The third issue of Spider-Man '94 is out next week. AIPT has a preview and you can find it here. You can also check out a few pages below. Story by yours truly, art by Jim Towe, color by Jim Campbell, lettering by Joe Caramagna—and the whole shebang is overseen by our amazing editor, Danny Khazem. Enjoy!
Hi, Mr Dematteis. I'm so glad the preview for the next issue is out already, and I can't wait to see it!!
ReplyDeleteNice cameos about the Celestials, the Eternals and the Atlanteans.
The new backstory you are giving Morlun here is a little disorienting, but sounds way less creepy than his version in the comics, for sure. I suppose in this version, Solus (his father) and his siblings don't exist.
"Lokka", never heard of a place with that name in the Marvel Universe. Is it a creation of yours? And the Totems... Is it me or do they look a lot like vampires?
No, the father and siblings from the main MU don't exist in the animated timeline. And that particular group of totems do look a bit like vampires, but they weren't intended to be. And they were just one branch of the totem race, so there are lots of others that look very different.
DeleteWell, I'm glad to know the father and the siblings doesn't exist. They are dead in the comics (and they deserved it), so I have no interest in seeing them anywhere else.
DeleteSince this is talking about the totems race, I hope we get more info about them.
I'm suspecting why Kraven is involved in all this. I believe is because Morlun took something VERY important to Kraven away from him.
Anyway, thanks for your reply.
You're welcome. And I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
DeleteMr DeMatteis, I would like to know your opinion about something, if you don't mind. You see, Spider-Man's animated series from the 90s is a classic that all fans remember with love; so much that we all would love to see it return in animation just like the X-Men did. But trurth is, it's not the only series that became something.
ReplyDelete- "Spider-Man Unlimited": Honestly, I'm not sure what they were trying to do with this. The concept was really good, but at first, it seemed they tried to make it canon with the 90s animated series; which clearly couldn't be. If this series would have continued, do you think it could have reached a good potential?
- "Spectacular Spider-Man": This series was really close to the legacy of the 90s animated series, but it was unfairly cancelled because the guys in charge couldn't get a proper agreement. Should this series had continued, do you think it could have surpassed the 90s animated series?
- "Ultimate Spider-Man": I have seen many critics against this series, but the truth is I really loved, presenting Spider-Man in a different situation of his classic status quo and with unexpected twists to classic stories. Besides, it's officially the LONGEST animated series of Spider-Man that was ever made, so I couldn't be as bad as the critics say. I would have really liked to see one more season, especially because it looked like Peter and MJ were starting to embrace their feelings for each other at the end of it.
- "Marvel's Spider-Man": Like several of the other series, this one presented interesting twists around Spider-Man's mythos, becoming something else than just a retelling of a well-known legacy. I would have liked to see how Peter and Mary Jane's relationship would have evolved here. By the way, it's quite ironic that the actress who gave her voice to MJ here was named "Felicia".
So, what is your opinion about these other animated series of Spider-Man? I personally wish somebody will someday revive their legacies, just like you did with the 90s animated series with your "Spider-Man '94".
The only ones I know are SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (which was a fantastic show) and MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN (which I wrote for and really enjoyed). Revivals? Both are worthy as is SPIDEY '94. That said, we don't want to just be looking back. We want new Spidey shows in the future, right?
DeleteOf course!
DeleteBut leaving good stories unsolved always leaves a very bad taste in the mouth for a long time. Spider-Man's 90s animated series is a clear proof of that, leaving us for a LONG time worried about if Spider-Man found Mary Jane or not.
A good story deserves a proper ending, don't you agree?
And although I would love a new Spider-Man's show, I would like them to do what the comics won't and let Spider-Man's legacy grow. I personally believe that an animated series based on MC2's Spider-Girl or "Renew Your Vows" would be a blast!
By the way, I recommend you to see some episodes of "Ultimate Spider-Man" and don't judge it to harsh. I truly believe it's not as bad as haters try to put it.
