After searching to the ends of the Multiverse, PETER PARKER — the AMAZING, the SPECTACULAR, the RADIOACTIVE Web-Head himself — A.K.A. SPIDER-MAN, swings back into the streets of New York City with his beloved Mary Jane WATSON in tow! But what’s this? One of these villains is not like the others: Witness this universe’s debut of not one, but TWO of Spider-Man’s greatest villains from the comics!
Legendary Spider-Scribe J.M. DeMATTEIS and rising star artist JIM TOWE bring you the return you’ve all been waiting thirty years for! And you’re never going to expect the twists and turns ahead for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!
And here's the cover and the opening pages of our first issue. Hope you all enjoy this return trip to the world of this beloved animated series.
I have to say, Mr DeMatteis, even if it's only one week, the wait might kill me!! After 30 years, the only thing better than this would be if they make an animated series like "X-Men '97"!!!
ReplyDeleteI know the stories of Kaine and Morlun in the comics, so I have to tell you, this opening scene really confuses me.
You probably can't reveal nothing, but if Kaine is still a clone of Peter Parker here, could Miles Warren being involved in this? After all, one of the cliffhangers in the 90s series was that the Miles Warren from the main dimension (the one who created the Mary Jane's clone) got a piece of Spider-Man's suit right before Madame Web dragged him into the Secret Wars. That was clearly a sign for trouble!
So, is Miles Warren going to be involved in this?
No spoilers here, but remember: This is the animated universe, so these are new versions of the characters. Forget what you know about them and go in with an open mind. You might be surprised!
DeleteI DO like surprises, but one of the things I liked about the 90s animated series was that it perfectly balanced the source material with its own "spark". After all, the animated Mary Jane wouldn't be Mary Jane at all without her iconic intro with "Face it, tiger... You just hit the Jackpot!". Don't you agree?
DeleteWhatever you have in mind for Morlun, for example, I have no problem with changes in his character (especially if the comic remains the kind of "censorship" that allowed to have Carnage without blood), but he still must be one of Spider-Man's deadliest (if not the deadliest) foes he has ever faced. That part remains, right?
It does indeed.
DeleteSo your going in a different direction with characters origins in this version like the animated series?
DeleteYes. But you'll see for yourself in a few days!
DeleteMr DeMatteis, considering the episodes of the animated series, especially those that had Captain America in them, it seems the Avengers weren't founded in this reality yet.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the series' Secret Wars, do you think Spider-Man could eventually become a founding member of the Avengers in this reality?
Despite the fact that I wrote MARVEL TEAM-UP for three years, I'm one of those people who thinks Spidey works best as a loner, so I wouldn't like to see him be a member of the Avengers.
DeleteWell, if you don't like Spider-Man with the Avengers, I accept your point. However, I have to tell that is not right the idea of Spider-Man as a loner. Honestly, if there's a hero who is better as a loner that's Batman.
DeleteSpider-Man, on the other hand, is someone who definitely needs friends and people in his life, like Mary Jane. But not only under the mask, but with it too. Ever since the damn "One More Day", Marvel has put Spider-Man through literal Hell, over and over and over. And if he has to carry all that by himself, he will turn crazy sooner or later.
That's why I believe Spider-Man needs someone close to him. The Spider-Family from "Renew Your Vows" was an excellent point of this. After all, how can he be the "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" if he doesn't anyone by his side to be friendly? It's just not fair.
To each his own!
DeleteMr DeMatteis, do you know "The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man" by any chance?
ReplyDeleteIf you don't, it's a dark ride attraction in Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, although I don't know if it's still working. It was a ride that was based on the 90s animated series of Spider-Man (although the characters didn't look exactly the same as in the animated series). In it, Spider-Man fought against the Sinister Syndicate; formed by Doctor Octopus, HobGoblin, Electro, Hydro-Man and Scream.
I rode on that attraction years ago and I loved it! Certainly, the Syndicate banded together Spider-Man's greatest villains in the series (except Scream, who was never introduced). Do you think an adaptation of the attraction's plot would fit in a sequel of the series? This Syndicate could be the "Ultimate Form" of the Sinister Six for Spider-Man to face them.
No, I'm not familiar with it. As for sequels. it's way too early to discuss. So much depends on decisions that have nothing to do with me.
DeleteI simply wanted to know your opinion.
DeleteI hope that, if this comic is good enough, we can eventually have an animated return like "X-Men '97".
Hope is the last thing to lose.
I'd love to see the show return.
DeleteDo you think this series could increase or happen the chances of that ?
DeleteI have no idea. That's above my pay grade!
DeleteDematteis., there was no such thing as the 90s. That was just a marketing scam...like the 80s... you know that.
ReplyDeleteJack
No such thing as the 90s? Well, honestly, I think all of reality is an illusion...but that's another discussion for another time!
DeleteMr DeMatteis, tomorrow is the great day! I think I'm going to be counting the seconds tomorrow morning for the delivery truck to come out with the issues!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you, the very first animated series of Spider-Man I saw were reruns of 1981's "Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man and his amazing friends"; but it was "Spider-Man: The Animated Series" (plus the other Marvel's series from the 90s like "X-Men") which really introduced me into Stan Lee's great Marvel Universe!!
