Spider-Man (1981 TV Series)

About Spider-Man

The Spider-Man television series released in 1981, is an animated superhero show by Marvel Comics Group. It focuses on the everyday life and superhero antics of Peter Parker, a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle during the day, and the crime-fighting Spider-Man by night. Along with his superhuman powers, Spider-Man uses his intelligence, courage and resilience to tackle various villains from the Marvel universe, including Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, and the Lizard.

Making / Production

The series was produced by Marvel Productions, a production group owned by Marvel Comics. The animation was done by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises and was broadcasted by the NBC network. The creators aimed to make it relatable, integrating everyday life issues with extraordinary superhero events.

Actors

• Ted Schwartz - Observed for his impressive voice acting as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Schwartz played an excellent role, bringing personality and depth to the character.
• Linda Gary - She gave voice to Aunt May, tackling the character's caring, yet worried nature effectively.
• Frank Welker - Known for his versatility, Welker gave his voice to diverse characters such as Iceman/ Bobby Drake, Flash Thompson, and many others.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series was initially aired as part of a package titled "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends", but was later broken off into a separate show.
• This series is one of the fewer adaptations in which Peter Parker (Spider-Man) does not work for a newspaper company but instead works as a freelance photographer.
• Despite being a popular character, J. Jonah Jameson, New York newspaper editor from the comics was not used in this series.

Awards

Though critically acclaimed, the Spider-Man series (1981) didn't win any specific awards but contributed to the rising popularity of the character, leading to numerous adaptations and interpretations in popular culture over the years.

Quotes

• "Being Spider-Man has its ups and downs. But this is one job where you can't afford to make mistakes." - Peter Parker
• "Great! Leave it to me to make a big impression – by flat lining!" - Spider-Man
• "I get the distinct feeling that I'm not alone. Call it Spider-Sense, call it paranoia, call it indigestion." - Spider-Man

Music, Soundtrack

• The series featured an action-packed soundtrack that gave the viewers an adrenaline rush just as any superhero show would.
• The unforgettable theme song was composed by Johnny Douglas, increasing the show's popularity.