World "The Spectacular Spider-Man" Appreciation Thread (possible spoilers)

[Mistah K88]

Thanks again, I have to admit this is indeed pretty fun. I'm mainly going after minor characters (as you can see the most major character thus far is Miles Warren...but I REALLY wanted to show off that original design)

Seymour O'Reilly

First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962)

This guy was one of Flash's cronies in the comics, along with the gang of Tiny, Jason, Liz, and Sally. He was killed by Angelo Fortunado's Venom. In the show, he was the announcer to the football games when M-cubed played at home, it is hinted that he is shady when as he was trying to get Mark Allan to pick up where the latter left off when it came to gambling.

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/seymourspdm.htm


Myrna

First Appearance: Amazing Spiderman #114 (November 1972)

All I got is "Myrna - (Hammerhead's Gun Moll)". As you know in the show she's Hammerhead's chauffeur.

http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Amazing_Spider-Man_Vol_1_114


WAIT! When it comes to the rights of the characters being split between various media companies... how was THIS

Allowed to happen? On top of that they styled Kingpin off of the Fox Daredevil movie... and on top of that it was "technically" supposed to take place in the Raimi movies universe.

 

[TheVileOne]

Fox probably didn't have the animated TV rights for Kingpin at the time.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

That is interesting. Never watched the MTV show, didn't even realize that Kingpin appeared. Thanks for the great work on the TSSM stuff as well. I had forgotten that Prof. Warren originally appeared without the shaggy white locks and glasses.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

Mistah K, thank you for taking the time to put all this together and you know, I really wish we could have gotten something more like this added to the special features when the Blu ray was released. I'm certainly thankful Sony released this at all in hi-def but I was hoping they'd have included more bonus content, i.e. artwork, trailers, tv spots, commentary, etc.

As for Kingpin, I know after listening to Weisman on the podcast, he ultimately wound up using Tombstone only because Kingpin was tied up in a 'rights issue.' And I've said this before but TSSM always gets praise for being essentially a solo-Spidey show however that is NOT what Weisman wanted. If it were left up to him, we'd have gotten a bunch of other characters. It's the early years in Marvel so he talked about Johnny Storm and the F4 along with the X-Men. Again, it just adds to that whole lightning in a bottle.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

With how Fisk is in everything in the 90s show, I'm honestly satisfied they went with Tombstone instead, the twist of him being the Big Man instead of Foswell is fascinating.

 

[Mistah K88]

I'm glad they used Tombstone and gave him a meatier role as well. While I can see Fisk easily used in this role, I definitely think that Tombstone's relationship with Robbie would have been explored as he was knocked down from grace…

I definitely loved the theme of escalation presented. Things start off kind of small time with Spidey random crooks on the street. Despite Tombstone saying that no hero could thwart enough crime to dent the Big Man's income, Spidey cleans up New York enough to gain the attention of said Big Man, forcing him to take action. First by sending professional criminals/assassins to take care of the webslinger; and when that doesn't work, funding the creation of supervillains to simply distract him so that crooks can simultaneously pick New York clean while Spidey is fighting larger and more urgent threats.

Then we have the “rise of the super-criminal” starting with Norman dressing up as a mythological creature and trying to muscle his way into organized crime, and the funding of supervillains coming full circle to bite the Big Man in the butt as the scientist behind their creation becomes a super powered criminal himself and establishes himself as a major player in the New York underworld.

Spidey defeats New York's major crime lord(s), but doing so created a power vacuum, which allowed for something worse to come along as Norman was able to become the “Gobfather of Crime” with little resistance. With the Green Goblin as the top crime lord of New York, all of his attention went into eliminating Spider-Man, who could link Gobby to the Osborn family (As brilliant as Norman's cover-up was, this shows that it was sloppy/pure luck, as he had still linked the Goblin to himself by framing his son. So the second Spidey saw the Green Goblin after Harry's framing, it would be off to the Osborn household. Being a major presence in the New York criminal underworld, he couldn't have THAT liability roaming around).

