SDCC '07: SONY'S SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN ANIMATED SERIES

[MattBrady]

by Steve Ekstrom

Friday afternoon, Sony executives gave San Diego Comic-Con attendees a very small yet exceptional taste of the new Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon series to be featured on the Kids WB! on The CW in March of 2008. Michael Vogel, representing Sony Pictures Television Animation, moderated a panel that featured the shows supervising producer, Greg Weisman (Gargoyles); producer/ supervising director Victor Cook (Hellboy: Blood and Iron); character designer Sean “Cheeks” Galloway (Hellboy: Blood and Iron); Marvel senior VP of creative development-animation Craig Kyle; and the actual voice of Spiderman, Josh Keaton (The Young and the Restless).

Sony’s newest incarnation of Marvel’s friendliest neighborhood hero has much more of a teenage feel in comparison to his previous show and appears to be extremely light-hearted and fast paced when compared to the character’s last program featured on MTV which was met with mixed reaction from fans and a negative critical response. Greg Weisman indicated that Spectacular Spider-Man was more of a reiteration of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s original version of the character with the theme of Parker’s education as a young man and as a superhero being the basis for the program. He went on to say that, “it’s the webslinging lessons that make him into a Spider-Man.”

Victor Cook went on to mention the dynamic nature of the series that features a Hong Kong style action pacing with “speed and movement” that featured elements of classic squash and stretch action programs. Cook also elaborated on Galloway’s excellent renderings of the characters and how his concepts were a perfect fit for Spider-Man. Cook explained that it was difficult for Galloway initially but it was the renderings of Peter Parker’s supporting cast members that sealed the deal for the producers; indicating that Galloway’s versions of J. Jonah Jameson, Flint Marko, and Mary Jane were some of his favorites.

Other immediate cast members include: Harry and Norman Osborn, Eddie Brock (indicated to be one of Peter’s friends, and Dr. Curt Conners (sporting a robotic arm). Also, as depicted by the trailer, fans can expect to see Doctor Octopus, Electro, and Vulture in the first season—as well as some of the supporting casts’ villainous counterparts.

When asked about his voice work as Parker/Spider-Man, Josh Keaton noted that he didn’t have to change his voice that much and he gave a sample of what Parker would sound like in front of such a large audience to the delight of fans. He was very excited to be involved with the project and looked forward to watching the series grow beyond the first season, indicating his feelings on the future success of the program. Craig and Weisman spoke about the process of finding and unanimously deciding on Keaton for his voice, after hosting a talent search of over 2000 applicants, saying, “It nice to know it’s working when there is that much consensus about one decision.”

Fan questions ranged from remarks about Gargoyles to the ever-prevalent biological web-shooters to mechanical web-shooters. One fan even asked if the new program would compare to Brian Michael Bendis’ Ultimate Spider-Man. Weisman followed up by saying that his bible for the series is based on the Lee/ Ditko run of the show but, “if it’s a good idea I’ll…steal it…with permission, of course. It’s more about keeping with the spirit of the characters. In response Craig stated, “The show had to be completely contemporary yet completely iconic” with Weisman explaining that, with minor story differences like moving some older characters to a high school setting, the characters were all still unchanged—to which Cook indicated that some characters may be slightly different ethnically with changes in the culture being a prevalent focus.

After responding to comparisons to the MTV program, Weisman stated, “Peter Parker is a guy with a lot to learn.” He also indicated that the cast-list on Wikipedia was indeed wrong and to not believe everything that you read. The panel closed with a big spoiler that caused the entire audience to erupt with cheers: Peter’s web-shooters are going to be…mechanical.

Newsarama's Comic-Con International '07 coverage is brought to you by Witchblade – The Anime Series. Available on DVD September 25th. Click here to view trailer.

[Irishfan7/12]

Sounds great.
Oh and FIRST POST!

[Steelnexus]

sounds ok, a trailer would have been nice though for those of u stuck in none US countries

[GreatKrypton]

Originally Posted by Steelnexus

sounds ok, a trailer would have been nice though for those of u stuck in none US countries

I started a thread in Talk@ (with link to trailer) at almost the same time this went up on the main page...

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=123011

[Uchiha_Prodigy]

Looks really promising, much better than the MTV version. I'll definately give this a chance.

[tesh_karde]

great stuff!! modern and classis at the same time

[kiddae]

Wait, there are still people that think mechanical webshooters are a better idea than organic ones? Seriously?

[Sesshomaru]

Originally Posted by kiddae

Wait, there are still people that think mechanical webshooters are a better idea than organic ones? Seriously?

I'm more surprised that people think organic are better , when it removes yet another reminder that Peter is quite smart and creative ....
Frankly what purpose does it serves , besides helping people wondering why is he called spiderman when he doesnt have so much spider like features (well until organic craps obviously) ?

We are beyond fussing about it all the time , but i doubt most people prefer it the organic way

[The Crusader]

Originally Posted by kiddae

Wait, there are still people that think mechanical webshooters are a better idea than organic ones? Seriously?

