The Ultimate Spider-Man Animated Series Discussion Thread

[ToDandy]

Originally Posted by ericadawn16

Wow, I guess I have a pre-schooler mentality then. I LOVED the Asgard episode on Sunday especially that Coulson showed up again and that they did the Ferris Bueller reference which doubled as an in-joke because of Jennifer Grey.

My only real problem with the episode was Peter outwitting Loki; believable from Natasha but not so much from Peter...

I wasn't saying that if you liked the episode you have a preschool mentality.

I was saying that out of ALL the stories they could have gone with, the fact they chose Throg seemed almost catering to that audience and too someone unfamiliar with how that story was done in the comics...it felt very very silly.

[Spider-Aziz]

Originally Posted by mehrabix

Spectacular Spider-man had no bad episode; heck, it didnt even have an average episode! Batman TAS (which I like tremendosuely and have a great respect for) however, had a few stinkers in its first 20 episodes: The Underdwellers, The Forgotten, Prophecy of Doom and, to some extent, The Cat and the Claw: Part I& II and apart from a handful of absolutely great episodes("Over the Edge", "Legends of the Dark Knight"," Mad Love"), seasons I & II of the New Batman Adventures (1997-1999) were mediocre at best.

Originally Posted by GamerSlyRatchet

I would say B:TAS deserves the cred more about what it STARTED, rather than what it is. The show itself has some inconsistent quality. When it was good, it was pretty damn awesome, but when it was bad....yikes!

SSM is definitely the more consistent one, though. Whether it would have remained consistent could have been shown through more episodes, but alas....

Can't say I agree with you guys, I love all the episodes of that show, even the considerably silly ones are pretty strong

[Dread]

Onto scheduled posting, "FIELD TRIP" is the 9th episode of "ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN"; I am amazed I have made it this far into the show. Only three more and I have matched the episode length I have endured on the far worse "SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED" and the arguably worse "MTV SPIDER-MAN" show. According to Wikipedia, this episode and a few others was/were written by Alex Soto, who was one of the old collaborators on "TEEN TITANS" - another show which often had a manic, uneven tone. Out of the past 5 episodes, roughly every other episode features a team-up with another established superhero; episode 5 had Iron Man, episode 7 had the Hulk, and this episode has Thor. This in and of itself is not a bad thing; heaven knows other shows like "AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES" and "YOUNG JUSTICE" are going nuts on the team-ups this season. So while "A:EMH" managed to get a rollicking adventure going with their guest character, how did "USM" fare?

It fared about average, as usual.

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

Peter Parker and his SHIELD buddies are on a field trip led by Agent/Principal Coulson through the museum of natural history, and are in the Norse mythology wing. When Danny Rand manages to transcribe the rune writing on the piece, a Frost Giant is summoned and goes on a rampage. The teen superheroes are unable to stop it until Thor is called to take care of the ice giant. However, when the prideful hero touches a strange stone around the creature's neck, he is transformed into a frog via the scheme of Loki. Can Spider-Man, his chums, and the Frog Of Thunder manage to save Asgard from being taken over by Loki and his gang of Frost Giants? Of course they do.

The most clever bit in the entire episode was the Frog Of Thunder part. That was one of the most memorable parts of the iconic Walt Simonson run on THOR aside for the Surtur Saga, and while a show like "A:EMH" which is very straight forward would be a poor place for it, a show that plays itself for laughs at all costs like this is a natural. While you could argue that all it did was allow the show to make fun of Thor almost the moment he arrived, all I'd respond is what ELSE would one expect of this show, which never takes anyone or anything seriously? There were parts that reminded me of other "the hero is turned into a frog" episodes from other shows; most notably "KISS N' TELL" from "LEGEND OF ZELDA". It is part of a humility lesson which Thor often has to learn from time to time and is often part of his character arcs. Travis Willingham voices Thor and does a fine job with what he has to work with.

As usual, Spider-Man continues to be the most irritating presence on his own show. The "face the camera and talk to the audience as if they're morons" segments are back in full swing, although arguably not as severe as in some other episodes. The fact that "EXCLUSIVE" lacked those bits and was easily the most suspenseful episode of the show is a clear sign the show's writers and producers clearly believe those bits are comedy gold. The running gag of the show is that Peter Parker hates field trips because he always gets bitten by something on it, which telegraphs the dumb joke in the finale 20 minutes in. As usual, Sam Washington/Nova is the butt of jokes and is even more irritating than Spider-Man, while White Tiger continues to lecture Spider-Man upon competence, which he rarely takes seriously unless he has to. Power Man and Iron Fist continue to be the moderates on the team, often contributing to the rare moments of sanity the show has. As usual, Spidey and the show will make joke after joke after joke and at best 10% of them are genuinely funny.

