The Spectacular Spider-Man

What’s the Story?

Just getting through high school is hard enough for most teenagers, but in addition to homework, a part-time job, avoiding school bullies, and building up the nerve to ask a girl out on date, Peter Parker (voiced by Josh Keaton) also has to battle supervillains and protect his secret identity as the city's newest protector, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN. This version of the Spidey saga focuses on his early years, picking up at the start of his junior year, shortly after he's developed his amazing powers. The city and its resident bad guys are still getting used to having the web-slinger around, and he's still getting used to his new role.

Is It Any Good?

One of the show's executive producers is comic legend/Spidey creator Stan Lee, so the story stays pretty close to the Spider-Man legend. All of Peter's pals, as well as Spidey's supervillain foes, make appearances. That said, the series is clearly aimed at a young crowd, and it glosses over many of the more complicated -- and more mature -- themes that have made Spider-Man so popular. Even during fight scenes, Spidey keeps up such a running patter of quips and one-liners that the cartoon seems more like a comedy than a drama.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Many of the most successful comic adaptations in recent years have played up the dark side of these often-tormented heroes, notably Batman Begins, which focused on the Caped Crusader's anguish and need for revenge after seeing his parents murdered, and the X-Men films, which center on the brooding Wolverine character. But comics are also for kids, and this entry in the Spidey franchise will offer plenty of fun for young people until they're old enough to learn more about Peter Parker's inner demons.