History WesternAnimation / TheSpectacularSpiderMan

* AbortedArc - Due to the shows sudden cancellation, many questions will be left unanswered. The season Two finale had [[spoiler:Norman Osborn]] surviving his fight with Spider-Man and escaping the country, as well as having Gwen be forced to stay with Harry out of pity leaving more romantic tension to be resolved later. There was also the Miles Warren angle, likely setting up an adaptation of the CloneSaga.

* JustFriends - This frustrates Gwen, because [[CannotSpitItOut she doesn't want to risk their friendship]] by telling Peter that she wants to be MoreThanFriends.

** Shocker/Montana too.

** To clarify [[spoiler: John Jameson is still driven mad with power. Eddie is driven insane from losing the symbiote. The Connors lost their jobs due to Miles Warren blackmailing them. Warren is now solely in charge of the science lab. The symbiote is still running around somewhere. Black Cat hates Spider-Man. Mark Allen is still stuck as Molten Man. Hammerhead, Mysterio, and Kraven (and Tombstone!) are still loose. The Rhino specs are still on the streets. Peter breaks up with Liz, who now (deservedly?) hates his guts. Worst of all, Peter and Gwen finally admit they love each other, except Harry overhears and ends up tricking Gwen into staying with him after he sees his father's demise. Peter is filled with heartbreak over losing Gwen, despair over the hatred he has spurned for Spider-Man in Harry, and guilt over killing his best friend's dad. [[KarmaHoudini And Norman Osborn isn't even dead; in fact, he's taking a nice vacation to the Tropics!]]]]

* FoeYay - Thankfully not between Spidey and his rogues but between Hammerhead and Silver Sable. [[NoYay I'm sure Hammerhead has a nice personality]] ''[quivers]'' .
** The entire symbiote arc is foe-yaytastic. Venom--or more accurately, the symbiote itself--acts as a spurned ex/stalker towards Peter Parker. Eddie Brock doesn't seem to have much issue with this either, judging by all of those unsettling leers aimed at the web-head. Of course that could just be the symbiote's influence, but it's certainly there regardless.
** The symbiote doesn't seem to have any problem going on about how much it just wants to be with Spider-Man. Spidey even refers to himself (albeit somewhat ironically) as it's "first love" at the end of Nature vs Nurture. Venom seems to hate Spider-Man just as much as it wants him back/to itself.

** Venom and Tombstone in Season One. Venom possibly more so, because Eddie's increasing hatred towards Peter was one of the main plot points of the season and Symbiote's influence on Peter made him a worse person and turned Eddie Brock into Venom. Also Venom's actions made Peter realize that he loves Gwen adn sets a lot of events in season 2 in motion. Tombstone was DemotedToExtra after Goblin's arc and returned to this status in season 2.
** Season 2 has Master Planer/[[spoiler: Doctor Octopus]], Venom(he was main focus of first half of season and became BigBad in episode 5-7), then Doc Ock and Tombstone with Silvermane and [[spoiler: Green Goblin]].

* ThisIsSPARTA - Venom (after Spider-Man bashes a bat against lockers, [[AchillesHeel creating soundwaves that weaken him]]):
-->"That. Was. ''Unpleasant''."
** And Doc Ock (extenuating each word by slamming Spidey around):
-->"Glib! Does not! Equate! With clever! Spider-Man!"

** Miles Warren actually [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] (or [[JustifiedTrope justifies]], depending on [[YourMileageMayVary your point of view]] this by saying that the only way to '''get''' the gene-altering formula to work is to catalyze it with a big dose of electricity.

The [[TooGoodToLast short-lived]] animated take on MarvelComics' [[{{Spider-Man}} web-slinging superhero]], headed by {{Greg Weisman}} of ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' fame. The series follows 16-year-old Peter Parker through his Junior year of high school, after getting his powers at the end of the previous year and spending all summer as Spider-Man.

