Review -- The Spectacular Spider-Man "Catalysts"
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Michael Tanaka
Raised on late 80's and early 90's animation, Michael T has come to love the works of DC Comics animation. He currently owns and manages http://dcauresource.com and moderates with http://animationinsider.net. He currently watches Lost, Heroes, Stargate Atlantis and occasionally Project Runway. Michael T will soon graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Management and is often seen as a one of a kind, jack of all trades, rebel. By Michael Tanaka
Published on 04/28/2008
In "Catalysts," New York is home to two power plays; the Green Goblin challenges Big Man and Mary Jane Watson storms the Midtown High Fall Formal!
April 26. 2008
In Catalysts, New York is home to two power plays; the Green Goblin challenges Big Man and Mary Jane Watson storms the Midtown High Fall Formal!
The funny thing, besides the great one liners, was that I thought about was everyone but Spider-Man in this episode. And the episode was still great as the rest of the season. Three guys are set up to become villains and three gals are making more drama than an episode of the Hills (I was curious, so sue me!).
Whoever said three’s company? I loved the battle between Tombstone, Spider Man and the Green Goblin. If I had to reinforce my DC Animated knowledge, the Green Goblin and Steven Blum could be what the Joker and Mark Hamill were for Batman: The Animated Series. I liked how they kept the Goblin’s alter ego a mystery as per the comics. They even kept in his original goal of becoming the top crime boss. Given the show’s taste for the Silver Age, it’s an Osborn. I had a déjà vu or two in this episode. Didn’t the construction site scene remind anyone of the 90’s? I found it hilarious that while everyone dodged the Goblin’s Razor Bats, Tombstone just caught them. “To grown ups, this would be called irony.”
The supporting cast was at their best with the Fall Formal in full swing. I honestly should have started a list to see who broke up with who and hooked up and re-hooked up with who. I never noticed her before but Sally Avril? Nice to see the writers remained faithful with her attitude toward Peter Parker. Wonder if we’ll see any blue birds soon. I like Mary Jane more and more. I had a bone to pick with how she was done in the movies but in this show, I love her attitude. She is the center of attention, she knows it and she loves it! And to stick it to Midtown High, MJ is the Queen. And if anyone is looking to make a new animated avatar for their forum profile, I suggest Flash Thompson dancing.
Now, based on what we’ve seen who else wants to think Weisman is jumping the shark and made Harry Osborn the Green Goblin? We saw him drink some Globulin formula, but this could be an adaptation of Harry’s infamous drug overdose. One thing is for sure, he’ll be doing a lot better in football. If you don’t think Harry is the Goblin, what if the Goblin is a separate personality that takes over when Harry blacks out. Or what if Norman is brainwashing Harry? How about the easiest answer? Norman Osborn is the Goblin because he wasn’t even in the episode.
Then there’s Eddie Brock. This episode featured an Eddie I remember from the comics, angry at everybody. And it couldn’t have come at a better time, John Jameson, New York’s favorite astronaut appears. I love how they play up his heroism with the bomb scene. If Jameson is about to go on a space trip, I wonder what will come back down, Man-Wolf or the Symbiote. We’ve all been watching the opening credit scene, so we know about Venom. As much as I like Venom, I thought it was lame to have Jameson free it from the Moon and lazy that it just feel from the sky. Blame me for being a purist, but let’s just have a Secret War! I have this feeling the Symbiote will crawl out from the center of the Earth through a geyser and latch onto Brock. Prove me wrong, staff crew.
The Spectacular Spider-Man is still a catalyst for me to watch a certain network. It doesn’t help to throw in the arch-enemy of our favorite web-slinger and his one true love. And with a couple more of Spider-Man’s A-List villains slated to appear, my eyes will be glued to this series. Keep watching this show!
The Spectacular Spider-Man
"Catalysts"
Written: Andrew Robinson
Directed: Victor Cook
The funny thing, besides the great one liners, was that I thought about was everyone but Spider-Man in this episode. And the episode was still great as the rest of the season. Three guys are set up to become villains and three gals are making more drama than an episode of the Hills (I was curious, so sue me!).
Whoever said three’s company? I loved the battle between Tombstone, Spider Man and the Green Goblin. If I had to reinforce my DC Animated knowledge, the Green Goblin and Steven Blum could be what the Joker and Mark Hamill were for Batman: The Animated Series. I liked how they kept the Goblin’s alter ego a mystery as per the comics. They even kept in his original goal of becoming the top crime boss. Given the show’s taste for the Silver Age, it’s an Osborn. I had a déjà vu or two in this episode. Didn’t the construction site scene remind anyone of the 90’s? I found it hilarious that while everyone dodged the Goblin’s Razor Bats, Tombstone just caught them. “To grown ups, this would be called irony.”
The supporting cast was at their best with the Fall Formal in full swing. I honestly should have started a list to see who broke up with who and hooked up and re-hooked up with who. I never noticed her before but Sally Avril? Nice to see the writers remained faithful with her attitude toward Peter Parker. Wonder if we’ll see any blue birds soon. I like Mary Jane more and more. I had a bone to pick with how she was done in the movies but in this show, I love her attitude. She is the center of attention, she knows it and she loves it! And to stick it to Midtown High, MJ is the Queen. And if anyone is looking to make a new animated avatar for their forum profile, I suggest Flash Thompson dancing.
Now, based on what we’ve seen who else wants to think Weisman is jumping the shark and made Harry Osborn the Green Goblin? We saw him drink some Globulin formula, but this could be an adaptation of Harry’s infamous drug overdose. One thing is for sure, he’ll be doing a lot better in football. If you don’t think Harry is the Goblin, what if the Goblin is a separate personality that takes over when Harry blacks out. Or what if Norman is brainwashing Harry? How about the easiest answer? Norman Osborn is the Goblin because he wasn’t even in the episode.
Then there’s Eddie Brock. This episode featured an Eddie I remember from the comics, angry at everybody. And it couldn’t have come at a better time, John Jameson, New York’s favorite astronaut appears. I love how they play up his heroism with the bomb scene. If Jameson is about to go on a space trip, I wonder what will come back down, Man-Wolf or the Symbiote. We’ve all been watching the opening credit scene, so we know about Venom. As much as I like Venom, I thought it was lame to have Jameson free it from the Moon and lazy that it just feel from the sky. Blame me for being a purist, but let’s just have a Secret War! I have this feeling the Symbiote will crawl out from the center of the Earth through a geyser and latch onto Brock. Prove me wrong, staff crew.
The Spectacular Spider-Man is still a catalyst for me to watch a certain network. It doesn’t help to throw in the arch-enemy of our favorite web-slinger and his one true love. And with a couple more of Spider-Man’s A-List villains slated to appear, my eyes will be glued to this series. Keep watching this show!
The Spectacular Spider-Man
"Catalysts"
Written: Andrew Robinson
Directed: Victor Cook