For those of us of a certain age, network animated programming on Saturday mornings was an integral part of childhood, oftentimes far more fascinating and meaningful than whatever more high-profile shows were on in prime time. But the rising popularity of kids’ programming on cable channels like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network has taken the spotlight away from broadcast networks, who in recent years have downsized their Saturday-morning cartoon blocks, farming them out to outside providers and letting local affiliates pre-empt or even eliminate them altogether.
One of the last bastions of successful network kids’ programming has been Kids’ WB!, which was part of The WB network and launched such classic shows as Batman Beyond, Static Shock and Pinky and the Brain. Following The WB and UPN merger that formed The CW in 2006, Kids’ WB! is set to expire this September, when The CW hands its kids’ programming over to 4Kids Entertainment, who also program Fox’s Saturday mornings.
This means that the network’s storied tradition of animated superhero programming is getting its last hurrah with The Spectacular Spider-Man (The CW, Saturdays, 10 a.m.), the latest attempt to bring the classic Marvel Comics character to TV. Despite the massive success of the live-action Spider-Man films, recent efforts at Spidey cartoons have been less than fruitful. The character’s last TV incarnation, on MTV in 2003, only lasted for 13 episodes, as did Fox’s 1999 Spider-Man Unlimited, set in an alternate universe with a redesigned look for the main character.
Spectacular gets back to basics, with nerdy Peter Parker still in high school (MTV had him in college), living with his Aunt May and taking photos for blowhard J. Jonah Jameson at the Daily Bugle. Movie girlfriend Mary Jane Watson is set to appear eventually, but classic comics love interest Gwen Stacy shows up right away as Peter’s platonic friend, along with Harry Osborn, whose father Norman is on his way to becoming villain the Green Goblin.
Overseen by Greg Weisman, creator of the cult-classic cartoon Gargoyles, Spectacular is fast-paced, fun and smart, perfect for kids but not too watered down for teen and adult fans of the movies and comic books to appreciate. Weisman’s Peter is less angsty than other recent versions, and his world is bright and exciting, with just enough danger to appear enticing but not scare off young viewers. The voice talent, a mix of animation journeymen and some more recognizable names (Robert “Freddy Krueger” Englund does good work as the villainous Vulture), is uniformly good, and not awkward with the cadences of the young and sort-of-hip. The visual style is simple but modern, showing a little anime influence while retaining its own unique look. Even the theme song is lively and entertaining, explaining the hero’s powers in a manner similar to the classic 1960s ditty.
The greatest strengths of acclaimed superhero cartoons like Batman: The Animated Series and X-Men: Evolution (both of which spent at least part of their runs on Kids’ WB!) were their long-term, involved plotting and characterization, and it’s hard to tell yet whether Spectacular will achieve that—or even get the chance to. The CW has committed to airing 13 episodes of the show, with the possibility of more if it does well. But once Kids’ WB! ends in September, it’s unclear whether Spectacular or any of the network’s other shows will continue. Saturday mornings may never be the same.
The Spectacular Spider-Man *** 1/2