Spider-Man News

This post relates to: Venom, Spider-Man

Last episode.  But what's this, the voice actors have already finished recording season 2?!?  Now for the animators to get their part done.

Nature Vs. Nurture

School's almost out ... the seasons continue to change ... the Lakers
are toast ... yes, all good things do come to an end -- but it's nice
to know they'll all be back AND better than ever. Well, we hope the
Lakers will improve. But "better than ever" is definitely the case for
"The Spectacular Spider-Man," which ends its first season with an
all-new, action-packed episode entitled "Nature vs. Nurture" this
Saturday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on CW4Kids.

Coincidentally, "The Spectacular Spider-Man" voice cast recorded its
final episode of the series' second season on Thursday, June 12 --
culminating another 13-episode arc that promises more familiar
characters, unprecedented action and shocking twists than viewers can begin to imagine (though message board participants have certainly outdone themselves in their speculation). Even the cast -- which includes self-professed comic book geeks like Josh Keaton (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), James Arnold Taylor (Harry Osborne), Steve Blum (Green Goblin, Chameleon) -- admitted they were caught off-guard when reading the script prior to entering the recording booth.

"This show has actually gotten me watching Saturday morning cartoons again," Keaton said. "I'm in front of the TV with my bowl of cereal every Saturday morning and, even though I'm about 13 episodes ahead of everyone else – I already know what's going to happen – I still love waking up and watching because it's so much fun to see how it all comes together. And if you liked the first season, well I'll say this:  You may think you know what happened in the first season, but the second season is going to change all that. Prepare to be surprised."

"Nature vs. Nurture" opens on Thanksgiving as Aunt May Parker is released from the hospital – but Venom has no intention of letting May and Peter Parker enjoy a family celebration.  Knowing all of Spider-Man's secrets – even some Pete isn't consciously aware of – Venom threatens to destroy Pete and everyone he loves most.  Will Pete embrace his destiny in time to defeat this new arch-nemesis?

"Nature vs. Nurture" is written by Kevin Hopps and directed by series producer/supervising director Victor Cook.

Prior to the premiere of "Nature vs. Nurture," CW4Kids will air a repeat of "Persona" at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT.


"The Spectacular Spider-Man" was the top-rated broadcast network series last Saturday, June 7, continuing to build on its already significant ratings (according to Nielsen). Those ratings have grown with the premiere of each original episode this season, easily trumping the competition -- which is now taking the if-you-can't-beat-'em approach. As further testament to the series' drawing power, the 9:30 a.m. "The Spectacular Spider-Man" encore presentation was the second-most watched show among broadcast network series last week.

Starting next Saturday, June 21, CW4Kids will make some changes to its lineup -- although "The Spectacular Spider-Man" will remain unchanged, airing each Saturday morning at 9:30 & 10:00 a.m. Moreover, CW4Kids will air the entire 13-episode first season in order -- two episodes at a time, and running for seven consecutive weeks.

Joining the lineup are three highly-rated series from another network: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fast Forward," "Chaotic" and "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX," and triumphantly returning to the CW4Kids lineup is the five-time Emmy Award winning series "The Batman."

For June and July, the CW4Kids schedule will air each Saturday as follows:

7:00 a.m. -- Will & Dewitt
7:30 a.m. -- Magi-Nation
8:00 a.m. -- Tom and Jerry Tales
8:30 a.m. -- Tom and Jerry Tales
9:00 a.m. -- Chaotic
9:30 a.m. -- The Spectacular Spider-Man
10:00 a.m. -- The Spectacular Spider-Man
10:30 a.m. -- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fast Forward
11:00 a.m. -- Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
11:30 a.m. -- The Batman


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This post relates to: Eddie Brock, Venom, Spider-Man

I have to say I am both happy and sad about this episode.  It's cool that Venom's making an appearance.  Sure it seems a little fast but why not?  It's what we all want to see.  What interests me is how the "children" will deal with the character.  I know Venom's appeared on the FOX Spider-Man series but the set up was different.  They really went out of their way to set up the brotherly relationship between Peter and Eddie.  I've been watching with my (soon to be) five year old daughter.  She's really into the show but I know her little mind will be trying to grasp the idea that they were friends and now they're not.  But I suppose it could prepare her in case a good friend of hers gets ahold of an alien symbiote next year in kindergarten.  