* AbnormalAmmo - Bazookas and machine guns that fire metal slugs which sprout tiny spikes, and giant staple guns complete with giant staples make the best of the show's prohibition on actual bullets.
* {{Aborted Arc}} - Due to the shows sudden cancellation, many questions will be left unanswered. The season Two finale had [[spoiler:Norman Osborn]] surviving his fight with Spider-Man and escaping the country, as well as having Gwen be forced to stay with Harry out of pity leaving more romantic tension to be resolved later. There was also the Miles Warren angle, likely setting up an adaptation of the CloneSaga.
* AbsurdlySpaciousSewer - The New York sewer system is marvelously cavernous, used by Spidey and his RoguesGallery for fights and flights.
* AbusiveParents - Norman Osborn barely conceals [[WhyCouldntYouBeDifferent contempt]] for his son Harry, from [[CompassionateCritic snide criticisms]] to blatant displays of [[ParentalFavoritism favoritism]] towards Harry's ''best friend'' Peter. Harry's mother [[TheVoiceless barely acknowledges him]].

** Pete in the first episode suffers from this, riding high on his new-found confidence as Spider-Man. He doesn't snub his friends or anything, but he ''does'' try to ask [[AlphaBitch Sally Avril]] out. This goes very badly.

* AllCheeringAllTheTime - One episode has the supporting cast quoting Shakespeare passages in auditioning for the school play. Sally Avril turns hers into a cheer - needless to say, she doesn't get a part.

* AmusementPark - Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus duke it out in the middle of Coney Island, causing chaos amongst the fairgoers.

** In a later episode, while Flash is in the hospital with a football injury, he gives Kraven a particularly powerful blow with "That's for Flash!" ({{Beat}}) "I can't believe I just thought that."

** And Tombstone, who may or may not be a BadassNormal.

* {{Blackmail}} - Green Goblin unsuccessfully attempts this twice with L. Thompson Lincoln, threatening to [[SecretIdentity out him]] as Tombstone if he won't step down as The Big Man, or won't come to the Goblin's DeathCourse.
** More succesfully, he forces Liz's brother to try and kill Spider-man or he'll off Liz.

* BoobsOfSteel - Black Cat and Silver Sable are both pretty well-endowed and both kick butt.

* BreakingTheFourthWall: In "Probable Cause", Ox [[ThemeTuneCameo hums the tune of the show's theme song]], prompting glares from Shocker and Ricochet.

* CharacterDevelopment - Much. Flash Thompson seems to be getting a fair bit.

* ChestInsignia - Spider-Man's spider.

* CliffHanger - Big one in "Growing Pains" when Venom [[SuperWindowJump bursts through the window]] of the Bugle and tells Jameson (and in front of Pete):

* ClothingDamage - Spidey's suit receives more rips and tears per episode than in any other adaptation. Despite the strong continuity of the series, [[{{Snapback}} it's always good as new by the next battle]]. Although Pete has noted that garbage stink and smoke smell are hard to remove.

* ComesGreatInsanity - Electro, Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin. Also a heroic example: John Jameson/"Colonel Jupiter"

* CompilationMovie - The first DVD release "Attack of the Lizard", contains the first three episodes but is advertised as a movie. The other arcs were originally supposed to follow suit, but this idea was eventually scrapped.
* CompositeCharacter - Montana of the Enforcers and the Shocker (originally Herman Schultz in the comics) are now a single character.
** Tombstone is taking the role of the Kingpin from the comics. Quite possibly because the Kingpin couldn't be used on the show.

** The camera that goes down the stairs in "Group Therapy", kinda looks like something out of {{Doom}}

*** And in that same episode, Captain Stacy reminds Jonah what happened last time he jumped the gun when someone impersonated Spidey.

** "Opening Night" especially, constantly throwing out connections between the play and Spider-Man's current situation. The Green Goblin starts quoting Puck's lines himself eventually.
* CryingLittleKid - [[InvertedTrope Inverted]]. The child's ''mother'' pushes her out of harm's way, but remains in danger herself until Spider-Man swings to the rescue.

** Mysterio and Tinker play it straight, though. Those RidiculouslyHumanRobots must cost a ton of money, and they would likely make them tons of profit legitimately. Green Goblin's squad of hover-tanks would also revolutionize warfare if he sold them to the government instead of giving them to gang-bangers.

