Mo writes...

One more I forgot to ask: How does the process of casting voice actors work? Do you have a specific actor in mind when a character is concieved? Is it an open audition process? Or does it vary from role to role?

Mo writes...

Me again, with just a few more Spidey questions:

1) Where/when/how did Tombstone get powers? I'm assuming he has powers (enhanced strength, durability, reflexes) (if this is Season 3/No comment territory, I understand).
2) In "Identity Crisis", where did Flash get a Spider-Man costume? How did he put it on with a toe-to-thigh cast?
3) How much does the average Mysterio machine cost? More specifically, how much money does Spidey burn through every time he destroys a robot or a homonculus?
4) How do you come up with story ideas? Is it like "It would be cool if..." or is it more like "This villain should show up" or "This facet of Peter/Spidey's life should be established"? Or does it vary?
5) Does popular television personality/presidential candidate Stephen Colbert exist in the universe of Spectacular Spidey?

Thanks again.

STEPHANIE writes...

MI PREGUNTA ES LA SIGUENTE: HUBIERA SIDO POSIBLE QUE GOLIATH SE TRANSFORMARA EN HUMANO PARA ASI CASARSE CON ELISA Y ASI HACERSE REALIDAD SU SUEÃ'O COMO EN EL CAPITULO "PODRIA SER REALIDAD"? GRACIAS

Bazell writes...

In a previous response you wrote, "I like to think we executed [The Spectacular Spider-Man Animated Series] well, but let's face it -- ANY Spidey show would do pretty well just by virtue of it being Spidey. I can't exactly take credit for the character's popularity. All I can do is strive to do him justice. It's for others to judge if we succeeded, though we succeeded well enough to satisfy me. I'm biased, of course, but my standards are pretty high."
In a very brief conversation I once had with Tom Defalco at a convention this year, he told me that it was his opinion that writers' particular runs with an established character come and go, but what the job of each writer is, regardless of the individual direction he or she wishes to take things, is to fully inhabit the character. I think this is in keeping with what you said. I just want you to know, my standards are pretty high as well and I think your show, as a portrayal of Mr. Peter Benjamin Parker, is a success no matter what the future holds.

Clark Cradic writes...

When the crimelords where fighting and attempting to call for backup why did Tombstone try calling for his Blackie? I mean Doc Ock called for Kraven and Silvermane tried to call Sable, why would he call a simple Bookie?

anonymous writes...

Why do you only have story arks for The Spectacular Spider-Man and not single episodes.

Paul writes...

Why is it that the lost footage (like Shocker's escape at the end of "Group Therapy") isn't being reinserted on the season sets?

Frank writes...

Hello Greg, I would like to say The Spectacular Spiderman is one of the most entertaining shows I have ever seen. The best Spiderman adaptation ever. (including the movies) I do have a few questions though...

1.) In Shear Strength Morris Bench made a cameo, not as Hydro-Man, so I was thinking he might be in Season 3 or something, but there was a question that stated something about the sinister syndicate and you said most of those villains aren't even spiderman villains. So I was wondering is Hydro Man declared a Spiderman villain or someone like fantastic four.

2. Just to clear things up, The correct answers to these questions are, You do like Carnage, Shocker is Montana on a creative decision, Kingpin is Daredevil's villain so you can't use him, and this is the best show ever, right.

3. Why did you make gwen well like me, ya know a geek. I actually prefer her this way, she still is beautiful and more likeable than someone who is completely perfect in every way shape or form.

4. Did you say Norman's body was found? How, because that Mr. Roman dude was at the airport unless he cloned himself. P.S not a big fan of the clone saga too confusing.

That's it basically, So thank you for Spectacular Spiderman and hope the following seasons are as great as the first two.

Mara writes...

Spidey question:

One of the things I notice upon rewatching the series is the awesome background music- did the show have a composer, and if so, who?

Noah Wotring writes...

If the show is not renewed, would that be the end of TSSM, or could you possibly get away with dvd releases?

Clayton writes...

Did you know there's actually an online petition to release the rest of the Gargoyles series on DVD? And the comments on Youtube seem to support it. Would you please consider it?

MARVEL-FAN writes...

Greg, will there be a season 2 box set of the Spectacular Spider-Man. That would be cool, because the season 1 box set comes out July 28th.

Noah Wotring writes...

