History WesternANimation / TheSpectacularSpiderMan

::Since Gobbie was the only character present in both scenes, it seems he can only be [[FourthWallObserver addressing the viewer]] here -- but then we also know he's fond of TalkingToHimself (even if he doesn't explicitly have a SplitPersonality as in the [[Film/SpiderMan1 Raimi film]]).

''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' is a short-lived animated series based on the Creator/MarvelComics' [[Franchise/SpiderMan web-slinging superhero]] and developed for television by Creator/GregWeisman of ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' fame. The series features Peter Parker (Creator/JoshKeaton) as a geeky OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent who was bitten by a genetically-altered spider and gained spider powers during the previous school year and spent all summer as Spider-Man.

This Spider-Man reappears in the 2023 movie ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse'', complete with Josh Keaton voicing him again.

''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' is a short-lived animated series based on the Creator/MarvelComics' [[Franchise/SpiderMan web-slinging superhero]] and developed for television by Creator/GregWeisman of ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' fame. The series features Peter Parker as a geeky OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent who was bitten by a genetically-altered spider and gained spider powers during the previous school year and spent all summer as Spider-Man.

This Spider-Man is set to make an appearance in the 2023 movie ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse''.

* AnimatedAdaptation: This show is widely considered an AdaptationDistillation of the Spider-Man mythos. While the show does stay true to the comics (through being based on [[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeAndDitko the early comic stories]] by Creator/StanLee & Creator/SteveDitko; the show brought in characters, story lines, and plot elements with a similar balance of action, drama and comedy as well as a high school setting), it also tends to utilize material from all eras of the comic's run and other sources such as the more recent ones, the Ultimate Comics, and the Sam Raimi movies, making a Spider-Man cartoon that is recognizable to both older and younger fans.

** In fact, a significant amount of the characters are even combinations of their Mainstream and their Ultimate counterparts.
** The camera that goes down the stairs in "Group Therapy", kinda looks like something out of VideoGame/{{Doom}}
** And then there's the falling Christmas tree...
** And [[spoiler:the helicopter Harry Osborn is impressively adept at piloting...]]

** Just like in the comics, Peter is a loner hero who solves his problems on his own without adult mentors or sidekicks, he balances his school and superhero life himself. Of course, the series still provides some [[SettingUpdate setting updates]] and other changes, but it maintained that core of Peter as a non-sidekick teenage hero far more faithfully than any other version of the character (who tended to take an AdaptationDistillation approach).
** This version of the Green Goblin is much more faithful to his comic book counterpart than most versions, particularly the Creator/{{Fox}} [[WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries animated]] and ''Film/SpiderManTrilogy'' versions) since they argued that [[spoiler: Norman]] was a flawed but decent man turned evil. In this adaptation, [[spoiler: Norman]] is the Green Goblin, "a bad man turned worse" and his psychopathic, manipulative, abusive MadBomber aesthetic, as well as [[spoiler: his {{Gaslighting}} of his own son]], is [[spoiler: Norman Osborn]] in all his ugliness. Likewise, the Goblin's personality and plans for the two seasons, i.e. take over New York's underworld and killing Spider-Man, is how Creator/SteveDitko conceived him as is his great athleticism and flexibility, making him the only villain who can keep up with the web-slinger.
** The Venom we see here is more or less exactly how the character was originally conceived (albeit with Eddie Brock having the backstory and role of the Ultimate version), complete with the suit having a StalkerWithACrush affection for Spider-Man himself, and likewise fighting with Spider-Man sleepwalking. The series also emphasized that the Symbiote has a real personality and drive on its own. Likewise, the fact that [[spoiler:it sees Eddie Brock as a weak substitute for Peter Parker]] is also true to how the character was conceived.
** Mary Jane Watson's physical appearance and personality as an aloof but genuinely warm and loyal friend for both Peter and Gwen were how she was originally portrayed in the comics. Likewise, for being the only friend in Peter's circle who doesn't have baggage and is more or less on good terms with everyone. She also doesn't end up very often as a DamselInDistress and [[spoiler:is a hero in her own right when she comes to rescue Gwen from Venom in the finale of Season 1, getting the rest of M-Cube to use the parade float as a giant cushion for her fall]].

* DistressedDamsel: [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] when Spider-Man points out that Norman Osborn is his very first rescue of this type. Liz, Gwen, and Mary Jane all get their moments too.

* CasualDangerDialog: Spider-Man and his Rogues Gallery engage in this whenever they aren't bantering wittily or trading insults.

::Since Gobbie was the only character present in both scenes, it seems he can only be [[FourthWallObserver addressing the viewer]] here -- but then we also know he's fond of [[TalkingToThemself talking to himself]] (even if he doesn't explicitly have a SplitPersonality as in the [[Film/SpiderMan1 Raimi film]]).

::Since Gobbie was the only character present in both scenes, it seems he can only be [[FourthWallObserver addressing the viewer]] here -- but then we also know he's fond of [[TalkingToThemself talking to himself]] (even if he doesn't explicitly have a SplitPersonality as in the [[Film/SpiderMan1 Raimi film]])).

