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WEISMANSWERS 2009-04 (Apr)

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Brad writes...

Any plans to use Morbius The Living Vampire? I've always found him to be a wonderfully pulpy character, especially in his groovy 70's costume.

Greg responds...

No comment.

Response recorded on April 03, 2009

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Jim writes...

First I just wanted to say that I loved the format or device or whatever you might call it that was common among the episodes in the newer Venom arc-- really worked for me. Loved the videos, the Shakespeare, really great placement there. The second Goblin arc had a similar format as well, I'm hoping future arcs can be so closely linked in that way, rather than just by villains and storylines.

Also, one of the few flaws I've noticed with the show is the lack of continuity with regard to destruction-- certain locations (Bugle, Midtown) seem devastated by a fight in one episode and look fine about a month later.

Anyway, questions:

1. So you said in a previous entry that the first arc this season is "Engineering 101." What names did the writers give to the others? "Criminology" and "Theater" seem obvious, but the second arc is hard to pin down.

2. No original named characters, right? I don't think anyone online has ID'ed the Michael kid from "Gangland." Could you shed some light on this?

3. Goblin raises an interesting point-- duration or frustration? Which did the staff think was the cause of Mark's heating issues? Also, did Goblin turn the armor off after the prison fight?

4. How is Rand taking his "brother's" downfall? I was hoping to see a reaction, I assume it was cut for time or pacing reasons. I know there's already a ton to pack in to the episodes.

5. Is Curt still working on a cure for Max? It seems like that should be priority one (understandably, he seems often characterized by his guilt), but there isn't any sign that he's even trying.

Also, I thought you guys did a fantastic job with Liz. Honestly, I greatly prefer her to Gwen (though I seem to be in the minority). Surprising, since she was mostly a nuisance in her first couple appearances. Flash has become one of my favorites as well.

Fingers crossed for a third season!

Greg responds...

SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!!

Actually, relative to most cartoon shows, we think we've been pretty attentive to damage. The Bugle was demolished by Rhino in episode 6. In episode 7, it was still demolished. Yes, by the next time we saw it, it was repaired, but at least we aren't ignoring the damage.

1. Engineering 101, Human Development 101, Criminology 101, Drama 101.

2. Michael was the Kids WB contest winner. Of course, that episode will never air on the now non-existent KidsWB , but we felt we had to honor our commitment. Anyway, Michael knows who he is.

3. No comment on the first half of your question. As for the second half, I'd think that he did turn it off. He wouldn't want Mark to have access to the power on his own terms.

4. It wasn't "cut" in the sense that it was scripted or boarded or animated and then cut for time. But I'm assuming that our audience is intelligent enough to read certain things between the lines, so to speak. Things happen off screen. We can't show everything. I assume you can fill in the blank for yourself based on what we've already shown you as to how Rand is reacting to John's situation.

5. Yes. Again, just because we don't show him working on it in every episode doesn't mean he's given up. It just means he hasn't found it yet... or made any real progress worth mentioning.

Response recorded on April 02, 2009

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Stuart Green writes...

Hello again, Mr. Weisman.
I have a few more questions, if you don't mind me asking...

1.) You mentioned that you intended to use characters like the Kingpin and the Human Torch on your show, and on an interview with IGN you said that you had a Hulk story from the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era in mind that you wanted to tell at some point. I've read that you could not use any of these characters at the moment due to legal rights and I'm merely guessing you still can't for now. When there is a season three, and hopefully not "if" there's another season, how do you guys go about making sure you can get the rights to use a currently-unavailable character on your show? Who do you guys have to talk to in order to get permission to use those characters in the episode(s) you'd like to have him/her appear in? If not for season three, then maybe we'll get lucky enough to see guest characters on a fourth season, but I know I'm getting too far ahead of you on this topic. I guess it's just hard not to get carried away wondering what comes next on a show you love watching like "The Spectacular Spider-Man". Anyway, I'm just asking because I'd like to see Spider-Man to meet at least one or two other heroes in the future to show that Spidey's not the only one saving the city. As unlikely as it is for now and even if it doesn't happen on "The Spectacular Spider-Man", I'd really, really like to see another Spider-Man/Hulk episode made one day since the two heroes haven't been seen on the same show together since "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends".

2.) Since Kraven appears in season two, is it possible that there will be any of the Chameleon and Kraven ties explored on this show? They have a lot of history together in the comics, being half-brothers and all.

3.) When there's a season three, do you have any plans in mind for which Spider-Man foes that you'd like to introduce on the next season whether or not they become villains on this show? For example, like introducing Dr. Carolyn Trainer before she becomes Lady Octopus or introducing Michael Morbius before he becomes Morbius the living vampire. Even if you can't comment on the two examples that I mentioned above, do you have any ideas in mind even if you can't say who?

4.) How likely do you think it'll be we can see more of the Black Cat when the show is picked up for a new season?

Thank you for your time and keep up the excellent work, sir. I really hope you and the rest of the crew return for another season.

Greg responds...

SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!!

