Spider-Woman

This was a handful of animated shows that were part of ABC's Sunshine Saturday Morning schedule during the late 1970's and early 1980's. The short-lived animated series "Spider-Woman" was one of them and it was basically the synopsis of "Spider-Man" but with only a few minor alterations. Premiering on ABC-TV from September 22,1979 through the end of the series run on March 1, 1980,the animated series "Spider-Woman" came out during the time of action-packed Saturday Morning fiasco of shows that premiered. The series,based on the Marvel Comics Character was simply fantastic and spellbinding to begin with. The story deals with yet another newspaper editor as well-Jessica Drew who was the magazine editor and publisher for "Justice". As a child,Jessica was bitten by a radioactive spider in her dad's Dr. Alexander Drew's laboratory during a scientfic experiment,and when cured by a serum from him,found herself possessing the abilities of an arachnid-and then some. She shot webs,delivered "venom blasts" to some of her evil foes,possessed supersensitive hearing and even flew. And just like Spider-Man had the amazing abilities to come out of any tight situation and with her amazing superpowers. Her photographer Jeff Hunt and young nephew Billy had no inkling or any idea of her crime-fighting alter ego,which she became by twirling into a red and yellow outfit.

This synopsis may sound like a distaff proportion of "Spider-Man",but on the other hand it prompted no lawsuits from Marvel Comics Group because the executive producer of the series was no other than Stan Lee himself,the creator of this character and Spider-Man. Spider-Woman appeared in the first issue of the Marvel Comics in 1977,and the producers waiting two years to finally bring this character into the light and into the foray of Saturday Morning television. Out of the 17 episodes that were produced,Spider-Woman also faced deadly diabolical foes including one incredible episode where Spider-Man makes a guest appearance as they take down a deadly archrival including rogue villains like Kingpin and The Green Goblin.

Increasingly enough,the voice of both Jessica Drew and Spider-Woman was done by actress Joan Van Ark(also of Knots Landing fame)whose voices was heard the previous season on an episode of "Tarzan and the Super 7"(which was on a rival network that ran in competition),which was a Filmation production to a similar production called "Webwoman" or "Tarzan And The Webwoman". However,"Spider-Woman" was on ABC-TV and it was produced for Marvel Comics Television in association with DePatie-Freleng Productions under the executive production of Stan Lee and Lee Gunther(the person responsible for bringing an array of animated shows to Saturday Mornings during the late 1970's like "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends","The New Adventures Of The Incredible Hulk" the revival of Captain America and Iron Man back to animation form,to mega star status during the 1980's too with the syndicated "G.I. Joe" and "The Transformers").

This was also to note that "Spider-Woman" was the last series to be produced by DePatie-Freleng Productions(aka DFE Enterprises)under the supervision of executive producers David H. DePatie and long time animator and business associate Friz Freleng. This was a successful partnership which lasted more than 17 years specializing in animated cartoons. The best known of the DePatie-Freleng creations was that of the animated "The Pink Panther",a cartoon feline character based on the classic 1960's movie of the same name that was one of the best successful ventures ever lasting all the way from the mid-1960's through the early 1980's(some of these were released theatrically and on television). "The Pink Panther" ran on Saturday Morning network television for 12 seasons(1968-1980). But this was not their only venture neither since DePatie-Freleng Productions also were behind the incarnations of several shows as well:The animated versions of "Doctor Doolittle",and the astounding animated series based on the hugely successful Planet Of The Apes movies(and the short-lived live action television series) titled "Return To The Planet Of The Apes",which was also based on the novel by Pierre Boulle which was also based upon the concept of the motion picture of the same title,and comedy animated shows like "Bailey's Comets","Baggy Pants and the Nitwits",the comedy series based on Mr. Magoo titled "The New Adventures Of Mister Magoo or What's New Mister Magoo",also animated shows based on celebrities too like Flip Wilson,Dan Rowan and Dick Martin,Ruth Buzzi,and Henry Gibson not to mention the animated Saturday Morning DFE produced shows like "Super President",and "The Super Six",not to mention various specials featuring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

I was only four years old when this originally aired, so my memories of watching the show were pretty vague until MCA released a set of episodes on VHS several years later, during the success of "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends". Since I was an avid watcher of THAT show (and had taped nearly every one), I recognized that the music score to "Spider-Woman" shared several pieces and themes with "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends", and the syndicated "Spider-Man" animated series from 1980, albeit re-recorded for those shows. The difference is that the "Spider-Woman" music was recorded with what sounds like a full orchestra, whereas the other series went for more of a jazz/rock feel. The result of the earlier score gave the show a feeling of scope, which otherwise would have left it just as another "Superfriends". Still, for fans of Marvel and other superhero animation, this show is a must, and deserves to have its own release on DVD (as well as other Marvel titles). Hopefully, Saban/Buena Vista will wake up and give us a Marvel DVD Collection, as Warner Bros. has managed to release a number of the DC series to great success.

This show was lame with a capital 'L', Jessica Drew has super spider powers because as a young kid she was dying and her father, damning modern science, injects his kid with an experimental spider serum. Teaming up with Spider-man in the first episode (to draw in the audience that he had), this cartoon shouldn't have even bothered. It had insipid dialog, corny villains (exept the Kingpin" in one episode, but he was wasted in this craptoon as well), a laughable horrendous allusion to "Super-friends" in the way it sequeways between scenes. Thank god it only lasted 16 episodes (though I'm surprised it lasted that long) Oh and by the way, the episode "Games of Doom" had nothing to do with Dr. Doom in the least.(wishful thinking on the part of one of the previous reviewers) The villain of the piece was a crappy Frenchman.

My Grade: F

Spider-Woman was a fantastic animated series from Marvel at a time when cartoons had begin to dumb down. What you get from Spider-Woman is still quite juvenile, but it manages to capture enough of the Marvel/Stan Lee spirit to make it a hit. The characterisations of Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman and co are good enough to make this an interesting Cartoon, and it has the added plus that it doesn't talk down to the viewer.

It was very interesting for Marvel to choose to make an Animated series about Spider-Woman in the first place. The character had only appeared briefly in the pages of Marvel Comics and then she was cast as a villain. The comics writers had to create a whole new character to accomodate the series, and with a fresh origin etc. The character of Spider-Man is all but jettisoned from the proccedings albeit as a guest star in the pilot episode Pyramids Terror. This series was exciting, funny and is well worth a look for Marvel afficianadoes.

This show was actually not that bad. For an animated superhero show in the late seventies, the story lines are well developed, the hero plays well with the situations, and the dialogue is full of quips. The only downfall of this show are the supporting characters. Not only are Billy and Jeff cringe stereotypical characters, but we as an audience have to endure their endless anti-woman empowerment jokes. These ceaseless put-downs make me question why Jessica Drew, a self made business woman, secret superhero, and altogether independent woman, hangs out with these losers. This show would never be able to air in today's world due to its portrayal of male superiority. Frankly, I enjoyed this show. I would like to see a reboot or remake with a more supportive supporting cast of characters.