I know that this show was the first attempt to put the "Spiderman" character onto the small screen but in my opinion, it has become slightly over-rated as there have been far better adaptations since. However, the above show isn't bad and there are some good stories. The animation is very limited and therefore, the lack of money tends to show. I recall first seeing this late 1960s attempt back in the late 1980s. I had rented a video that had 2 episodes and I still remember the first episode from the video - it had Dr. Octopus in it. I felt so disappointed by the series as I was expecting to see the classic 1981 version. In the ensuing years, I have grown to quite enjoy this early series, albeit in a limited way. The theme tune is rather corny to say the least but it isn't hard on the ears.

FOLLOWING THE OTHER animated series from Marvel Comics, THE MARVEL SUPER HEROES by about a half a year, this was the first on screen incarnation of "THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN"; being creator Stan Lee's top solo hero creation. The series boasted of having much of the same creative talent as was involved with the other, previous series; namely Steve Krantz and Ralph Bakshi of KRANTZ FILMS.THIS SERIES DEBUTED on ABC TV at the same date as Hannah-Barbera Productions' adaption of Marvel Comics' THE FANTASTIC FOUR. We can't recall the exact time slots; but, we do know that they were back to back. It was a good time for Comic Book Super Heroes!* THE ONE VERY 'Marvel Comics' element and Stan Lee trademark was included; after being totally absent from the MARVEL SUPER HEROES program. That would be the interjection of humor. SPIDER-MAN was steeped in it; what with a lot of wisecracking in voice over by the main character and with the lyrics in the now very well known theme song! AS FOR THE general feel of the show, it did seem to be just a trifle tame; as compared to the comic book adventures. This sort of comparison may not be completely fair; but they are made and always will be.IN OUR OWN humble opinion, the voice provided for Peter Parker/Spider-Man seemed to be just a little too mature. This is,of course, a small (even picayune) complaint and was not by any means, a major flaw.OTHERWISE, THE VOICE actors did a fine job and were well cast in their characterizations of J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant and the others. This added to the use of many of "Spidey's" enemies from the comics (Green Goblin, Mysterio, Rhino), great stories and the original musical theme & incidental music all made for a most acceptable adaption.TOPPING ALL OFF was the animation; while no 'FANTASIA" here, it is excellent for Television. Whereas MARVEL SUPER HEROES showcased the most beautiful artwork, skillfully copying it directly from comics page, its animation was extremely limited. SPIDER-MAN made up for the slack with its movement. And, when all is said and done, the name of the game is "Motion Pictures!" "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!" NOTE: * Following the success of "BATMAN" (Greenway Prod./20th Century-Fox) on ABC in January of 1966, everyone jumped on the proverbial "Super Heroes Bandwagon." CBS had THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (later THE SUPERMAN-AQUAMAN HOUR OF ADVENTURE), the previously mentioned MARVEL SUPER HEROES Syndicated show and ABC's FANTASTIC FOUR and SPIDER-MAN. Other comic book-like characters also emerged; such as Hannah-Barbarra's SPACE GHOST and MIGHTY MIGHTOR.

OK, let's get things straight here: this might not be what you expect. This Spider-Man is ridiculous, the effects don't make any sense, it's completely bizarre to an unimaginable degree. Actually, other than the fact that it features many of our dear villains and beloved characters...**********************************************POSSIBLE SPOILER? ...(but rarely Mary-Jane, which only appears on one episode, with no signs of Gwen Stacey from what I can remember)... ******************************************************END OF SPOILER...and being accompanied by some AMAZING - no pun intended! - jazz soundtrack, this series is fun BECAUSE it's WACKY. Seriously, some of the effects are actually so bad they're extremely fun to watch. It might not be remembered for the "right reasons", but if something makes me laugh, it's a plus in my book!

The animation was not great by present standards, but through the age of 12 or so this series hit the spot. Further, though they leaned heavily on repeating with stock footage, most of it was pretty good and represented the action and strength of the character well. Every once in a while they turned the background sideways or something and achieved a startling effect without using new elements. I love that Peter Parker sounds like a boy and Spidey sounds like a man. It's the uni, don't you know.They best part for me is the theme song, one of the best of all time, and all of the incidental music (even the bulk of the special effects). Crime jazzy and dark. All of the episodes had great, swinging musical textures and overtones.The Bakshi stuff is stellar. Really idiosyncratic and daring. Spidey ends up removed to different dimensions and levels of the earth, battling the supernatural than the super- villainous. The humans are generally pawns caught in a cosmic battle between good and evil and Spidey comes through, natch. The oft-referred to backgrounds (black, dark blue, purples, fiery reds, etc., were awesome, as were the castles and thorny, leafless backdrops (ala Sleeping Beauty). The color schemes were sickening (purple and off greens with splotchy reds and hints of bruisy yellow. Brilliant. The music also took a further leap from poppier crime jazz and soda stand teen rock to psych-out freak rock interludes, darker crime jazz, and even odd sci-fi and kraut-rockish stretches. Watch the first episode on disc 3 or 4, the one with the Mole Men. The music is absolutely incredible.My two kids, 3 and 5, respectively, love these Spider-Man cartoons. They hold up for me, as well.