"Let's see that again in slo-mo!" Um, no, Spidey, let's not and get on with your generic ripped-from-1981 plot. Seeing Nova smacked into a display case like a baseball was mildly amusing with the sound effect; I don't need to rewatch it in an exaggerated slo-mo sequence for another minute as the show desperately tries to wring another cheap laugh out of a cheap joke.

"They can't all be winners." Honestly, Spidey? I'd settle for a SINGLE winner.

The show attempts to tell a moral about humility and turning weaknesses into strengths - a theme for a few episodes - but Spider-Man once again ruins it. At one point he whines about having to be "the title hero" and thus be obligated to learn a life lesson as opposed to getting a short term trinket. I honestly am having a hard time buying that this is the same character who bought into "with great power comes great responsibility" at all. The show also had some awkward power level stuff; in the museum all five heroes are unable to hold their own against a single Frost Giant and even before they get their Norse weapons, they're able to bat around quite a few without nearly as much trouble. At this point I am starting to think this show is "THE TICK" played straight. The joke of "THE TICK" was it was about a lead hero who was a complete moron, but the show itself was aware of it and used it as the basis for a lot of the humor - "I'm my OWN comic relief!" is one of many timeless Tickisms from it. Instead, "ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN" is about a hero who is a moron, but neither the show or the lead understand that, so you have to deal with the moron saving the day because the show buckles that way. It's during segments like that where I think more about J.J.'s rants than I should and realize, hey, most of the museum got wrecked by Spidey and his chums; he really IS a menace!

Let's talk about Loki. He's voiced by Troy Baker here and like Thor and Odin, sports the designs ripped right from the film franchise. That's perfectly fine, but as often happens on this show, it is the writing and not the animation or the models which doom it. If anyone expected him to be a master schemer and manipulator as in "A:EMH", you are wrong. With his horned helmet and color scheme I actually kept getting reminded of Serpentor from "G.I. JOE" every time Loki was on screen; which is probably an apt comparison. Loki was very much a villain ripped right from the 1980's decade of animation; simplistic scheme, higher pitched voice, and winds up defeated in such an embarrassingly telegraphed way that even kindergarten aged viewers might roll their eyes and see it coming. In fact, children might think up more complicated episodes playing with their action figures.

Still, the episode has its positives. While there are annoying video-game inspired segments and deformed animation bits, they're kept to a minimum compared to, say, the pilot. As always, the authentic character models for most of the characters are so incredible that it is a shame that Marvel Heroes appearing in as lame a show as this have never looked better. As I mentioned earlier, the "Frog Of Thunder" stuff was genuinely clever, and I suppose could have been handled far worse than it was. Thor himself seemed to be worthy of learning the lesson which Spider-Man and Nova fail to on this show. At this point I realize I am happy that the Nova here isn't Richard Rider, because I would be far more offended if Rider were treated this poorly than I am of Sam. Having Thor, Loki, and Odin look like they do in the films is naturally wise; and I must say after "A:EMH", all it right in the world to see Odin with a missing eye patch.

Despite the positives, though, this is still a mediocre effort with a lot of dumb jokes, some desperate humor, an annoying lead and simplistic (at best) writing. While that was the industry standard 30 years ago when "SPIDER-MAN & HIS AMAZING FRIENDS" was in its prime on NBC, such excuses no longer apply now. The assumption that shows "for kids" have to be dumbed down to a scale which presumes little intelligence or imagination is a false one, and one which probably leads to our failing public school system as a whole. Disney's PIXAR has proven it is possible to appeal to both the smallest child and the oldest adult and still reap quality and financial success, and it is a shame some of that vibe didn't rub off on this show.

Something always seems false whenever this show tries to teach a moral about maximizing on strengths and eliminating flaws, when the producers clearly have no grasp of that within the mechanics of the show itself. The fact that the titular hero himself mocks the attempts at learning morals and fails to ever do so is also galling. It is akin to every time a production from Hollywood - one of the most superficial places to ever exist - gives a lecture about "being yourself".

Mediocrity is the peak for this show, which is something I settled on for myself a few episodes back. While that is a step up from the first two episodes - honestly - and it makes the show easier to endure, it is a shame that it's aspirations are so small, so crude, and so incompetently exerted.

At the very least, it beats stuff like "DOOMED" or "FLIGHT OF THE IRON SPIDER". Or watching paint dry.