Dude, Mr.weisman, I totally didn't read the archives and didn't realize how many people asked about season 3 of TSSM, totally sorry. But I was wondering how frustrating it is to deal with idiot fans like me on a daily basis?

Noah Wotring writes...

I'm very nervous about the renewal of the show. I want a season 3! Any words of comfort?

Matt Drake writes...

Hey Greg,
As with everyone else who has posted a question concerning Spectacular Spider-Man, I wish to both congratulate and thank you from the very deepest reaches of my heart for creating what is the best adaptation of a superhuman into any other media as well as the greatest show on television. I have several questions/comments that I really hope you will answer.
1. When One More Day/Brand New Day came out in the comics, I completely gave up on Spider-Man. It was such a terrible plot, with so many holes and destructive ideas that the character seemed to die in front of my very eyes. But then your show came along. It was so perfect that I had to pinch myself. So thank you for bringing Spidey back to me the right way. And PLEASE, don’t do anything like BND on the show, I know several good snipers.
2. I have been searching at least once a week to see if any episodes of Spectacular Spider-Man have been put up for purchase on ITunes. As of yet, they haven’t. But if they were, aside from making many fans happy, it would increase the profits of the show and make it more likely for a 3rd, 4th or 5th season. If you have any power to that extent, please use it.
3. Doc Ock has been ridiculed by Spidey many times for mistakenly calling him an “insect”, but on your show he uses “arachnid”, thank you from all the biology nerds out there.
4. I was absolutely blown away by the season 2 finale, and I cannot wait to see more Norman Osborn (Spidey’s #1 villain by far). I was wondering if you were thinking of giving him government status or power like he currently has in the “Dark Reign” storyline in Marvel Comics.
5. I realize that you won’t give out any spoilers, but I was wondering if you have some sort of hidden, future plans for Harry’s mom. She’s dead in the comics, so it crossed my mind that you may have a plan for her (Menace?).
6. In all official sources regarding Spider-Man, it is said that his webbing is several times stronger that steel, but in your show it is shown a substantially weaker. Hopeful he can make some upgrades to the serum and increase its strength.
7. Many TV series have gone on the air with their creators/producers harboring an idea for the series finale. Is this the case with you? If not, the death of Gwen Stacy seems perfect.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my queries. If you have any questions or comments unfit for your forum, you can contact me at mgarofalo19@q.com. Good luck with season 3!
(PS: Sorry if some of my questions are found in the archives. I looked through as many as I could, but you’ve been asked many questions.)

isabel writes...

how to go on the show ruff ruffs man and be a contastent

Bob writes...

Hello there Greg Weisman. I have a question about the "Reinforcement" episode of Spectacular Spider-Man. It was a great episode but there was something that confused me. What was the point of those 3 pair fights? I've already read your answer on how Doc Ock thought pairs would do better because it would exhaust Spider-Man and other members won't get in the way (you know, it was that question asked by a guy who didn't like Reinforcement). But I don't understand why they did it? Did they do it to try to destory Spider-Man or was that just to distract Spider-Man while Doc Ock would escape from Ravencroft?

K writes...

Dear Greg,

I was reading through the archives just a moment ago, when a question occured to me about Demona and her actions during "The Reckoning." You stated that the reason Thailog did not clone Angela was that he did not have the opportunity to get her DNA at that point because Demona controlled the release of the mosquito that took the blood samples and when Angela was around, she just didn't release it. But she DID release it when Elisa was around (hence Delilah). My question is: Why did Demona, who despises Elisa, want to steal her DNA and clone her? My understanding is that she didn't know Thailog was creating a female replacement for herself, but was cloning Elisa or making a hybrid human-gargoyle part of the plan Thailog and Demona hatched together? If cloning Elisa was part of their plan, what was the purpose of it? What justification did Thailog give Demona to convince her to capture Elisa’s DNA? If cloning her were not part of their plan, why would Demona snatch a blood sample from Elisa?

Grey Wolf writes...

