Spider-Woman (1979–1980) User Reviews

Neat Marvel Cartoon

[jeremycrimsonfox · 7/10 · 27 April 2023]

Spider-Woman is one of those older Marvel cartoons that aired in the 1970's and 1980's, and is the final production.

In this series, Jessica Drew is a reporter for Justice Magazine, who has the secret identity of Spider-Woman. As the intro reveals, Jessica was bitten by a venomous spider while visiting her father's lab, which results in him using an untested spider serum, which cures her, and gives her spider powers. Now, she becomes Spider-Woman to stop evil while saving her nephew Billy and photographer Jeff Hunt, the two always getting captured.

A cartoon based on the comic series by Marvel comics, Spider-Woman is a cartoon that differs a lot from its comic book source material. As the comic was said to be a lot darker (especially since the heroine started out as a villain, as she was a member of HYDRA), this show tones down the dark elements and adds in lighter elements, like Jeff and Billy, who are basically there to be the characters Spider-Woman has to save every episode (similar to how Superman has to save Lois Lane). In the show's sixteen episodes, Spider-Woman goes on adventures around the world, facing mostly supernatural danger, from vikings who found a way to travel to the present day, to an alien mummy leading an army, and even android athletes. Yeah, these are mostly original villains, with a few episodes involving actual Marvel Comics supervillains, like The Kingpin, Dormanmu, and even Marvel's version of Dracula. In two episodes, Spider-Woman even teams up with Spider-Man.

Yeah, this does have some problems, like some of the sillier storylines and the cheesy plots, but I got to used to them as this was a product of a time where such things were common in cartoons. The last Marvel cartoon made by DePatie-Frelend Enterprises, who afterward was reincorperated into Marvel Productions (which two years later, would release the 1980's Spider-Man cartoon, and would go on to make a some of the decade's most-remembered cartoons, like G. I. Joe, The Transformers, and Muppet Babies), Spider-Woman only lasted sixteen episodes, but they are a neat example of how a cartoon with the main protagonist being female can be done, even if it is cheesy and silly.

A note on the music

[skeletal13 · 7/10 · 27 April 2007]

I was only four years old when this originally aired, so my memories of watching the show were pretty vague until MCA released a set of episodes on VHS several years later, during the success of "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends". Since I was an avid watcher of THAT show (and had taped nearly every one), I recognized that the music score to "Spider-Woman" shared several pieces and themes with "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends", and the syndicated "Spider-Man" animated series from 1980, albeit re-recorded for those shows. The difference is that the "Spider-Woman" music was recorded with what sounds like a full orchestra, whereas the other series went for more of a jazz/rock feel. The result of the earlier score gave the show a feeling of scope, which otherwise would have left it just as another "Superfriends". Still, for fans of Marvel and other superhero animation, this show is a must, and deserves to have its own release on DVD (as well as other Marvel titles). Hopefully, Saban/Buena Vista will wake up and give us a Marvel DVD Collection, as Warner Bros. has managed to release a number of the DC series to great success.

Billy and Jeff are the only reasons why this show is bad.

[Bob2Network · 6/10 · 11 January 2022]

This show was actually not that bad. For an animated superhero show in the late seventies, the story lines are well developed, the hero plays well with the situations, and the dialogue is full of quips. The only downfall of this show are the supporting characters. Not only are Billy and Jeff cringe stereotypical characters, but we as an audience have to endure their endless anti-woman empowerment jokes. These ceaseless put-downs make me question why Jessica Drew, a self made business woman, secret superhero, and altogether independent woman, hangs out with these losers. This show would never be able to air in today's world due to its portrayal of male superiority. Frankly, I enjoyed this show. I would like to see a reboot or remake with a more supportive supporting cast of characters.

The last of the DePatie-Freleng Saturday Morning Shows

[raysond · 8 January 2007]

This was a handful of animated shows that were part of ABC's Sunshine Saturday Morning schedule during the late 1970's and early 1980's. The short-lived animated series "Spider-Woman" was one of them and it was basically the synopsis of "Spider-Man" but with only a few minor alterations. Premiering on ABC-TV from September 22,1979 through the end of the series run on March 1, 1980,the animated series "Spider-Woman" came out during the time of action-packed Saturday Morning fiasco of shows that premiered. The series,based on the Marvel Comics Character was simply fantastic and spellbinding to begin with. The story deals with yet another newspaper editor as well-Jessica Drew who was the magazine editor and publisher for "Justice". As a child,Jessica was bitten by a radioactive spider in her dad's Dr. Alexander Drew's laboratory during a scientfic experiment,and when cured by a serum from him,found herself possessing the abilities of an arachnid-and then some. She shot webs,delivered "venom blasts" to some of her evil foes,possessed supersensitive hearing and even flew. And just like Spider-Man had the amazing abilities to come out of any tight situation and with her amazing superpowers. Her photographer Jeff Hunt and young nephew Billy had no inkling or any idea of her crime-fighting alter ego,which she became by twirling into a red and yellow outfit.

