Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: Difference between revisions

 

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””’Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends””’ is a 1981–1983 American [[superhero fiction]] [[animated television series]] produced by [[Marvel Productions]], considered to be a crossover series connected to the 1981 ”[[Spider-Man (1981 TV series)|Spider-Man]]” series.<ref name=Perlmutter>{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=574–580}}</ref> The show stars already-established [[Marvel Comics]] characters [[Spider-Man]] and [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]], along with an original character, [[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|Firestar]].<ref>{{cite news|title= Spider-Man on TV|newspaper= [[IGN]]|publisher= [[Ziff Davis]]|url= http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/785/785521p3.html|access-date= September 9, 2010|archive-date= November 16, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101116011830/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/785/785521p3.html|url-status= live}}</ref> As a trio called the Spider-Friends, they fight against various villains of the Marvel Universe.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=777–782}}</ref>

””’Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends””’ is a 1981–1983 American [[superhero fiction]] [[animated television series]] produced by [[Marvel Productions]], a crossover the [[Spider-Man (1981 TV series)|Spider-Man” series.<ref name=Perlmutter>{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=574–580}}</ref> established [[Marvel Comics]] characters [[Spider-Man]] and [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]], character [[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|]].<ref>{{cite news|title= Spider-Man on TV|newspaper= [[IGN]]|publisher= [[Ziff Davis]]|url= http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/785/785521p3.html|access-date= September 9, 2010|archive-date= November 16, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101116011830/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/785/785521p3.html|url-status= live}}</ref> As a trio called the Spider-Friends, they various villains of the Marvel Universe.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=777–782}}</ref>

==Production==

==Production==

The series was an attempt by NBC to replicate some of the success ABC enjoyed with the ”[[Super Friends]]” franchise.<ref name=seriously>{{cite web |url= http://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/rick-hobergs-seriously-amazing-friends/ |title= Rick Hoberg’s Seriously ‘Amazing Friends’ |website= AnimationMagazine.net |first= Michael |last= Mallory |date= October 4, 2012 |access-date= March 11, 2016 |archive-date= March 6, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220306200832/https://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/rick-hobergs-seriously-amazing-friends/ |url-status= live}}</ref> The makers of the show intended the stars to be Spider-Man, Iceman, and the [[Human Torch]].<ref name=seriously /> However, legal issues about the rights to the Human Torch character (which had also plagued Marvel once before for the [[Fantastic Four (1978 TV series)|1978 ”Fantastic Four” cartoon]]) led to the Human Torch being replaced by a new character, Firestar, who had similar powers, but was a mutant like Iceman. Due to Firestar‘s popularity with fans, she has since become a part of the mainstream Marvel Universe. In pre-production, Firestar‘s codename changed frequently; the unused names include Firefly, Starblaze, and Heatwave.

The series was an attempt by NBC to replicate some of the success ABC enjoyed with the ”[[Super Friends]]” franchise.<ref name=seriously>{{cite web |url= http://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/rick-hobergs-seriously-amazing-friends/ |title= Rick Hoberg’s Seriously ‘Amazing Friends’ |website= AnimationMagazine.net |first= Michael |last= Mallory |date= October 4, 2012 |access-date= March 11, 2016 |archive-date= March 6, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220306200832/https://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/rick-hobergs-seriously-amazing-friends/ |url-status= live}}</ref> The makers of the show intended the stars to be Spider-Man, Iceman, and the [[Human Torch]].<ref name=seriously /> However, legal issues about the rights to the Human Torch character (which had also plagued Marvel once before for the [[Fantastic Four (1978 TV series)|1978 ”Fantastic Four” cartoon]]) led to the Human Torch being replaced by new character , who had similar powers, but was a mutant like Iceman. ‘s , the , Firestar .