** The Green Goblin claims to Tombstone that he possesses incriminating evidence against him which he's prepared to relinquish for a price:

'''Tombstone:''' When tonight? Where?
::Later he makes the same proposition to Spidey, who responds in the exact same way, and with an AsideGlance Gobbie says "Anyone else getting DejaVu?", even though the only other person also present at the previous encounter was the viewer. However, although they went for less of a SplitPersonality approach with the Goblin than the [[Film/SpiderMan1 Raimi film]], this version of the Goblin is still fond of [[TalkingToThemself talking to himself]].

--> '''Black Cat:''' "If you're fed up enough with the thankless hero thing to match your image to mine, then I have to ask, are we going to bad guys together, partner ... or just plain bad?"

* OffModel: Occasional examples throughout the series. According to WordOfGod, the animation was inconsistent.

* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: At the beginning of the episode, "The Uncertainty Principle", a werewolf costume can be seen.

* AdaptedOut: Herman Schultz, the usual bearer of the Shocker identity, doesn't appear in this adaptation and Montana of the Enforcers [[CompositeCharacter used the identity instead]].

* AbusiveParents: Norman Osborn barely conceals [[WhyCouldntYouBeDifferent contempt]] for his son Harry, from [[CompassionateCritic snide criticisms]] to parental neglect and blatant displays of [[ParentalFavoritism favoritism]] towards Harry's ''best friend'' Peter. Harry's mother [[TheVoiceless barely acknowledges him]].
** Osborn takes this to a whole new level after revealing that [[spoiler:he was the Green Goblin. Not only did he accused his son of being the Green Goblin, ''but he faked a limp and then injured his own son's leg in order to make it look more believable''. The creepiest part is that, after all this, Norman claims it was all out of ''love'' for Harry, claiming that "he never would have learned to become a man" without it. Wow... what a psycho.]] It gets much worse when you realize, due to Harry's angst at the end of that episode, that it ''worked.''

* AcquiredSituationalNarcissism: Harry Osborn snubs his old friends once he's InWithTheInCrowd. He gets better after his [[PutOnABus temporary absence]], though.

* AlmostKiss: Peter and Gwen do this in "Identity Crisis".
** [[spoiler:And again, as of "Final Curtain." They stop just in time to not betray their current significant others till they break-up with them.]]

* AlphaBitch: Liz Allan was introduced as one, mocking Peter as much as everyone else, until seeing him in a different light a gave her boost of CharacterDevelopment and turned her into his love interest. Liz initially did not want to be around Peter Parker because of their social standings, but she eventually warmed up to Peter and dated him, becoming a LovableAlphaBitch.

* AndThisIsFor: Spider-Man delivers a particularly violent kick to the Green Goblin for "making [him] [[SaveTheVillain protect]] [[BigBad Tombstone]]."

* AnAesop: "Reinforcement": Concentration of fire is important in both love and war.

** Spider-Man's web bullets to most of his enemies.
*** [[EvilCounterpart Venom's]], however, are definitely ''not.''
--->'''Venom''': ''(amused)'' What are ''those'' supposed to do?
--->'''Spider-Man''': Uh, well... they're supposed to hurt.\\

-->'''Spider-Man''': Hey, Max, don't tell me you're scared of a second-rate schemer with a funny voice!
-->'''Electro''': First: I'm not scared of nothing! Second: the Master Planner ain't "second-rate" nothing! And third: ''[[BerserkButton don't]]'' [[BerserkButton call me "Max"]]... '''OR I'LL ''FRY'' YOU INTO NOTHING!!!'''

%%* AuctionOfEvil: "Accomplices".

* BadassBystander: When the Lizard is about to bite Spidey's head off in a subway train, some old lady hits him (the Lizard) on the head with her purse.
** For emphasis: The Lizard is seven or so feet tall, built like a truck, and has [[MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily many, many]] sharp, pointy teeth that he has shown no compunction about using. This old woman saved Spider-Man's life with a ''handbag''.

* BadGuyBar: Montana's Big Sky Billard Room

* DoTheyKnowItsChristmasTime: Spidey tries appealing to seasonal spirit to stop the new Sinister Six. No such luck.

Several fan made continuations, [[https://twitter.com/tssm_continued?lang=en such as this]], are currently in production.

* EstablishingShot

** There's also a HomageShot to the [[Film/SpiderMan2 second Spider-Man movie]] in the intro (Spidey landing on a train), and various HomageShots to [[Film/SpiderMan1 the first film]] during "Intervention", when Peter sees the Burglar's face.

For those who either miss or missed out on watching this show on TV, it has become one of the few ''Spider-Man'' TV shows to have all its episodes released on DVD, and the first one to receive a Blu-ray release. In October of 2022, it was added to Disney+

For those who either miss or missed out on watching this show on TV, it has become one of the few ''Spider-Man'' TV shows to have all its episodes released on DVD, and the first one to receive a Blu-ray release. The show has also started streaming on Creator/{{Netflix}} as of July 2022. In October of 2022, it was added to Disney+