Episode:The Spider Slayer
From Marvel Animated Universe Wiki, the MAU Database
| This article is written from the Real World perspective |
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| Series | Spider-Man | ||||||||
| Release date | February 4, 1995 | ||||||||
| Episode Number | 2 | ||||||||
| Writer | John Semper Stan Berkowitz (Teleplay) | ||||||||
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Spider-Man find new opponents in an army of robots, a corrupt crimelord who sets his sights on the hero, a greedy businessman who'll do anything to protect his interests, an overeager reporter who goes too far, and a father and son just trying to be together.
Contents |
[edit] Story
Spider-Man swings through the city until his spider-sense goes off. He was unknowingly followed by five small flying robots who now attack him. Someone watches the attack through cameras on the robots commenting on the hero's abilities. Spider-Man tricks one into crashing but it explodes. He realizes that the things are flying smart bombs and really quite dangerous. Spider-Man webs one to an antenna and it explodes. He jumps over the side and swings away trying to lose the other three. Two split up and try to box him in. At the last second Spider-Man drops and the two crash into each other. Spider-Man falls into some garbage and jumps out of the way before the last one tries to hit him.
After watching the action on their monitor a man named Norman Osborn berates the robot's controller, a leading expert in the field of robotics. The scientist's son, Alistair, eagerly defends him but the scientist, Spencer, says that it is unnecessary. The Spider Seekers were only a test to see if they could find the webslinger. Spencer tells Osborn that his latest robot, the Black Widow, will be the one to defeat and capture Spider-Man.
At the Daily Bugle Felicia Hardy is busy planning a charity ball with J. Jonah Jameson. With everything else in place Felicia talks about having a photographer. Jameson is getting fed up with the amount of money being spent when Robbie reminds him of how important the Hardy family is, and that they have the perfect photographer. Robbie asks Peter into Jameson's office where the editor is surprised to find that Peter and Felicia know each other through college. Jameson then mentions that Eddie Brock is supposed to have some big story for him.
At Oscorp Industries Spencer is using acid to make screw holes into the Black Widow, acid being the only thing that can penetrate its armor. Eddie appears thanking Spencer for asking him to come, this is apparently the big scoop Jameson was talking about. Spencer wanted a media presence so that things would not get out of hand. Osborn claims that he wants Spider-Man captured because the wallcrawler is a criminal.
Osborn and Eddie both have to go leaving Spencer and Alistair alone. Spencer then shows his son why he is really working for Norman. He blames himself for an explosion at his last lab which crippled his son so he wants to make a hoverchair. Osborn promised to help him make it if he captured Spider-Man.
At the Chrysler Building Osborn meets a mysterious man. Osborn tells him that the Black Widow is ready and no one suspects the man is involved. The man tells Osborn that his criminal empire is threatened by Spider-Man's sudden appearance. The man loaned Osborn some money so capturing Spider-Man is his form of payment. If Osborn fails then the man gets Oscorp. Either way he wins, which is why he is called the Kingpin.
At Oscorp Spencer and Alistair build and send out an entire army of Spider Seekers to look for Spider-Man. They send them all out so there is no second chance.
During the charity ball at Jameson's Penthouse Flash Thompson asks Harry Osborn why his father isn't there. Apparently Norman had some big deal at Oscorp and Harry borrowed his ticket. Felicia takes Flash away for a dance but is distracted by the sudden appearance of Peter escorting his Aunt May into the room. May says that he should have brought Mary Jane, Anna Watson's niece. Peter disagrees because he does not like blind dates. Felicia then takes Peter away for a dance. A jealous Flash watches the two before leaving with Harry.
Outside a Spider Seeker flies nearby unseen by anyone. In the street Flash changes into a Spider-Man costume so he can talk to Peter. Harry comments that Flash looks just like his big hero. Spencer spots Flash in the Spider-Man costume while Eddie recognizes it as Jameson's place. Spencer sends the Black Widow there.
