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WEISMANSWERS 2009-11 (Nov)

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Michael Byrne writes...

If Season 3 returns, do you think that the villainously eccentric Green Goblin might like his own musical number? :)

Greg responds...

Who wouldn't?

Response recorded on November 18, 2009

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Ming writes...

With Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) presumed dead, what's the current situation with the rival factions in the underworld, especially Tombstone?

Greg responds...

SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty much the way we left it.

Response recorded on November 16, 2009

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Todd Jensen writes...

How do gargoyles feel about skin color prejudice among humans? Obviously, it would vary from one gargoyle to the next, but I wondered about that since each gargoyle clan that we've seen shows a wide variety of colors. We know that clans are family units for gargoyles (since the entire clan raises the eggs and the young gargoyles look upon all the older gargoyles as their parents), so it would seem normal for them to have such a broad spectrum of coloring in the family. And I wondered whether, under those circumstances, gargoyles might find the human attitude of looking upon humans with a different color as outsiders and "not-us" as, not just wrong, but almost alien and incomprehensible.

Greg responds...

I do think it would be fairly incomprehensible to them

Response recorded on November 16, 2009

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Todd Jensen writes...

I just read your obituary for Hermione, and wanted to send you my condolences. I'm sorry to learn about her passing.

Greg responds...

Thank you.

Response recorded on November 16, 2009

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GreenGoblin45 writes...

"We've seen Felicia out of costume and probably will again."

Could you point out which episode and which scene Felicia is out of costume? I don't think I could find that tidbit myself.

Greg responds...

"Opening Night" - It's not hard to find if you watch the first act. (It's not a case of us being subtle.)

Response recorded on November 16, 2009

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Derek writes...

Hey Greg -

I've been watching the Spectacular Spidey First Season DVD-set, and I realized that the laser sound effects haven't been replaced with gunshots, like you said the plan was. What happened? I've read in interviews that you didn't really have much input in the DVD (which is why the extras were so scarce...and I'm really sorry for that, because I'm sure you and the others on the show would have provided some entertaining material!), but I had just been under the impression that the gunshot thing was a sure deal.

Greg responds...

We remixed everything for the MOVIE edited DVDs, not for the Season One set of episodes. Unfortunately after the first release, Marvel and Sony scrapped the Movie edits, so now ALL the DVDs have their original as aired sound mixes, including effects.

Response recorded on November 16, 2009

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Bazell writes...

You have a strong Shakespearian background, so hopefully you'll see where I'm going here. About Romeo and Juliet, there is discussion as to whether it is a tragedy of character or situation. That is, was the tragedy the circumstances in which the titular character found themselves caught in, or was it the characters' own folly in their youthful rush for love (seemingly damn the consequences)?
A similar argument could be made about Spidey. Although Spider-Man is the iconic hero, the story is largely the tragedy of Peter Parker. Over and over through the decades the fabled Parker Luck (though I don't think you use the phrase in your show) has always been there, overshadowing Spidey victories with Parkers personal woes (be they emotional, social or something more serious). How would characterize the situation? Is the Parker Luck a product of Pete's own foibles or is it more entwined with his surrounding circumstances?

Greg responds...

My thinking is more... holistic than an either/or answer can provide. We act, we react, etc. to varying stimuli -- some in our control and/or range of influence, some completely outside it. And then all that gets mixed together. We blame ourselves for things we can't control. We shift blame for things we might have. And everything in between. That's how I view life: as a mess, basically. So when I read about either Romeo & Juliet or Spidey/Peter my thinking runs the same way. Not either/or but characters (hopefully recognizably HUMAN characters) struggling to make sense of the mess.

Response recorded on November 13, 2009

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Bazell writes...

I hope this isn't too personal, but I see online that you went to Stanford and U.S.C.
What were your specific degree with which you graduated?

Greg responds...

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) from Stanford in English with an emphasis in Fiction Writing.

I received a Master of Professional Writing degree (M.P.W.) from U.S.C. with an emphasis in Playwriting.

Response recorded on November 12, 2009

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Paul writes...

Will the events of "Identity Crisis" be referenced again in future seasons, since a lot of people in Peter's life ought to think of the whole incident with Peter and Venom whenever they think of Spidey? I'm asking this because "Accomplices" almost felt like a fresh start after "Identity Crisis", as though it was avoiding the subject of people pondering the connection between Peter and Spidey.