Marvel Comics maintained a high level of creative control over the series, with [[Stan Lee]] (co-creator of both Spider-Man and Iceman) working with the screenwriters and involving himself in the casting and animation.<ref name=RetFan10>{{cite journal |last=Clancy |first=Shaun |date=August 2020|title=From Family Affair, Firestar, and Beyond: An Interview with Kathy Garver |journal=RetroFan |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |location=United States|issue=10 |page=20}}</ref>

Marvel Comics maintained a high level of creative control over the series, with [[Stan Lee]] (co-creator of both Spider-Man and Iceman) working with the screenwriters and involving himself in the casting and animation.<ref name=RetFan10>{{cite journal |last=Clancy |first=Shaun |date=August 2020|title=From Family Affair, Firestar, and Beyond: An Interview with Kathy Garver |journal=RetroFan |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |location=United States|issue=10 |page=20}}</ref>

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Some of the sound effects used in the series originated from Universal Television’s ”[[Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]” and ”[[Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)|Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]”. Adding Ms. Lion, a pet, as a character was another attempt to emulate the ”Super Friends” (specifically the characters [[Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog|Wonder Dog]] and [[Gleek (Super Friends)|Gleek]]).<ref name=seriously />

Some of the sound effects used in the series originated from Universal Television’s ”[[Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]” and ”[[Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)|Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]”. Adding Ms. Lion, a pet, as a character was another attempt to emulate the ”Super Friends” (specifically the characters [[Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog|Wonder Dog]] and [[Gleek (Super Friends)|Gleek]]).<ref name=seriously />

Firestar actress [[Kathy Garver]] recalled that though the [[storyboard]]s for each episode were completed before the voices were recorded for it, “… we really just worked from script. We’d do a roundtable to get the feeling of how the show was going, and then we would record”.<ref name=RetFan10/>

actress [[Kathy Garver]] recalled that though the [[storyboard]]s for each episode were completed before the voices were recorded for it, “… we really just worked from script. We’d do a roundtable to get the feeling of how the show was going, and then we would record”.<ref name=RetFan10/>

==Broadcast schedule==

==Broadcast schedule==

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==Storyline==

==Storyline==

Peter Parker ([[Spider-Man]]), Bobby Drake ([[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]]), and Angelica Jones ([[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|Firestar]]) are all college students at Empire State University. After working together to defeat the [[Abner Jenkins|Beetle]] and recovering the “Power Booster” he stole from Tony Stark (a.k.a. [[Iron Man]]) the trio decide to team-up permanently as the “Spider-Friends”. They live together at [[Aunt May]]’s home with her pet dog named Ms. Lion, a [[Lhasa Apso]] who was adopted by Firestar. Together, the superheroes battle various supervillains.

Peter Parker ([[Spider-Man]]), Bobby Drake ([[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]]), and Angelica Jones ([[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|]]) are all college students at Empire State University. After working together to defeat the [[Abner Jenkins|Beetle]] and recovering the “Power Booster” he stole from Tony Stark (a.k.a. [[Iron Man]]) the trio decide to team-up permanently as the “Spider-Friends”. They live together at [[Aunt May]]’s home with her pet dog named Ms. Lion, a [[Lhasa Apso]] who was adopted by . Together, the superheroes battle various supervillains.

Some stories featured team-ups with other superheroes including but not limited to [[Captain America]], [[Doctor Strange]], [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], [[Sunfire (comics)|Sunfire]], and the mid-1970s [[X-Men]].

Some stories featured team-ups with other superheroes including but not limited to [[Captain America]], [[Doctor Strange]], [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], [[Sunfire (comics)|Sunfire]], and the mid-1970s [[X-Men]].

⚫

==Characters==

{{main|List of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends characters}}

{{|List of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends characters}}

⚫ ⚫ ⚫

====Firestar====

======

{{main|Firestar (Marvel Comics)}}

{{main|Firestar (Marvel Comics)}}

One of the series’ main characters, Firestar was created specifically for this series when the [[Human Torch]] was unavailable (due to licensing issues). The original plan was for Spider-Man to have fire and ice based teammates, so Angelica Jones/Firestar was created. Her pre-production names included ”Heatwave”, ”Firefly”, (both having already been names of [[DC Comics]] villains) and ”Starblaze”.

One of the characters, was created specifically for this series when the [[Human Torch]] was unavailable (due to licensing issues). The original plan was for Spider-Man to have fire and ice based teammates, so Angelica Jones/ was created. Her pre-production names included ”Heatwave”, ”Firefly”, (both having already been names of [[DC Comics]] villains) and ”Starblaze”.

Firestar did not appear in [[Marvel Universe|Marvel’s mainstream comic book universe]] until ”[[Uncanny X-Men]]” #193 (May 1985). She appears as a member of the [[Hellions (Marvel Comics)|Hellions]], a group of teenage [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]] who functioned as rivals to the [[New Mutants]] (a similar group under the tutelage of [[Charles Xavier]]). After leaving the Hellions, Firestar becomes a founding member of the [[New Warriors]] and later serves as a distinguished member of the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] along with her fellow New Warrior, Justice. She is currently a member of the [[X-Men]].

