In the 1990s, James Cameron was developing a live-action film adaptation of Spider-Man. I already covered the background regarding the character from my review of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. Moving on. Season 1 officially aired in 1994 (same year The Mask came out) on Fox Kids. Like “X-Men: The Animated Series,” Spider-Man became an instant hit. The cartoon spawned four seasons and a follow up five-issue mini-series, “Spider-Man ‘94” primarily set after Season 5’s abrupt series finale.
Anyway, you know why I’m reviewing the ‘90s cartoon. I’m rewatching all five seasons to prep up for the highly anticipated MCU film, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” It’ll be released on July 31, 2026. Which is my birth month. This’ll be a birthday present.
Amazing & Unamazing Qualities
Amazing: Christopher Daniel Barnes did a spectacular job for his voiceover performance as the titular character. It would be awesome if he attends Fan Expo Dallas. Mr. Barnes is my favorite Spidey voice actor. I consider Tobey Maguire as the definitive Web Slinger in live-action. The equivalent of Kevin Conroy & Christian Bale as the best iterations of Batman in animation and live-action._
Other Cast Members such as Jennifer Hale, (Sam from Totally Spies) Ed Asner, (Carl from Up) Roscoe Lee Browne & Hank Azaria all did a decent job for their respective voiceover performances.
Animation isn’t a pale imitation of Bruce Timm’s art style. It’s similar to X-Men: The Animated Series.
Action Sequences are pretty good.
John Semper mapped out all episodes.
Stan Lee serves as an executive producer.
Kingpin serves as the primary arc villain.
Funny Moments made me laugh. Especially Spidey’s one-liners. He often provides inner monologues just like the comics.
Random Thoughts
- The Alien Costume Parts 1-3 is my favorite storyline in Season 1.
- I’m giving Fox Kids credit for introducing me to Spider-Man and X-Men. Without the cartoons, I would’ve never been a lifelong Marvel fan. Especially being a mega fan of Wolverine. I consider Marvel as my all-time favorite universe. If it were real, I would’ve love to live and breathe the world Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Steve Ditko built.
- Venom’s my favorite Spider-Man villain. Arguably my personal Marvel antagonist.
Aerosmith guitarist, Steve Perry provides the opening intro. Admit it, you can’t skip the intro. Gets you pumped for action.
Unamazing: Web swinging scenes contain CGI backgrounds.
Besides Kingpin’s guards, cops wield laser guns. Fox Kids & Marvel were obligated to tone down realistic firearms and not letting Spidey doing sick melee combo attacks. Batman’s cartoon managed to get away with it. Why? Because he’s Batman.
Episode 1 – Night of the Lizard
After experimenting himself to regain his arm, Curt Connors becomes Lizard. It’s up to Spider-Man to change him back.
Besides curing Connors, Peter seeks to take a photo of Lizard that’ll give him a $1000 bonus in the hopes of paying Aunt May’s overdue bill.
The Avengers, The Defenders, Fantastic Four & Hulk are mentioned.
Episode 2 – The Sting of the Scorpion
Jameson gives Mac Gargan an opportunity to combat Spidey. A scorpion’s radioactive DNA augments Mac’s becoming Scorpion. Mac seeks revenge towards Jameson. Can’t wait to see Michael Mando’s portrayal of Scorpion. He’s gonna wear the suit.
Spider-Man must prevent a nuclear explosion.
The Tick’s referenced. The cartoon was around in the ‘90s.
Episodes 3-4 The Spider Slayer & Return of the Spider Slayers
In order to repay Kingpin, Norman recruits Spencer Smyte to create a spider lookin’ robot to hunt down Spidey.
Not really a spoiler, after Spencer dies from an explosion, Spencer’s son, Alistair seeks revenge towards Spider-Man by unleashing more spider robots.
Spider-Man borrows Thing’s catchphrase, “It’s clobberin’ time!”
