Ultimate Spider-Man Animated Series

[ChaosInc]

I hated it. The humour was bad, the writing was flat, the characters were one-dimensional, there was a ton of unneeded exposition, and it just felt like an 80s cartoon with a new coat of paint.

I'm passing on this one.

[FriendlyNeighborhood]

Loved the first two episodes. I love the humor and the overall vibe of the show. I didn't mind Drake Bell as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. This cartoon got a lot of laughs out of me. I'm on board for the long haul. It's nice to have people like Bendis, Dini, Lee, and people who know Spider-Man working on the show. Makes it feel authentic. I'd rather have people working on a Spider-Man cartoon that know the character over some random guy who never read a Spidey comic ever in his/her life.

[FSUSpiderFan]

This show is annoying so far. It has some concepts that may have been interesting but they are way too many gimmicks. A Spidey cartoon can be funny but come on. Do we really need a bell ring when someone gets hit or written sound effects. Did they get Family Guy writers to do this? The cut aways are mostly lame, although the Mexican hat one did make me laugh. Repeatedly saying Ultimate was so dumb, they didn't have to say Spectacular all over the place in the last cartoon 9barring the theme song of course). Speaking of theme songs, they didn't even bother to try on this show. The ADHD pace of it bugs me. Also, rather than being young and inexperienced, Spidey comes off as stupid. This is particularly true in the bike scene. Why didn't Shield show him how to use it before giving him the opportunity to screw around? Don't they care about a big hole being blown in the Helicarrier? Why would they offer to make Spidey the leader of the teen squad? The animation and action are very well done most of the time but they do some cop out animation in the villain plotting scenes between Norman and Doc Ock. I like the character designs except Doc Ock and the teen squad.

[ChaosInc]

Repeatedly saying Ultimate was so dumb, they didn't have to say Spectacular all over the place in the last cartoon 9barring the theme song of course).

To be fair if they didn't go around saying "you'll become the Ultimate Spider-Man!" then they wouldn't have a title, 'cause this drek sure isn't based on the comics. I think Spectacular had more influences from the Ultimate comics than this show does.

This is particularly true in the bike scene. Why didn't Shield show him how to use it before giving him the opportunity to screw around? Don't they care about a big hole being blown in the Helicarrier?

Well apparently Fury's super dooper background check on Peter, that even managed to come up with the "Great Power" quote, somehow missed that Peter didn't even have a learners permit. I think there's a great lesson to be learned from it... that the writers will sacrifice any plot point for the sake of a cheap gag.

[Aziz]

GregXB posted it in the hype

[DarkKnightJared]

Speaking of theme songs, they didn't even bother to try on this show.

That part probably has to do with it being part of the Marvel Universe block. They heavily condensed the Avengers theme as well, and the same thing's done for the DC Nation 'toons.

Besides, the Spectacular theme was kinda crap. I'd rather they just get get the title and move on with the story then have to deal with a minute-long shitty band singing asinine lyrics (like the Spectacular theme or the Avengers theme).

[Wombat 909]

Besides, the Spectacular theme was kinda crap. I'd rather they just get get the title and move on with the story then have to deal with a minute-long shitty band singing asinine lyrics (like the Spectacular theme or the Avengers theme).

Take that back!

I like cartoon theme songs. I cannot stand that Super Hero Squad show but love the theme tune to it.

[iron_patriot]

I cannot stand that Super Hero Squad show but love the theme tune to it.

YOU take that back! By the Hammer of Nathan Fillion I will make you regret that!!!!

[FSUSpiderFan]

Speaking of theme songs, they didn't even bother to try on this show.

That part probably has to do with it being part of the Marvel Universe block. They heavily condensed the Avengers theme as well, and the same thing's done for the DC Nation 'toons.

Besides, the Spectacular theme was kinda crap. I'd rather they just get get the title and move on with the story then have to deal with a minute-long shitty band singing asinine lyrics (like the Spectacular theme or the Avengers theme).

The Spectacular song annoyed me at first but it really grew on me. I am hoping that happens with this show. That the more extreme attempts at humor and frantic pace settle down some.

[Tabularasa]

Well, I hated Spectacular when it first started and it grew on me. I still don't think it was Marvel's BTAS (That goes to either EMH or Wolverine & the X-Men) but it got better.

[FSUSpiderFan]

I will say the character designs are mostly better than Spec. The fish eyes and doll arms on the Spec. cartoon took some getting used to. Ultimate so far does not show the heart that Spec. did right from the start.

[Aziz]

Besides, the Spectacular theme was kinda crap. I'd rather they just get get the title and move on with the story then have to deal with a minute-long shitty band singing asinine lyrics (like the Spectacular theme or the Avengers theme).

It still beats the 90s cartoon theme by miles

I like cartoon theme songs. I cannot stand that Super Hero Squad show but love the theme tune to it.

It's my favorite Hulk cartoon

Well, I hated Spectacular when it first started and it grew on me.

That show is one of the top 4 comic book cartoons imo, second to BTAS, followed by TMNT and Avengers EMH

I still don't think it was Marvel's BTAS (That goes to either EMH or Wolverine & the X-Men) but it got better.

[/quote]If that X-Men cartoon has the Phoenix, then it's far from BTAS

[SpiderDudeTheAvatar]

Well I think Spectacular Spider-Man was one of the best TV shows I've ever watched...
And while Ultimate is good, it's hard to not think that it isn't worth cancelling SSM.

BUT.
This show will grow on me.
It still has a lot more episodes to go, and what I've seen is good enough for more developement.
It has a teensy weensy chance to be as good or close to being as good as SSM.
I like the art design and several gags they use, even the voice acting.
Bell may not seem much now, but the change in how he voices Spidey between ep 1 and ep 2, you can tell he's just gonna improve in his job.
I feel, though, that more gags would work if it were Keaton voicing this Spidey..
Some of those lines seem like they were written for Keaton's voice rather than Bell's, which is why some jokes never worked.

I'm just going to go out of my way to compare USM and SSM now...

(On topic of SSM, I'm annoyed at how shallow and close-minded people are who don't like SSM because of the art design. I mean I swear to god, a lot of people call it inferior to the 90's one because they saw the art design. Story doesn't even matter! NOPE! It's the art design that determines how good the story is, the character developement!/sarcasm Even then, the animation is so much better.)

[DarkKnightJared]

It still beats the 90s cartoon theme by miles

I don't remember hating the 90s theme. I mean, part of it could be nostalgia, but it really didn't do anything in terms of lyrics. It just said the name of the show and had some sweet guitar licks.

[iron_patriot]

Random thoughts and comments:

Animation is beautiful, especially the opening of the first episode and the scene with Spidey climbing the Empire State Building.
Exposition can get annoying, but it's short enough to not really take me out of it.
Humor is right up my alley for the most part. "The Parker's Game night" made me cringe,though.
"Spider-Sense! Danger!" has annoyed me since the 90s show.

Drake Bell's voice isn't as bad as I initially thought, but it could improve if he tones it down a bit, and make a noticeable difference between Pete and Spidey.
Tara Strong as MJ is a brilliant choice.
Sponge Bob as Curt Connors and Doc Ock. XD
JK Simmons is always a standout.
Not sure if this voice really works for Norman Osborn. Harry's is all right.
I prefer Spec's Flash Thompson. This iteration's a bit too generic.
Nick Fury's voice is pretty good, if a bit inconsistent at times.
I'm unashamed to say, with Misty Lee, AKA Zatanna, as the voice actress and the character design, Aunt May is hot.

Not the absolute best Spidey show, but I like it. Can't wait for the next episode.