Greg responds...

So the Captain Stacy stuff felt like avoidance to you?

Everything is part of the background radiation of the show. And more specific repercussions will also be present in future seasons, assuming there are future seasons.

Response recorded on November 12, 2009

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Paul writes...

1) Eddie's transformation into Venom in season 1 felt a bit sudden; he had been shown to be a warm and friendly person in other episodes, like "Interactions", when he's trying to calm Max Dillon down at the hospital. It seemed a bit strange that he would go after Aunt May in "Nature vs. Nurture" not long after checking up on her at the hospital in "Intervention". Would you say that Eddie was just masking his anger with a 'nice side' all along, and that the theft of the symbiote in "Persona", him getting told to "shove off" by Peter in "Intervention" and Spidey trying to kill the symbiote at the end of "Intervention" brought out his nasty side? It's just that Eddie going from liking Gwen and Aunt May to trying to hurt them seemed like a bit of a leap. It made me wonder if it's more a case of the symbiote having him in its thrall (giving him the 'love' that he can't get from anyone else, since his parents are dead and he didn't have a replacement father figure like Peter's Uncle Ben) than Eddie really despising Peter enough to hurt people that both he and Peter like.

2) When Gwen thought that Peter had lied to her about going to the Fall Formal in "Catalysts", Eddie looked pretty mad that Peter had upset her. Did Eddie harbour feelings for Gwen at any point in time, or were they always just friends?

3) At the end of "Identity Crisis", Eddie claimed that he was Venom. Did Gwen find out about this claim? If so, did she believe him?

4) Why did Doc Ock's motivation go from wanting to kill Spiderman (in "Reaction" and "Group Therapy") to wanting to conquer the world ("Shear Strength") to wanting to rule the criminal underworld ("Accomplices" and "Gangland")? Is it a case of the formerly weak-willed Otto Octavius wanting to make up for lost time by demonstrating his power to as many people as possible and making his name known and feared far and wide?

Greg responds...

1. Well, let's start with the notion that I don't agree with the premise of your question. I think if you watch carefully, Eddie's descent (or whatever you want to call it) is laid out with many, many clues planted along the way as to his true character and his many issues. Which is not to say, it MUST work for you. If it didn't, it didn't. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with you. But, yes, generally you're last sentence is correct. The influence of the symbiote is paramount.

2. I'll leave that to your interpretation.

3. Yes, she found out. As to whether she believed it, I'll leave that to your interpretation.

4. His motive never changed. In "Reaction", Spider-Man was incorrectly perceived as an immediate threat. In "Group Therapy", he was perceived as an obstacle that must be taken out of the way. But Ock's megalomaniacal motivations are established pretty much from moment one in "Reaction". He had a big plan in the first arc of Season Two, which was thwarted. After that, he simply is asserting his place in the world of crime, collecting fees for super-villain services, etc. I'm sure he has more BIG PLANS in the future, but not every hour of every day is filled with that. But again, your last sentence makes sense to me.

Response recorded on November 11, 2009

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Haley writes...

This is not realy a question but i hope you read it.

I asked a question, but i total blew off the instructions in the begining. And i asked a question that had been asked a billion times before. Now looking back i worded it rudely too. I am sorry. I didn't mean to sound mean or to ask an over asked question. i am sorry. Yes i am the one writing the book and i am done. I didn't use the same location or anything that you ever did. I am sorry. I wish i could remove some of the questions i asked, but as you know i can't and if you read them before you get to this one, I AM SO SORRY. Please forgive my rudeness and the fact that i didn't read the instructions. Sorry. =(

Greg responds...

Consider yourself forgiven... assuming ANY forgiveness was even necessary.

Response recorded on November 10, 2009

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The...!!? writes...

I hope to God that by the time this question gets to you season 3 is commisioned.
I wanna believe that there is gonna be a season three but everybody keeps saying given enough episodes, all depends on the ratings on disneyxd (that frightens me the most). The Spectacular Spiderman is my favorite tv show and i will hate to see it get taken off the air for crap like...whatever they are airing.
anyway, if there is a season 3 i do have questions...

1. on wikipedia it says you guys expressed interest in using heroes like cyclops, beast, ant-man, hulk, etc. is this true?

