Spider-Man. Spider-Man
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves’just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Spider-Man!
If you know the words to that song, chances are you’ve spent your share of Saturday mornings glued to the tube watching the animated adventures of Peter Parker and his web-slinging alter ego. Now, as Spider-Mania grips the nation in advance of this week’s highly anticipated release of Sony’s live-action sequel, Buena Vista Home Entertainment offers up the perfect opportunity to revisit those groovy early days of everyone’s friendly neighborhood wall-crawler.
Is he Strong? Listen, bud.
He’s got radioactive blood.
For the first time ever, all 52 episodes of the original animated series are available on DVD in all their fully restored glory. Spider-Man: The ’67 Collection looks and sounds great. BVITV joined forces with Fox Kids Europe to undertake the ambitious restoration project, which involved re-mastering the series on a high-definition format from the original 35mm film negatives.
The six-disc set includes all 1,144 minutes of the show’s run from 1967 to 1970 and features such Spidey villains as Dr. Octopus, The Green Goblin, Mysterio, the Rhino and Dr. Magento. You’ll also see some baddies that are not likely to show up in a Sam Raimi film, characters such as Parafino, a guy who throws big balls of wax.
Can He Swing from a thread?
Take a look overhead.
The animation by Grantray-Lawrence Animation and Kratz Animation is rather limited compared to more recent incarnations, but the ’67 is still a lot of fun. Kids will be enthralled by the quick pacing and action-packed adventures, while nostalgic adults are sure to get a kick out of the delightfully corny dialogue and dated 60’s flare (there’s a scene in episode 4, “Electro the Human Lightning Bolt,” where Spidey decides to strengthen his web formula by adding asbestos.)
In the chill of night, at the scene of a crime,
Like a streak of light, he arrives just in time!
The DVD release is perfectly timed to take advantage of the revived interest in one of Marvel Comics’ best-known superheroes. The character, created in 1962 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, was animated again in Marvel Prods.’ 1981 series, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. Saban And Graz Entertainment then came on the scene with Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which ran from 1993 to 1998 and was followed by Saban’s short-lived Spider-Man Unlimited in 1999. MTV recently brought the web slinger into the CG age with its 2002-2003 effort, Spider-Man: The Series. In additional efforts to capitalize on Spider-Mania, some of these classic shows are making their way back to prime spots in TV line-ups. Channel 4 in the U.K. has licensed the ’67 series and Toon Disney added the 1993 version to its Jetix block just last weekend.
Wealth and fame, he’s ignored.
Action is his reward.
The set lists for a reasonable $59.99 and comes with an exclusive booklet with an introduction by Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee. It would have been nice to get more in the way of extra features such as interviews with producers, animators and voice actors who worked on the show. Perhaps they’re saving that for a later release. Still, it’s a treasure to have these classic episodes on disc to be enjoyed by the whole family.
To him, life is a great big bang-up.
Wherever there’s a hang-up,
You’ll find the Spider-Man!
