There’s really no doubt right now that the upcoming lineup of animated shows on Disney XD is the best offering ever by the cable channel. From the D23 Expo to the San Diego Comic Con, the new shows were the darling of all who got to see their advance previews and trailers. First and foremost, of course, is the long-awaited reboot of the eighties series “Ducktales.” But there is also one show from Disney’s other major acquired property, Marvel.
The new “Spider-Man” series, so soon after the MCU film “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” is mere weeks away from premiering in Disney XD as well. But attendees of the SDCC were surprised and hyped to find Disney-Marvel holding an advance screening of the first two episodes.
Welcome treat
It was a supreme treat for Marvel fans when their panel at the SDCC sprung a special viewing of the initial two episodes of “Spider-Man” for Disney XD. While several trailers and previews have already been shared to the public, the advance screening of the start of the planned 26-episode show was a golden opportunity to check out what exactly is in store, especially with the MCU “Homecoming” movie still fresh in the minds of Marvel fans.
Much like “Homecoming” the pilot episode of the new “Spider-Man” series eschews the need for focusing overmuch on the hero’s origin story, beyond a quick flashback with Peter Parker and his Uncle Ben. Again like the recent movie, the villain of the episode is the Vulture, with wing-pack and all; and his battle with the teenage web-crawler fighting the bad guy on the rooftops and streets of New York, with eye-wink homages to various elements of the character’s comic book background. One major focus is Peter’s relative newness to being Spider-Man, with the many fumbles in using his various powers.
Fusion of styles
The second episode shown now moves beyond the shades of “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and proceeds to build the world that the show is set in.
Various opinions of Marvel fans have it that the animation style of the new show is a balance between the 2008 “Spectacular Spider-Man” series on The CW, and the earlier Disney XD regular “Ultimate Spider-Man.” The latter was especially maligned by more conventional Spider-fans for its shallow storylines and Meta approach to the hero’s character.
Premiering on Disney XD this coming August 19, the new “Spider-Man” series stars Robbie Draymond as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Max Mittelman as Harry Osborn, Nadji Jeter as Miles Morales, and Melanie Minichino as Anya Corazon.