Spectacular Spider-Man’s season finale gives a fond farewell to Venom, New York-style with some home-made cement shoes.

After being underwhelmed from the heavy use of the Spider Man movie last episode, I was hoping for a bang up season finale this week. While some fans may feel like we got a short episode with an okay epilogue, I personally liked the episode.

Even thought I thought they should have played up Eddie Brock’s anger more, I did appreciate how Brock’s loneliness was spotlighted with how Parker reacts to each of his family and friends and such. Brock even took shots at Aunt May and company. He even so far to make a similar deal with Tombstone that Spicer-Man previously made. Speaking of Tombstone, he still got a great line despite his length of appearance. He doesn’t micro-manage? That’s gold.

The fight scenes were alright. Clearly we see that Spider-Man’s powers are way better than Venom’s brute strength. The lead up with the horror thriller during a day time parade was an interesting touch. I did love how Spider-Man relied on his own brains to defeat Venom rather than rely on exploiting the Symbiote’s elemental weakness. I’m sure some fans were hoping to see a flame thrower or a sonic blaster (Hasbro sure was). Although it would have been a cool cameo to see the Fantastic Four carting off the Symbiote and Eddie Brock away. Nonetheless, it was nice nod to the second Venom Arc from the Spider Man comics. Spider-Man treated the Symbiote like an ex-girlfriend and exploited the limits of its mass.

Even though it seems obvious that the cement bath won’t hold the Symbiote for long, I like the New York nod to organized crime. If you, like me, looks at every little blasted thing on screen, you may recall the Sandman episode from a couple weeks ago. Stan Carter closed the construction site when Spider-Man and Sandman fought.

If you go back and look at the site’s sign, it reads “LTL Constructions.” LTL stands for L. Thompson Lincoln aka Tombstone?! And considering Tombstone’s deal with Venom, I just love the illusion of coincidence.

I was a little miffed by how they left Brock up on the roof. A little shuffling into a dark alley shaking his fist would have been okay. But it ain’t as bad as that time Silver Banshee just disappeared on JLU that one time…but I digress. Anyone see the two comic book nods? Romita’s Pizza was a cool shout out to two of the best names in the business. Dr. Bromwell, Aunt May’s personal physician, is straight out of the Silver Age days and seems like a possible love interest.

Speaking of the supporting cast, they were still strong as ever. While Sally is still the girl to hate and maybe a fight between Liz Allen and Gwen Stacy would have been more spectacular than Spider-Man versus Venom. It also looks like his periphery to Peter Parker and Mary Jane is turning Flash Thompson into a decent guy. It would be a terrible stretch but just look at the 70’s and even Y2K Flash for awhile. He can be a chum.

Then there was the kiss. I have to hand it to Greg Weisman for obeying the chronology of love interests. From the 90’s and on, Mary Jane is the first and only love of Parker. But let’s not forget Gwen Stacy was first in the comics! That whole tragedy defined Spider-Man for the longest time. Please just stay away from Miles Warren (and Carnage). Please.

I truly thought this was a great first season, a rarity in itself these days. And unless Sony cracks the whip, it seems like a slam dunk that the CW-4Kids will pick up the second season. And I honestly can’t wait to see what the second season will bring; Mysterio, Kraven, Silver Sable, ah the list goes on. See you in a few.

The Spectacular Spider-Man
"Nature vs. Nurture"
Written: Kevin Hopps
Directed: Victor Cook