Ultimate Spider-Man Animated Series

[DarkKnightJared]

First two episodes are available online here.

I really enjoyed them--I thought some of the cutbacks were pretty funny (my personal favorite was the "Parker Family Night"), and while the voice actor for Peter was a little abrasive to hear at times, he could grow into the role, and the "team" and the future plot developments were really interesting.

And yes, Mariachi Spider-Man was even funnier with context.

[Aziz]

First two episodes are available online here.

I really enjoyed them--I thought some of the cutbacks were pretty funny (my personal favorite was the "Parker Family Night"), and while the voice actor for Peter was a little abrasive to hear at times, he could grow into the role, and the "team" and the future plot developments were really interesting.

And yes, Mariachi Spider-Man was even funnier with context.

I'll watch them later, thanks

[Sarcasmic]

I absouletely despised everything going into this show; The idea this was a show for kids that felt like it talked down to them and was written by adults for what they thought kids would like, the musical cues, the teen titans animation, the cut aways, the fourth wall breaking, the team up idea, Drake Bell as Spider-Man.... Oh and the fact it killed Spectacular Spider-Man.

And while I still have problems with it, it was rather fun and enjoyable to watch. Aside from Drake Bell, all of the main teens are well voiced, and while the adults don't fare as well, Chi McBride as Fury is one of the best parts of this show. And JK Simmons return as Jonah is bloody fantastic.

It's really steeped in the Marvel Universe and that works well for the show, offering some great insight and cut away jokes with other superheroes. The show also works well for Parker's Me-Time world and cast, with the exception of Flash and I love the Mary Jane in this show.

The other teen heroes are pretty good, their introduction was fantastic, and when they bleed over into Parker's world, it works well for what little we get.

Big problems: Drake Bell, breaking the fourth wall, it talks down to people, their Doc Ock, and Drake Bell.

[DarkKnightJared]

I absouletely despised everything going into this show; The idea this was a show for kids that felt like it talked down to them and was written by adults for what they thought kids would like, the musical cues, the teen titans animation, the cut aways, the fourth wall breaking, the team up idea, Drake Bell as Spider-Man.... Oh and the fact it killed Spectacular Spider-Man.

And while I still have problems with it, it was rather fun and enjoyable to watch. Aside from Drake Bell, all of the main teens are well voiced, and while the adults don't fare as well, Chi McBride as Fury is one of the best parts of this show. And JK Simmons return as Jonah is bloody fantastic.

It's really steeped in the Marvel Universe and that works well for the show, offering some great insight and cut away jokes with other superheroes. The show also works well for Parker's Me-Time world and cast, with the exception of Flash and I love the Mary Jane in this show.

The other teen heroes are pretty good, their introduction was fantastic, and when they bleed over into Parker's world, it works well for what little we get.

Big problems: Drake Bell, breaking the fourth wall, it talks down to people, their Doc Ock, and Drake Bell.

The only time I felt it really trying to "talk down" to kids was some of Bell's cutaway or introductory lines ("I'm PETER PARKER, and a I'm SPIDER-MAN! I fight BAD GUYS!"), outside of that, it honestly felt no different then how comics from the 60s or 70s would talk down to kids.

[MattAdler]

I haven't seen the Spectacular Spider-Man, so I can't compare, but I saw the first episode of USM Saturday at the launch party in NYC, and I have to agree, it's pretty good. And I'd also agree that Drake Bell's voice is just wrong for the character-- he sounds too much like the cool kid, where Peter Parker should be a little more nerdy and insecure.

At the launch party, I got to interview Joe Quesada, Joe Kelly (one of the writers/producers from MOA), and Chris Elipoulous (who adapted the episodes back to comics). Here's the video. Let me know what you guys think!