* DamnedByFaintPraise - Subverted, when Aunt May sets Peter up with MJ, saying she has a "wonderful personality." Cue shudder from Peter...[[HelloNurse until he meets her]].

** When Silvermane is trying to crush Peter to death, the latter manages to shoot some webs into his eyes. Instead of dropping him, Silvermane cries out that he's blind, pauses thoughtfully, and notes that he doesn't need to see to keep crushing him. Dang.

** Lampshaded in the first season finale when he tricks Venom into punching a float, causing it to slowly descend:

* DeadpanSnarker - Most of the characters have mild instances of this. Like always, Spidey is the '''king''' of [[{{DeadpanSnarker}} deadpan snarking]]. His biology professor also has a few good lines:

* DeathCourse - Green Goblin sets up one of these for both Tombstone and Spider-Man at a refinery with NoOSHACompliance.

** Electro and the Vulture both play this role to Doc Ock at varying times.

* DropWhatYouAreDoing - Gwen Stacy drops her books in shock at finding Harry Osborn passed out cold on the ground.

* EliteMooks - Tombstone's bodyguards.

** Also, back in season 1, Tombstone and Spidey team up against the Green Goblin, with both saving the other's lives. Things return to normal between them afterwards though.

* EvilVsEvil: In season one, we have the Green Goblin vs. Tombstone and his gang. In season two, we have Dr. Ock and the Sinister Six vs. Silvermane and his gang vs. Tombstone and his gang ([[spoiler:with Hammerhead as TheStarscream]]). And then [[spoiler:the Goblin came back]] and [[TheChessmaster outplayed them all]].

* TheFaceless - The Chameleon's real face is concealed behind a featureless white full-head [[ExpressiveMask mask]].

* FaceFramedInShadow - [[spoiler:Walter Hardy]], in "Opening Night".

* ForHalloweenIAmGoingAsMyself - Peter goes to a Halloween festival as Spider-Man, and gets compliments on how well he fills out his costume. Black Cat [[EarlyBirdCameo evidently]] likes Halloween too.

* GenderFlip - Mayor Waters is a female version of the male mayor with the same name in the comic "Spider-Man: Reign"

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar

-->'''Liz Allen''' "You can web me up anytime, Petey."

* GladIThoughtOfIt - J. Jonah Jameson does this with Peter Parker's idea to take pictures of Spider-Man.

* HighAltitudeInterrogation - In the episode "Shear Strength," Gwen is being held hostage by The Master Planner, and Spidey attempts to get information out of the captured Tinkerer by dangling him off a building. Tinkerer wisely calls his bluff (Spidey doesn't kill after all), and Spidey really ''does'' drop him, only to save him with a webline at the last minute so he'll talk.

* HopelessSuitor - Liz Allan verges on this with Peter in the second season, even when they actually are dating. Despite being completely empathetic and nice to him, Peter is preoccupied with Gwen for most of the time, to the point that when leaving in the middle of a date, he apologizes to ''Gwen'' who is double-dating with Harry and ignores Liz.

* HugeGuyTinyGirl: Kenny and Glory, though she's actually a normal height; it's just that ''any'' girl would look tiny compared to him. (In "Gangland" they danced without her feet even touching the ground.)

** To be fair, it's probably seriously hard to aim with that placement.

* ItsAlwaysSpring - Averted. Time passes realistically, with Season 1 going from September to November and Season 2 from December to March.

* JerkWithAHeartOfJerk - [[spoiler: Norman Osborn]]

** Miles Warren actually [[{{LampshadeHanging}} lampshades]] (or [[{{JustifiedTrope}} justifies]], depending on [[{{YourMileageMayVary}} your point of view]] this by saying that the only way to '''get''' the gene-altering formula to work is to catalyze it with a big dose of electricity.

* LikesOlderWomen - Peter very publicly proclaims his interest in twenty-year-old Betty Brant, and plays the DoggedNiceGuy to pressure her to be his date for the HighSchoolDance, only to be thwarted by Aunt May.

*** This is similar to Black Cat in the Ultimate universe (Though in that case the age gap was bigger and threw up when she found up how young he was).