1. This is a non-issue until or unless we get a pick-up.

2. No comment.

3. Yep.

4. Very.

Response recorded on April 02, 2009

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R. Vega writes...

First off I’d like to thank you and your team for making Spectacular Spider-Man a great experience to watch. Personally I’d like to comment on all the highlights of the show, but in an effort to keep this short here goes.
Season 2 has already aired outside the U.S. and I’d like to ask a question with the assumption that I’ve already viewed both seasons. If you don’t wish to answer this question for any reason I understand.
On to my question, if [I’d like to say WHEN] season 3 is picked up, will we see a continuation of Gwen and Peter’s love story? I apologize if it seems like a dumb question but I was fascinated by the build up between the two in the series. Add the fact that Gwen is a very likeable character in this series and how we as the audience always root for the main character I’m just wondering if we’ll have more moments between them. I would also like to know if it was a challenge figuring out a way to make their relationship interesting and enjoyable to watch. I’m aware many TV shows try this and the end result seems forced, but here, it seems to be put together perfectly. Both the writers and the voice actors did a really good job on this aspect of the show.
Anyway I wish you and your team the best of luck. And I’ll be rooting for you guys for a season 3!

Greg responds...

SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!!

Yes, of course we'll continue the story of Gwen and Peter. Was it a challenge? Maybe a little, but it all came together pretty effortlessly, particularly with Josh and Lacey playing Pete and Gwen.

Response recorded on April 02, 2009

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Stephen writes...

Hi Greg,

Big fan of your Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon. You've done us Spidey fans proud. Doctor Octopus is my all time favourite Spidey villain, and like everything else in the show, you've done a brilliant job bringing him to life from the comics. I particularly loved the adaption of the Master Planner storyline. And the wonderful Peter MacNicol does a tremendous job voicing the character.

My question to you is do you have any future Doc Ock stories in mind that you'd like to adapt? There's still so many more great ones to choose from. The Nullifier arc and the Death of Captain Stacy from the Stan Lee days, for example.

Keep up the great work. I hope you guys get a third season to continue your fantastic work on this cartoon.

All the best,

Stephen.

Greg responds...

I have MANY stories in mind...

Response recorded on April 02, 2009

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Todd Jensen writes...

This is a comment rather than a question.

A few years ago, I mentioned here that the medieval flashback scenes in "Awakening Part One" had reminded me, the first time that I saw them, of a PBS animated adaptation of David Macaulay's "Castle". Recently, I was rereading the book that the PBS program had been based on, and discovered that the castle in it (a fictional castle, portrayed as part of Edward I's castle-building program in northern Wales) was called Aberwyvern, and stood by the Wyvern River. I'm certain that it must have been a coincidence (I assume that when you came up with the name "Wyvern" for the castle in "Gargoyles", you were thinking of the two-legged dragon-like creature), but it still astonished me, and I wanted to share it with you. (And Edward I *does* have a link to the Gargoyles Universe as the man responsible for the Stone of Destiny's removal from Scotland to Westminster Abbey.)

Greg responds...

I think Michael Reaves came up with the name Castle Wyvern. So you'd have to ask him what his influences were.

Response recorded on April 01, 2009

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Litwolf writes...

Does Talon have a second-in-command down in the Labyrinth? I know that the Labyrinth members are not part of a true gargoyle Clan but Talon realized he needed to take a stand and be the leader. Is there someone he has chosen (or will chose down the line) to be his second and take over for him when he can no longer lead?

Greg responds...

Not yet.

Response recorded on April 01, 2009

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Derek R. writes...

Have you ever considered writing for video games? You're really good at creating unique worlds within the shows you've worked on... everything and everyone seems connected and intertwined in the new spiderman and gargoyles series. I think you could write a killer game franchise.
PS maybe pitch a gargoyles game or spectacular spiderman game... ;)

Greg responds...

I'd love to, but nobody has hired me to write one.

Response recorded on April 01, 2009

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Aldrius writes...

Blueprints Review *Possible Spoilers*

Well, here we go at last. Season 2 is here. We waited almost a year and thanks to being Canadian (and having some very nice Australian friends) I’ve managed to get something of a sneak peak at the season. And by that… I mean I’ve seen the whole thing. Just to put these reviews into perspective, these reviews were written after having seen the final episode of the season, Final Curtain. So if you (the person reading this who isn’t Greg Weisman) don’t want spoilers about anything that happened in this season, then please don’t read this and blame me. I’m going to avoid putting down direct spoilers, but I’m only human.

Just to pre-face these reviews. I’m going to be perfectly honest. I didn’t particularly like season 2 overall. There were a few episodes that just blew me away but overall I was very disappointed with it. So my real hope with these is that I can remain constructive without crossing over into the realm of complaining. So anyway, here are my thoughts on the first episode of the Spectacular Spider-man season 2: Blueprints.

Unfortunately, this is probably my second least favourite episode of the entire series (not that that’s saying a whole lot mind you), so my first review might be a little on the negative side. Mysterio really didn’t do it for me, and the high school drama nor Peter’s home life didn’t seem to go much of anywhere, except for showing how much he’s got on his plate. There were a couple of really funny jokes through out, though and some pretty nice action scenes.