Joe Quesada:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP6L78PtZRA

Joe Kelly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeXInn2JT44

Chris Eliopoulous:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o15qYUKCNh0

[Extreme Spider]

Besides the usual qualms I was enjoying it all the way till we introduce Aunt May... I was ready to cry then I remembered this is the Ultimate U. But I don't think Ultimate Aunt May does Yoga

[Sarcasmic]

Besides the usual qualms I was enjoying it all the way till we introduce Aunt May... I was ready to cry then I remembered this is the Ultimate U. But I don't think Ultimate Aunt May does Yoga

Ugh, I forgot that... Think I mentally blocked it out, I face palmed so hard during the Parker Game Night skit.

[DarkKnightJared]

And I'd also agree that Drake Bell's voice is just wrong for the character-- he sounds too much like the cool kid, where Peter Parker should be a little more nerdy and insecure.

See, I heard it more as a nerdy and insecure kid trying REALLY HARD to sound cool, which, let's face it, that's Spider-Man interacting with other heroes to a T.

I look at it this way--with Brave & The Bold, I was a little worried at first becaue Batman was being played by one of the guys from the Drew Carrey Show, but after a few episodes, he became the perfect Batman for the kind of show they were doing. I hope Bell goes through the same thing.

[Wombat 909]

This was better than I thought it was going to be. What looked bad in the trailers was still bad in the show. Mainly the breaking fourth wall parts. Peter talking to the audience about who Aunt May was and throwing the 'Ultimate Spider-Man' words off the screen. That I didn't like.

Everything was else was decent though. The animation, while not as slick as Spec still looked good and I liked how closely Peter resembled Bagley's rendition, right down the hair style. Some criticized Drake Bell's role as Spidey but I had no problem with it. The Frightful Four were an odd choice for villains to open the show but were well played and I liked MJ noting there was only 3 of them. Osborn and Ock's presence in the background is definitely intriguing. Seeing Cap and Iron Man in fleeting cameo's was really unexpected and actually very cool.

So yeah, better than expected, if not with some rather irritating moments that don't look to stop any-time soon. I'll continue watching but it's going to take some doing for me to really enjoy this the way other series have.

[Tabularasa]

Just saw the first episode and I really enjoyed it. It was exactly what I thought it was gonna be, more comedic take and just plain fun. I agree Drake Bell's voice didn't go well with Peter, but it didn't bother me that much and I really think it's one of those voices that will grow. I'm more intrigued with the idea of Fury and SHIELD training Spidey. I think this could be a really enjoyable show and it's a big plus for me that it's airing with The Avengers. It's a great hour of superhero fun.

[RadioCity]

I enjoyed the first 2 episodes very much. I think the animation is much better then Spectacular although that was very good as well.

I like the voice work overall but Drake did seem a little overbearing in the beginning. But as the staccato of the episodes progressed his voice was very much in step with it.

Thanks for the interviews Matt Adler

[Aziz]

Nova's name is not "Richard Ryder", and not "Rick Jones", when did this Nova appear in comics?
Initial episodes are fun to watch, I hope it gets more fun as the show goes on
Sombrero Spidey in action is funny, nice to see why it's done
I miss Alan Rachins as Norman

[DarkKnightJared]

Nova's name is not "Richard Ryder", and not "Rick Jones", when did this Nova appear in comics?

This is apparently the Nova that first debuted in Point One and will play a role in Avengers Vs. X-Men.

[Aziz]

Nova's name is not "Richard Ryder", and not "Rick Jones", when did this Nova appear in comics?

This is apparently the Nova that first debuted in Point One and will play a role in Avengers Vs. X-Men.

Gonna have to check that comic

[Tabularasa]

Saw the second episode, thought it was even better than the first and love the idea of the team. I'm a fan of Luke & Danny but I'm a newbie to White Tiger and the new Nova, so we'll see how they go. I think some might dislike the whole Agent Coulson thing, but I loved every minute of it. I think sometimes this show rides on the edge of being a little too insane and cheesy, but so far it hasn't gone all the way with it. I just find it a lot of fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, yet it does still have a message and a pretty clear character arc for Peter.