Spider-Man (1981)

Spider-Man is a 1981–1982 American animated TV series based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is the second Spider-Man cartoon, following the 1967–1970 series.

## Synopsis

The series featured Peter Parker having to balance his alter ego crimefighting with his responsibilities as a university student, a part-time photographer for the *Daily Bugle* and caring for his elderly Aunt May Parker.

## Cast

* Ted Schwartz - Spider-Man/Peter Parker
* Jack Angel - Dr. Donald Blake, Man Mountain Marko, Moe (in "Triangle of Evil")
* Lee Bailey - Robbie Robertson
* William Boyett - Hammerhead
* Wally Burr - Sam Block
* Corey Burton - Lizard
* Philip L. Clarke - Sidewinder/Wild Willie Wilson (in "The Sidewinder Strikes")
* Regis Cordic - Ringmaster, Professor Gizmo
* Henry Corden - Dr. Niemann
* Ralph James - Doctor Doom, Goron
* Peter Cullen - Red Skull, Stuntman/Jack Riven (in "Triangle of Evil")
* Brian Cummings - Empire State University Principal (in "The Pied Piper of New York Town"), General (in "The Pied Piper of New York Town")
* Jeff David - Nephilia/Dr. Bradley Shaw
* Lynn Johnson - Akim (in "The Doom Report")
* Morgan Lofting - Aunt May, Black Cat
* Mona Marshall - Betty Brant, Rodeo Girl (in "The Sidewinder Strikes"), Boy Victor Von Doom (in "Cannon of Doom")
* Jack DeLeon - Kraven the Hunter
* George DiCenzo - Captain America, Wizard
* Walker Edmiston - Magneto
* Ron Feinberg - Cat Burglar (in "Arsenic and Aunt May")
* Brian Fuld - Johann, Young Reed Richards (in "Cannon of Doom"), Young Victor Von Doom (in "Cannon of Doom")
* Linda Gary - Colleen (in "Arsenic and Aunt May")
* Buster Jones - Acting Teacher
* Stan Jones - Doctor Octopus, Kingpin
* Les Lampson - Shlocker (in "Triangle of Evil")
* John H. Mayer - Chameleon, Police Sergeant (in "Arsenic and Aunt May")
* Don Messick - Vulture, Hank Edwards (in "The Vulture Has Landed")
* Arlin Miller - Ka-Zar
* Vic Perrin - Sub-Mariner, Caesar Cicero
* Tony Pope - Boris
* Richard Ramos - Gadgeteer/Joshua (in "The Incredible Shrinking Spider-Man")
* Gene Ross - Larry (in "Triangle of Evil")
* Neil Ross - Green Goblin/Norman Osborn, Michael (in "Countdown to Doom")
* Michael Rye - Mysterio
* Marilyn Schreffler - Sally Ann Beaumont (in "The Sandman is Coming")
* Gary Seger - Johnny Griffon (in "Curiosity Killed the Spider-Man"), Beyond Belief Host (in "Triangle of Evil")
* Michael Sheehan - Mortimer
* John Stephenson - Dr. Norton (in "The Incredible Shrinking Spider-Man")
* Andre Stojka - Sandman, Professor Higgins
* B.J. Ward - Namorita, Medusa
* Paul Winchell - Silvermane, Uncle Ben
* William Woodson - J. Jonah Jameson, Professor Donaldson (in "The Vulture Has Landed"), Dr. Everett (in "Wrath of the Sub-Mariner")

*Note*: Neil Ross would reprise his role as Norman Osborn/the Green Goblin for the 1994 *Spider-Man* cartoon series.

Walter S. Burr was the Voice Director for the series.

## Production

### Background

The series was created to launch Marvel Productions, successor of DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, who had previously produced the 1978 *New Fantastic Four* and 1979 *Spider-Woman* animated series (where Spider-Man made two appearances).

### Character designs

The character design for Peter Parker (as well as other supporting characters including Aunt May and J. Jonah Jameson) was also quite faithful to the comic books of the period and hearkened back to the illustrations by John Romita Sr. of the young hero in Spider-Man's newspaper strip adventures from the 1970s. Due to network constraints and demands from parents, characters such as Spider-Man were not allowed to make a fist to strike an opponent, but the show's creators managed to conceal these issues with a focus on action and relatively fluid animation.

Much like the *Spider-Man* newspaper strip of the late 1970s, Peter Parker's character design did away with the 1960s crew cut for a more modern hairstyle during this time, which the character continued to be portrayed with through the 1980s and early 1990s. Likewise, Parker abandoned the conservative suit and tie of the 1960s comics and previous animated series in favor of dark blue straight-legged linen pants.

Peter's mask was connected to his costume at the back of the neck, like a hood which he would pull over his head when he changed into Spider-Man.

## Broadcast and home media release

All 26 episodes have been released on DVD in the UK by Clear Vision, over four DVD volumes. To avoid confusion with other Spider-Man DVD titles, Clear Vision released the show on DVD under the name *Spider-Man 5000*.

As was the case with *Amazing Friends*, the series was later re-aired in the late 1980s as part of the 90-minute *Marvel Action Universe*, a syndicated series that was used as a platform for old and new Marvel-produced animated fare (the newer programming featured *RoboCop: The Animated Series*, *Dino-Riders* and on occasion, *X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men*, which was intended to serve as a pilot for a potential X-Men animated series). The show was last rerun in the US in 1998 as part of the *UPN Kids Action Zone* block alongside several other Marvel shows.

The rights to all Marvel shows were owned by Disney, before Marvel acquired them in 2008. Currently there are no plans for a DVD release in the US or elsewhere.

In Canada, Morningstar Entertainment released the episode "The Vulture Has Landed" on DVD in the set entitled *Spider-Man Vs. The Vulture*. The set also contains "The Vulture's Prey" and "The Dark Terrors", both from the 1967 *Spider-Man* TV series. Morningstar also released "Canon of Doom" (on the *Fantastic Four VS. Doctor Doom* set, included in the *Villains Showdown* Gift Set that also includes "Spider-Man Vs. The Vulture"), although the episode is the Bonus episode on the disc. "Arsenic And Aunt May" was also released in the *Heroes* box set. All the Morningstar DVDs were mastered from VHS/Betamax copies that were released by Prism Video in 1985 as part of their Marvel Video Library series.

The series was available for streaming on Netflix from 2011 to 2013. The series became available on the Disney+ streaming service at its U.S. launch in November 2019.

The Series Premiered On Toon Disney/Jetix On February 26, 2019.

1. ↑ Marvel Shows Now Available on Netflix!. Marvel.com (28 April 2011).
2. ↑ Template:Cite video