Firestar did not appear in [[Marvel Universe|Marvel’s mainstream comic book universe]] until ”[[Uncanny X-Men]]” #193 (May 1985). She appears as a member of the [[Hellions (Marvel Comics)|Hellions]], a group of teenage [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]] who functioned as rivals to the [[New Mutants]] (a similar group under the tutelage of [[Charles Xavier]]). After leaving the Hellions, Firestar becomes a founding member of the [[New Warriors]] and later serves as a distinguished member of the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] along with her fellow New Warrior, Justice. She is currently a member of the [[X-Men]].

====Hiawatha Smith====

===Hiawatha Smith===

Hiawatha Smith is a college professor at the Spider-Friends’ university. He is the son of a heroic [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] chief who fought against [[the Axis]] during [[World War II]].

Hiawatha Smith is a college professor at the Spider-Friends’ university. He is the son of a heroic [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] chief who fought against [[the Axis]] during [[World War II]].

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Smith’s father passed down to his son the mystic knowledge of their people and a map leading to a vast [[Nazi]] treasure of wealth and advanced technology sought by the [[Red Skull]]. Smith often employs a boomerang in battle. He possesses a supernatural ability to communicate with animals.

Smith’s father passed down to his son the mystic knowledge of their people and a map leading to a vast [[Nazi]] treasure of wealth and advanced technology sought by the [[Red Skull]]. Smith often employs a boomerang in battle. He possesses a supernatural ability to communicate with animals.

====Lightwave====

===Lightwave===

[[Image:Iceman_lightwave.gif| thumb|right|Iceman and his sister Lightwave]]

[[Image:Iceman_lightwave.gif| thumb|right|Iceman and his sister Lightwave]]

”’Lightwave’s”’ real name is ”’Aurora Dante”’. Like her older half-brother Bobby Drake (a.k.a. the superhero Iceman), Lightwave is a mutant. She can manipulate and control light. Her other light-based powers include laser blasts, photonic force fields and solid light pressor beams. She can also transform herself into light; in such a form, she is able to exist in the vacuum of outer space.

”’Lightwave’s”’ real name is ”’Aurora Dante”’. Like her older half-brother Bobby Drake (a.k.a. the superhero Iceman), Lightwave is a mutant. She can manipulate and control light. Her other light-based powers include laser blasts, photonic force fields and solid light pressor beams. She can also transform herself into light; in such a form, she is able to exist in the vacuum of outer space.

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An agent of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]], Lightwave is considered a traitor, due to [[Brainwashing|mind control]] by rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Buzz Mason. Mason induces Lightwave to steal assorted devices to create a “quantum enhancer” which would increase her powers 1,000 times. With such power, Lightwave would be able to control the Guardstar [[satellite]] which orbits the Earth and controls all defense systems and communications systems for the United States. Mason expects world conquest since he controls Lightwave.

An agent of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]], Lightwave is considered a traitor, due to [[Brainwashing|mind control]] by rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Buzz Mason. Mason induces Lightwave to steal assorted devices to create a “quantum enhancer” which would increase her powers 1,000 times. With such power, Lightwave would be able to control the Guardstar [[satellite]] which orbits the Earth and controls all defense systems and communications systems for the United States. Mason expects world conquest since he controls Lightwave.

Iceman, Firestar, and Spider-Man attempt to stop Lightwave. However, she is powerful enough to defeat them. Aboard a space vessel, Buzz Mason forces Iceman into outer space, dooming Iceman if he remains there for long. Spider-Man convinces Lightwave to realize that the half-brother she loves is in mortal danger. Her reaction breaks Mason’s control over her, and she saves Iceman and disables Mason long enough for Spider-Man to subdue him.

Iceman, , and Spider-Man attempt to stop Lightwave. However, she is powerful enough to defeat them. Aboard a space vessel, Buzz Mason forces Iceman into outer space, dooming Iceman if he remains there for long. Spider-Man convinces Lightwave to realize that the half-brother she loves is in mortal danger. Her reaction breaks Mason’s control over her, and she saves Iceman and disables Mason long enough for Spider-Man to subdue him.