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This post relates to: Spider-Man

Good to see Black Cat returning.  I wonder when she'll find out he's just a high school kid.  I wonder if Eddie will become Venom this season.  Only two more episodes left.

For those watching closely over the past two episodes, the symbiote-induced black suit worn by "The Spectacular Spider-Man" has already undergone some evolutionary changes – and there are more coming in "Intervention," an all-new episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" premiering this Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on CW4Kids.

The black suit, the result of an alien symbiote attaching itself to Peter Parker/Spider-Man, first appeared in the episode entitled "Persona." For that episode, the suit fairly replicated Spider-Man's red/blue suit into a black version with its classic web pattern, along with a spider emblem on his back in black with a white outline.

In the next episode, "Group Therapy," the chest emblem increased in size and changed slightly in shape – much like the comics black spider shape. In addition, the emblem on his back had a slight change in shape and was now all-white, and the classic Spider-Man suit web pattern began coming apart with the webs starting to unravel. In "Intervention," the black suit has fully evolved into the comics version of the black Spider-Man costume.

Producer/Supervising Director Victor Cook explained the reason for the evolution of the black suit from episode to episode.

"The symbiote's control over Peter isn't sudden, it progresses – and we wanted to show that aspect visually as well by having the black
suit progress from classic web pattern to non webs," Cook said. "As the web unravels, so does Peter's control. Also, it was fun to for us
to homage both the movie and comics versions of the black Spidey suit."

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This post relates to: Spider-Man

We're getting close to the end.  I need some Spider-tissue.

With apologies to Walt Kelly, "The Spectacular Spider-Man" has met the enemy and not only is he wearing his costume, he might just be our hero. Such is the theme of "Intervention," an all-new episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" premiering this Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on CW4Kids.

In "Intervention," Peter Parker finally gains enough self-awareness to realize the alien symbiote hasn't simply bonded with his Spider-Man
costume, it's taken over his life! But when he tries to remove it, the symbiote fights back. Is it a war Pete can win?

The all-new episode, the 12th in the series' first 13-episode season, is directed by David Bullock ("Justice League: The New Frontier") from
a script written by "The Spectacular Spider-Man" supervising producer Greg Weisman.

Prior to the premiere of "Intervention," CW4Kids will air a repeat of "The Uncertainty Principle" at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT featuring Green Goblin,
Hammerhead and Tombstone.

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This post relates to: Mark Bagley, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man

Back in February I got to speak with Mark Bagley briefly at Wonder-Con in San Francisco.  Mark, as you know, is an extremely talented artist and a really nice guy.   This past week I finalized our "conversation" about Trinity, Spider-Man, and even Brian Michael Bendis.  Mark is currently drawing the front half of Trinity which will be a weekly comic with the first issue landing this coming Wednesday (June 4).  He was able to take time out of his busy schedule for us and even sent along some nice penciled images of some upcoming issues.

What is Trinity about?

Check out my blog for the interview and don't forget to pick up issue #1 this week!

 

www.comicvine.com/myvine/G-Man/blog/&blogId=30027

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This post relates to: Brian Michael Bendis, Jackson Guice, Simone Bianchi, Michael Turner, Gabriele Dell'Otto, Spider-Man, Ultimates, Hulk

Ultimate Universe?  Brian Michael Bendis?  I'm there.

You've been given the 10 reasons why you cannot miss Ultimate Origins. You've seen the gorgeous covers by Simone Bianchi and Gabriele Dell'Otto. You've seen the awesome variant and sketch variant covers by Michael Turner. Now, you can read 6 lettered preview pages of Ultimate Origins #1 to tide you over before you pick up your copy next Wednesday, June 4th.