This synopsis may sound like a distaff proportion of "Spider-Man",but on the other hand it prompted no lawsuits from Marvel Comics Group because the executive producer of the series was no other than Stan Lee himself,the creator of this character and Spider-Man. Spider-Woman appeared in the first issue of the Marvel Comics in 1977,and the producers waiting two years to finally bring this character into the light and into the foray of Saturday Morning television. Out of the 17 episodes that were produced,Spider-Woman also faced deadly diabolical foes including one incredible episode where Spider-Man makes a guest appearance as they take down a deadly archrival including rogue villains like Kingpin and The Green Goblin.

Increasingly enough,the voice of both Jessica Drew and Spider-Woman was done by actress Joan Van Ark(also of Knots Landing fame)whose voices was heard the previous season on an episode of "Tarzan and the Super 7"(which was on a rival network that ran in competition),which was a Filmation production to a similar production called "Webwoman" or "Tarzan And The Webwoman". However,"Spider-Woman" was on ABC-TV and it was produced for Marvel Comics Television in association with DePatie-Freleng Productions under the executive production of Stan Lee and Lee Gunther(the person responsible for bringing an array of animated shows to Saturday Mornings during the late 1970's like "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends","The New Adventures Of The Incredible Hulk" the revival of Captain America and Iron Man back to animation form,to mega star status during the 1980's too with the syndicated "G.I. Joe" and "The Transformers").

This was also to note that "Spider-Woman" was the last series to be produced by DePatie-Freleng Productions(aka DFE Enterprises)under the supervision of executive producers David H. DePatie and long time animator and business associate Friz Freleng. This was a successful partnership which lasted more than 17 years specializing in animated cartoons. The best known of the DePatie-Freleng creations was that of the animated "The Pink Panther",a cartoon feline character based on the classic 1960's movie of the same name that was one of the best successful ventures ever lasting all the way from the mid-1960's through the early 1980's(some of these were released theatrically and on television). "The Pink Panther" ran on Saturday Morning network television for 12 seasons(1968-1980). But this was not their only venture neither since DePatie-Freleng Productions also were behind the incarnations of several shows as well:The animated versions of "Doctor Doolittle",and the astounding animated series based on the hugely successful Planet Of The Apes movies(and the short-lived live action television series) titled "Return To The Planet Of The Apes",which was also based on the novel by Pierre Boulle which was also based upon the concept of the motion picture of the same title,and comedy animated shows like "Bailey's Comets","Baggy Pants and the Nitwits",the comedy series based on Mr. Magoo titled "The New Adventures Of Mister Magoo or What's New Mister Magoo",also animated shows based on celebrities too like Flip Wilson,Dan Rowan and Dick Martin,Ruth Buzzi,and Henry Gibson not to mention the animated Saturday Morning DFE produced shows like "Super President",and "The Super Six",not to mention various specials featuring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

Entertaining absurdity...whenever spider-man isn't around

[whatisitwithricks · 6/10 · 8 June 2022]

This show make no sense whatsoever, and that's generally fun. Spider-Woman defeats alien mummies with cubes. It absurd, ridiculous, and needs to be seen to be believed . My only real gripe is the series use of spider-man. He's only in two episodes, but he's weirdly condescending and kinda sexist to spider-woman, and this isn't portrayed as a bad thing. It's at its worst at the end of his second appearance. Spider-Woman gets captured and Spidey has to saves her, and even takes down the villain basically by himself. He also randomly asks her out afterwards. Making Spider-Man into a sexist jerk and Spider-Woman into a damsel in distress in her own show isn't great. Thankfully he's gone after that, and she goes back to beating up Dracula and stuff.

Not so good.

[13Funbags · 3/10 · 16 June 2018]

Her spider-like powers include flying and shooting lasers from her hands and she works for a magazine. It's funny that they thought her origin had to be different than Spider-Man's but then she works at a magazine. The first episode had Spider-Man in it for no apparent reason, he had nothing to do with the story. Of course there's the random little boy who has full access to the magazine offices and goes on adventures with her and the photographer. In almost every episode they think she died because she just jumps out of vehicles. This is bad but Marvel has done worse.

live action please..