After Peter and Felicia finish their dance she surprises him with a kiss. Unfortunately his spider-sense goes off and they see "Spider-Man" enter the room. Peter knows it's an impostor but could not convince Felicia. Flash as Spider-Man tells Peter to stop taking photos of "him" but then notices the Black Widow out the window. When Peter turns around it's gone, until it crashes through the roof.
Flash hides behind a pillar and the Black Widow targets Aunt May. Peter quickly gets her out of the room safely. The Black Widow threatens Felicia until Spider-Man arrives to attack it. Spider-Man is unable to affect it and the robot just causes more and more damage. Eventually Spider-Man becomes trapped under some rubble. Spencer loses sight of the hero but spots him unconscious, picks him up, and drops him off at Oscorp.
Back at the penthouse Jameson surveys the damage as cops and firemen look around. He hears Eddie's voice and finds Aunt May watching television. Jameson learns that Eddie was in on the attack, and it was to unmask Spider-Man. Jameson considers it to be worth the damage to his home. They unmask the hero to reveal Flash Thompson. The real Spider-Man then appears above Jameson and Aunt May.
At Oscorp several armed men break in and demand Spider-Man. One then smashes Eddie's J3 camera. After some bickering between Spider-Man and Jameson May points out that the Thompson boy is in trouble and needs saving. Spider-Man swings away to save the day.
At Oscorp Spider-Man rips out a metal door and knocks out two guards. The guards hear the noise and go to finish Spider-Man before the Kingpin has their heads. Spencer quizzically looks at Osborn but Norman just shrugs it off. The real Spider-Man enters and defeats most of the goons. One of them demands to know how to turn of the Black Widow. Spencer shows him and it goes after the webslinger.
Spider-Man knows the robot is stronger but uses a large beam to try to even the odds. He knocks it back but comes under fire from the goons. Norman goes to even the odds by activating a single Spider Seeker. Spider-Man knocks it away where it crashes and causes a large fire to break out. Everyone tries to get out but Norman stops Spencer. Norman wants the scientist to finish off Spider-Man like they agreed or there will be no hoverchair. Despite Alistair's protests Spencer agrees as long as they take his son out of there. Spencer goes to the controls to finish off Spider-Man
The Black Widow grabs the beam and knocks Spider-Man aside. He realize he is out of webbing and must climb up so he can refill. Spider-Man finds Flash in an alcove who then begs him to keep the robot away from him. Spider-Man tries by climbing higher. The Black Widow then shoots oil onto the wall canceling out Spider-Man's wallcrawling ability. He falls right onto the back of the giant robot. Spencer realizes where Spider-Man must have fallen and tries to shake him off, but the hero stays on.
Spencer then sees Flash and assumes Spider-Man fell off. While distracted Spider-Man throws several web cartridges into the Black Widow's jets. He then webs up Black Widow's legs and pulls it backwards. He pushes it off the side over a vat of acid. The Black Widow tries to fly away but its jets are clogged with webbing. It falls in and melts.
Flash walks over the Spider-Man and admits that he always wanted to be like the hero but failed when it came time. Spider-Man promises not to tell anyone like Felicia or Peter. He grabs Flash and swings out of the facility. Outside Eddie and Norman are walking Alistair out. Alistair wonders if his father got out just before the entire place explodes. Alistair looks back in horror.
At his penthouse Jameson fires Eddie. Felicia yells at Flash for his stupid stunt. He leaves and Peter arrives only be to yelled at for being a coward. After Felicia leaves Peter meets up with Aunt May. She admits that it was kind of exciting and proceeds to tell him about this nice girl she wants him to meet.
Watching the smoking ruins of Oscorp is Alistair Smythe. There has been no sign of his father yet. The Kingpin arrives and makes him an offer Alistair can't refuse. Kingpin will provide the money to make more Spider Slayers so that Alistair can have his revenge on Spider-Man.
[edit] Quotes
"Guy can't even swing a few webs in peace anymore."
- -Spider-Man
"Hold that pose. Alright, don't hold that pose. If you're gonna be temperamental I'll fix it so you never work in this town again."
- -Spider-Man
"Gentlemen, I give you my spider-slayer: the Black Widow."
- -Spencer
"Tell mother that if we spend any more money on this thing I'm going to need charity."