Ultimate Origins has been everywhere…and why not? As Bruce Banner said to Ultimate Spider-Man -- "Everything's Connected." There have been ads in all your favorite Marvel titles, an ad in Wizard Magazine and postcards in your local comic shops. Plus, some of your favorite comic book fan-sites have had interviews with Bendis, teasing the big reveals and changes to come.

And check Marvel.com next week for an exclusive Brian Michael Bendis podcast where he dishes on Ultimate Origins.

The secrets behind the Ultimate Universe are about to be revealed and they will shock you as the Ultimate Universe continues to March on Ultimatum.

Brian Michael Bendis and Butch Guice reveal the secret history of the Ultimate Universe almost a decade in the making in Ultimate Origins#1!

ULTIMATE ORIGINS #1 (of 5) (APR082246)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by BUTCH GUICE
50/50 Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
50/50 Cover by GABRIELLE DELL’OTTO
Variant Cover by MICHAEL TURNER
Sketch Variant Cover by MICHAEL TURNER
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—6/4/08

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This post relates to: Spider-Man, Sinister Six

Argh!  "Final 3 Episodes"?  Boo!  I want more!  Get cranking on Season 2!  Don't make me wait until the fall! 

Sigh.

Just three original episodes remain for the first season of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" ... starting this Saturday, May 31 with the blockbuster gathering of The Sinister Six in an all-new episode entitled "Group Therapy."

Ratings for the series have continued to build over its first 10 episodes as "The Spectacular Spider-Man" has been posting tremendous
numbers -- particularly over the past four weeks, oftentimes doubling the competition in virtually all key demographics during both the 10 a.m. original episode time slot, and the 9:30 a.m. repeat slot.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, Nielsen ratings for this past Saturday's repeat episodes have been delayed. Howsever, for the May 17
original episode, "The Spectacular Spider-Man" scored remarkable numbers in all Saturday morning broadcast network kids demographics, including the key categories of Kids 2-11 (1.8/8, topping it's nearest timeslot competition of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-Fast Forward's 0.9/4), Boys 2-11 (2.7/11 to TMNT-FF's 1.4/5), Kids 6-11 (1.6/8 to TMNT-FF's 0.9/4) and Boys 6-11 (2.3/10 to TMNT-FF's 1.4/6). For the week, the original 10 a.m. episode ranked No. 2 for the entire morning slate in broadcast network kids ratings for the Kids 2-11 demographic to the established "Tom and Jerry Tales," and the 9:30 a.m. repeat Spider-Man episode placed fourth overall.

Despite premiering in March, nearly seven months into the season, original episodes of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" already rank No. 1 in its 10 a.m. timeslot for Saturday morning broadcast network ratings in the key Kids 2-11 demographic, and No. 3 against all Saturday morning broadcast network competition (behind CW 4Kids' reigning season champs and runners-up "Tom and Jerry Tales" and "Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!"). Riding those strong original episode ratings, the 9:30 a.m. repeat airings of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" -- which only began six weeks ago -- have already rocketed to the top spot among all Saturday morning broadcast competition in the Kids 2-11 demographic.

The remainder of the schedule for first season original episodes of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" on CW4Kids:

Saturday, May 31
9:30 a.m. – Competition (repeat featuring Sandman)
10:00 a.m. – Group Therapy (premiere)

Saturday, June 7
9:30 a.m. -- The Uncertainty Principle (repeat featuring Green Goblin,
Hammerhead & Tombstone)
10:00 a.m. -- Intervention (premiere)

Saturday, June 14
9:30 a.m. -- Persona (repeat featuring Black Cat, Chameleon &
Spider-Man's symbiote-enhanced black suit)
10:00 a.m. -- Nature vs. Nurture (premiere, season finale)

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This post relates to: Spider-Man, Sinister Six, Electro, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Rhino

Man a weekend without a new Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon was weird.  I kept feeling like I forgot to watch it.  Things should get interesting this Saturday though to make up for it.

