More Ultimate Spider-Man TAS details…

It’s no secret that I loved Spectacular Spider-Man.  I thought it was the best, most wonderfully assembled animated series based on a comic property to date. It combined the best elements of the comics, things previous incarnations shied away from, assembled the best supporting cast from the extensive history of the Spider-Man character, and brought together an array of familiar and lesser known villains in a fun way that made every episode a treat.  The series took great liberties with certain elements, not afraid to tinker with the mythology, all the while staying faithful to the spirit and appeal of the people and elements that made us fans fall in love to begin with.  It was a remarkable combination of things that I can’t praise enough.

So it broke my heart when it was officially announced that the series wouldn’t be getting a third season, that they would be perusing a new series based largely on the same idea (a young and contemporary Peter Parker struggling to balance his two lives).  It should be a no-brainer that one of the best written, most consistently satisfying series of the last decade would be of interest to me as the inspiration for the new series, especially since Ultimate Spider-Man remains one of my all-time favorite comic series. But part of me couldn’t let go of that lost series that never got the attention it deserved.

However, Marvel has announced some more details about the series that leave me hopeful.  One of the more exciting aspects of the recent announcements was that Paul Dini would be brought on to write the pilot and act as a creative consultant.  If you don’t know Paul Dini, then you probably have no interest in what he does and this is all irrelevant to you.  But for years he was an award-winning and heralded driving force behind the Batman Animated Series of the 90s that remains the most celebrated animated comic-book adaptation of all time and defined the characters for a generation. It’s a big boon to the series that he’s been brought on, even in a token capacity, because he is the reason for so much of what made Batman such a terrific series. However, the most exciting aspect is that Bendis himself will oversee the series production and act in a producing capacity. After all its his baby, why shouldn’t he watch over it.

I am still hesitant to fall in love with the series yet.  Part of me feels like I am moving on to fast after the death of loved one and jumping into bed too soon with a new series.  Perhaps that’s a little more perverse than it needs to be, but I am not sure I am ready to let go of Spec Spidey…but I will say this.

If the news today is any indication of the direction of the series and how serious Marvel and Disney are taking this, then there is hope yet that I can love this one just as much.

Fingers crossed.  Don’t fuck this up Marvel…