Best Stories From Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Ranked

As a seasoned comic book enthusiast, let me tell you that these storylines are nothing short of extraordinary! Each one offers a unique blend of action, suspense, and character development that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, the radioactive Spider-Man. Anyone who either grew up with or is a fan of the 90s superhero series will recognize that those simple but catchy lyrics come from one of the best animated superhero shows of all time. The show took a surprisingly mature take on many of Spider-Man’s most entertaining and devastating storylines for a children’s show, being iconic and quality enough for people of all ages to enjoy the stories it provides to this day. Here are the best stories shown throughout the many episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

5 The Return of Hydro-Man

Watery Sadness

Best Stories From Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Ranked

First Episode Release Date: September 30, 1995
Why It’s Such A Good Story: It has heart-wrenching scenes

Among the most heartrending instances in Spider-Man history, featuring a scene that stands out as one of the most impactful in animated superhero storytelling – the agonized shrieks of Spider-Man as his beloved Mary Jane disappears into thin air.

In this unique two-part narrative, Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Mary Jane Watson are finally set for their honeymoon at Niagara Falls. However, fate seems to conspire against them as the trip takes a turn for the worse when water-based villain Hydro-Man kidnaps MJ. In a twist of events, Spider-Man gets help from the enigmatic Black Cat to rescue her. A battle with Hydro-Man ensues, leading to an unexpected outcome. The conflict concludes in an unforeseen manner, with Hydro-Man being vanquished by an empowered Mary Jane, who now possesses his abilities for unexplained reasons.

In the end, Spider-Man uncovers that Mary Jane is actually a clone. Following their climactic struggle, he watches as both Mary Jane and Hydro-Man vanish, leading to his memorable scream. This incident serves as a powerful motivator for this version of Spider-Man, fueling his determination to locate the genuine Mary Jane even more intensely.

4 The Mutant Agenda

Spider-Man and the X-Men

Best Stories From Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Ranked

First Episode Release Date: September 30, 1995
Why It’s Such A Good Story: Spider-Man interacts with Charles Xavier and co.

Through an encounter with a genetically altered spider, granting him extraordinary abilities, Spider-Man has often been likened to the mutants of the X-Men. Due to his unique powers, he’s frequently perceived as an outcast and a threat by those in authority, making comparisons between these two iconic characters quite apt.

In the plotline of “The Mutant Agenda”, Spider-Man reaches out to mutants for assistance in mastering his powers, as rumors of harmful mutant treatments circulate. However, things escalate into conflict when Peter Parker is imprisoned by the X-Men. Managing to break free from confinement, Spider-Man gets himself into various escapades. The Green Goblin serves as a significant antagonist during this storyline, contributing to the excitement. Professor Charles Xavier denies helping Spider-Man, claiming he focuses solely on natural mutations and not the altered powers he possesses.

In time, Spider-Man chooses to part ways with the X-Men, allowing them to manage on their own. However, the Beast later tracks him down and confides that he knows of a person, Herbert Landon, who is developing a possible mutant remedy.

3 Secret Wars

A Brilliant Crossover Event

First Episode Release Date: November 7, 1997
Why It’s Such A Good Story: We see so many different heroes and villains in one storyline

When a group of influential figures decide to stage a contest in order to determine whether the heroes or the villains are more powerful, you end up with the events depicted in Secret Wars, volumes 1 through 4.

As a devoted fan, I’ve witnessed Spider-Man joining forces with legendary heroes like the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men in an epic struggle between good and evil. Villains such as Doctor Octopus, Doctor Doom, the Lizard, and Red Skull stand on the other side of this cosmic battlefield. This isn’t just any team-up; it’s a collaboration for the ages, unfolding across dimensions alongside these iconic Marvel characters. The Beyonder, in partnership with Madame Web, has transported us all to another world, creating an intriguing test that brings together heroes and villains from different realities.

This narrative offers numerous surprises as it unfolds, including the heroes successfully freeing a thankful Curt Connors from his Lizard form. The Black Cat becomes involved, there’s a need to thwart Dr. Doom in New Latveria, and characters’ memories are altered.

2 The Alien Costume

Birth of Venom

First Episode Release Date: April 29, 1995
Why It’s Such A Good Story: It introduces alien themes and a great adversary

Exploring space, extraterrestrial beings, and the introduction of one of Spider-Man’s most esteemed adversaries from the comics, “The Alien Costume Saga,” offers a rich tapestry of stories related to everyone’s favorite web-slinger.

In an unexpected turn of events, Spider-Man comes to the rescue when J. Jonah Jameson Jr.’s space voyage malfunctions, saving the life of the man who frequently criticizes him as a menace’s son. Meanwhile, during these events, an alien symbiote bonds with Spider-Man. At first, he is uncertain about this creature and why it has altered his suit, providing it with a sleek black gel appearance. However, as he carries out his duties as Spider-Man, he discovers that the symbiote possesses both positive and negative traits. It boosts his strength and abilities positively, but amplifies his anger and aggression negatively.

At first, he manages to detach from it, but that’s just the beginning of his troubles. Eventually, the symbiote bonds with Peter Parker’s adversary, Eddie Brock, resulting in one of his most famous foes – Venom.

1 Turning Point

The Menace Of The Green Goblin

First Episode Release Date: November 23, 1996
Why It’s Such A Good Story: It shows the Green Goblin at his best (or worst)

In the beloved Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, as exemplified by Willem Dafoe’s performance, and reprised in Spider-Man, it is widely agreed that the Green Goblin stands out as Spider-Man’s most threatening and compelling adversary ever. Much like the Joker to Batman, the Green Goblin embodies a terrifying threat capable of severely disrupting Peter Parker’s life, with the Turning Point storyline serving as evidence that this portrayal may even fall short of the true extent of his danger.

In this final episode, the Green Goblin acquires a gadget granting him abilities to both spy on and teleport at will, making it simple for him to menace Spiderman more efficiently than ever before. Moreover, the Green Goblin manages to uncover Spiderman’s true identity.

In the final scene, Mary Jane is not just thrown from a bridge, but various actions by the Green Goblin, Madame Web, and the Time Dilation Accelerator result in her vanishing. As the episode concludes, Spider-Man recognizes that the destruction of the Time Dilation Accelerator signifies he can no longer resurrect Mary Jane.

2024-09-28 09:33