Yes. It allows Peter to display and use his intelligence and love for science against his villains.

[froinlaven]

Originally Posted by kiddae

Wait, there are still people that think mechanical webshooters are a better idea than organic ones? Seriously?

Right. We made a huge step forward, now were going backwards again?

[superheroNYC]

Mechanical web shooters or organic web shooters? To me it's the same thing. Spider-Man will always be Spider-Man no matter what.

superheroNYC

[Travel Exiter]

Originally Posted by kiddae

Wait, there are still people that think mechanical webshooters are a better idea than organic ones? Seriously?

Its all about the idea that his homemade webshooters could FAIL/run out of webbing at crucial moments
Thats an integral part of Spiderman's element of drama

Also, there's a part of me that does not want to see Spiderman skeeting white organic liquids all over place

[Sesshomaru]

Originally Posted by froinlaven

Right. We made a huge step forward, now were going backwards again?

Again , peter parker less smart , and gaining another power by pure "luck" , is hardly a step forward imo .

[SifoDyasJr]

I'm getting a VERY good feeling about this!

[MF Stark]

Beebleborp!

[bigdaddyhub]

Sounds good. Let's see if this does well. I for one really enjoyed the Fantastic Four 2006 series. Really funny and mostly true to character.

On another note, is anyone else really sick of seeing a yellow-eyed harpy licking her finger and staring at you on these pages?

[nonamesleft]

quote: "Greg Weisman indicated that Spectacular Spider-Man was more of a reiteration of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s original version of the character with the theme of Parker’s education as a young man and as a superhero being the basis for the program."


I wonder who will be provinding his education as a superhero?

[nwspencer]

I definitely prefer organic. I thought the movies handled this well-- we see Pete is smart and creative based on his interactions with scientists.

But the idea that a 16 year old kid (or roundabouts) can invent something like Spider-Webs, with no budget or real lab to speak of, and that he does it really quickly once he gets other powers... it's all pretty ridiculous. There are other ways to show Peter's a science wiz without adding something so patently unbelieveable.

Besides, I thought the point of Spider-Man is that he's supposed to be relatable. Making him some super science genius prodigy certainly doesn't do that.

And as someone else mentioned, take away the webs, and how the hell are those powers related to a spider? He could've been bit by anything at that point.

There's making a kid smart, then there's making him TOO smart. Still interested in seeing the show, though. Sometimes panel audiences just clap because they're in the moment, I've seen it a million times.

[Mundungus]

After watching the trailer. I'm totally down for this now.

[Johnny Triangles]

Originally Posted by nonamesleft

quote: "Greg Weisman indicated that Spectacular Spider-Man was more of a reiteration of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s original version of the character with the theme of Parker’s education as a young man and as a superhero being the basis for the program."


I wonder who will be provinding his education as a superhero?

The villains.

[Sesshomaru]

Besides, I thought the point of Spider-Man is that he's supposed to be relatable. Making him some super science genius prodigy certainly doesn't do that.

Dumbing things down hardly make him more relatable imo . When we try to look at it objectively , the moment he got his powers he wasnt relatable anymore . He is a chick magnet , obviously got awesome powers and a huge sense of heroism imo only outmatched by Cap's .


What made him relatable and the "average joe" are his personality , hislous y cracks and jokes , the numerous tragedies he went through , sometimes financial issues , his family values etc etc ...

Modifying his powers and abilities hardly got anything to do with that . Its just another case of taking people for idiots imo , acting as if they could never get some stuff if you dont make it mainstream .

Anyway he is a genius , and not even always shown as one , his inventions arent more farfetched than some others . Mechanical shooters gives him some well deserved credit as Peter Parker other than his morals , otherwise it might as well be anyone like flash thompson or JJ jameson getting the bite , then shooting web and impaling people .

[johnchrist]

Yeah! Go Cheeks!!

[Mjolnir]

Originally Posted by The Crusader

Yes. It allows Peter to display and use his intelligence and love for science against his villains.

I think there are unlimited ways for a talented writer to display intelligence and science prowess without a 16 year old developing a superweapon. I also got tired of the lazy writer making him "run out of web fluid, OH NO!", about 20 years ago.

[darthdad]

i'm looking forward to this. my daughter is a little too young for the spiderman films so this one will be great to watch along with Superboy and the Legion and Batman strikes on saturday morning

[Coren]

Originally Posted by Mjolnir

I think there are unlimited ways for a talented writer to display intelligence and science prowess without a 16 year old developing a superweapon. I also got tired of the lazy writer making him "run out of web fluid, OH NO!", about 20 years ago.

Bingo. Running out of web fluid became a tired plot device years ago. And there are other things he CAN do, like, say, develop his Spider-Tracers that work with his spider sense. That'd show some pretty good science eh?

Kinda surprised this ended up on kids WB with all of DC's stuff.