Thanks for the recommendation! And, yes, we always want a proper ending, unfortunately we don't always get the chance.
DeleteIf you do read the new Ultimate Spider-man, I will give you this advice going in.
DeleteIt was more than likely a series created to end as part of a comic event tying into the Avengers: Secret Wars movie next hear.
So, it was created to end, which may end up being a good thing, last issue is not out yet, and may need some context beforehand.
Jack
Are there any loose ends from the animated series you would like tie up in any sequels to this even if you can not say what the loose ends are ?
DeleteNoted!
DeleteAside from answering the "How did Peter find the real Mary Jane?" question, nothing springs to mind.
DeleteWell, there are certainly more stories from around the 90s that could have been adapted in the animated series; and some minor cliffhangers compared to Peter saving Mary Janes.
DeleteHow about the fact that Miles Warren (the one who created the Hydro-Man and Mary Jane's clones) took a piece of Spider-Man's DNA before Madame Web dragged him into the Secret War? We saw the result in one dimension (Scarlet Spider/Ben Reilly), maybe in Peter's dimension could create Spidercide? Not to mention Warren becoming the Jackal or Norman Osborn escaping the dimensional limbo. I even wonder how "Spider-Island" would turn in the 90s animated series.
Also, I always kinda wanted to see Peter and Felicia discovering each other's secret identities. I can't stop thinking it would be such a drama.
Lots of possibilities.
DeleteHello, Mr DeMatteis. I got my copy of "Spider-Man '94 #3" and it left me a little confused. It was a cool issue for sure, but there are a few things I don't get. Morlun's story is quite different from the comics, but at least it's no longer a "multiverse threat".
ReplyDelete- "Kingdom of Lokka", never heard of that name before. Is that something created by you or did you took inspiration on something else? It rings me a bell, but I don't know why.
- The different kind of Totems shown in the issue kinda reminded me the Animen created by the Great Evolutionary. The ape one looked like a more competent version of the Gibbon. And the artificial Totem created by Morlun? Really creepy creation of classic mad science. Kinda reminded me Beyond Corp's abominations.
- So Morlun and Ezekiel Sims are the same guy here. I have to admit, I was suspecting it from the last issue. The speech Morlun gave to Spider-Man right before taking him kinda reminded me what Ezekiel Sims told Peter in the comics when he tried to sacrifice Peter in order to save his own life. They share the same stupid "Messiah's complex" that justify their lives matter more than anything else, which is pathetic.
- Morlun spitting webbing from his mouth? I certainly didn't see that coming! There's a kind of spider called "Spitting Spiders" that actually does that, which is really disgusting!
- What I really don't understand is Kaine here. If he's a clone of Morlun, and not of Peter like in the comics, then why is Peter's thoughts affecting him? Why did he go to Mary Jane? Is there going to be an explanation about this, please? Because I'm really confused.
- The scene between Mary Jane and Aunt May was quite interesting, but I believe this is a scene that should have been explored with more detail. I mean, Aunt May proved here she's no fool, but she certainly fooled us all back in the 90s. I would have liked to see this explored more, to understand why she acted so scared ot Spider-Man if she really knew.
- I don't get what's the deal is with Kraven here. Is he after Morlun alone or Spider-Man is his prey too? Also, his last words at the end of the issue gave me some "Kraven's Last Hunt" kind of vibes.
Can you give me some answers, please?
Yes, Lokka is my invention. Your other questions will be answered as the story continues. Glad you enjoyed the story!
DeleteSo.. I bought issue three... with money... and it made me think of three different works.
ReplyDeleteThe new origin of Morlun seemed like a dark mirror version of Siddhartha.
Morlun saying he claimed to be his own son over and over reminded me of Milestone's Icon... though I know the trope did not start there.
and And the powerful immortal from an ancient city reminded me of Linoge from the Stephen King film Storm of the Century.
I know you did not borrow or likely inspired by them, I just thought those were a strange selection of things to think of in a Spider-man comic.
