‘NIGHT OF THE LIZARD’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

This is the first episode that introduces us to Peter Parker as Spider-Man in ‘Spider-Man: The Animated Series’. This is a pretty decent episode to begin Season 1 of ‘The Animated Series’. It’s not the most spectacular season opener; but it does quite well in setting up Spider-Man as the superhero in this world.

In this episode, Spider-Man has to fight against the deadly Lizard. The Lizard turns out to be his school tutor and teacher, Dr. Curt Connors. Spidey must find a way to stop the Lizard and get him to return to his human form as Curt Connors. Will Spidey save Connors’ life as well as reunite him with his family here?

In the movies, the Lizard made his first appearance in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ with Andrew Garfield. Dr. Curt Connors also appeared in both the Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield eras of ‘Spider-Man’ movies. It was interesting to see the Lizard as the villain for this first episode of the animated TV series.

The episode also features the first appearances of many reoccurring characters in ‘Spider-Man’. As well as Peter Parker and Curt Connors, there’s also J. Jonah Jameson (voiced by Edward Asner), Robbie Robertson, Eddie Brock, Aunt May and Debra Whitman. Connors’ wife Margaret and his son Billy also appear in the TV episode.

It’s interesting to point out that the first episode of the ‘Spider-Man’ animated series isn’t an origins episode for the character. It quickly gets into Spidey established as the costumed crime-fighting superhero. Spider-Man’s origins would be later revealed in the TV series. Interesting how that’s thought out here.

The animated ‘Spider-Man’ series is also renowned for having Peter/Spidey express his thoughts as exposition throughout each episode. There aren’t many quiet moments when Peter/Spidey’s talking in his head. Sometimes that can be very jarring, but after a while you get used to it in watching the series.

Originally, it was planned to have Venom be the first villain of the ‘Spider-Man’ animated series instead of the Lizard. I’m glad they saved Venom for later in the show’s first season. It gives the audience a chance to know who Eddie Brock is as he’s thwarted by Spidey who tries to expose Connors as the Lizard. 😀

‘Night of the Lizard’ is an action-packed episode to begin the animated ‘Spider-Man’ series. It’s not the best introduction to Spidey, but I enjoyed seeing how he fought the Lizard here. It’s also ironic Connors became a useful ally for Spidey in future episodes regarding science after being introduced as the Lizard.

‘Night of the Lizard’ rating – 7/10