Spider-Woman (TV series) explained

Genre:Superhero
Action
Adventure
Developer:Jeffrey Scott
Voices:Joan Van Ark
Bruce Miller
Bryan Scott
Narrated:Dick Tufeld
(Opening)
Composer:Eric Rogers
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:16
Producer:Lee Gunther
Executive Producer:David H. DePatie
Friz Freleng
Company:DePatie–Freleng Enterprises
Marvel Comics Animation
Runtime:30 minutes
Network:ABC

Spider-Woman is an animated television series, based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Woman.[1] The series was produced by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises and Marvel Comics Animation,[2] and aired from September 22, 1979 to January 5, 1980 on ABC.[3] [4] It was DePatie–Freleng's final series before its reincorporation as Marvel Productions.

Jessica Drew is Marvel's first superheroine to star in her own animated series.[5] [6]

The Spider-Woman cartoon should not be confused with Web Woman, a Filmation superheroine cartoon launched at around the same time, which reportedly prompted Marvel Comics into creating a Spider-Woman character to secure the copyright.[7] [8]

Premise

According to the title sequence, Jessica Drew was bitten by a venomous spider as a child. Her father, Dr. Alex Drew, saved her life by injecting the girl with an experimental "spider serum," which also granted her superhuman powers.[9] As an adult, Jessica Drew is editor of Justice Magazine,[10] with two other employees featured, such as photographer Jeff Hunt, and Drew's teenage nephew Billy. When trouble arises, Drew slips away to change into her secret identity of Spider-Woman.[11]

Differences between cartoon and comic book

The cartoon differs considerably from the comic book in its premise and supporting cast. Billy, Jeff, and Justice Magazine never appear in the comic book in any form, nor do the darker elements of the comic book (the heavy use of Arthurian legend and the occult, Jessica's feelings of alienation) enter into the much brighter world of the cartoon. The origin of her powers is also altered somewhat. At the time of the series' production, the threat to her life in the comics was radiation poisoning (though her published origin has since been altered).

The animated Spider-Woman's powers are noticeably modified; her enhanced strength in particular seems entirely missing, as she is shown in several episodes being restrained by means (such as ordinary rope) that her super-strong comic-book counterpart could easily break. In addition to the ability to cling to walls:

Cast

Home media

Spider-Woman is available to stream on Disney+.[14] [15]

Region 1

In 1982, a 100 minute Spider-Woman VHS tape was released, containing several episodes. Later on in the 1980s, Prism Entertainment's Marvel Comics Video Library VHS series included three episodes of the series. Volumes 6, 13, and 23 contain the Spider-Woman episodes The Spider-Woman and the Fly, Games of Doom and Pyramids of Terror, respectively. Volume 6 was re-released in 1991, minus the bonus Spider-Man episodes.

In 2008, volume 6 was released on DVD in Canada as Spider-Woman vs. the Fly by Morningstar Entertainment.

Region 2

In April 2008, Liberation Entertainment secured the home media rights to select Marvel shows from Jetix Europe in select European territories, including Spider-Woman.[16] [17] The company had plans to release the series on DVD, but in October, the company closed their UK branch; leaving the DVD release cancelled.[18]

In 2009, Clear Vision took over the home media rights and released the complete series in a 2-disc set in Germany on July 23[19] and in the United Kingdom on August 3.[20]

Reception

Critical response

Bradley Russell of GamesRadar+ wrote, "Surprisingly progressive for its time, the Jessica Drew-led show sometimes featured cameos from Spider-Man and other superheroes, yet Spider-Woman was always the star of the show. It also retains some classic Silver Age campiness and blends it with an often weird, always entertaining look at a character that (hopefully) becomes more prominent in future Marvel properties."[21] Chris Sims of Looper stated, "It's definitely every bit as clunky as you'd expect from the late '70s, but it also might be the single most buck wild superhero cartoon ever made. [...] If you're into the goofy stuff, or just want to see how the unfathomable weirdness of the Bronze Age Marvel Universe was translated directly to television, there aren't many that are going to be more fun than this one."[22]