Well, except Siddhartha, I know you were trying to see if you could create a Bizarro version of Buddhism, but you can't, because it already exists. It is called Las Vegas, apologies.
Jack
Interesting. Despite the fact that SIDDHARTHA is one of my favorite books, it never entered my mind. Never read ICON or the King book. And I've only been to Las Vegas once, many years ago. No great desire to go again.
DeleteLike I said, I knew there was no intent.
DeleteHowever, technically it was no a king book, it was a made for TV movie he wrote in teh 90s...actually not bad. It is on teh Hulu now.
As for Icon, you probably would not be surprised to earn that somethng created by Dwyane McDuffie was well-done ... I actually think the series is better than Static. Icon is sort of like a combo o Superman and Batman... except he was an adult alien who landed in teh South in teh 19th century, and took a bbio-read of a slave woman, so kind of adiffernet experience. However the stories have him interacting with his sidekcikc Rocket, and are best dscined as Denny O'Neil's original run on Green Lantern/Green Arrow, but based around the Black comunity in America. It is pretty good I would recommend.
But, teh important thing is that now everytime you listen to Sinatra Live at the Sands yu will be thinkig about how he was preforming from teh antithesis of Buddhism.
BUt, since we speak of Las Vegas, if you have not read teh six -issue Vertigo mini-series Nevada, by Steve Gerber... and I am almost positive you have... it is also a recomend.
Jack
I actually haven't read NEVADA. I'll check it out!
DeleteYou know Dematteis, we are three issues onto this series, and you might think I am crazy, but... I am starting to think this Peter Parker guy might have some kind of connection to this Spider-man fellow.
ReplyDeleteJack
An absurd assumption! As we'll reveal in the final issue, Aunt May is actually Spider-Man! (Can't believe I just gave that away.)
DeleteActually Dematteis, you are reading it right NOW! Just look down at your hands.
Delete(sigh) So gullible. Why would that even work?
Though a word to the wise, there is an extra Nevada story in Vertigo Winter's Edge #1, AND she technically first appeared (kind of) in Howard the Duck #16
And those two comics ARE in your hands right now.
See, why would you fall for that again, in the same post? That one you should be embarrassed about.
Although the Winter's Edge and Howard eh Duck thing is true.
Jack
I've read about the HTD/NEVADA connection. And you didn't fool me one bit! ; )
DeleteMr DeMatteis, I would like to ask you something, if you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteYou see, I'm a true believer that Peter and Mary Jane belong to each other; I have no doubts for that, and I'm sick of Marvel keep denying them their happiness. But still, I can't avoid to have some sympathy with Felicia Hardy/Black Cat. She's not the proper match for Peter or Spider-Man, but she has her charms.
Still, the whole thing about "Black Cat" has always made me see a reflection of DC's Catwoman and her relationship with Batman. I believe Felicia needs something different to avoid that constant comparison, and I think the Spider-Verse gave that. You see, there is a reality where Felicia Hardy gained Spider-Powers and begame a "spider-burglar" named Night Spider
I don't know if you know about that, but I believe that identity would work better of 616's Felicia than the whole Black Cat. What do you think?
Black Cat's not a character that's ever really been on my radar, so, sorry to say, I have no opinion on the matter. That said, if we do another '94 mini, it might be fun to bring her in, just to challenge myself. Time will tell.
DeleteI sure hope you will get another mini... Better said, they BETTER let you because there's no argument here, and not just one, severals!
DeleteThis one shows Peter and Mary Jane back home, but we definitely need another one to explain how exactly did Spider-Man and Madame Web found and rescued MJ.
After that, it would be nice another arc in order to solve the other "unsolved cliffhangers". One of them was the fact of Peter and Felicia never learnt on each other's identities. Another one was the whole thing of Miles Warren getting Spider-Man's DNA right before the start of the Secret War.
We'll keep fingers crossed for the next one!
DeleteWhere did you get the idea to make Kaine ,instead of a clone of of Peter, a clone of Morlun instead?
DeleteI made it up. That, in the end, is what writing fiction is: making things up! : )
Delete