Presumably, with Mason’s role realized, S.H.I.E.L.D. restores Lightwave’s good standing. As this is Lightwave’s only appearance, her fate is unknown.

Presumably, with Mason’s role realized, S.H.I.E.L.D. restores Lightwave’s good standing. As this is Lightwave’s only appearance, her fate is unknown.

====Videoman====

===Videoman===

”’Videoman”’ is an intangible [[two-dimensional]] being with lightning bolt-shaped horns that is mostly composed of electronic data gleaned from a [video arcade]. Videoman makes three appearances in the series where there are two versions of him.

”’Videoman”’ is an intangible [[two-dimensional]] being with lightning bolt-shaped horns that is mostly composed of electronic data gleaned from a [video arcade]. Videoman makes three appearances in the series where there are two versions of him.

=====As a villain=====

====As a villain====

In Season 1, Videoman first appeared as an angular [[humanoid]] energy construct created by [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]]. Its abilities include moving through and manipulating electronic circuits and projecting rectangular pulses of energy. Videoman is used by Electro to suck in and entrap Spider-Man, Flash Thompson, Firestar and Iceman into a video game display where Electro attempts to destroy the four. However, Flash is able to save himself and the others by escaping through the monitor and into Electro’s electronic components to save the others.

In Season 1, Videoman first appeared as an angular [[humanoid]] energy construct created by [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]]. Its abilities include moving through and manipulating electronic circuits and projecting rectangular pulses of energy. Videoman is used by Electro to suck in and entrap Spider-Man, Flash Thompson, and Iceman into a video game display where Electro attempts to destroy the four. However, Flash is able to save himself and the others by escaping through the monitor and into Electro’s electronic components to save the others.

This first villainous version of Videoman makes one other appearance in Season 2’s “Origin of Ice-Man”, with the additional abilities of bringing video game characters to life and draining the unique bio-energy of mutants, temporarily suppressing Iceman’s powers and weakening Firestar, as well as being able to emulate their powers for its own use. This time, Videoman is defeated when the Spider-Friends trick it and its video game minions into attacking one another.

This first villainous version of Videoman makes one other appearance in Season 2’s “Origin of Ice-Man”, with the additional abilities of bringing video game characters to life and draining the unique bio-energy of mutants, temporarily suppressing Iceman’s powers and weakening , as well as being able to emulate their powers for its own use. This time, Videoman is defeated when the Spider-Friends trick it and its video game minions into attacking one another.

=====As a superhero=====

====As a superhero====

In the Season 3 episode “The Education of a Superhero”, nerdy ”’Francis Byte”’ is an avid [video game] player who is especially engrossed into gaining the high score on a game called Zellman Comman at the local arcade. The villain Gamesman sends a hypnotic signal that entrances over 300,000 people in the city. This does not affect Francis’ girlfriend Louise, Spider-Man, and Firestar, nor does the signal affect Francis’ mind, which is distracted from entrancement by Louise and the game. Louise walks away from Francis, then also gets affected and hypnotized after having her pleas disregarded by Francis. He (unbeknownst to any others) plays the arcade machine so rigorously that it and other arcade machines (most of which are emitting the hypnotic waves) explode. The explosion transforms Francis into Videoman.

In the Season 3 episode “The Education of a Superhero”, nerdy ”’Francis Byte”’ is an avid [video game] player who is especially engrossed into gaining the high score on a game called Zellman Comman at the local arcade. The villain Gamesman sends a hypnotic signal that entrances over 300,000 people in the city. This does not affect Francis’ girlfriend Louise, Spider-Man, and , nor does the signal affect Francis’ mind, which is distracted from entrancement by Louise and the game. Louise walks away from Francis, then also gets affected and hypnotized after having her pleas disregarded by Francis. He (unbeknownst to any others) plays the arcade machine so rigorously that it and other arcade machines (most of which are emitting the hypnotic waves) explode. The explosion transforms Francis into Videoman.

Francis discovers that he can become his new blue and white, red-eyed alter-ego Videoman at will. However, he is inexperienced with handling such powerful abilities. He tries to help the trio (which has awakened Iceman from his trance) against a hypnotized mob, but they repel his offers due to his inexperience. He then tries to save Louise from the Gamesman, but he is easily blackmailed into manipulating a military communications satellite system in return for Louise’s freedom, an offer that is then reneged upon by the Gamesman. Enraged at the trickery, Videoman helps Spider-Man and the others free Louise and also reverses his stoppage of the military computer. After the Gamesman is defeated, Francis accepts an invitation to join the [[X-Men]], while Louise accepts him and his abilities.

