Spider-Man (1981 TV Show)
By David Chapman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Spidey's second toon series set the stage for generations.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Spider-Man (1981 TV Show)
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What's the Story?
Back in 1981, Marvel Productions' syndicated SPIDER-MAN cartoon reintroduced kids to everyone's favorite friendly neighborhood wall crawler. After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker gains unique superpowers and became the web slinging hero, Spider-Man. Peter struggles to balance his life; he's keeping his grades up as a college student, working as a photographer for the Daily Bugle, and caring for his Aunt May, all while still finding time to save the city from whichever pesky supervillain is looking to take over the world this week. With a rogues' gallery that includes Marvel mainstays such as the Green Goblin, the Lizard, Magneto, and Doctor Doom, Spider-Man's going to have his work cut out for him.
Is It Any Good?
Since the day high school student Peter Parker got bit by a radioactive spider back in "Amazing Fantasy #15," Spider-Man has been an icon of the superhero genre, this still-relevant series remind us. After appearing in comic books, newspaper strips, live action TV, and a previous animated series, Marvel gave the friendly neighborhood wall crawler a new syndicated cartoon with 1981's Spider-Man. The 'toon also helped to update the character for a "modern" (at least by '80s standards) audience, with Peter sporting a loose haircut and casual attire. Peter also left high school behind, continuing his education as a college student at Empire State University, while still serving up pictures of Spider-Man to Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson.
In this Spider-Man series, much like in the comic books it was based on, there was nearly as much focus on Peter Parker as a person as there was on Spider-Man as a hero. Whether it meant worrying about school exams while fending off Doctor Octopus or taking down a crime network while at a carnival with Aunt May and Betty Bryant, the audience got to see the constant balancing act of being a hero with everyday life. It all came together to make the character feel a lot more relatable. Admittedly, while the series stayed faithful to the comic book, some parts of the series haven't aged particularly well over the years. There are many episodes where the characters' dated looks and particularly their dialogue are hard to ignore. Still, it's this version of Spider-Man that helped to reshape the character, both in comics and onscreen, for generations to come.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the influence of comic books on entertainment. What are some of the ways that comic book characters have found new life outside of the pages and panels they call home? What are some of your favorite comic book-related movies and TV shows?
What defines a hero? What are some of the traits that define a superhero in comic books? What about the traits of heroes in the real world? How are the two similar and how are they different?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 12, 1981
- Network: Disney+
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Superheroes, Adventures, Book Characters, Friendship, Robots, Science and Nature
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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