Following X-Men 97’s Success, Spider-Man: The Animated Series Is Being Revisited In A Much-Needed Way

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Stepping into the realm of nostalgia last year was an absolute treat for ’90s kids who fondly remember X-Men: The Animated Series. The long-awaited sequel, X-Men ’97, did not disappoint, earning widespread praise from critics and fans alike. For those with a Disney+ subscription, eager anticipation mounts as we await at least two more seasons.

A delightful surprise cameo in this revival was none other than Spider-Man, hailing from the equally cherished Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which graced our screens on Fox Kids back in the ’90s. Now, it’s been announced that the continuity of this Spidey is being revisited, a move that seems more than necessary given the original series’ conclusion.

Fans of “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” may remember that the last scene in the finale had Peter Parker being sent by Madame Web to a universe where Mary Jane Watson was trapped, but we didn’t actually see him find her. Though it was kind of the “X-Men ’97” episode “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3” to verify that they reunited, it’s even more exciting that they will spend more time apart from each other following their split in “Spider-Man ’94”, a four-issue comic book series written by veteran Spider-Man comics writer J.M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Jim Towe.

Another crucial aspect hinted at in the series synopsis is that it will introduce two formidable villains from Spider-Man’s comic book universe, but their identities remain undisclosed. In a conversation with IGN, DeMatteis shared some insights about the ’90s Spider-Man series.

The 1990s Spider-Man cartoon series has taken a cherished place in Spidey folklore – it was where countless fans were first introduced to Peter Parker’s world, and I’m thrilled to revisit this universe. We’re approaching this as if it’s the next season of the show, so expect fresh villains, new obstacles, and exciting adventures for Peter. We’ll strive to stay faithful to the creative essence that John Semper and his team instilled in the initial series.

As a movie critic, I had been secretly wishing that the revival of the classic animated series “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” could become a reality, following the immense success of the “X-Men ’97”. However, the emergence of Disney+’s “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” seems to have put an end to those dreams. Yet, I must admit, I also appreciate this new show and am looking forward to its next two seasons. Given the absence of a live-action follow-up, a comic book series set in the same continuity feels like a fitting substitute – one that is long overdue since it’s been nearly 30 years since we last saw where “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” left off.

Regarding the unknown antagonists that emerged in Spider-Man ’94, there are numerous possibilities, particularly if we consider characters from Spidey’s rogues gallery that debuted after the cancellation of Spider-Man: The Animated Series in 1998. Among my preferences is Sandman, a character who was initially planned for James Cameron’s unrealized Spider-Man film but couldn’t appear on the TV show. Electro also had a long wait before making an appearance, but managed to fit into the series just before its conclusion, although not as Max Dillon’s version.

On September 3rd, you can get your hands on issue #1 of “Spider-Man ’94” both digitally and at your neighborhood comic book store. Along with additional seasons of “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”, there are exciting Spider-Man movies and television shows coming up that fans will love. These include “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” in 2026, as well as “Spider-Noir” on Prime Video, and finally, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” in 2027.

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2025-06-18 22:09