** Find any named character. Any of them. Then look them up on TheOtherWiki. They will be there.
* LovableAlphaBitch: Liz.

* NighInvulnerable - The Rhino can bust through walls and survive a fall from the top floor of a building unscathed. His environs aren't so lucky. Hammerhead can likewise smash walls with his extraordinarily hard skull.

* PowerEchoes - In Electro's debut, when Spider-Man took off his protective mask, his first words outside the mask echoed eerily.

* PromotionToOpeningTitles - Played straight, then ZigZagged. The theme from the first few episodes showcased our ThreeAmigos plus J. Jonah Jameson. In episode 10, Mary Jane replaced Harry's spot and since then, Peter, along with the three other characters most important to the episode's story are used in the credits.

* PsychoSerum - Globulin Green, an addictive steroid, causes blackouts and gives its user a SuperpoweredEvilSide. It's a handy way to adapt the comic book Harry's famous [[VerySpecialEpisode drug addiction]] for Saturday morning cartoons.

* PutOnABus - Harry Osborn was sent on a trip to rehab for multiple episodes.

** On the other hand, the Rhino has the incredible strength that allows him to move around wearing a few tons of plate armor.

* RunningGag - Gwen gives her friends "the look" when angry.

** The "wonderful personality" gag was even carried with Green Goblin in season 2.

* SchoolPlay - The production of {{A Midsummer Nights Dream}} becomes a major subplot in Season 2.

* SecretIdentity

* SheCleansUpNicely - Gwen shows up to her date with Harry [[TheGlassesGottaGo sans glasses]] and in a dress and heels

* ShoutOut - Greg Weisman's ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}},'' quite a number of comic book cover homages, and musical {{leitmotif}}s from the 60's and 90's series are all referenced.
** The statue of Atlas is a reoccurring feature, likely a shout out to "Atlas Shrugged" in keeping with Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko's objectivism.

** In "Nature Vs. Nuture" Peter wonders if "Romita's" delivers Turkey Pizza. A reference to artists John Romita
** There may also be some homage to {{Batman Beyond}} Because, at some point during the fight with the Sinister Six (First fight), Spider-Man defeats Shocker the same way Shriek was defeated.

*** That's another one that goes all the way back to ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''; after the heroes defeat a massive amount of sand controlled by [[EvilSorcerer the Archmage]], he gloats that they accomplished nothing other than beating up a beach.
** Colonel Jupiter's {{Shout Out}} to {{The Six Million Dollar Man}}.

* SignificantAnagram - Of course a criminal named O'Hirn would be called the Rhino.

* SparedByTheAdaptation - WordOfGod says they wouldn't be killing Gwen during the course of the show. Sally Avril as well.

* SpotOfTea - John Devereaux was having one in the faculty lounge in "Identity Crisis".

* SupervillainLair - The Master Planner's UnderwaterBase, complete with HackerCave and SelfDestructMechanism that causes it to [[{{CollapsingLair}} collapse]].

* TakeThat: [[{{Film/Spiderman}} "Don't get all emo on me, bro."]]

* TalkingToHimself - Several instances.
** Of special note has to go to the symbiote, whoever he bonds with, the character's voice actor does the voice of the symbiote, doing a more twisted and [[{{NightmareFuel}} freaky]] voice as the symbiote.

* ThemeTuneCameo - In the season 2 episode "Probable Cause" Ox starts humming the show's theme tune while he and the other Enforcers are riding down an elevator. When Shocker and Ricochet look at him incredulously he responds ...

* TitleDrop - Spidey is referred to specifically as "The Spectacular Spider-Man" during his introduction as a wrestler in "Intervention".

* VillainousBreakdown - Dr. Octopus suffers a rather calm breakdown in Shear Strength.

** Note that Tombstone manages to pull this off despite having superstrength and sharpened teeth that make him look ObviouslyEvil. That is some ''good'' publicity.
*** Lampshaded even: "L. Thomson Lincoln? He looks a little strange but is a good man."