[IronGirl299]

Meh, don't expect too much from this version of Loki, if it's not Tom Hiddleston, it's not quality level :P
Kidding. But I see what you mean. This episode looks sad and weak. With a failed lesson it attempted to preach, too. Do kids seriously want to be preached from a TV screen? They get enough of that at school! Gosh darn it, we do not need 'Spidey and Friends' for that!
Oh. And Thor as a frog? Seriously?
((I've always wanted to use this emoticon))

[Spider-Aziz]

You guys checked the story of Thor frog in the comics?

I haven't =p

Stupid as the idea may be, it's a good story, and the idea of Loki transforming Thor to a frog is actually acceptable, Loki is a sorcerer, Odin and his doofus son keep trusting him after every time he's punished, and Loki's specialty is mischief before evil, this is something happened in a nicely set environment, using nicely set pawns. I don't have a problem with this being adapted here, it was a well handled plot

Compare this to that stupid Phoenix story in X-Men, I don't care how legendary the duo who worked on that $#%^ were back then to comic book readers, the idea is ridiculously stupid, the execution is stupid, connecting aliens to mutants the way they did is stupid, an alien force inhabiting a human from Earth is stupid, and it was dumber when it was displayed as cosmic powers within a mutant, but that $#%^ was praised in comics and in cartoon adaption, I f***ing hate it, and if this was applied to USM cartoon then that is something I will agree on bashing with pleasure

BTW, as lame as jokes are to many, Spider-Man used his brains and helped turn the table, he shouldn't be the target of issues, how Thor was treated that is an issue

[webhead9707]

This show is actually not as awful as I thought. the "I'm your massive insecurity, EMBRACE ME!!" made me chuckle.

[MarvelKnight]

EMH loki was definitely better than USM... Having thor treat the young'ns as afterthoughts in the beginning was funny.

Show still sucks though, imo

[strugler]

It seems even hitler hates ultimate spider-man:

VIDEO-CLick to Watch!:

[RealIrOnMaN]

Hahahahaha)) Oh, man)) Ahhaa) This is the best video I've ever seen related to USM series. So true:

"They are killing my hero!"

The show sucks big time, it's as bad (if not worse) as 80's ASM & His Amazing Friends (I've seen 7 episodes and decided to stop watching it, it's really bad and disgusting). I don't care if anyone tries to prove otherwise. Meaning - if you're trying to protect this show and defend it by saying that it's good, fine - it's your opinion, but it's also the one I definitely do not agree with. Marvel screwed up and now true Spidey-lovers and admirers must suffer, because Quesada, Loeb and others are not right in the head.

[SpaceWay2009]

I watched the latest episode yesterday, and the one thing I do like is Spider-Man stepping up as a leader. Other than that, there was nothing special about this episode. Thor's guest appearance was okay, and nothing more.

Will there be a new episode this Sunday?

[SpaceWay2009]

Double post.

[Superhero 101]

when is the wolverine episode supposed to air?

[socool]

Originally Posted by Superhero 101

when is the wolverine episode supposed to air?

It's episode 9. So...2 weeks.

[Anno_Domini]

So....is this **** still on air?

[Anno_Domini]

Originally Posted by nbanflguy

Is Batman TAS really that good? I watched it as a kid, but i really dont remember much about it. Are the fight scenes good? If so I might look up a few episodes.

Originally Posted by Lunar_Wolf

Batman TAS was like a top class hooker.

Wow.....just wow.

This is by far the most excellent thing I've heard in trying to tell how great B:TAS is

[SpaceWay2009]

Apparently, the next episode, which is "Freak," is suppose to air in mid June. I can manage the wait.

[Spider-Aziz]

Originally Posted by Superhero 101

when is the wolverine episode supposed to air?

It was supposed to air when Thor's episode did
It should air this week instead



Should
>_<

[DawnWarrior]

Originally Posted by nbanflguy

Is Batman TAS really that good? I watched it as a kid, but i really dont remember much about it. Are the fight scenes good? If so I might look up a few episodes.

My brother and I have been working on reviewing the show. We haven't covered a lot of episodes so far (we're taking a break to polish the reviews some more), but feel free to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpSqbjI44zc

[Panthro]

Anyone else starting to get the feeling that the Marvel guys feel like they don't need high quality animated shows since they have successful film franchises for multiple characters now - something the DC/WB guys sadly lack?

[Thor The Mighty]

Originally Posted by Anno_Domini

So....is this **** still on air?

I feel the same way. I've been watching and reading Spiderman for 30 years and I have to say this is the worst version of the character I've seen. All of t he previous shows had there faults but I could at least sit through them. Until this one. I had reservations about the previous show, mainly the artstyle, but over time it grew on me. I also understand why it was cancelled but SSM being succeded by this show is just..um unjust?

