FOLLOWING THE OTHER animated series from Marvel Comics, THE MARVEL SUPER HEROES by about a half a year, this was the first on screen incarnation of "THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN"; being creator Stan Lee's top solo hero creation. The series boasted of having much of the same creative talent as was involved with the other, previous series; namely Steve Krantz and Ralph Bakshi of KRANTZ FILMS.
THIS SERIES DEBUTED on ABC TV at the same date as Hannah-Barbera Productions' adaption of Marvel Comics' THE FANTASTIC FOUR. We can't recall the exact time slots; but, we do know that they were back to back. It was a good time for Comic Book Super Heroes!*
THE ONE VERY 'Marvel Comics' element and Stan Lee trademark was included; after being totally absent from the MARVEL SUPER HEROES program. That would be the interjection of humor. SPIDER-MAN was steeped in it; what with a lot of wisecracking in voice over by the main character and with the lyrics in the now very well known theme song!
AS FOR THE general feel of the show, it did seem to be just a trifle tame; as compared to the comic book adventures. This sort of comparison may not be completely fair; but they are made and always will be.
IN OUR OWN humble opinion, the voice provided for Peter Parker/Spider-Man seemed to be just a little too mature. This is,of course, a small (even picayune) complaint and was not by any means, a major flaw.
OTHERWISE, THE VOICE actors did a fine job and were well cast in their characterizations of J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant and the others. This added to the use of many of "Spidey's" enemies from the comics (Green Goblin, Mysterio, Rhino), great stories and the original musical theme & incidental music all made for a most acceptable adaption.
TOPPING ALL OFF was the animation; while no 'FANTASIA" here, it is excellent for Television. Whereas MARVEL SUPER HEROES showcased the most beautiful artwork, skillfully copying it directly from comics page, its animation was extremely limited. SPIDER-MAN made up for the slack with its movement. And, when all is said and done, the name of the game is "Motion Pictures!"
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"
NOTE: * Following the success of "BATMAN" (Greenway Prod./20th Century-Fox) on ABC in January of 1966, everyone jumped on the proverbial "Super Heroes Bandwagon." CBS had THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (later THE SUPERMAN-AQUAMAN HOUR OF ADVENTURE), the previously mentioned MARVEL SUPER HEROES Syndicated show and ABC's FANTASTIC FOUR and SPIDER-MAN. Other comic book-like characters also emerged; such as Hannah-Barbarra's SPACE GHOST and MIGHTY MIGHTOR.
THIS SERIES DEBUTED on ABC TV at the same date as Hannah-Barbera Productions' adaption of Marvel Comics' THE FANTASTIC FOUR. We can't recall the exact time slots; but, we do know that they were back to back. It was a good time for Comic Book Super Heroes!*
THE ONE VERY 'Marvel Comics' element and Stan Lee trademark was included; after being totally absent from the MARVEL SUPER HEROES program. That would be the interjection of humor. SPIDER-MAN was steeped in it; what with a lot of wisecracking in voice over by the main character and with the lyrics in the now very well known theme song!
AS FOR THE general feel of the show, it did seem to be just a trifle tame; as compared to the comic book adventures. This sort of comparison may not be completely fair; but they are made and always will be.
IN OUR OWN humble opinion, the voice provided for Peter Parker/Spider-Man seemed to be just a little too mature. This is,of course, a small (even picayune) complaint and was not by any means, a major flaw.
OTHERWISE, THE VOICE actors did a fine job and were well cast in their characterizations of J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant and the others. This added to the use of many of "Spidey's" enemies from the comics (Green Goblin, Mysterio, Rhino), great stories and the original musical theme & incidental music all made for a most acceptable adaption.
TOPPING ALL OFF was the animation; while no 'FANTASIA" here, it is excellent for Television. Whereas MARVEL SUPER HEROES showcased the most beautiful artwork, skillfully copying it directly from comics page, its animation was extremely limited. SPIDER-MAN made up for the slack with its movement. And, when all is said and done, the name of the game is "Motion Pictures!"
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"
NOTE: * Following the success of "BATMAN" (Greenway Prod./20th Century-Fox) on ABC in January of 1966, everyone jumped on the proverbial "Super Heroes Bandwagon." CBS had THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (later THE SUPERMAN-AQUAMAN HOUR OF ADVENTURE), the previously mentioned MARVEL SUPER HEROES Syndicated show and ABC's FANTASTIC FOUR and SPIDER-MAN. Other comic book-like characters also emerged; such as Hannah-Barbarra's SPACE GHOST and MIGHTY MIGHTOR.