Francis discovers that he can become his new blue and white, red-eyed alter-ego Videoman at will. However, he is inexperienced with handling such powerful abilities. He tries to help the trio (which has awakened Iceman from his trance) against a hypnotized mob, but they repel his offers due to his inexperience. He then tries to save Louise from the Gamesman, but he is easily blackmailed into manipulating a military communications satellite system in return for Louise’s freedom, an offer that is then reneged upon by the Gamesman. Enraged at the trickery, Videoman helps Spider-Man and the others free Louise and also reverses his stoppage of the military computer. After the Gamesman is defeated, Francis accepts an invitation to join the [[X-Men]], while Louise accepts him and his abilities.

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{{see also|List of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends characters}}

{{see also|List of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends characters}}

===Credited cast===

* [[Hans Conried]] – [[Chameleon (character)|Chameleon]] (in “7 Little Superheroes”)

* [[Hans Conried]] – [[Chameleon (character)|Chameleon]] (in “7 Little Superheroes”)

* [[Jerry Dexter]] – [[Sunfire (comics)|Sunfire]] (in “Sunfire”)

* [[Jerry Dexter]] – [[Sunfire (comics)|Sunfire]] (in “Sunfire”)

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* Al Fann – [[Swarm (Marvel Comics)|Swarm]] (in “Swarm”)

* Al Fann – [[Swarm (Marvel Comics)|Swarm]] (in “Swarm”)

* [[June Foray]] – [[Aunt May]], Crime Computer, Judy

* [[June Foray]] – [[Aunt May]], Crime Computer, Judy

* [[Kathy Garver]] – [[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|Firestar/Angelica Jones]], Sally, [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”)

* [[Kathy Garver]] – [[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|/Angelica Jones]], Sally, [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”)

* [[Dan Gilvezan]] – [[Spider-Man|Spider-Man/Peter Parker]], Zoltan Amadeus/The Arachnoid (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”), Biker Gang Leader (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)

* [[Dan Gilvezan]] – [[Spider-Man|Spider-Man/Peter Parker]], Zoltan Amadeus/The Arachnoid (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”), Biker Gang Leader (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)

* [[Johnny Haymer|John Haymer]] – Skelton (in “The Crime of All Centuries”), Security Guard #2 (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)

* [[Johnny Haymer|John Haymer]] – Skelton (in “The Crime of All Centuries”), Security Guard #2 (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)

* Sally Julian – Mona Osborn (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Jungle Girl (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”)

* Sally Julian – Mona Osborn (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Jungle Girl (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”)

* [[Anne Lockhart (actress)|Annie Lockhart]] – Honey Dove, [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] (in “A Firestar is Born”)

* [[Anne Lockhart (actress)|Annie Lockhart]] – Honey Dove, [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] (in “A is Born”)

* [[Keye Luke]] – Sunfire’s Uncle Genju (in “Sunfire”)

* [[Keye Luke]] – Sunfire’s Uncle Genju (in “Sunfire”)

* [[Dennis Marks (screenwriter)|Dennis Marks]] – [[Doctor Faustus (character)|Dr. Faustus]] (in “Pawns of the Kingpin”), [[Green Goblin]]/[[Norman Osborn]] (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Police Officer #1 (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Thief #2 (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Cyberiad/Nathan Price (in “The X-Men Adventure”)

* [[Dennis Marks (screenwriter)|Dennis Marks]] – [[Doctor Faustus (character)|Dr. Faustus]] (in “Pawns of the Kingpin”), [[Green Goblin]]/[[Norman Osborn]] (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Police Officer #1 (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Thief #2 (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Cyberiad/Nathan Price (in “The X-Men Adventure”)

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* [[John Stephenson (actor)|John Stephenson]] – [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”), Eric the Viking (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki]] (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), [[Modred the Mystic]] (in “Knights and Demons”), [[Shocker (character)|Shocker]] (in “Along Came Spidey”), [[Surtur (Marvel Comics)|Surtur]] (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), [[Thunderbird (John Proudstar)|Thunderbird]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”), [[Ymir (Marvel Comics)|Ymir]] (in “The Vengeance of Loki”)

