Japanese Spider-Man

I am so very happy that Marvel Comics is embracing this TV series, surely the most whacked-out and bizarre take on their showcase character, Spider-Man.

Say hello to my little friend!

Developed in 1978 by TOEI for television, the guys who later gave us Power Rangers. Aside from the name and the costume, nothing from the comic book was retained, leaving Japanese viewers with a wholly new creation to be confused by.

Motor-cycle enthusiast Takuya Yamashiro (Japanese for Peter Parker) encounters a falling UFO along with his archeologist father. It turns out to actually be the spacecraft known as the ‘Marveller.’ Soon Takuya and his dad (along with a smattering of kids and a girlfriend) are pitted in a battle against the evil Iron Cross Army of Professor Monster. Surprisingly, Stan Lee was a fan of the show and admired its inventiveness along with the giant robot design of the Marveller (later to be seen as a Shogun Warrior).

Watching clips online, I’ve sprayed milk out of my nose at moments where Spider-Man guns down a pop-band with his machine-gun toting super car only to reveal that they were robots all along. Did he know or had he just had it with their song? I’ll never know. With episode titles such as Fearful Hit Tune! Song Dancing Murder Rock and Fine Dog! Run to the Under of Father, how can you go wrong?

This has got to be the most outlandishly left-field version of Spider-Man I have ever seen. Comic book fans may complain about ‘organic web shooters’ in the Sam Raimi films over the hand-made web shooters, but this Spider-Man has a roadster that turns into a giant robot and fights evil aliens. THIS is taking a concept and running with it. Back when news of the Ultimate line first broke, I wondered… will Marvel be so bold as to completely re-interpret Spider-Man and make a wild new version. Sadly, it was almost exactly the same old version… but it has a strong following so what do I know?

In an odd turn of events, Marvel Comics is streaming the Japanese Spider-Man series on their website (along with episodes of the Wolverine and the X-Men, X-Men: Evolution and Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes programs). While DC Comics shies away from their whacked-out past, I’m happy to see Marvel laugh along with everyone else at this gem of insanity. And how could you not praise this program?

New episodes are added every Thursday at Marvel.com.

I recommend adding a little Outlook reminder to liven up the end of your work week.