[mrrebel-80382 · 4/10 · 24 December 2020]

A live action movie should be made. but I'm sure hollywood would politicize it. either by blaming the evil white man or heterosexuality.

UUUUuuuUUUuUuUUuuUUUuh...

[rr-777 · 3/10 · 13 January 2021]

Bad Things Things:

Well, its a thing. It has the animation of a hannabarbara cartoon, the kingpin is the worst drawn character in existance and stuff, he looks like he was drawn by a 14 year old trying to redraw something he saw in a comic book. Everyone is so lathargic, whenever theres trouble, they all just walk slowly to the thing or something. Whenever the characters walk, it's the same walkcycle from the side that looks like a frickin' video game from the 80s, I don't have any energy ot review this, I don't even know why I'm writing, read some other reviews, they probably say the same thing.

Nice 1970s Adventure Show for Kids

[hypestyle · 8/10 · 9 August 2007]

The Spider-Woman animated series (ABC) lasted from 1979 until 1980, with 13 episodes produced.

In the 1970s, Marvel Comics created a handful of female versions of some of Marvel's popular male characters (allegedly, just so no one else could lay claim to the names): Spider-Woman, the She-Hulk, and Ms. Marvel. Of those three, Spider-Woman quickly became a prominent marketing co-mascot (along with Spider-Man, the Hulk, and Captain America), appearing on various Marvel-branded licensed merchandise, and serving as their de facto representative for lady superheroes (rival DC Comics owned longtime icon Wonder Woman).

Marvel's first animation production house (in cooperation with the DePatie/Freling, firm, who pioneered the "Pink Panther" toons) developed this show.

The show alters the backstory for Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman. The comics had an arguably complicated origin story, which posited her as being born in the 1920's, struck by radiation poisoning, then placed in suspended animation where she slowly grew to adulthood over several decades (while periodically being injected with life-preserving drugs based on spider-proteins)..

The producers wisely jettisoned this origin, and simply state that a pre-teen Jessica was bitten by a spider when fooling around in her father's research laboratory. A hasty antidote is created, based on the spider's venom, which ends up giving Jessica her trademark powers. As an adult, Spider-Woman can crawl on walls, has super-strength, can mentally communicate with spiders, has a spider-sense that borders on true clairvoyance, can cast webbing from her fingertips, and can glide on air currents with her web-wings (the webcasting, spider-sense and spider-telepathy were not from the comics). Curiously, she transforms into her Spider-Woman costume simply by spinning around in place (and weaving a thin web around herself)-- this was seemingly taken directly from the "Wonder Woman" TV show.

The adult Jessica is now a magazine publisher (Justice Magazine), though apparently she often serves as her own reporter, along with pilot/photographer Jeff (a dead ringer for Peter Parker) by her side, as well as her nephew Billy (Billy's parents, including a presumed Drew sibling, are never seen).

The Kingpin and Dormammu are among the Marvel comics villains used here, though the portrayals are not exactly as the comics origins.

Spider-Man is a guest in two episodes-- though in both, Spider-Woman is clearly the main star, and viewers never see Spider-Man out of costume.

The animation was about par for the time (late 70's). Not pioneering, but not "Rocky & Bullwinkle" cheap, either.

Joan Van Ark ("Falcon Crest") did the voice of Jessica/Spider-Woman.

It would be great to have this series on DVD. Disney acquired Marvel Comics in 2009, including the back catalog video rights to all animated TV shows based their characters. Spider-Woman has been released on DVD in Europe, but not the USA yet.

I can't believe how bad this was.

[Havok259 · 2/10 · 1 January 2022]

I've never heard worse voice acting. I think it must have been recorded via tin can and string.

Ridiculous dialogue even for a kids' cartoon and terrible animation make it nearly unwatchable.

It's only worth watching to make fun of. The Kingpin and his crew were so over the top ridiculous that they're almost worth watching just to get a laugh.

FANTASTIC

[Big Movie Fan · 13 February 2002]

Marvel Comics are the best comics line in the world (along with DC Comics) and Marvel have always made great cartoons too.

Spider Woman was fantastic-it's impossible to dislike any fantasy show in my opinion. Spider Woman was a strong heroine who needed absolutely no help from any males when it came to vanquishing the bad guys. And she has a cool costume as well.

There were some great episode-my favorite one was "Pyramids of Terror" guest starring Spider-Man. But it was Spider Woman who ended up saving Spider-Man on a few occasions.

The tune for this show just sticks in your head and I couldn't stop humming it at one point.