** "The Uncertainty Principle" is pretty Whammy.

* WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer - Sandman gets progressively more creative with the ability to turn into sand. By the second season he's using his sand-shifting with a finesse that would impress [[OnePiece Sir Crocodile]].

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* ChannelHop - Moved to [[ToonDisney Disney]] [[XtremeKoolLetterz XD]] from [=CW4Kids=] in March.

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SSM.jpg

* EvilForeigner - If the Chameleon's stuffy Russian accent is any indication.
** Kraven too.
** What? Australia isn't foreign to non-Aussies? (Blackie Gaxton).

** In "Opening Night" Black Cat uses a fake ID with the name "Selina Drew" "Drew" is probably a reference to Spider-Woman, aka Jessica Drew, while "Selina" may refer to [[{{Batman}} Catwoman]].

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold - J. Jonah Jameson. Phenomenal jerk? You betcha, but he's a phenomenal jerk that would risk death by a giant rhino-man to protect a worker. Also Flash Thompson by Season 2.

** Sony lost the rights because Marvel got bought out by Disney. As a result, all Marvel cartoons will be on Disney XD from now on. They can consider themselves lucky that they managed to keep the movie rights.

* LaughingMad - Harry Osborn on Globulin Green. [[IGotBetter He gets better]] when he stops taking the stuff.

*** It gets creepier when you realize, due to Harry's angst at the end of that episode, that...it's working.

* PunchClockVillain - The reluctant Otto Octavius, before his FreakOut. Also, the Sandman is generally only in it for a "big score," hates revenge, and is [[PetTheDog kind to children]}.

* FridgeBrilliance - You really have to watch each episode two or three times in order to pick up on the subplots, subtext and foreshadowing that become important later.
* {{Fridge Logic}}: [[spoiler:There no way in heck Norman would've have the foresight to frame Harry for the limping leg thing, considering he just stumbled upon the passed-out form of his son after his bout with Spidey in the first season finale. Plus exactly what reason did he have to fake a limp in the first place?]]
** [[spoiler:Spider-Man had already accused the Goblin of being Norman. [[FanWank If Gobby had a limp and Norman didn't, it'd throw Spidey off that trail even if he ''didn't'' come across a convenient scapegoat.]]]]
*** [[spoiler:[[FanWank It makes sense, in a way. Think about it: Norman not having a limp doesn't completely rule him out of suspicion. It's not a concrete thing, a person could hide it. Spider-Man would still be looking to figure out who the Goblin was. By giving Harry a limp, though, it made him the focus of Spider-Man's attention. It was a distraction, basically; as long as Spider-Man is sure that Harry is the Goblin, there's no reason to suspect anyone else, which gives Norman a lot of breathing room.]]]]
**** I don't think crippling Harry was part of a plan. he does describe it as "serendipity"

The most recent animated take on MarvelComics' [[{{Spider-Man}} web-slinging superhero]], headed by {{Greg Weisman}} of ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' fame. The series follows 16-year-old Peter Parker through his Junior year of high school, after getting his powers at the end of the previous year and spending all summer as Spider-Man.

** Osborn takes this to a whole new level after revealing that [[spoiler:he was the Green Goblin, and showing that he not only blamed his son, ''but faked a limp and then injured his own son's leg to make sure Spider-man would believe it'']].
*** The creepiest part is that, after all this, Norman claims it was all out of ''love'' for Harry, claiming that "he never would have learnt to become a man" without it. Wow...what a psycho.

* BadAss - Venom and Kraven

** For emphasis: the Lizard is seven or so feet tall, built like a truck, and has [[MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily many, many, MANY]] sharp pointy teeth that he has shown no compunction about using. This old woman saved Spider-man's life with a HANDBAG.

** And Silvermane who somehow got a suit of cybernetic armor that can pop out of no-where. He also can deck pretty hard without it.
* BadassInANiceSuit - Hammerhead, Tombstone
* BadassLongcoat - Doctor Octopus
* BadassNormal - Black Cat presumably, and George Stacy. Season 2 gives us Sergei Kravinov (Kraven [[{{Animorphism}} before his transformation]]) and Silver Sable
** I'd like to mention Hammerhead's driver who is pretty determined and tough.