By the end of the series Spidey created ANOTHER power vacuum in the world of organized crime, however this go ‘round I don’t see someone just stepping in and mopping up the spoils. Every small time crook will be trying to become the top dog in New York…

I swear, we were just getting to the GOOD stuff (what we finished up was just the fundamentals)

It was like the whole "Mob vs. Freaks" scenario I was hoping to get out of Batman movies....

It’s interesting how much they used someone as minor as Blackie Gaxton… it’s like how Debra Whitman was WAY more important in the 90’s animated series than she EVER was in comics…

Oh yeah…

Debra Whitman

First appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #196 (September 1979)

She was one of Peter's college girlfriends surprisingly... She was one of the first civilian characters to deduce Peter was Spider-Man and was kind of driven crazy by the thought...She is a graduate student lab assistant for Miles Warren at Empire State University in the show.

http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Debra_Whitman_(Earth-616))

 

[harryoscop]

With how Fisk is in everything in the 90s show, I'm honestly satisfied they went with Tombstone instead, the twist of him being the Big Man instead of Foswell is fascinating.

Agreed lol

 

[UltimateWebhead]

With how Fisk is in everything in the 90s show, I'm honestly satisfied they went with Tombstone instead, the twist of him being the Big Man instead of Foswell is fascinating.

I'm glad they used Tombstone and gave him a meatier role as well.

Oh yes, I am very happy with how things turned out with Tombstone. What I meant was, that's not what Weisman originally planned or intended. So him having to use Tombstone instead, is just one of several contributing factors to the whole 'lightning in a bottle' effect that made the show what it is, in addition to the great care that went into making TSSM.

 

[Mistah K88]

Yeah I will say that the restriction of not being able to use other Marvel characters forced them to flex their creative muscles, as the "no original characters" thing was a choice they decided early on after learning they couldn't use other Marvel universe characters (and some Spidey universe characters that immigrated to other titles [i.e. Wilson Fisk])

Harrison Thompson

First Appearance: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 (December, 1976)

Flash's abusive drunk father who was an ex cop, in the show we only see him waiting for his son in the hospital when Flash messed up his leg.

http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Harrison_Thompson_(Earth-616))

Rosie Thompson

First Appearance: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 (December, 1976)

Flash's mom, in Spectacular she did the filming for Flash's birthday video. She was unaware that Flash and Peter drifted apart by high school it seems, as she invited Peter to her son's birthday party.



http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Rosie_Thompson_(Earth-616))


Jessie Thompson

First Appearance: The Spectacular Spider-Man #249 (September, 1997)

http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Jesse_Thompson_(Earth-616))

 

[NealKenneth]

Now that I read he originally wanted Kingpin, I am a little dissapointed. Tombstone never quite worked for me. This may seem petty but part of the reason was how he looked...just found it hard to believe that someone who looked so weird could become a crimelord/politician whatever. As goofy as people accepting Palpatine as Empire after his face was scarred.

People who look like that could never be sauve or trusted, because people are shallow. Just a fact of life.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

Agreed with the theme of escalation. I loved it, I wonder how crazy things could have gotten later on. (I did recognize that as Deb Whitman, so I'm batting about .090 right now lol).

With how Fisk is in everything in the 90s show, I'm honestly satisfied they went with Tombstone instead, the twist of him being the Big Man instead of Foswell is fascinating.

Although there did seem to be something up with Foswell. My greatest regrets are never seeing their plans for him or Kingsley.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Spoiler

Harrison Thompson

First Appearance: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 (December, 1976)

Rosie Thompson

First Appearance: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 (December, 1976)

Jessie Thompson

First Appearance: The Spectacular Spider-Man #249 (September, 1997)

That's weird, I looked through Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man 001 just now, I looked once and again, and there is nary a trace of anyone from the Thompson family aside from Eugene, who was still called Flash as his main name.
Older appearances for his father is Untold Tales 19 (Published March 1997), and for his mother is Untold Tales 24 (Published September 1997).

 

[Shikamaru]

I actually liked what they did with Tombstone. It's possibly their best reinvention of a character (besides maybe Gwen).

Honestly, he arguably works better than Kingpin would have. He's everything Fisk is, but can provide a physical challenge for Peter. Also a good substitute for the Spidey/Kingpin dynamic that's been weakening since Daredevil's dynamic with him took over.

