Spider-Man: The Animated Series Episode Reviews

Duel of the Hunters
Review by Stu, Media by Kolbar

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Episode #21 - Duel of the Hunters
Original Airdate: November 11th, 1995

In the final stage on mutation, Spider-Man transforms into the Man-Spider. Dr. Mariah Crawford summons Kraven the Hunter to help her track down Spider-Man and cure him of his mutation with a newly developed antidote. At the same time, the Punisher seeks to destroy the monster.

Credits:
Story By: John Semper and Carl Potts
Written By: Carl Potts
Music Composed By: Shuki Levy and Kussa Mahchi
Animation Services By: Toyko Movie Shinsha (TMS)
Guest Starring: Christopher Daniel Barnes as Spider-Man/Peter Parker, John Beck as The Punisher , Nick Jameson as Michael Morbius and Susan Beaubian as Dr. Mariah Crawford

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Review: This episode was the third and final part of the 'Man-Spider' arc and it was easily the best. Despite already having a truckload of characters from the previous two parts, another one was brought in. which the episode was able to balance without a problem. Ironically enough, Kraven worked better in this series than he did as a villain. He lacked any presence as a villain, but as a hero he really didn't it. I got a kick out of seeing Kraven helping Spidey, for some reason. It just worked.

There wasn't a lot of Morbius in this episode, and I think it works better for it. Despite being mutated, Spider-Man still attempted to stop Morbius from draining Debra Whitman's plasma. He still obviously had Peter's mind at this part of the episode, as he later tried to find Mary Jane too. He lost it later, after being attacked by The Punisher and taking him back to his make shift hideout, the World Trade Centre's parking garage (which may or may not be said in any future airings, due to the networks standards). I liked how he wasn't completly mindless, but was almost powerless to control Man-Spider. I think not having the character speak made it so much better.

It was interesting simply because it was different. The writers tend to have Spider-Man never stop talking to himself in each of the episodes, in this episode; he couldn't speak and had no inner monologue. The animation is worth noting, especially as from this episode on, right the way to the end of the season; it's well ... not very good at all. To be honest, the rest of the season, specifically the Morbius episodes, are nothing short of an eye sore.

The Man-Spider arc was certainly an interesting one, a mixture of new characters all wanting different things. This arc was the peak of the whole Neogenic Nightmare. I personally think the story would've worked so much better if it had ended here. The remaining episode really dragged on, in my opinion.

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