Spider-Man | |
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Genre | Action, Adventure, Superhero fiction |
Created by |
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Starring | Paul Soles |
Theme music composer | |
Composer(s) |
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Country of origin |
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No. of seasons | 3 |
No. of episodes | 52 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Running time | 25 minutes |
Production company(s) |
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Distributor | Disney–ABC Domestic Television |
Release | |
Original network | ABC |
Original release | September 9, 1967 | – June 14, 1970
Chronology | |
Followed by | Spidey Super Stories |
Spider-Man is an animated television series in the superhero fiction genre. It was the original animated TV series based on the Spider-Man comic book series created by writer Stan Lee and designed by artist Steve Ditko, and was jointly produced in Canada (voice acting) and the United States (animation). The first two seasons aired on the ABC television network, and the third was distributed in syndication. Grantray-Lawrence Animation produced the first season, and seasons two and three were produced by Krantz Films in New York City. The show starred Paul Soles as Peter Parker (Spider-Man). The series ran from September 9, 1967, to June 14, 1970.
The series revolved around teenager Peter Parker, a high school student who develops extraordinary strength and spider-like powers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Parker decides to become a crime-fighting, costumed superhero, but must deal with family tragedies, personal problems and the insecurity of youth. As Spider-Man, Parker risks his life to fight super-powered criminals such as Doctor Octopus, Mysterio and the Green Goblin. Peter is also a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle, but editor J. Jonah Jameson considers Spider-Man a criminal and writes front-page headlines critical of his activities.
The first season dealt primarily with Peter's job at the Daily Bugle, focusing on his relationship with Jameson, his romance with receptionist Betty Brant, and often being called into action as his alter ego. Peter's life, apart from the Bugle office and his Aunt May's Forest Hills home, was rarely dealt with in early episodes. Although he was never seen at college, he would sometimes visit professors he knew (such as the opening of "Sub-Zero for Spidey", when he went to see Professor Smartyr). Peter's character (blue suit, yellow vest, white shirt and red tie) was designed by Steve Ditko and art consultant John Romita, Sr..