NEW SPIDEY ANIMATED COMING TO KIDS’ WB! ON THE CW in '08

[Darthphere]

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=103394

 

[Dread]

On the one hand, I don't have cable, so I'll actually be able to see this at home.

On the other hand, unions with Marvel properties and Kid's WB haven't always gone peachy. X-MEN: EVOLUTION was given the bum's rush in terms of reruns and DVD releases, and Marvel was reportedly unhappy with the compromises of the show (the fact that most of the cast were teenagers, which was what made it unique in the first place). Kid's WB of course is connected to DC and in any case competes with Marvel, so the more money EVOLUTION made, the more they'd have to kick to Marvel's coffers. Despite 52 episodes and a ratings success, the show was never renewed and WB has been sitting on thd DVD's for a while, slowly churning out 3-5 episode discs for Seasons 1 & 2 and then letting over a year lapse before Season 3 got a box, solely to ape some sales from X3. The bottom line is because Marvel is unhappy with the compromise and Kid's WB doesn't like paying X% to a competitor, the show has been mishandled worse than it deserved.

I simply offer this as a cautionary tale. On the surface it looks good. The talent looks decent (anyone beyond GARGOYLES or a HELLBOY ANIMATED can't be a total hack) and unlike the last cartoons that have all followed a college aged Spidey, this one starts in Year One, and will probably mirror Ultimate a bit. But Sony competes with the WB same as Marvel does, and Marvel still has to get X% out of anything the cartoon makes. So watch out that this series doesn't get as twisted and mishandled down the line, even if it debuts as a hit.

Kid's WB's big brother, CARTOON NETWORK, has done FANTASTIC FOUR no favors, regardless of it's quality.

That all said, I hope we get a solid cartoon out of this. It won't have MTV's gore or language, but it should be allowed more action than the 90's series by far (and stronger animation). If the cast and writers are solid it should swing off.

 

[Brainiac 8]

This should hopefully be good.


I would be happy with the 90's series on DVD though.

 

[Dread]

This should hopefully be good.


I would be happy with the 90's series on DVD though.

Disney ultimately owns the rights to that, as well as virtually all the 90's Marvel shows and even the 80's ones, like AMAZING FRIENDS. They're even worse about that stuff than WB has been with EVOLUTION.

Naturally while Kid's WB has more BS+P rules to worry about than a cable network (like CN or MTV), it's no longer the 90's and supposedly they're less restrictive than Fox, although they do play favorites; I mean, many DC themed cartoons were far more dark and violent than half of Evolution. Still, the show would be allowed more action than the 90's Spider-Man, who wasn't allowed to endanger children or punch people. LEGION OF SUPERHEROES has had some pretty decent brawls with Superman, and THE BATMAN was all but carried by action during it's worse episodes.

It was originally rumored that this next Spidey series would be straight to DVD, like some anime (they call it OAV's in anime, Original Animated Video; RECORD OF LODOSS WAR is an easy example of a 13 episode OAV series, as is GIANT ROBO, which was 7 episodes). Network bungling in some way has ruined, or at least created almost impossible hurdles, for every Spider-series that has been on TV, from the 80's to MTV. I was looking forward to that angle. But, the show features teenagers right at the outset so hopefully that will appease Kids WB enough that they let it breathe. I'll be surprised if it doesn't borrow heavilly from USM, because even the movies have.

The producers look good, once we see some promo art, hear about other writers and especially the cast, I can judge this better. I just am always concerned when the WB goes near a Marvel show after Evolution and FANTASTIC FOUR (oh, yeah, not even reruns for 6 months will really help ratings, pals. And that show's mediocre; imagine if it was actually good!). On the other hand, BLADE was handled by NEW LINE, which is attached to WB, so it's happened before. And while there was that Evolution debacle (they waited 8 months to show the final 12 episodes, which included all 9 from Season 4, and then the show all but vanished from the earth), a 52 episode run is about the most one can expect for shows now; just ask TEEN TITANS, which all but did EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to appeal to the network's lust for the demo and didn't see a season beyond the 5th anyway.

But all this in heresay. Bring on the Spider-Man!

What? Kid's WB used to go, "Bring on the Batman!"

Oh, well.

Who wants to bet someone'll ask if Spidey could crossover onto a DC themed show in 2008?

 

[Artistsean]

"The series is tentatively titled The Amazing Spider-Man. Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, The Batman) is supervising producer, Victor Cook (Hellboy: Blood and Iron, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command) is producer/supervising director."

This is going to be awesome. I can't wait to see it. I hope its traditional and made a little more mature than the 90s Spider-Man cartoon. Maybe something like Batman or Superman.
Man, i can't wait for it. 2008 is a long time away.

 

[Hush]

Im not concerned but i dont think it will be great. Does that make sense? In anycase it could be just varying in goods and bad like The Batman. I hope it has good action and character models.

 

[WeaponZ2]

Hope it doesn't look like the FF cartoon

 

[Warhammer]

^Heh. I seriously forgot that there was a FF toon on the air.

 

[samsnee]

I have a feeling that the 1st season will be average, and won't hit it's stride until the 2nd or 3rd season. Take a look at Justice League, X-men:Evolution, and even The Batman as an example.

