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Spider-Man: The Animated Series Episode ReviewsReturn of the Spider-Slayers
Review by Stu, Media by Kolbar
Episode #4 - Return of the Spider-Slayer
Original Airdate: February 11th, 1995
Kingpin coerces Alistair Smythe, Spencer's son, to build a new line of Spider-Slayers to destroy Spider-Man,
but Alistair has other plans - execute those he holds responsible for his father's death.
Credits
Story By: John Semper
Written By: Mark Hoffmeier
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, Ed Asner
as J. Jonah Jameson, Linda Gary as Aunt May, Rodney Saulsberry as Robbie
Robertson, Jennifer Hale as Felicia Hardy, Hank Azaria as Eddie Brock,
Roscoe Lee Brown as The Kingpin, Maxwell Caulfield as Spencer Smythe,
Edward Mulhare as Alyster Smythe, Patrick Labyorteaux as Flash Thompson,
Neil Ross as Norman Osborne and Sara Ballantine as Mary Jane Watson
Review: Robots. Anyone who actually paid attention
in this show will know that they showed up quite a lot. There where several reason for this,
one of them was that it gave Smythe something to do, and in turn, brought The Kingpin into most of
the stories, they make great popular toys and the other, when you're not allowed
to punch, robots are easier to fight than people. BS+ P are more tolerate of violence
towards lumps of metal than flesh and bones.
Having introduced the main characters who most of the robots in part 1, now was
the fighting time. Adding more robots to the mix, as well as expanding on
Smythes hatred of 3 of the main supporting cast, Norman Osborn, Eddie Brock and
Flash Thompson, all of whom resulted in his dads 'death' in the previous
episode. However, the highlight, copied from one of the original Spider-Slayers
in the Lee/Ditko run, was Jameson and Spidey being attached to a bomb, with
Spidey saving his friends, whilst Jameson whined about how Spidey was severely
bruising his wrist. It's a shame they weren't attached to each other for a
greter length of time, as it could've been comedy gold.
As with most of the first season, the animation was excellent. Spider-Man
himself looked great, whilst the 3 big Spider Slayers looked stunning. The
explosion at the end looked fantastic was a high point in the entire look of the
series. Plus, you gotta love the "Hate to steal someone else's line, but it's
collbering time!"
This episode was also memorable for one more thing than giant robots, bombs and
classic Jameson dialogue. It introduced the main love interest in Mary Jane, in
a particularly memorable way, with her famous "Face it tiger, you just hit the
jackpot" as well as set up Kingpin's and Smythe's partnership. I always thought
this was a great partnership and it certainly got off to an excellent start here!
Screenshots:
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