David Chapman of Common Sense Media gave Spider-Woman a grade of three out of five stars, praised the presence of positive role models, stating Jessica Drew is portrayed as a strong and independent female character, and complimented the presence of positive messages, saying the series depicts benevolence and resourcefulness.[23] Lindsay E. Mack of Romper ranked Spider-Woman 25th in their "33 Classic Cartoons To Stream On Disney+ All Weekend Long" list and called it the "cartoon you didn't know you needed," saying, "It's a great chance to show your kid what superhero cartoons were like way before they (and in many cases their parents) were born."[24]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Perlmutter . David . The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows . 2018 . Rowman & Littlefield . 978-1538103739 . 580.
  2. Web site: Lovett . Jamie . October 14, 2019 . Every Marvel Cartoon Coming to Disney+ on Launch Day . 2023-08-19 . . en.
  3. Web site: Dietsch . TJ . November 14, 2019 . What You Need to Know About Marvel's First Animated Series, 'Spider-Woman' . 2023-08-19 . Marvel.com.
  4. Book: Woolery . George W. . Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part 1: Animated Cartoon Series . 1983 . Scarecrow Press . 0-8108-1557-5 . registration . 22 March 2020 . 268–269.
  5. Web site: Knox . Kelly . May 3, 2022 . Who Is Spider-Verse's Jessica Drew? Explaining the Powers, Origin and History of This Spider-Woman . 2023-08-19 . . en.
  6. Web site: Goodwillie . Ian . December 18, 2020 . 10 Animated Marvel Series You Had No Idea Existed . 2023-08-19 . . en.
  7. Johnson, Dan (August 2006). "Marvel's Dark Angel: Back Issue Gets Caught in Spider-Woman's Web", Back Issue Magazine Vol. 1, No. 17, pages 57-63. TwoMorrows Publishing.
  8. Web site: Paramanandam . Priya . November 4, 2022 . Every 1970s Marvel Show, Ranked According To IMDb . 2023-08-19 . . en.
  9. Web site: Hearn . Kayleigh . December 19, 2022 . Every Episode Of Spider-Woman Ranked . 2023-08-19 . . en-US.
  10. Web site: D'Andria . Nicole . February 14, 2017 . 20 Marvel Movies And TV Shows You Forgot Existed . 2023-08-19 . . en.
  11. Book: Erickson . Hal . Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 . 2005 . 2nd . McFarland & Co . 978-1476665993 . 782–783.
  12. Web site: Voice Of Spider-Woman / Jessica Drew – Behind The Voice Actors . Behind The Voice Actors . . Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
  13. Web site: Voice Of Billy Drew – Behind The Voice Actors . Behind The Voice Actors . . Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
  14. Basically Everything Coming to Disney+ in the U.S. Start Streaming November 12 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/m0FRDaHnITI . 2021-12-14 . live. October 14, 2019 . October 14, 2019 . Disney . 28:14.
  15. Web site: Hayner . Chris E. . November 17, 2019 . Disney Plus: Every Single Marvel Movie & TV Show To Watch Right Now . 2023-08-19 . . en-US.
  16. Web site: Liberation Entertainment to Bring Classic Marvel Cartoons to DVD . 24 April 2008 .
  17. http://www.libent.co.uk/ Liberation Entertainment
  18. Web site: Liberation Ent. Closes U.K. Division . https://web.archive.org/web/20081025041506/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3ia885e08d502031485ead21b5976be18d . 2008-10-25 . .
  19. Web site: Spider-Woman - die komplette Serie (2 DVDS): Amazon.de: Diverse, diverse, diverse: DVD & Blu-ray . Amazon Germany . 30 July 2009 .
  20. Web site: Spider-Woman 1979 Complete Series [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: DVD & Blu-ray . Amazon UK . 3 August 2009 .
  21. Web site: Russell . Bradley . March 4, 2020 . Disney Plus hidden gems: 10 underrated movies and shows you should watch . 2023-08-19 . . en.
  22. Web site: Sims . Chris . 2019-12-06 . Every Marvel Cartoon On Disney+ Ranked Worst To Best . 2022-09-07 . . en-US.
  23. Web site: Chapman . David . Spider-Woman TV Review Common Sense Media . 2022-09-07 . . en.
  24. Web site: Mack . Lindsay E. . September 5, 2020 . 33 Classic Cartoons To Stream On Disney+ All Weekend Long . 2023-08-19 . . en.