Check the archives.
3. No comment.
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