Dear Mr. Weisman,

This is Grey Wolf, I was that shy 14 year-old at the 11th Gathering. Unlike a lot of people, I’m not a whole lot LESS shy online. Sorry. But I do tend to express myself a bit better in writing than actual speech.
I got the news that this very well might be the last Gathering of the Gargoyles, and while I’m bummed, this did give me the push I needed to write this comment/question/appeal. Here goes…

Gargoyles really struck a cord with me. I realize you get that quite often, but that’s because it’s true. I was (okay, maybe still am) a bit of an outsider-looking-in with a feverish love for stories. Having Aspergers Syndrome (a mild Autism Spectrum Disorder), watching cartoons gave me a better understanding of body language and facial expressions which are generally exaggerated for TV. I got into Gargoyles long after its original run, but between DVDs and bouts of insomnia, I grew to love it.
Plot is an important part of storytelling, ‘cause without plot, there’s no story. But more important than a good plot, are good characters. Thanks for not making me settle for one or the other : ) Obviously, the Manhattan Clan holds a special place in my heart. Hudson’s slow adjustment to 20th century life mirrored my own reluctance for change. Broadway’s optimism had to have touched even the hardest cynic. Brooklyn’s lust for adventure and ambition hit the romantic explorer within me. Goliath’s somewhat solemn demeanor and true desire for what’s best for the clan made him somewhat of an idealistic leader to me. Bronx, a character in his own right, was a reminder that our ‘primitive’ selves, full of loyalty and courage, should not be buried too deep. Lexington’s cautious curiosity was so like my own desire to interact with a world that, at the same time, was so intimidating to me. Elisa’s idealism for as a police officer and acceptance of the gargoyles made for a great hero figure for a young girl to follow. Angela’s inability to understand just WHY everyone can’t (won’t?) get along was something I shared (share).
I could go ahead and list every character from the show, but that would more or less be stalling, because I have two specific characters in mind for this post: Puck and Oberon. Yeah, I know, they’re not actual gargoyles AND they’re also Shakespearian characters--- yet, I wouldn’t love them so much (maybe not have learned of them at all) if it weren’t for Gargoyles and your characterization of them.
Puck had a sense of humor, something I had to LEARN. He was childish, antagonistic, playful, and FUN. I can only wish I had the same wit and carefree state of mind. Granted, I’m a bit more mature than he is (thank God), but still; Puck’s pretty darn awesome.
Oberon scared the frig out of me at first. Something with THAT much power and THAT much ego went against everything I ever learned about the balance between power and responsibility. But deep down, he’s not such a bad guy; just… sort of a baby (oooh, don’t tell him I said that!). His hissy fits would have been comical if they weren’t so dangerous, and didn’t have such dire consequences. In my meekness, maybe I envied his self-confidence.
I can forgive them their moral lapses on the basis that they seem…. adolescent, almost? (Like I should talk…) It seems the not-so-nice things they do are more out of impulse than malice. Intent means SOMETHING, right?
Okay, now to my point. Obie and Puck seemed pretty tight in a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and even after the DEBACLE The Gathering Parts I and II, you’ve hinted to the idea that they still care for each other.
Alright, I’m a softie. Puck’s banishment at the hands of someone he loved (you have to feel some affection for the person you serve to be a good servant, right?) was absolutely heart wrenching! Okay, I felt a little bad for Oberon, too. He felt betrayed, and frankly, banishing his servant is gonna come back to bite him in the rear sooner or later. I cried, and MAN was I ticked it wasn’t resolved (even addressed!) before the series was canceled. If ever I wanted a particular story finished, that would be it. It’s literally been nagging me for over three years now, at LEAST. (Yay OCD...)

I asked you at the Gathering in Pigeon Forge whether Oberon would ever forgive Puck or not. I remember you smiled and said that “Ever is a really long time”, but that he hadn’t by 2198, and I’d have to wait and see.
I’m willing to wait and see, but the comic being canceled, and the idea that this could be the last Gathering of the Gargoyles has kinda disheartened me. Not that I’m going to give up on hoping; nobody can get rid of me THAT easily.
The question I’m going to ask you is: Will Puck and Oberon EVER be friends again?
I can wait ‘till the Gathering in August, if you like. I can even wait longer than that for an answer, say 2015, but I really am hoping for an answer. In fact, I’d like to hear/read/watch the story; but I realize I’ll have SERIOUS wait for THAT.
So, is it okay if I ask you at the Gathering?

Harlan Phoenix writes...

"Harlan Phoenix writes...

So, what's Midtown High student Greg Weisman like?
Greg responds...

I know you're kidding, but I'm not quite getting the joke."

Ah, that's fine. I was making a little gag about the minor cameo you had with your name on the Midsummer Night's Dream cast list in season 2 of Spidey. I thought it would've made a fun candidate for a Smart Ass Response.