Review: Ultimate Spider-Man Episodes 1 & 2

Ultimate Spider-Man premiered on Disney XD on April 1, 2012. Since then there have been two seasons with 52 episodes. We're going to start at the beginning!

"Great Power" by Paul Dini

The show introduces Peter Parker (Drake Bell) as a teenager who has been fighting crime as Spider-Man for one year. Already J. Jonah Jameson has labeled Spider-Man a public menace. In the midst of swinging around New York City, Spider-Man encounters the Trapster who was trying to draw Spidery out for some reason. After the fight, Spidey is approached by Nick Fury to train with S.H.I.E.L.D. who proceeds to compare the web head with Captain American and Iron Man (for good measure, just in case the kids weren't sure what universe we were in). I'm personally not a fan of comparing Spidey with other superheroes. Spider-Man has always been a great hero without the comparison.

Peter quickly tosses in a backstory about Uncle Ben (which I'm glad they kept in) and we understand that the series is about responsibility. Responsibility is pretty central theme for Spider-Man and seems an appropriate message for the young audience. Peter turns down Fury and goes about web slinging. The villains are introduced, Doctor Octavius (Tom Kenny) and Norman Osborn. Norman has Doc Ock spying on Spidey to learn more about the military applications of Spidey's powers.

Now for the whirlwind of backstories and introductions while at school - Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, and Flash Thompson, as well as a cameo by Stan Lee as a janitor. The school is then attacked by the Frightful Four - The Wizard, Thundra, Klaw, and the Trapster (who is missing because we was caught earlier) - looking for Spider-Man. They demolish the school, catch some footage of Spidey, and hurt some people. After the cops show up, everything is cool and Spidey ends up changing his mind about S.H.I.E.L.D. after coming home and realizing he has let a number of people close to him down. Spidey realizes he can be the ultimate Spider-Man.

The show deals a lot with breaking the fourth wall and using interstitials to fill in some of Spidey's monologuing. Peter Parker is the main focus and our narrator throughout the series, letting us into his world through cartoonish fantasy sequences and Peter's inner-monologue. I think Spidey's quips are appropriate and perfect for the audience, which is probably males 8-14ish. The animation is fine, nothing spectacular.

The first episode serves its purpose - it introduces the characters, though in a rushed way, and starts to set-up the story arc and the slapstick tone of the show.

Episode 2 "Great Responsibility": Paul Dini

The second episode picks up right after the end of "Great Power." Spider-man has decided to join S.H.I.E.L.D. and must prove himself with his very first test which takes him much longer than Cpt. America, which ties the Marvel Universe together. We also get our first look at Spideys new team that is composed of other teen heroes: Nova, White Tiger, Power Man, and Iron First. They all bet against Spidey and his childishness.

Kurt Connors also gets his introduction as well, working for S.H.I.E.L.D. and developing Spider-Man themed tech, including the Spider Cycle. It gives Spidey a new edge but also kind of takes away from Peter Parkers greatest weapon which is his mind (and sarcasm). Agent Coulsen also makes a brief appearance, acting just like he does in every other Marvel production, serious and doubting Spideys abilities. Some time is spent with Spidey and the Spider-Cycle, which serves as a vehicle (get it?) to introduce the new team which Spidey refuses to join. Spider-Man has always been a solo act and I think that makes him more vulnerable, not to mention his age and tragic back story.

However, director Fury does a good job convincing Spidey to join a team and become the next Avengers. We get a fun scene with Spideys "Good Angel" and "Bad Angel" but the Frightful Four interrupt the scene. This scene is in good juxtaposition to Fury lecturing Spidey about the strength of a team as he quits it and the Frightful Four are able to take Spidey down as a team. Who should show up but Spideys new allies, here to save the day, and work with Spidey. The fourth wall is broken often and really adds to the show and helps us get into Spideys world and his mind. Spidey also teaches his new team a valuable lesson about being responsible for their actions and who really are the victims when heroes and villains fight.

I particularly like the cut scenes that look like a comic book, placing a "BAM" or "SLAM" in the background during a key scene. Spidey sees the value of a team and joins but also requests that he has Spidey time as well. Life returns to normal. The animation isn't anything spectacular and is very similar to "Ben Ten." The episode ends with a great scene between the principal of the school and Parker. After meeting his new "classmates" (his new found team) he requests a transfer which the principal denies. A dramatic reveal and it is Agent Coulson who denies it and leaves us with his own brand of humor, "thwip, Twhip."

Overall the episode builds upon the first, adding new characters, introducing old ones, and building a new life for Spider-Man that we haven't seen before. One with team mates, new villains, and new lessons to learn.