If you like Marvel Comics, then you'll like this show.

It's either a 10 or a 1

[rachelrasmussen · 10/10 · 2 December 2019]

This is so bad it's fantastic. You thought feminist pandering was invented by snowflake millenials? Think AGAIN! This show INVENTED going "woke". The title character is bafflingly overpowered and flawless in every way. Her male co-worker is a one dimensional caricature of a sexist buffoon. Even the cameos of Spiderman portray him as a clueless idiot needing rescuing. We are thoroughly enjoying it on Disney+. For those of you who are adults, I recommend a drinking game- take a shot every time Jessica Drew (Spiderwoman) jumps out of a moving vehicle so she can change her clothes without her co-worker Jeff and her 12 year old nephew, er, I mean Billy, noticing.

ENTER THE WEB!

[RedHornet · 7 May 2004]

Spider-Woman was a fantastic animated series from Marvel at a time when cartoons had begin to dumb down. What you get from Spider-Woman is still quite juvenile, but it manages to capture enough of the Marvel/Stan Lee spirit to make it a hit. The characterisations of Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman and co are good enough to make this an interesting Cartoon, and it has the added plus that it doesn't talk down to the viewer.

It was very interesting for Marvel to choose to make an Animated series about Spider-Woman in the first place. The character had only appeared briefly in the pages of Marvel Comics and then she was cast as a villain. The comics writers had to create a whole new character to accomodate the series, and with a fresh origin etc. The character of Spider-Man is all but jettisoned from the proccedings albeit as a guest star in the pilot episode Pyramids Terror. This series was exciting, funny and is well worth a look for Marvel afficianadoes.

8/10!

[AnnaPagrati · 8/10 · 18 March 2022]

A really cool show! This was actually my first encounter and contact with Spider-Woman ever, it was really nice to get to know this character, a really interesting one!

man this show was bad

[movieman_kev · 5 November 2005]

This show was lame with a capital 'L', Jessica Drew has super spider powers because as a young kid she was dying and her father, damning modern science, injects his kid with an experimental spider serum. Teaming up with Spider-man in the first episode (to draw in the audience that he had), this cartoon shouldn't have even bothered. It had insipid dialog, corny villains (exept the Kingpin" in one episode, but he was wasted in this craptoon as well), a laughable horrendous allusion to "Super-friends" in the way it sequeways between scenes. Thank god it only lasted 16 episodes (though I'm surprised it lasted that long) Oh and by the way, the episode "Games of Doom" had nothing to do with Dr. Doom in the least.(wishful thinking on the part of one of the previous reviewers) The villain of the piece was a crappy Frenchman.

My Grade: F

Girl power

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 4 July 2021]

Great series with some awesome original episodes and some marvellous acting.

Seriously, what is happening?

[reilloop · 30 August 2023]

What is happening? What is happening? What? That's what I asked myself when watching this show. I adore this show. It is awful and messed up in so many ways, but I respect it. It's the kind of show you love to hate. I have too much to say. Every single moment of this show raises 10 questions and made me laugh my head off. It is ridiculous, truly makes you question your sanity. Sometimes I wondered if it was all some big joke while I was watching it, because how could this have possibly been written by anyone who lives on the planet Earth?! It truly makes no sense. Spoilers, but if you watched the episode with the little man inside the robot that made clones of multiple random Olympians inside of a crate so he could go to the Olympics and steal gold metals which would allow him to rule the world through hypnotism, and if you watched that and asked yourself, okay so why was he also a robot and also tiny, don't worry I asked myself that as well. I would love to know why it was treated so normally- that the ending of that episode was just oh yes also he is miniscule and controlling a robot self, that makes perfect sense. Another I'd like to honorably mention is the Kongo Spider. What a baffling episode. Truly, what? Why is Spiderman so completely out of character in his cameo? The Kongo Spider is actually misspelled as the Kingo Spider on Disney plus, so great job Disney. They spell everything wrong, even the descriptions and subtitles. I think the episode that makes the least sense might be the one with Dracula and Frankenstein and umm a werewolf, where the wind somehow changes everyone back to normal and... I'd like to know what happens when the clouds that blocked the moon and saved everyone who was a werewolf like what happened when the cloud moved. What part of that makes sense? But then again, the title for "most confusing episode" could probably be deemed true for any of Spider-Woman's episodes. This show is a true gem of a monstrosity. Not to mention the god awful re-used close up frames of each main character's face. Anyway, you will see what I mean if you watch this show. It's messed up. I can't even decide what to rate it because I love this awful mess SO much.