So to start off with what I liked. Stan Lee’s cameo is a lot of fun, he’s got a great voice, I think that’s why he lends himself so well to all these cameos, he’s very iconic sounding and looking. Another fun aspect was Mysterio’s incantations. I’ve heard they’re actually MC Hammer lyrics, very awesome. I really liked how he accompanied all his ‘magic’ with those spells. But a lot of what he does seems to be a little TOO impressive for simple misdirection (where the heck did he get that sword from?). It’s kind of distracting but not such a big deal.

I really like Norman’s role in this episode, the way he’s beginning to sink his teeth into every aspect of the city. Taking control of the Connors’ lab, taking control of Peter’s life, taking control of his breakfast. The whole dinner scene in general is pretty awesome (though for a fancy dinner party, the group sure seems to be drinking a lot of water…). I really like the way Miles Warren carries himself too, unlike the slightly more insecure Connors, he really seems aware of himself and what he’s doing. He’s eager, like a young man, rather than the experienced scientist his reputation suggests. Meanwhile, Emily Osborn is attempting to use her dinner knife to cut her way through her dinner plate.

I really like the pressure that’s present in the dinner scene as well. Norman is looking out for Peter, perhaps looking to nourish his potential, in the effort of finding a more suitable heir since his first one has turned out to be such a disappointment? Warren is just interested in efficiency. He doesn’t care about personal feelings he just wants to get all the work they can possibly do, done as quickly as possible. Martha is pragmatic too, but she also wants control of her little corner of the world, and she can’t have that if she can’t trust the people who are working for her.

Watching it now, my only real problem with the episode is the villain, and it’s not even that I dislike him. I love his design, I kind of love, kind of don’t love the fact that he’s a very over the top actor. I love the voice that Xander Berkeley has given him, and he gets some great lines in.

I think my only real problem with Mysterio is the abundance of robots. My limited exposure to the character has always implied, to me, that the guy was more of a trickster and an illusionist than someone who could pose an actual threat to Spider-man. But I suppose that doesn’t make for a compelling fight scenes. And it kind of goes against the ‘theme’ of this arc being engineering. Last season for example, I thought the way Beck and Mason recreated Spider-man’s powers was really clever. And the only thing I can think of that even comes close to it here is the nerve gas that Mysterio was using.

This isn’t so much a complaint as an observation/inquiry and it could be intentional but Mysterio’s dialogue often seems at odds with itself, sometimes Mysterio seems kind of surly and sarcastic (“But it’s such a clever trick.” Great line, by the way) and other times he’s really over the top and hammy. Is that intentional? Is it supposed to be that he’s such a bad actor that he’s perpetually breaking character? Am I just imagining things and picking nits or was that intentional in the writing? Also, I enjoyed the ham, but sometimes (and this is a complaint) it went on just a little too long for my liking, and crossed the line from amusing to annoying. (The conversation at the end for example. Funny at first, but became uncomfortable towards the end.)

Anyway, overall a fairly strong start with a few issues in this season 2 premier. I enjoyed re-watching it a lot more than I enjoyed reflecting upon it I think. I’m not really sure why that is, but there you go. Sorry, I tended to ramble here a bit, but there was quite a bit to talk about, and I both really enjoyed and was disappointed by the episode, so there’s always that. Keep up the good work anyway, Greg. Thanks for letting me submit these reviews even when they’re not glowing.

Greg responds...

SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!!!

Mysterio's incantations are not MC Hammer lyrics (at least not that I know of - I'm not familiar with his work). You can find the translations in the ASK GREG archives.

Response recorded on April 01, 2009

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anonymous writes...

Hi there,
I wanted to ask some quick questions, two of which are about Dr. Octopus:

1 - I'd like to ask, who came up with the idea that Doctor Octopus needs a power pack for his tentacle harness in order to keep mental control his tentacles and why? I'm surprised that Doc Ock can't mentally control his arms without a power pack on this show, as we've seen before like in season one's "Reaction" episode. I don't know if you answered this before, but I didn't see it in the archives.

2 - In season one, Doctor Octopus's tentacles usually look black more than they look gray and I think the black tentacles look is a bit cooler and give kind of scary look for the character. But in promotional photos for season two, Doc Ock's tentacles look more gray than black. Does Doc Ock get a new set of gray tentacles in season two, or were they always gray but just looked black at times in season one?

3 - Did you get any or all of the McDonald's Happy Meal toys that they made from "The Spectacular Spider-Man"?

Thank you for reading.

Greg responds...

SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!!!!

1. It's not about mental control; it's about powering a mechanical device. You know, the way you have to plug in your computer to get it to work or put a battery in the remote control for your t.v. Anyway, I think it was my idea, more or less.

2. They haven't changed.

3. I got six of them, but I missed out on Green Goblin at least. Bummer, huh?

Response recorded on April 01, 2009


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