The only thing I like about this show is the animation style. Every guess star this show has made the episode better than the main character has. I had given up on it but I watched one more time because Thor was a guess star. I have the old comic in which Thor was turned into a frog and it was really a good read. But this show as usual went a totally different route.


Thor needed to learn more humility because he did not think a group of kids should be meddling with Frost Giants... He was right really.

[Spider-Aziz]

Originally Posted by nbanflguy

Is Batman TAS really that good? I watched it as a kid, but i really dont remember much about it. Are the fight scenes good? If so I might look up a few episodes.

If you love the plot of Harry Osborn getting juiced, B:TAS did it 16 years before with their pilot episode

Originally Posted by Panthro

Anyone else starting to get the feeling that the Marvel guys feel like they don't need high quality animated shows since they have successful film franchises for multiple characters now - something the DC/WB guys sadly lack?

Don't know if I should think that way, they definitely shouldn't

[strugler]

If you hate this show, please let Joe quesada know.

I talked to him and he told me that he feels people love the show since only couple guys tweeted him about how much they hated the show.

Complaining on message boards achieves nothing!

If you want this ***** cancelled write to Joe Quesada and to Marvel. Below are twitter accounts for Joe Quesada, MArvel and Paul Dini. As well as facebook page for Man of action.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!!!!

Joe Quesada's Twitter

Paul Dini's Twitter

Brian Michael Bendis Twitter

Marvel Twitter

Man of Action FB page

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

Originally Posted by strugler

If you hate this show, please let Joe quesada know.

I talked to him and he told me that he feels people love the show since only couple guys tweeted him about how much they hated the show.

Complaining on message boards achieves nothing!

If you want this ***** cancelled write to Joe Quesada and to Marvel. Below are twitter accounts for Joe Quesada, MArvel and Paul Dini. As well as facebook page for Man of action.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!!!!

Joe Quesada's Twitter

Paul Dini's Twitter

Brian Michael Bendis Twitter

Marvel Twitter

Man of Action FB page

wasn't Joe Quesadilla the guy who basically said in a recent interview that if you don't like the show, then just don't watch it and to stop bothering him about it?...

that doesn't sound like the reaction of a person getting only a couple of negative tweets...

"only a couple", MY ASS...

as if him and Loeb really gives a s**t whether the fans like it or not... as long as DISNEY likes it, then THAT'S the way it's gonna be...

the only time Quesadilla ever lies is when his mouth moves and he speaks...

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

and it's already been well established over the internet through various reports and articles that there's a large and unhappy core fans extremely displeased with the USM cartoon as well as the news that Avengers EMH is being cancelled in exchange for a new version of Avengers EMH along the dumbed-down lines of USM, while USM already received the greenlight for a second season after only three eps were aired...

Loeb and Quesadilla have already stated that all Marvel animation from now on will be kiddified and dumbed-down to USM levels...

it's also been reported that even within Marvel, there are some insiders that are just as unhappy with the way USM is being done the way it is and that it will continue to be... it's even been reported that Paul Dini is just as displeased and unhappy...

so OF COURSE, the "creative" people behind USM are going to tell it like it ain't and say that there's only been a small handful of fans unhappy with the show and that the vast majority love it...

if YOU were in charge, how would YOU feel knowing that there really IS a vast dislike out there for your product and the haters are talking s**t on it in the various forums, blogs and websites that just can't be denied or ignored... YOU'D be in denial, too...

when Quesadilla says to stop bothering him with your complaints, THAT'S the time to REALLY pour it on nonstop at the various links above and let them all know your feelings and dislikes and do it in a civil and polite manner... let them know what you think... give them CONstructive criticism and not DEstructive criticism, and not peppered with rudeness and vulgarity...

and the other place to put them on the spot and make them squirm are at their personal appearances at any and all comic conventions... nothing beats a face-to-face live appearance with a large amount of unhappy fans voicing their complaints in regards to USM and the impending cancellation of Avengers EMH in exchange for a dumber version... watch how they'll try to dance around the complaints with half-assed mean-nothing answers that ultimately solves nothing, as what Disney wants, Disney gets... and Disney wants kiddified Marvel animation...

but at least, the fans' displeasure is being voiced and heard and the "creatives" just can't get away from it by denying it or ignoring it or turning away from it...

but the fans have to be just as civil and polite about it even at public convention appearances... because doing it in a unruly and rude fashion only shows the ones there who DO like it or enjoy it how ignorant the haters come across...

so by all means, let 'em know and KEEP letting them know... go for it, pour it on, make some noise and raise some serious hell...

[r0derix]

I am genuinely excited to see what the scene is like at Comic Con this year. If I was Marvel I would seriously be considering not even showing up, knowing what kind of hailstorm they're gonna get.