Two years after the X-Men cartoon debuted, Marvel fans were treated to a brand new show starring everyone's favourite web-crawler, Spider-man. Featuring the same animated style of the X-Men cartoon, Spider-Man: The Animated Series can be considered as the highpoint of 90s Marvel animation. It was a fantastic show, from beginning to end. A whole selection of characters from Spider-Man's history turned up throughout the show, and they were all brilliantly characterised (especially Venom and Jonah Jameson). Even the great Stan Lee turned up in the show, within the cartoon's abrupt closing moments. Looking back, the animation was a little bit rough around the edges. Spidey's web-slinging sequences were marred by some ropey 3D building designs, but it made up for it with engaging and entertaining storylines - for the span of four long years. Fans were given a whole range of fan-pleasing treats, from alternate Spider-Men, Madame Web and even The Punisher. The voice acting on the show is some of the best Marvel has had to date too, and it certainly stars the best Peter Parker and Eddie Brock voices to date. The Simpsons' Hank Azaria even provided the voice for Eddie Brock/Venom, which frankly is the perfect choice for the symbiote anti-hero. Spider-Man: The Animated Series made a great use of a continuing narrative, especially with the episodes involving the symbiote suit, and the Black Cat. Sure, they replaced fistfights with lasers and web-fluid due to Fox's harsh neutering, but this is still an undeniable classic. It's all part of the charm.