- -Jameson
"Trust me Ms. Hardy. This ball is as important to me as it is to you. That's why I'm sending my [crosses fingers] very best photographer."
- -Jameson
"Mr. Jameson says your his best photographer."
"He does?"
[Grumbles] "My very best."
- -Felicia, Peter, and Jameson
"I'm sure you won't disappoint me."
"No way."
"See you there then."
- -Felicia and Peter
"Robbie, see if you can find Eddie Brock. He's supposed to have some big scoop for me. And I…Parker! Your mouth's open."
- -Jameson as Felicia leaves
"Eddie Brock's biggest scoop: the capture of Spider-Man. You will not regret bringing me in on this Mr. Smythe."
- -Eddie
"You have to trust me." [walks away]
"I get a bad feeling whenever somebody says I have to trust them."
- -Norman and Alistair
"Is that why you're working for Osborn? To serve up Spider-Man on a platter in exchange for this?"
"Alistair, that explosion back at the old lab was my fault. I'd do anything to help you."
"Even working with Osborn?"
"Even that. Osborn's not that bad."
- -Alistair and Spencer
"Crime. My livelihood. My life. All of it jeopardized by the sudden appearance of Spider-Man."
- -Kingpin
"Something occurs to me. Either Spider-Man's destroyed or you get Oscorp. Whatever happens you win."
"That's why I'm the Kingpin."
- -Norman and Kingpin
"Isn't it incredible. Just like I told you."
"It's nice Peter. But I'd be just as happy watching my cable TV."
"Aunt May, you need to get out once and a while."
- -Peter and Aunt May
"I should be taking pictures."
"And I should be dancing with Flash Thompson."
- -Peter and Felicia
"I could've had some boring blind date instead of this? Yeah, right."
- -Peter's inner dialogue
"You're a good dancer. I'm surprised."
"Well a lotta things about me would surprise you."
"I love surprises. See what you think of this one." [kisses Peter]
- -Felicia and Peter
"Parker, its time we had a talk."
"About what…uh…Spider-Man?"
"About those pictures you're always taking of me. I don't like 'em."
"Well uh, I'm sorry."
"That's a little better. But it's still not good enough."
"Well, what would you like me to say?"
[sees the Black Widow] "Ne-AH!"
"Okay." [mockingly] "Ah, ah!"
- -"Spider-Man" and Peter
"You! You're ruining everything!"
- -Felicia to the Black Widow
"You wanna dance with somebody, dance with me!"
- -Spider-Man
"When you crash a party you really crash it."
- -Spider-Man
"A million bucks. That's what this is gonna cost me."
- -Jameson after the attack
"Spider-Man appears to be dazed. With Spider-Man unconscious we have a rare opportunity. And here it is, the moment all of America's been waiting for. The unmasking of Spider-Man."
- -Eddie on the television
"Wait a minute. Are you telling me Spider-Man's just some goofy kid? That's unbelievable."
"How can anything be unbelievable to a guy who publishes a tabloid."
- -Jameson and Spider-Man
"Hey, hey! I got First Amendment rights!"
"We just amended them."
- -Eddie and Goon
"How 'bout that. I'm in too places at once."
"This one's the real deal lady. After all this time I can practically smell him. Which means Eddie Brock just made my whole company look like jerks."
"Not hard to do."
- -Spider-Man and Jameson
"Yeah, somebody's gotta save the guy who hates Peter Parker. Guess who? Talk about dramatic irony."
- -Spider-Man
"Spider-Man!"
"Can't be, he's in there."
"All smoke and mirrors! Read my book!"
- -Two goons and Spider-Man
"Two of 'em?"
"Congratulations, you can count. And they say the school system's failing."
- -Goon and Spider-Man
"Cool it guys. The Widow and I are trying to share some alone time." [webs the guards] "Thanks for your cooperation."
- -Spider-Man
"Uh-oh. Foul ball." [knocks away Spider Seeker] "Do the Mets need me or what."
- -Spider-Man
"Hey! Remember our deal? No spider-splat, no hoverchair."
