10 Best Moments From Spider-Man The Animated Series

This was it: the show's adaptation of 'The Night Gwen Stacey Died'. Replacing Gwen with Mary Jane, Peter's most famous love interest was an interesting diversion from the source material (albeit a decision that was encouraged by Stan Lee himself). But, it made sense given her primary role in Peter's life in this show.

Aside from its iconic status, it is again this show's approach to the adaptation that makes the moment stand out. As the writers couldn't show an image of Mary Jane having her neck snapped like in the comics (censorship, censorship, friendly-neighborhood censorship) they cleverly use the Time Dilation Accelerator that has been featured in several episodes prior as the plot device that open's a portal for her to fall into. It's a clever way to get around the show's restrictions and still convey the tragedy of the moment.

MJ's disappearance adds another level of sorrow as well. Whilst the idea of Spider-Man holding a deceased MJ in his arms would have been haunting, for a children's show the notion of her simply disappearing without a trace works just as well and adds elements of the unknown to the equation: Where did she go? How can she be found? Barnes' vocal performance sells the desperation of the situation as well, and it all brilliantly brings to life another classic Spidey tale.