 

[Mistah K88]

Now that I read he originally wanted Kingpin, I am a little dissapointed. Tombstone never quite worked for me. This may seem petty but part of the reason was how he looked...just found it hard to believe that someone who looked so weird could become a crimelord/politician whatever. As goofy as people accepting Palpatine as Empire after his face was scarred.

People who look like that could never be sauve or trusted, because people are shallow. Just a fact of life.

I can see that argument.

To tell you the truth with the simple artstyle that was used, I'm unsure if his teeth are supposed to be like they are in comics (filed down to be sharp) or if they are jagged and uneven in a natural way (braces would fix it). Mainly since they changed his nose to be more normal looking and not pushed up... I can buy Tombstone being a crime boss because of his physical stature, which is intimidating (tall and muscular). He wasn't a politician, but I could see someone with his deformities somewhat succeeding as being "disabled" in a way would garner up sympathy, especially if he's doing positive things (while the negative is hidden), the (true) rumor about him being a thug in a suit could be thought of as slander or simply a way to discredit him because of his albanism. In Catalysts he mentioned opening up the "Lincoln Dynamic Youth Center" which Hobie performed in. So I could see Tombstone being somewhat benevolent in a way as he's giving back to his community having grown up a poorer child himself... granted that youth center could be a front fro drugs or something similar to how the LTL body shop was a makeshift lab to do dangerous experiments to crooks to distract Spider-Man...but I prefer to think of a shades of grey situation...

Now when it comes to major changes made to characters, you often hear about Herman Schultz not existing...but what did everyone think about Silver Sable being Silvermane's daughter? Greg said that her appearance in the show was mainly to establish her starting out... kind of like they emphasized Gwen being Peter's equal in intelligence, who would blossom into "Gorgeous Gwendolyn".

 

[Web-Head]

This just made me even more sad that we didn't get a third season

 

[The Joker]

I finally found the complete series on blu-ray. It's been incredibly difficult to track it down as I live in Ireland, and most versions are strictly for the U.S. regions, but today I found one on ebay.

Cannot wait to relive this awesome series. Especially looking forward to rewatching the recreation of some of Doc Ock's greatest hits; Sinister Six, Gang War, and of course the immortal Master Planner story.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

I actually liked what they did with Tombstone. It's possibly their best reinvention of a character (besides maybe Gwen).

Honestly, he arguably works better than Kingpin would have. He's everything Fisk is, but can provide a physical challenge for Peter. Also a good substitute for the Spidey/Kingpin dynamic that's been weakening since Daredevil's dynamic with him took over.

I agree. Although I'm sure Weisman would have done a fine job with Kingpin it was great that it turned out the way that it did. Tombstone was a neat twist as the big man though I have a feeling if the show would have continued we'd have gotten something more with Foswell.

Plus, Kingpin's been used so much and he basically WAS the 90s show. Pretty much every villain was tied to him in one way or another.

I finally found the complete series on blu-ray. It's been incredibly difficult to track it down as I live in Ireland, and most versions are strictly for the U.S. regions, but today I found one on ebay.

Cannot wait to relive this awesome series. Especially looking forward to rewatching the recreation of some of Doc Ock's greatest hits; Sinister Six, Gang War, and of course the immortal Master Planner story.

Good stuff man! Enjoy and be sure to post your thoughts. For me anyways, watching the series in true HD was like watching the show over again for the first time. Well, sorta

 

[Mistah K88]

Mindy McPherson

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #78 (November 1969)

She is Hobie Brown's girlfriend (and eventual wife), while we didn't see much of her in the show. I can't help but thing she would gain a more prominent role if Hobie were ever to become the Prowler in the future. The only times we saw her was during a date with Hobie in Gangland and eating with Hobie when Peter broke up with Liz in Final Curtain.

http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Mindy_McPherson_(Earth-616))

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

Absolutely incredible spot with Hobie's girlfriend. Just wow, really.

I finally found the complete series on blu-ray. It's been incredibly difficult to track it down as I live in Ireland, and most versions are strictly for the U.S. regions, but today I found one on ebay.