2. are hobgoblin and scorpion already drawn and if so are you happy with there looks?

3. is there a possibility that you will ever be able to use kingpin at all.

this all i can think of right now...

Greg responds...

1. Yes, we expressed some interest in all the characters you listed plus Human Torch, Captain America and Professor X. Others too, I suppose. But if allowed guest heroes, we'd start with Human Torch and work from there.

2. No, they have not been drawn yet for the show.

3. Anything's possible.

Response recorded on November 10, 2009

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Doceinholeite writes...

HI Greg I like all your Spectacular Spider-Man work i whant to know what do you plan on doing after all 65 episodes?

Greg responds...

Right now, I'm just hoping we get an episode 27...

Response recorded on November 10, 2009

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Paul writes...

Does the timeline of The Spectacular Spiderman follow this pattern?

Biology 101: September
Economics 101: October
Chemistry 101: October
Psychology 101: November
Engineering 101: December
Human Development 101: January
Criminology 101: February
Drama 101: March

I'm asking because it's hard to pin down which month some episodes take place in. "Market Forces" and "Competition", for instance, could be set in September or October, but it's unclear which, and "Accomplices" could be set in January or February, but it's unclear which. Likewise for episodes like "Subtext" as well.

Greg responds...

That's basically right.

Response recorded on November 10, 2009

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Geoff writes...

Did all the foreign people & gargoyles in "The Green" & "Bushido" that got to speak know how to speak English or are Goliath, Angela, & Elisa for some reason trilingual? (It just piqued my curiosity that you couldn't really have everyone speak English without some explanation for dubbing purposes.)

This also kinda raises a question on why the Emir read the scroll to capture Anubis in English instead of Arabic. (Unless the scroll weren't written in Arabic. Was it?)

Greg responds...

There are two ways to interpret things. One is that the Gate compensated, and Elisa, Goliath and Angela were magically adjusted to the local lingua without them even being aware of the change. It's also possible that the folks at the other end were speaking English.

Response recorded on November 10, 2009

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David B. Jacobs writes...

Also, in a previous post, someone asked about your thoughts on the Crimemaster, and you responded, "I do not not like him." (or something like that - not verbatim.)
Was this a typo, meant as "I do not like him." or did you intentionally use the double-negative?

Greg responds...

Intentional use of double negative.

Response recorded on November 09, 2009

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David B. Jacobs writes...

Hi, again, Greg!
Just wondering: Why is it that so many characters are all in the same bio class? Clearly Midtown doesn't separate its grades as much as mine does, but shouldn't Peter and Gwen and Sha Shan at least be in an advanced class, without Flash and Liz? And didn't they already Bio last year? 'Cause if so, shouldn't they be taking a different science now?
It probably doesn't matter (and I wonder if anyone else ever even noticed), but I was just wondering.
Thanks in advance!

Greg responds...

It's advanced bio, a class designed to be taken by Juniors. Flash and Liz are taking it ... and doing poorly. Pete and Gwen are taking it ... and doing very well. Sally's taking it, and it's not clear how she's doing. Sha Shan has clearly skipped ahead to take it. (She'd normally be a year too young.) We assume she's doing well, but not as well as Pete and Gwen, though given the fact that she's a sophomore, I'm sure her work is still impressive.

You'll notice that neither Kenny and Rand (both seniors) nor Hobie (a sophomore) is in the class. Neither is Tiny, though he's a junior too. (Obviously, not the type to even try and get by in that class.)

In any case, we tried to be consistent.

Response recorded on November 09, 2009

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Greg Bishansky writes...

*** SPECTACULAR SPOILERS ***
*** SERIOUSLY! ***
*** I WARNED YOU ***

So, I've recently been debating Norman's mental state. Specifically his sanity or lack thereof. Mostly because I've seen a couple of individuals saying that you gave Norman Osborn Roderick Kingsley's personality. Norman was insane, Roderick was stone cold sane.

Naturally, I disagree with them. Sure, Norman doesn't come out and say he's insane. He even says he's in control. But don't most of those suffering from insanity and megalomania feel that way?

Psychopaths lack empathy and guilt, are egocentric and impulsive, and do not conform to social, moral and legal norms. They may appear to be quite normal and often even charming, a state of adaptation that psychiatrist Hervey Cleckley named the "mask of sanity".