 

[Artistsean]

One of the guys behind it worked on Darkwing Duck, Then created Gargoyles, and worked on Batman (not "the" Batman I think). So I have a feeling that he will at least have good imput on the show.
And Buzz Lightyear wasn't that bad. So I think this show has some potential to be really good.
Like to see some character designs though.

 

[zeptron]

Holy ****! Greg Weisman?! The man who created Gargoyles. One of the greatest cartoons ever.

We're in good hands.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

If Marvel puts this cartoon on a more international level,it can survive.Even if it does not do well in America,like the recent FF cartoon.

 

[The Punisher]

I'm given this a chance.

 

[Pimpjuice16]

damn darthphere u beat me to it.

 

[Pimpjuice16]

FULL DESCRIPTION:

Spider-Man swings back into television action in early 2008 as an animated series from Culver Entertainment to air on Kids' WB! on The CW, it was announced by Kids' WB! Senior Vice President and General Manager Betsy McGowen and Sony Pictures Television Co-President Zack Van Amburg.

Tentatively titled The Amazing Spider-Man, the new series is being produced by Culver Entertainment. Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, The Batman) is supervising producer, Victor Cook (Hellboy: Blood and Iron and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command) is producer/supervising director. The series will premiere on Kids' WB! on The CW, the No.1 rated Saturday morning kids broadcast slate.

"The addition of 'Spider-Man' bolsters a lineup that has proved to be the Saturday morning destination for kids seeking action and adventure in the most amped-up ways," McGowen said. "We're ecstatic to welcome 'Spider-Man' to our popular cavalcade of super heroes."

"Spider-Man is such an important brand for Sony Pictures and we're thrilled to keep the momentum going by taking it back to television with an animated series on Kids' WB!," Van Amburg said. "It's also an excellent way to launch Culver Entertainment, our newest television company."

Riding the crest of Sony's anticipated summer blockbuster Spider-Man 3, the new animated series picks up the original web-slinger's mythology at the beginning of his hero's journey - as a not-so-typical 16-year-old entering his junior year of high school. Having spent the summer engaging common criminals with his new-found powers, Peter Parker must conceal his secret identity while engaging a new level of terror - the multi-leveled pressures of teenage life at home and school while combating bigger, badder super-villains in the real world.

"Our goal is to reinterpret these great characters and concepts for our millennium," Weisman said. "We'll have plenty of resonant material for the Spider-Man fan, while engaging the Spider-Man novice with the same thrills we experienced when we were first exposed to the character. Our stories will appeal on multiple levels with plenty of eye-candy, action, humor and colorful characters for the youngest demographic balanced with extensive character development for 'tweens, teens and adults."

 

[The Punisher]

Sounds interesting enough.

 

[SLYspyder]

you say even the movies borrowed from utimate, dread? how so? the only similarity with the ultimate line out of ALL 3 movies is that eddie and peter are about the same age.

i'm just tired of seeing spider-man portrayed as a kid, it's time we get a damn cartoon that starts from the middle of his career. i'm talking about something with him in his early to mid 20's. something that can air on a cable network, like maybe SpikeTV at night. i'm tired of this kiddie bull****.

that being said, i'll still watch it.

 

[jaydawg]

Screw that. Spidey is always at his most interesting when he starts out. Besides, this is the first show where Peter is in High School. "Original" enough for me.

 

[Silver Sable]

I'm praying this new series will be good just like the 90's one

 

[3dman27]

I'm praying this new series will be good just like the 90's one

likewise silver

 

[jabbatheridge]

I'm hoping this new Spider-Man animated will be worth watching, I love Spidey and liked the ninties series but some of the other series released have been hit and miss.

The MTV animated was flawed because it relied far too heavily on movie continuity and because of that it was really constrained and unable to flourish to it's full potential. It limited what villains they could use and the types of stories they could tell, no Doc Ock, no Venom, no Green Goblin, it was bound to fail and should've been treated as a seperate entity.

Spider-Man Unlimited - ugh, I won't even go there.

The ninties animated series was pretty great, the only place I think it went wrong was when it started messing about with portals and other dimensions at the end of series three. MJ goes into another dimension, then appears to return but it's not the real her, Norman Osborn gets trapped in another dimension and doesn't die, it was all a bit silly.

Particulalry for a show which in it's first two seasons was one of the very best things on television.

I've got high hopes for a new Spider-Man show, particularly given the names behind it.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Savage]

Pete in high school? Awesome. I'm there. About damn time.

 

[lars573]

I'm praying this new series will be good just like the 90's one

That's not exactly aiming very high.

 

[deathshead2]

Hopefully marvel can make a good one. They haven't been the same sense the 90s. Sure some seasons of there older shows sucked but its was pretty good overall. Hopefully its better than the first few seasons of kids wbs x-men and better than the lionsgate movies and the new FF.

 

[Shifty]

That's not exactly aiming very high.

Well what other Spider-Man shows should he aim for? Thankfully it won't be like the MTV version and exclude certain villains. Just that's its going to be compared to what John Semper did in the mid-90s.