When I started to follow comics, I learnt about the difference between the series and the comics:
- Kraven was not a complete villain unlike the comics.
- Black Cat was a supersoldier like Captain America, instead of having "bad luck powers".
- Gwen Stacy didn't appear in the main reality of the animated series.
- Morbius sucked blood with leeches' mouths in his hands instead of fangs (mainly because of the censorship).
The changes in the series compared to the comics were a little confusing when I learnt about them, but it's not like they really bothered me. I suppose similar changes is what awaits us about Morlun and Kaine, but I hope they won't be "too radical" changes.
In this preview, Kaine calls Morlun "Father", but I want to believe that's just a way to say "Master" and there's no blood relation. Am I right?
I don't want to give anything away! Hope you enjoy the book and that it meets your expectations. Enjoy!
DeleteHello, Mr DeMatteis! And thank you very much for doing this possible!! I already have my copy of Issue #1 and, I won't lie, my heart was pumping of excitement on each page.
ReplyDelete1º) First, you dealt magnificently with the whole issue of the real Mary Jane returning, Peter's trauma for the clone's death and the "already married" thing. I'm so happy! Although, I have to say, if we get a second wedding in the end, there will be questions hard to answer. Like "Why another wedding if they are already married"?
2º) I feel sorry for poor Vermin, being introduced here only to be killed. It's a pity. Although it has given me some vibes around "Kraven's Last Hunt".
3º) Speaking of Kraven, I'm suspecting the figure stalking Kaine in the comic IS Kraven. I don't expect you to confirm it, it's just my suspicion. (The silhouette has his iconic spear).
4º) Another introduced character that never appeared in the animated series is the Molten Man. Each new character had its introduction's episode in the series, but I guess there's no time for that here. I hope for the future.
5º) Something I definitely didn't miss from the animated series was Anna Watson. If "Jerk" Jonah Jameson's obsession with Spider-Man wasn't bad enough, Anna Watson's disdain for Peter always got on my nerves. (Weeds never die).
6º) So, Morlun is hiding in Ezekiel Sims' company and using an AI to cover for him. That makes me suspect the worse has happened to Ezekiel. (Although in the comics, he survived he first encounter with Morlun).
7º) I know the letter at then end of the issue said this is not the same Kaine from the comics, but the scene where Peter's feelings affected him clearly proves some kind of connection.
8º) I have to admit, the last page wasn't too much a surprise for me. I mean, considering the comics, it would be logical for Morlun to use clones if he doesn't find a true "totem"; and I can see why Kaine called him "Father". However, I gotta say, the image with the fetus/baby forming was really creepy. I don't think the censorship would have accepted such scene back in the 90s.
Well, the surprises haven't been great for me, but I still loved the issue!! I can't wait for next issue in order to get more info around Kaine, Morlun and Ezekiel!!
If the next issues are as good as this one, I'm counting on you will have green light for a second arc to tell the story of how Peter rescued Mary Jane!
In the immortal words of Stan Lee: EXCELSIOR!!
Thanks so much for your kind words. VERY glad you enjoyed the first issue and I hope we keep pleasing you as the series continues.
DeleteHey dematties well done on your first issue! I have not gotten my copy yet but I've ordered it a few days ago hoping it will come tomorrow, thank you again for your continued spider work, you are another writer that truly understands Peter Parker and his world and I can't wait to see Kaine, I've always loved seeing him as a darker version of Peter who has a violent streak. You should check out Christ Yost's Scarlet Spider where Kaine assumed that identity with a cool new costume. I hope the 94 comic series reestablishes the tv show, it truly deserves to come back I'm so fed up with high school Peter Parker.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping with this series it can help the 94 series revival which can be the beginning of seeing more mature Spider-Man content!
Hope you enjoy our first issue when you read it.
DeleteI'd love to see a revival of the series. That would be wonderful.
you captured the spirit of the show so well!!!!
ReplyDeleteas someone who grew up with this show it hit me with so much nostalgia.its so nice to see this version of Peter once more.You truly one and only mr Dematteis!!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed our first issue and hope the rest of the series pleases you just as much!
DeleteHi Mr. J, I tried commenting yesterday but it seems it didn't go through, so I'm trying again. I picked up the first issue of this and again you deliver the kind of quality I am always keen to see in any comic, thankyou for taking me back to my childhood while also bringing old and new readers forward. Thankyou for restoring the mystery to Kaine and Morlun, they're just as captivating now as they were in their older introductions. And your Peter/MJ interactions are wonderful, they truly are ride or die. Keep up the terrific work
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Zarius! It's always a treat to write Pete and MJ, no matter which universe they're inhabiting. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series and thanks for checking in.
Deleteyou know Dematteis, I am actually going to have to agree with Peter on this...
ReplyDeleteMINOR SPOILERS....
Getting married after he harried her clone? I feel like the state of New York might have some questions as to why the same two people getting married again again without having gotten divorce. And the theory won't be that he is Spider-Man, it will be tax-scam.
Which is why I know he Kaine and Morlun was a red herring. The comic is REALLY about navigating the legal system around this highly unusual situation.
You don;t fool me, Dematteis.
Action in the Marvel Manner that you love.
Right again, Jack! (That's you, isn't it?)
DeleteSorry about that. Yes it is.
Delete