Like the early comics, Mary Jane Watson’s mentioned. The second part recreates her introduction showing her front and center.
Episode 5 – The Menace of Mysterio
Mysterio impersonates Spider-Man by committing crimes. The real Spidey tries to clear his name and apprehend the perp.
Mysterio’s scheme was later used in the PS1 game from 2000.
Spider-Man brings up Roger Corman & Ray Harryhausen.
Episode 6 – Doctor Octopus: Armed and Dangerous
After an accident causes his mechanical arms influencing his mind, Doctor Octopus or Doc Ock for short, kidnaps Felicia Hardy, her mother and Jameson. He demands ransom while working on a deadly science project.
Peter mentioned Doc Ock was a former mentor. This was later borrowed in “Spider-Man 2.” Sam Raimi did his homework. You can tell he’s a big Spider-Man fan. His kids must’ve watched the cartoon.
Episodes 7-9 – The Alien Costume Parts 1-3
Powerful: After saving Jameson’s son from a crashed spaceship, a black goo attaches itself to Peter. The black suit grants Peter a power boost however, suit influences Peter unleashing his dark side. The symbiote has a mind of its own.
Fun Fact: Unlike the comics, the black suit manipulates Peter’s mind acting like a stone cold killer rather than becoming exhausted wearing it. An interesting take on Venom. The black suit’s a metaphor for drug addiction affecting the person’s health and personal life damaging a loved one’s relationship. The suit’s kinda like The One Ring from “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy” transforming Sméagol into Gollum. Venom’s a metaphor for power and addiction.
The three-part episode is the closest thing to a faithful adaptation of “The Alien Costume Saga.” Sony done Venom & Eddie dirty in “Spider-Man 3.” They made Peter a joke making him a nerdy emo dancer instead of having homicidal tendencies in the cartoon like nearly crushing Rhino using a metal door.
You can tell Mr. Barnes was having a blast hamming up his voice acting chops shouting, “GET BACK HERE, SHOCKER!” “YOU CAN’T ESCAPE ME, CHASE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!” “SHOCKER!”
Peter said, “What have I done?” That phrase never gets old.
When Peter removes the black suit, it bonds with Eddie. Both of ‘em seek revenge as Venom.
Weak: A scene with Venom swinging is reused thrice.
Episode 10 – Kraven the Hunter
Flashbacks show Kraven’s origins. Still better than Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s stinker.
Spider-Man must find an antidote to tame Kraven’s animal instincts.
Freddy Krueger’s mentioned. It’s funny because “New Nightmare” came out the exact same year Spidey’s cartoon aired.
Episodes 11-12 The Hobgolbin Parts 1-2
Mark Hamill guests stars as Hobgoblin. He retains Joker’s laugh. A great voice actor. A darn shame he’s a sellout. Why? Because he charges $400 per photo at Fan conventions. I have no desire to spend my money on him. Luke Skywalker has turned to the Dark Side.
During his first encounter with Hobgoblin, Spider-Man jokes, “No peanuts, no Stallone movie?”
Unlike the comics, Hobgoblin makes an early appearance instead of Green Goblin.
Hobgoblin kidnaps Harry Osborn. It’s up to Spidey to save his pal.
Episode 13 – Day of the Chameleon
Light: The Chameleon’s assigned by a terrorists organization by disrupting a peace treaty between two world leaders. SHIELD leader, Nick Fury recruits Jameson for assistance.
Chameleon uses a belt with a green buckle to shape shift. A fine change to the lore. It would take him a long time to switch masks. If this were real life, he would’ve carried a dozen in his pockets.
Chameleon has a funny moment posing as Peter.
Dark: Like the cops and Kingpin’s guards, SHIELD agents fire frickin’ laser beams.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BIGGER AND BETTER!
Despite dated CGI and combat drawbacks, Spider-Man: The Animated Series still holds up. If you’re gearing up for Brand New Day as I am, stream all episodes on Disney Plus.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 