Cannot wait to relive this awesome series. Especially looking forward to rewatching the recreation of some of Doc Ock's greatest hits; Sinister Six, Gang War, and of course the immortal Master Planner story.

Congrats! Enjoy it!

 

[GamerSlyRatchet]

Weisman is a huge fan of all of these very minor characters. He wrote a back-up story involving Flash dealing with the loss of his legs, and all of the guys in the party (Jason, Tiny, Seymour) all show up. Tiny and Sha-Shan even show up both in that story and a few years later in the short-lived Starbrand & Nightmask, which he also wrote. He even introduced Kong to the 616 universe, and he's Korean American like in the show.

As for Kingpin, I know after listening to Weisman on the podcast, he ultimately wound up using Tombstone only because Kingpin was tied up in a 'rights issue.' And I've said this before but TSSM always gets praise for being essentially a solo-Spidey show however that is NOT what Weisman wanted. If it were left up to him, we'd have gotten a bunch of other characters. It's the early years in Marvel so he talked about Johnny Storm and the F4 along with the X-Men. Again, it just adds to that whole lightning in a bottle.

He mentioned he still was interested in using Kingpin if the rights ever cleared up. He also showed interest in Mr. Negative, so I think that hinted there would've been another power player introduced in the gang war conflict down the line.

Even though Weisman planned to introduce other Marvel heroes, it still would've been a once-a-season thing. He didn't want to overwhelm the show with other Marvel heroes and just focus mainly on Pete and his supporting cast.

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

Didn't know he was interested in Mr. Negative. That would have been cool to see. Honestly, Weisman had the potential to use him better than he's ever been used in the comics.

I don't think it's fair to say that other heroes would only appear "once a season." I'm pretty sure we'd at least have some 2-parters featuring the Human Torch or something, but the focus would undeniably still be on Peter's supporting cast. The different dynamics from having other heroes could even further develop Peter's cast, like Flash reacting to the praise heaped on Johnny Storm and the hate directed towards Spidey.

The show is pretty dang close to perfect, but I still hate that we couldn't have Weisman's full vision.

 

[PeterBenParker]

I still hold out hope that one day, the show can return via Netflix, a series of comics or just about anything.

 

[Mistah K88]

Oh agreed, I would love to see the series continue somehow, especially since all the groundwork is established. Heck, to tell you the truth, I wouldn't be surprised if this show was the catalyst of Gwen starting to show up more often in comics and movies, as I remember people complaining that she was there and Mary Jane wasn't back in the day in the infancy of the show.

Greg also hinted on planning to use Belladonna when it came to Kingsley being a perfume mogul, rather than a fashion designer. It'd be fun to revisit this female Spidey villain (since he is lacking in that department).

 

[ItchyWebShooter]

Belladonna is a really weird character, but I'm sure Weisman & Co. could've done a great job with her.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

He mentioned he still was interested in using Kingpin if the rights ever cleared up. He also showed interest in Mr. Negative, so I think that hinted there would've been another power player introduced in the gang war conflict down the line.

Even though Weisman planned to introduce other Marvel heroes, it still would've been a once-a-season thing. He didn't want to overwhelm the show with other Marvel heroes and just focus mainly on Pete and his supporting cast.

Either way the show would have been different and not praised as a solo-effort. I think without knowing that Weisman did intend to use other characters for team-ups or whatever, someone might think he just wanted Spidey to be solo like we got and therefore it earns kudos for being so restricted.

I'm not at all saying Weisman and Cook wouldn't have still done an amazing job with whatever they originally wanted--they've clearly shown they know how to handle the material.

I still hold out hope that one day, the show can return via Netflix, a series of comics or just about anything.

I know per Weisman's 'Ask Greg' site that he stated he did in fact go to Marvel and ask to continue the series in comic book form like he's been able to to with Gargoyles but unfortunately Marvel shot it down.

Belladonna is a really weird character, but I'm sure Weisman & Co. could've done a great job with her.

I agree. They probably would have made some changes to her to possibly make her less weird or even a change in backstory and maybe even race but no matter I'm sure they would have made those changes to be in service of keeping the level of quality in the show consistent.