** The Green Goblin's Identity is also handled in such a manner.

* BatmanColdOpen - Frequently
* BattleButler - Hammerhead's Driver

* BenevolentBoss - Tombstone goes out of his way to save Hammerhead
* BewareTheNiceOnes - Otto Octavius

* {{Chickification}} Silver Sable in the Gangland episode.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold - J. Jonah Jameson. Phenomenal dick? You betcha, but he's a phenomenal dick that would risk death by giant rhino-man to protect a worker. Also Flash Thompson by Season 2.

* KarmaHoudini - Black Cat, but thankfully, '''not''' [[spoiler:her dad, who murdered Uncle Ben, and stays in prison despite Cat's break out attempt]]

--> '''Doc Ock''': Do not insult my intelligence, ''hero''! You tracked me down and tried to [[NeverSayDie destroy]] me! As I knew you would.
--> '''Spider-Man''': Destroy you? [[{{Mondegreen}} Pal]], I don't even ''know'' you!
* KidHero - Spider-Man

** Doc Ock, especially the first time he speaks after his "FreakLabAccident": "''Silence'', you ''imperious'' '''''moron'''''!!!" He later gets [[ChewingTheScenery scenery-chewing]] lines like "''Arachniiiiid!''", "'''TREACHERYYYYYYYYYY!!!'''", and [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome "L. Thompson Lincoln is '''WEAK!!!'''"]]

* MarilynManeuver - Spidey uses a web slingshot that causes a breeze that causes a nearby woman to experience this in "Reaction"

* MultiArmedAndDangerous - Doctor Octopus, yet ''again''.

** As well as some to the fans for example, lack of banter was a complaint about [[{{Film/Spider-Man}} the movies]], so when fighting a villain who yells "Do you ever shut up!?" Spidey responds, "Sorry no, my fans expect a certain amount of quippage in every battle."

** The whole Peter/Brock relationship was taken from the Ultimate Marvel version of Spider Man as well as as how Brock came to possess Venom.

* NotSoHarmless - Doctor Octopus
* ObfuscatingStupidity: Surprisingly Rhino. He not only gets the idea to find Peter Parker to get close to Spider-Man, but also outsmarts Spider-Man in a one on one fight.

** Hilariously, with the way all characters' irises are ''huge'' in this series, when this happens to Harry, instead of making him look scary, it makes him look ''more normal'' than his fellow cast members.

-->'''Electro:''' "You shouldn't have done that! You ''[[OhCrap really]]'' shouldn't have done that...!"

* PunchClockVillain - The reluctant Otto Octavius, before his FreakOut. Also, the Sandman is generally only in it for a "big score," hates revenge, and is [[PetTheDog kind to children]].

* RescueRomance - Spidey saves a guy and a girl by webbing them together. For them its LoveAtFirstSight
--> Spidey - "You can thank me later dude."

** On the other hand, the Rhino has the incredible strength that allows him to move around wearing a few tons of plate armor (and also beat the crap out of Spider-Man) because....he just does, okay?

* RightHandVersusLeftHand - From a few obscure lines you'd think that the Sinister Six were going to tear themselves apart through arguments, which is what Spider-Man has invoked in other adaptations. Instead they stayed relatively cool with each other, but their individual attacks would accidently take out other teammates.

* ShipperOnDeck - Mary Jane; a Peter/Gwen shipper all the way. Liz even calls her out on it.

* ShipTease - '''><;;;'''

--> '''Spider-Man (To a Mysterio-bot's disembodied head)''': What are you going to do? [[MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail Bite my kneecaps off?]]

* SoundtrackDissonance - The episode Gangland has a gang war and other violence going on within and near an opera house...during the opera.

* SpiderSense - Who didn't see ''that'' coming?

* YawnAndReach - Flash to Mary-Jane

** Also an unusual Fatherly LoveTriangle. Harry is Norman's son and wants Norman to be proud of him. Norman doesn't care about Harry, but is proud of Peter and wants Peter to think of him like a father. Harry is creeped out by Norman and wants nothing to do with him, but doesn't want to (further) alienate his friend Harry.