Reaching its 8th episode, the most fan-hated tv series on TV, Ultimate Spider-man, brings back Venom to the spotlight, with a twisted and new alter ego and origin. How does this episode fair? Keep reading to find out.
The story of this episode revolves around the appearance of a new Spidey in town. The black suited spider-man (who looks like Symbiote spider-man from the comics) is doing the hero job, cleaning the city from villains and been adored for it by the citizens of New York. In fact even J.Jonah Jameson, who hates spider-man, loved the new balck suited hero, and not even once, wondered if that is actually spider-man in a black suit, even though they have the same physical build.
Spidey, who seem to have a cold, is trying to find out who this new guy is, only to be surprised when his best friend, Harry Osborn, reveals to Parker that he is the new black suited spider-man, who seems to be in control of the symbiote. But of course he was mistaken, as soon enough the black goo takes over Harry and transforms him into Venom.
Out of control, Venom attacks Spidey, and the two duck it out before Spidey defeats him with the use of Electricity (just like the previous venom episode). Harry, who regains is freedom, destroys the device that allowed him to suit up and thanks spidey for his help. Before the credits roll however, it is hinted that a small part of the symbiote is still hidden in Harry's ear.
Now onto the review itself. After getting a decent story from last week's episode, with no cutaway gags and juvenile humor, i started having hopes that this week's episode will follow suit, only to be disappointed, yet again, by how uninspired, out of character, juvenile and bad of a show this is. There are so many things wrong with this episode, i wonder how to start.
First things first, the story is dumb and makes no sense. We are led to believe that when the new black suited spider-man appears, not even one person wondered if the original spidey did not just change his costume. To make things worse, J.Jonah Jameson adored this new spidey for no reason, even though the orignal Spider-man was doing the same things this new dude is doing. So why did he hate the first and loved the second? Well i have no idea, and i'm pretty sure the show runners have no idea either.
The uninspired, obnoxious teammates, do show up early in the episode and as usual, Nova is being a jerk for no reason at all, while the other members are there just to be there.
Now onto venom, the big baddie of the episode. Not only it is wrong to change his identity for no reason at all (omitting Eddie Brock from the equation), but even that is not well executed. Making Harry the new Venom ruins 3 characters: Venom, Harry Osborn, and the second green goblin (Or hobgoblin in the ultimate comics). I have never been a fan of changing origins of established comic heroes or foes, but wanted to see what the folks at marvel would do with this new twist. And as usual, the answer is underwhelming. Something i found funny myself, was right after Harry gets rid of the suit, he immediately started acting normal, smiling shaking hands, with no remorse of him causing destruction in the city.
Speaking of Villains, did you know that after 8 episodes, the only spider-man villain to appear in this show is Venom? and Twice? Not only that, but venom will make his return in 2 weeks (in the episode called "Venom attacks) and again before any other spidey villain shows up.
The other thing that is not new to this episode,and that is ruining this series more than its writing staff, is the juvenile humor. The jokes ARE NOT FUNNY Marvel, they are in fact annoying. The cut away gags are way too over the top, way too long and way too many, and they are not funny.
The last thing i want to talk about is identity. This show has none, it does not know what what it wants to be, is it a solo spidey show? Is it a team show? It seems to be... neither. The show is all over the place. Granted, Ultimate Spider-man would have worked better as a solo spidey show, but the tone and juvenile humor would kill it anyway.
The only thing right this show is doing right is the animation and some character designs. Besides that, this is by far the worst Spider-man cartoon ever.
Likes:
- Animation
- Black suited spidey's design
Dislikes:
- The story and scripts are bad
- The jokes are juvenile and not funny
- The cutaway gas are out of place and annoying.
- Peter Parker is almost non existent and so is his intelligence and personality.
- The teammates are obnoxious and need to be removed.
- Harry as Venom is an uninspired twist that i not even well executed.
Closing Comment:
As a huge Spider-man and Marvel comics fan, i can't help to say that i am very disappointed in Marvel's first in house made show. In one of the scenes of yesterday's episode, Venom screamed at Spidey that he is the better spider-man, the web-head replied "believe me it isn't that difficult" And i do really agree with him, it isn't that difficult to make a BETTER spider-man show. After the outstanding Spectacular Spider-man and the great 90's Spider-man The animated series, it is so easy to know what fans want and how to make a better Spidey series, unfortunately the show runners found away, even though it was not easy to find it, they did find a way to ruin this incarnation.
Final Score: 2.5/10 (Terrible)