EPISODE REVIEW

Episode #18: First Steps
Original Airdate: July 13th, 2009

School’s back in session, and things have changed. Peter Parker’s actually invited to Flash Thompson’s birthday bash. Meanwhile, Spider-Man has to party with Sandman, who’s once again looking to make his Big Score. And is that Venom disappearing into the night?

Voices:
Josh Keaton as Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Lacey Chabert as Gwen Stacy
Steve Blum as The Green Goblin, Dilbert Trilby, Seymour O'Reily
Allana Ubach as Liz Allan
Joshua Lebarr as Flash Thompson
Ben Diskin as Eddie Brock
Grey Delisle as Sally Avril, Erin
Vanessa Marshall as Mary Jane Watson, Rosie Thompson
Eric Lopez as Mark Allan
Kevin Micheal Richardson as Principal Davis
James Arnold Taylor as Harry Osborn
Cree Summer as Glory Grant

Review: Stu - A new arc begins with First Steps but it’s basically a continuation from the previous episode as Peter is now happy as Larry with Liz as The Sandman, Harry Osborn and Eddie Brock return. Spider-Man 3 part two?!

The B plot of the episode mainly revolves around Sandman, once again trying to get his big score. We see Hammerhead return but alas, no Big Man! I hope they are saving him for a special occasion but given how well the villains have stacked up this season, one shouldn’t complain about the lack of Tombstone we’re getting too much. The Sandman fight sequences have been some of the best in this show and giant Sandman didn’t disappoint either, the exceptional staging and chorography continues no matter who our webbed wonder is pitted against. Spidey vs. giant Spider-Man is much better here than it is in the aforementioned movie as Marko’s personality can still be found here which was unfortunately not the case in the third film of the movie franchise.

Harry’s return threw me, I will admit. I imagined we’d see The Green Goblin come back first but since Harry appears to be off the green now and dating Gwen, could we see someone else wearing the mask next time around, or will Gwen’s feelings for Peter make Harry green with envy?

I apologise for that horrible, horrible pun, gentle reader.

I wasn’t expecting the return of Eddie Brock this early but it works – I especially liked seeing him stalk Peter as at this point in the show, he’s the only one really capable of doing it as no one else knows his secret identity. I even liked his makeshift Venom costume too. Loved the throw in of Green Goblin to confuse the viewer and Pete to make us wonder if he actually was going nuts. Plus, it’s always awesome to hear Steve Blum’s Green Goblin. Always.

The sign of any great episode is something that makes you want watch the next one straight away. The follow up promises the return of Venom. Can this show do what many deem impossible – make a decent return appearance for Venom? I have every faith!

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