Originally aired in 1981, can the Spider-Man animated series still entertain in the 21st century?
Nick swings in to find out…
In fact, the 5000 refers to an episode numbering system, not a time period.
This 1981 animated series is set straight after the 60sSpider-Manshow, with Peter Parker now attending Empire State University.
The series does a great job of capturing the ethos of the comic book.
Peter Parker is a teenager juggling his love life with work and webswinging.
Aunt May fusses over him and theres a running gag about him slipping into the house without her noticing.
Peters impatient date Betty Brant gets stood up on a regular basis.
Spider-Mans quips and interior monologues ring true.
For example, he calls Magneto Bucket Head and Turret Top.
The series adds its own quirks as well.
These all come across more as plot devices than attempts to develop character or build continuity.
The villains come across as greedy, bellowing buffoons who thrive on thievery rather than any grand master plans.
Even the Black Cat is a plain burglar here, more Catwoman than Felicia Hardy.
Spidey isnt the only character who harnesses technology in unusual ways.
Thats a sonic quartz vibrator, which zaps walls to rubble around Spider-Man.
Doom, Master Of The World, the Latverian dictator forgoes a typical destructive scheme for something more polite.
He brainwashes UN representatives so theyll vote him into absolute power.
Sadly, hes defeated too easily and he just runs away at the end.
Above all,5000has some great visual ideas even if theyre not always executed effectively.
As the missing link between the original cartoon andSpider-Man And His Amazing Friends, this is a rare gem.
Spider-Man 5000is out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store.
Rating:
3 out of 5