Here, here … the gang's all here … with a slightly revised Sinister Six putting Spider-Man to the ultimate test in "Group Therapy," an all-new episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" premiering this Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on CW4Kids.

"Group Therapy" starts quickly and never slows. With Electro's help, Doctor Octopus busts himself, Vulture, Sandman, Rhino and Shocker outof Ryker's Island prison to quench their mutual desire for revenge.  Even with his new black alien symbiote suit, Spider-Man finds the
Sinister Six are more than he can handle. Peter Parker might wish for an easier way out of this predicament … but be careful what you wish
for, Pete.

"Group Therapy" is the third "The Spectacular Spider-Man" episode written by Andrew Robinson this season. Jennifer Coyle previously
directed Doc Ock's premiere episode, "Reaction," and takes her relationship with the character to new heights in "Group Therapy."

Prior to the premiere of "Group Therapy," CW4Kids will air a repeat of Sandman's debut episode, "Competition," at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT.

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This post relates to: Black Cat, Spider-Man, Chameleon

Check it out.  More images of Black Cat and the black costume!

Black is the new red this weekend when an alien symbiote causes a metamorphosis of Spider-Man's suit in "Persona," an all-new episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" premiering this Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on Kids' WB! on The CW.

In the episode, Spider-Man learns the hard way not to judge a book by its cover when another Spider-Man starts making headlines … as a crook! It's the Chameleon, master of disguise, looting the city and laying the blame at Spidey's feet. The Web-Slinger is forced to team
up with another crook, the lovely Black Cat, to stop his foe's faux-Spidey crime spree and clear his name. Along the way, Spider-Man
inadvertently comes in contact with an alien symbiote that dramatically alters our hero's color scheme … and begins to mess with his mind.

Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer guest stars as the voice of Black Cat. Dan Fausett directed the episode from a script by Matt Wayne.

Wayne said he enjoyed the task of packing so many plotlines into a single, 22-minute episode.

"It was a good challenge, and I think the show got tighter as we went along," Wayne said. "As a writer, you have to love the pace of this
show – it's very freeing for a writer to have every scene be something coming to a crisis. There's very little laying pipe at this point of the season. It's just going from climax to climax."

Wayne penned two other episodes during the series' first season – "Natural Selection," which featured Lizard; and the subplot-packed
"The Invisible Hand," which introduced Rhino, revealed Tombstone, and gave the first glimpse of Mary Jane Watson. Wayne also wrote one episode for the second season before shifting to another project. He said it was especially entertaining to write the back-and-forth banter between Black Cat and Spider-Man for "Persona."

"Black Cat is definitely flirting with him – she doesn't know that he's only 15 – so she considers him a man, she assumes he's available,
she's going for it, and he's reacting like a 15-year-old," Wayne said, noting Peter's potentially-romantic interaction thus far this season
with Mary Jane Watson, Gwen Stacy and Liz Allan. "Considering what Peter Parker has been through the whole season, I think it's great we can throw another girl on the fire and have him react this way. It's really capturing what it feels like to be a 15-year-old boy."

Prior to the premiere of "Persona," Kids' WB! will air a repeat of "Natural Selection" at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT.

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This post relates to: Black Cat, Spider-Man

This is more like it.  When I heard that Black Cat was going to be on Spectacular Spider-Man last week I was excited.  Then she only appeared for like two seconds.  This looks like she'll be playing a bigger role.  Life for Spidey should be getting more interesting.

Black Cat in on the prowl this Saturday, May 17 in "Persona," an all-new episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" airing at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on Kids' WB! on The CW.

In the episode, Spider-Man learns the hard way not to judge a book by its cover, when another Spider-Man starts making headlines … as a
crook! It's the Chameleon, master of disguise, looting the city and laying the blame at Spidey's feet. The Web-Slinger's forced to team up with another crook, the lovely Black Cat, to stop his foe's faux-Spidey crime spree and clear his name.

Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer guest stars as the voice of Black Cat.

The episode is written by Matt Wayne and directed by Dave Fausett.

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