World The Ultimate Spider-Man Animated Series Discussion Thread

[Spider-Aziz]

Actually previews show more of 616 version except the backstory of the parents being primarily from the Ultimate line.

The only 616 thing about it so far is Gwen, even she has some of her ultimate version characteristics

 

[Jordacar]

Sorry, is the new spiderman movie based on Ulimates or 616?

Does it matter?

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Does it matter?

After seeing the new movie impressed two guys who has no interest in Ultimate comics, I will agree with this

 

[Dread]

"VENOMOUS" is the 11th episode of "ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN" and the third to feature Venom as the primary antagonist. While Norman Osborn and Doc Ock have been background antagonists since the pilot, Venom has essentially remained the only Spider-Man villain who has battled the titular hero not only in ANY episode so far, but in more than two. So, will this be a tense episode with a dark villain or an episode mired with a lot of 4th wall insanity?

Spoiler

It manages to be both, which is one of the biggest problems with this show (besides the mediocre writing). Batroc The Leaper is mangled after a robbery by Venom, which launches another tirade by J. Jonah Jameson (who blames it on Spider-Man, yet embraced Harry as the "Black Costume Spidey" as "BACK IN BLACK"). Nick Fury gets wind of this and Peter Parker naturally suspects Harry, who had donned the symbiote for his own use in "BACK IN BLACK". Harry denies it, but it seems he's become akin to the Hulk as his blood has replicated the symbiote so that he transforms into Venom against his own will, and/or when he is stressed. The monster is unleashed when a meeting with Norman goes wrong, and Spidey is stuck between defending Harry and preventing Fury and his own SHIELD allies from taking Venom out.

I repeat myself a lot in reviewing this show, but that's because the same problems persist. What ruins this episode - and many others - is the drastically contrasting tones of mood within the same episode. This is a show which wants you to gasp in horror as Batroc is stalked in an alley while accepting that Spider-Man talks to animated angel and devil forms of himself or that his reactions are determined by a spinning wheel. "TEEN TITANS" did this a lot, but the biggest difference is that for the most part that show had "dark episodes" which put the animated chibi antics on hold, and "comedy episodes" that heavily relied on it. "USM" doesn't follow that distinction with the lone exception of "EXCLUSIVE", which was the show's best episode so far. If this show was more accurate, it would be called SPIDEY THE EXPLORER because he faces the camera and talks to the audience more than Dora or Diego do. I half expected somewhere in this episode for Spidey to ask the audience where Venom was or to ask Boots for his web-shooter. And while such things may be acceptable for shows intended to spoon feed basic knowledge to small toddlers, they are condescending for action/adventure shows intended for bigger kids. In the upcoming "HULK AND THE AGENTS OF SMASH", will we have to endure the Hulk facing the camera going, "Hulk wanted to smash Abomination, but Red Hulk say to wait. Hulk find that lame, yo!"

Half this episode wanted to be a tense story about Spidey having to find a way to save his pal Harry from Venom and his own team as well as learn how to trust them more. The other half of the episode wanted to be goofy and irrelevant, making gags moments after the scene wanted us to take something seriously. Watching this show is often akin to watching what happens when a manic-depressive goes off their medication and then attempts to read poetry. If the show could stick to one tone or the other it might work better, but instead it wants to be both and it lacks the grace or skill to be able to properly mix drama and comedy, danger and slapstick. Such things are a careful art, and this show is about as deep as a kiddie pool.

Plus, as a fan, the sheer notion of Spidey traveling via motorcycle is just wrong. Would Jeph Loeb have Superman fly an airplane? It also is slightly distracting when Venom seems to sound like the puppet from the "SAW" films.

The bottom line is without the blunt and crude comedy antics, this would be a perfectly generic show. With them shoved against plots to the point that they undermine and clash with them, the show becomes a two toned mess. I'd say it was a shame, especially as MAN OF ACTION managed to attain better episodes at least 80% of the time on "AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES", but this deep into the season I don't care as much anymore. This is the show Disney wanted, and this is the show Disney will invest 52 episodes in. This is what they feel audiences want. And nothing anyone does is going to change that perception.

 

[Sebastos]

Episode loglines were released for July:

Ultimate Spider-Man
July 1st, 2012 at 11:00am - 11:30am (ET/PT) - "Me Time"
Spider-Man insists on a much-needed day off from Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D., but before he can enjoy some rest and relaxation, Doctor Octopus seizes the opportunity to strike, in a new episode of Ultimate Spider-Man.


Ultimate Spider-Man
July 8th, 2012 at 11:00am - 11:30am (ET/PT) - "Strange"
When everyone in New York City is caught in a mystical slumber, Spider-Man and Iron Fist seek out the help of Dr. Strange, master of the mystic arts. In order to wake the city, Spider-Man and Iron Fist must face their own personal nightmares, in a new episode of Ultimate Spider-Man.


Ultimate Spider-Man
July 15th, 2012 at 11:00am - 11:30am (ET/PT) - "Awesome"
Peter and Luke scramble to finish their Science Fair project when they are not busy thwarting the attacks of the Juggernaut, but their science experiment backfires, making an even bigger threat, in a new episode of Ultimate Spider-Man.


Ultimate Spider-Man
July 22nd, 2012 at 11:00am - 11:30am (ET/PT) - "For Your Eye Only"
When the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier is taken over by an evil super army, Spider-Man finds himself without help against the forces of Scorpio and Zodiac, in a new episode of Ultimate Spider-Man.


Ultimate Spider-Man
July 29th, 2012 at 11:00am - 11:30am (ET/PT) - "The Attack of the Beetle"
Spider-Man is put on a S.H.I.E.L.D. security detail to protect his worst critic, J. Jonah Jameson, from a high tech enemy. But things get personal for Spidey when he must also save Mary Jane from The Beetle, in a new episode of Ultimate Spider-Man.

http://marvel.toonzone.net/news.php?action=fullnews&id=843

 

[bigdaddy313]

great stories, but I am sure with stupid executions, character plots and bad jokes.

 

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

great stories, but I am sure with stupid executions, character plots and bad jokes.

ad nauseum...

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Ultimate Spider-Man
July 15th, 2012 at 11:00am - 11:30am (ET/PT) - "Awesome"
Peter and Luke scramble to finish their Science Fair project when they are not busy thwarting the attacks of the Juggernaut, but their science experiment backfires, making an even bigger threat, in a new episode of Ultimate Spider-Man.

More exposition for Luke? Please yes?

 

[Panthro]

More exposition for Luke? Please yes?

Luke could use some more screen time.

 

[bigdaddy313]

has the episode started?

 

[Sebastos]

Yes indeed.

 

[bigdaddy313]

finished?

 

[Sebastos]

Nope.

 

[bigdaddy313]

How was it?

 

[bigdaddy313]

well how was the episode?

 

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

must have been it's usual epic...

 

[Sebastos]

It was a pretty good episode, Spidey took on Doctor Octopus. Again a darker tone was evident....Also saw a preview for the Dr. Strange episode and that looked really cool.

 

[bigdaddy313]

how many times they was a 4th wall?

 

[Sebastos]

Wasn't keeping count, lol.

 

[bigdaddy313]

just saw it, Jesus the show is getting worse and worse.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Who wrote the episode?

 

[bigdaddy313]

Man of action and someone

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Not a positive sign, lol

 

[bigdaddy313]

You have no idea lol

 

[bigdaddy313]

next week's strange