Ultimate Spider-Man’s pilot shows major promise – CartoonClack

Yesterday was finally the premiere of Marvel Universe on Disney XD, and along with it the premiere of Ultimate Spider-Man. This is latest of many cartoon adaptations of the webslinger throughout the years, so I was at least hoping for something enjoyable and decently written. From the two-part pilot alone, I see huge potential for the series … if they can keep this momentum up.

Unlike both the previous movie series and the upcoming theatrical reboot, Ultimate Spider-Man starts off a year after Peter Parker gains his spider-like abilities. He’s been working alone for months and has already started building some crime-fighting skills … but a consistent schedule, not so much. The first episode (“Great Power”) begins with Peter getting sidetracked during his before-school errands (including picking up a cake for his Aunt May) by a super villain wreaking havoc nearby. After the fiend is apprehended — and the entire block is full of collateral damage — Nick Fury arrives to offer S.H.E.I.L.D.’s help and guidance to the crime-fighter. I’m happy to say that there’s a reason for the show’s title — under Fury’s mentoring, Peter can become the best version of himself … the “ultimate” version of Spider-Man. In the second episode (“Great Responsibility”), Peter officially takes up Fury’s offer and starts training. His possible future teammates (Power Man, Nova, White Tiger and Iron Fist) question his abilities, which are impressive but raw to say the least. However, Nick Fury sees the potential in Peter, as well as his hands-on experience that the others lack.

I noted in a previous CartoonClack that Disney and Marvel seem determined to connect the Avengers with Spider-Man. The main cast of the cartoon and the constant mentions of the Avenger team does suggest the rumors that Andrew Garfield will cameo as Spider-Man in the upcoming Avengers film. The pilot even directly references one of the funnier moments of the original Iron Man movie.

As far as the show itself, it doesn’t take itself too seriously.  Peter (voiced by Drake Bell) is lighthearted and happy-go-lucky … especially for a teenager with the entire city of New York’s safety on his shoulders. The show’s story-telling style via Peter’s narrative is a hybrid of Teen Titans and The Weekenders … and it’s fun! Peter will pause time to talk to the audience and the show incorporates daydream sequences as well as some chibi animation. I’m sure it will depend on your taste, but I didn’t mind the lightheartedness at all. The fourth-wall-breaking narration works for the pilot because it lets the show avoid awkward dialogue exposition. Whether it works for subsequent episodes depends on how the writers handle it. So far, what makes the style choice work is that Peter is an optimistic character whose jokes to the audience actually made me laugh. Considering I last saw Bell on the awful live-action Fairly Oddparents movie … it’s a relief that he’s good in this.

The rest of the characters are a mixed bag. I like that Nick Fury (Chi McBride) isn’t an impersonation of Samuel L. Jackson’s movie version — this Fury is a little gentler in his approach, although still intimidating. Clark Gregg was only in a handful of scenes as Agent Coulson, but I laughed when he’s revealed as Peter’s new principal. Aunt May is certainly not the elderly grandmother figure from former adaptations … besides the silver-white hair, May (voiced by show runner Paul Dini‘s wife Misty Lee) looks to be in her 50s and active in plenty of activities, including a full-time career.

While Tara Strong is good as Mary Jane Watson, I’m unsure about the writers turning her into an aspiring reporter who wants to get an exclusive interview with Spider-Man; I’m all for giving love interests pro-active aspirations, but that backstory is just so Lois Lane. Speaking of reporting, J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons reprising his role from the films) hasn’t met Peter yet, but he’s spread throughout New York as the voice of the media … literally, he’s giving the news on the big screens at Times Square. Actually, just like Legend of Korra from last week’s column, Simmons has the honor of speaking the first lines of this new show as well … and it’s all about how Spider-Man is a menace, of course!

The Harry and Norman Osborns’ relationship is the same struggle its always been. Like Peter, we see Norman already well on his way to his evil alter-ego. Because every nerdy teenager has to have a high school antagonist, Flash Thompson is just as much of a bully as he’s ever been … but he’s also Spider-Man’s number one fan, which makes for some awkward moments. Oh, and Stan Lee plays a janitor named Stan who looks exactly like Stan Lee.

I’m not sure if all Spidey fans will like this new cartoon, but I sure enjoyed it. I think the key is that between his teammates, Agent Couston and Nick Fury, Peter Parker has friends to confide in. He’s not alone in this fight nor in his secret, which will give the show some storyline options unexplored in other series. Moreover, the action and the silliness work well together and Drake Bell is surprisingly likable. For now, I’m recording the series every week so I can see if Ultimate Spider-Man can keep this momentum up.

Oh, and as far as the Marvel Universe bumper shorts, I have to admit that the Marvel Mash-up was kind of brilliant — they’re older Marvel cartoons dubbed with silly alternative dialogue. Think a PG version of Space Ghost or Sealab 2021. If that doesn’t entice the adult nerds, I don’t know what will.

Clacked by Katie Schenkel
on Apr 02, 2012 @ 13:00 EST5EDT