"Alright. But take Alistair out of here."
"No! You can't stay!"
"I'll be fine. I'll be fine!"
- -Norman, Spencer, and Alistair
"I can't stick to wall, see? I can't swing on webs. I get airsick."
- -Flash mistaken for Spider-Man
"What!?"
- -Spencer's last words
"Didn't look too good back there, did I? I always hoped that when the chips were down I could be just like you. If anyone finds out…Felicia, Parker. You won't say anything will you?"
- -Flash
"The other networks are laughing at me, Brock! Even Fox! Can you imagine the humiliation!? And it's all because of you!"
"Don't blame me! Blame Spider-Man!"
"I do. But him I can't fire."
- -Jameson and Eddie
"I can't believe you'd try a stunt like that! You dult!"
"But Felicia…"
"That's Ms. Hardy to you, buster!'
"Nah, forget it!" [walks away and bumps into Peter] "Watch it clown!"
"First the dult, now the coward!"
"Coward? I was only trying to…"
"You abandoned me! Spider-Man had to save me! If you were half the man he is!"
- -Felicia yelling at Flash and Peter
"You know me?"
"I was an associate of your father's. Now I want to be an associate of yours."
"I don't need associates."
"I have an offer that might change your mind. Suppose I provide the money to make new Spider Slayer robots."
"Why should you do that?"
"So you can destroy the man responsible for your father's disappearance: Spider-Man!"
- -Alistair being recruited by Kingpin
[edit] Trivia
- One of the videos of Spider-Man on Kingpin's monitor is from the opening music.
- Ever the dedicated editor, Jameson lives right across the street from the Daily Bugle. Upon closer inspection it would seem that there is a footbridge over the street connecting the two buildings.
- Jameson's home address it at 39th and 2nd. Which would put in here.
- Careful listeners can tell that when Black Widow drops Spider-Man at Oscorp it is Flash's groan we hear not Peter's thus providing a clue to what really happened.
- In the opening music, seen throughout the first season it appears as though Black Widow is spraying green acid on the wall above Spider-Man, but in the episode it is revealed to be black oil.
- Jameson can see the Chrysler Building, Kingpin's hideout and famed New York City landmark, out of his home as it is very near.
[edit] Continuity
This episode introduced a great deal of characters including Norman and Harry Osborn, Alistair and Spencer Smythe, Wilson Fisk, and Flash Thompson. It may or may not have introduced Felicia Hardy, depending on whether you look at which episode aired first or was produced first.
Though not seen, this episode features the first reference to Anastasia Hardy, Felicia's mother, and Anna Watson. They both would become prominent characters in the series.
First mention of Mary Jane Watson. Here Peter does not go out with her because he does not like blind dates and wants to be with Felicia instead. This would begin a love triangle between the three. Peter will often have to choose between either one and often end up with neither. Eventually Felicia, as the Black Cat, would go off with Michael Morbius and Blade while Peter would marry Mary Jane's clone.
Peter has his first of many kisses.
Spencer Smythe goes missing in this episode and is presumed dead. However, in "The Ultimate Slayer" it is revealed that Fisk found him and put him into a cryogenic freeze while Alistair worked for revenge. It is unknown if Spencer was ever released.
[edit] Background
This episode was released as the second episode in the series, but was produced after "The Sting of the Scorpion".
First episode for Neil Ross, Norman Osborn. Neil previously voiced the Green Goblin in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. He also did voices on Iron Man and Fantastic Four, Wolverine on "Pryde of the X-Men", and worked on Spider-Man (1981).
In an in-joke Jameson talks about Fox laughing at him. Fox was the network that the MAU series appeared on at the time.
[edit] Reaction
"Stu" of Marvel Animation age praised the animation and fight scenes, particularly the robots. Although robots would become a staple villain these were the best to look at. The humor was pointed out with its many one-liners and dialogue, making it possibly the funniest of the series. "Stu" also enjoyed the sense of continuity with introducing so many characters who would all be expanded upon later. Finishing up it was called a "fine episode, which was topped by it's conclusion."
TV.com gives the episode a rating of 8.6 Great.