Or, as Gobby himself said, "We all wear masks, Spider-Man. But which is real? The one that hides your face or the one that IS your face?"

That's how I see Norman. Your Norman as well. And while we haven't seen much of Kingsley yet (and I'm not asking for spoilers on plans for him), I am sure that they're both very, very different people. Just as different as they were in the comic books.

*** END SPOILERS ***

Greg responds...

I agree they're different.

I feel Norman's more of a sociopath than a psychopath, but maybe I'm splitting hairs.

Response recorded on November 09, 2009

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Stephen writes...

In a question i asked about using tombstone you answered "Have you seen Tombstone?"
Yes, I have of course i have i seen every episode like 30 times, and i love him i was just wandering why, my only reson was fosswell couldn't fight spidey and tombstone has the kinda muscle and speed, agility, etc. so that's why you used him, but seriously don't get me wrong he's one of my favorite characters in your show...maybe 6 or 7 in the top ten

Greg responds...

Okay...

Response recorded on November 09, 2009

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Greg Bishansky writes...

So, something a little different. Like you, I enjoy the work of William Faulkner immensely. I gained a taste for him in my senior year of High School when "Sanctuary" was on the curriculum.

So, if you had to pick a favorite novel written by Faulkner, which would it be? I have a soft spot for "Sanctuary" since it was my gateway book, even though the man himself said:

"To me it is a cheap idea, because it was deliberately conceived to make money. ... I took a little time out, and speculated what a person in Mississippi would believe to be current trends, chose what I thought would be the right answer and invented the most horrific tale I could imagine and wrote it in about three weeks and sent it to (Harrison) Smith, who had done 'The Sound and the Fury' and who wrote me immediately, 'Good God, I can't publish this. We'd both be in jail.'"

I also enjoyed "As I Lay Dying" quite a bit. I haven't read all his novels yet, and very few of his short stories. But I love what I have read.

Greg responds...

"Absalom, Absalom"

Though the short story "Two Soldiers" is so perfect, I'd probably choose that even over Absalom...

Response recorded on November 06, 2009

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Clark Cradic writes...

What Gargoyle arc would you say was the most enjoyable to write? I don't mean this as a question of 'favorites', but what do you think really made you pat yourself on the back more than normal?

Greg responds...

Uh... I don't know. The prep on the "Rock" arc was extensive, so completing that was... a relief.

Truth is, I'm pretty proud of all the so-called canon Gargoyles work. (Maybe too much so.)

Response recorded on November 04, 2009

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Adam writes...

Hi Greg. I have a question about Demona's clan. When she was gathering her clan (before and after Mcbeth became King), did any of the gargoyles seek her out to join the clan or did Demona find them all? Also, were any of the gargoyles that joined Demona's clan part of a small group or were they all solitary. Thanks.

Greg responds...

All of the above.

Response recorded on November 04, 2009

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metis writes...

so is Elliot still in the bionicle comic thing? (ps you still havent answerd my question in the archive in bioniclestory.com

Greg responds...

I don't know who Elliot is.

I don't know what bioniclestory.com is.

UPDATE: Okay, I just visited that site. I don't think I've ever been there before. And I don't even see an archive section. Besides, I haven't worked on Bionicle at all in YEARS.

Response recorded on November 04, 2009

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akif khan writes...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Spectacular_spider-man_animated_cha-1-.jpg
In this picture. Eddie has a case/prosthetic limb. Why was it like that and what made you change your mind to make him normal/perfect condition.

Greg responds...

Curt Connors has a prosthetic limb, not Eddie. We never intended for Eddie to have a prosthetic anything.

Response recorded on November 04, 2009

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Jim writes...

At what point would you say Stacy deduced Spidey's identity?

I always figured his "I know who you are, Pete" at the end of the Master Planner arc as having a double meaning. I can't decide if he knew during Thanksgiving dinner, it seems like it could go either way. But while he had certainly been studying him prior to "Persona," I didn't get the vibe that he had figured it out at that point.

So is there a definitive moment or time period you can point to that says, "He has figured it out now, we just won't let the viewer know for sure until 'Identity Crisis?'"

Greg responds...

I don't see how I can comment on this one way or the other, as it seems to take for granted the idea that Stacy knows Spidey's secret identity.

Response recorded on November 04, 2009


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