* [[John Stephenson (actor)|John Stephenson]] – [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”), Eric the Viking (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki]] (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), [[Modred the Mystic]] (in “Knights and Demons”), [[Shocker (character)|Shocker]] (in “Along Came Spidey”), [[Surtur (Marvel Comics)|Surtur]] (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), [[Thunderbird (John Proudstar)|Thunderbird]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”), [[Ymir (Marvel Comics)|Ymir]] (in “The Vengeance of Loki”)

* [[Janet Waldo]] – [[Shanna the She-Devil]] (in “7 Little Superheroes”), Zerona (in “The Vengeance of Loki”)

* [[Janet Waldo]] – [[Shanna the She-Devil]] (in “7 Little Superheroes”), Zerona (in “The Vengeance of Loki”)

* [[Frank Welker]] – [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman/Bobby Drake]], Ms. Lion, [[Flash Thompson]], [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Matt Murdock]] (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”), Mr. Jones (in “A Firestar is Born”), [[Uncle Ben]] (in “Along Came Spidey”)

* [[Frank Welker]] – [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman/Bobby Drake]], Ms. Lion, [[Flash Thompson]], [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Matt Murdock]] (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”), Mr. Jones (in “A is Born”), [[Uncle Ben]] (in “Along Came Spidey”)

* [[Bill Woodson|William Woodson]] – [[Doctor Strange]] (in “7 Little Superheroes”), [[Namor|Sub-Mariner]] (in “7 Little Superheroes”), [[J. Jonah Jameson]] (in “Spider-Man Unmasked!”)

* [[Bill Woodson|William Woodson]] – [[Doctor Strange]] (in “7 Little Superheroes”), [[Namor|Sub-Mariner]] (in “7 Little Superheroes”), [[J. Jonah Jameson]] (in “Spider-Man Unmasked!”)

* [[Alan Young]] – Mr. Frump (in “The Fantastic Mr. Frump”)

* [[Alan Young]] – Mr. Frump (in “The Fantastic Mr. Frump”)

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* [[Bob Bergen]] – Bartow (in “Spidey Meets the Girl of Tomorrow”)

* [[Bob Bergen]] – Bartow (in “Spidey Meets the Girl of Tomorrow”)

* [[Susan Blu]] – Louise (in “The Education of a Superhero”), Monica (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”)

* [[Susan Blu]] – Louise (in “The Education of a Superhero”), Monica (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”)

* [[William Callaway]] – [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]] (in “A Fire-Star is Born”), [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] (in “A Firestar is Born”)

* [[William Callaway]] – [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]] (in “A Fire-Star is Born”), [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] (in “A is Born”)

* [[Cathy Cavadini]] – Ariel (in “Spidey Meets the Girl of Tomorrow”)

* [[Cathy Cavadini]] – Ariel (in “Spidey Meets the Girl of Tomorrow”)

* [[Christopher Collins]] – [[Sandman (Marvel Comics)|Sandman]] (in “Spider-Man Unmasked!”), [[Abner Jenkins|Beetle]] (in “The Origin of the Spider-Friends”)

* [[Christopher Collins]] – [[Sandman (Marvel Comics)|Sandman]] (in “Spider-Man Unmasked!”), [[Abner Jenkins|Beetle]] (in “The Origin of the Spider-Friends”)

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* [[Jeff Doucette]] – [[Mac Gargan|Scorpion]] (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”)

* [[Jeff Doucette]] – [[Mac Gargan|Scorpion]] (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”)

* [[Ron Feinberg]] – [[Frankenstein’s Monster (Marvel Comics)|Frankenstein’s Monster]] (in “The Transylvanian Connection”)

* [[Ron Feinberg]] – [[Frankenstein’s Monster (Marvel Comics)|Frankenstein’s Monster]] (in “The Transylvanian Connection”)

* [[G. Stanley Jones|Stanley Jones]] – [[Professor X]], [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]] (in “A Firestar is Born”), Dean Wilmer (in “A Firestar is Born”), [[Dracula (Marvel Comics)|Dracula]] (in “The Transylvanian Connection”), [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”)

* [[G. Stanley Jones|Stanley Jones]] – [[Professor X]], [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]] (in “A is Born”), Dean Wilmer (in “A is Born”), [[Dracula (Marvel Comics)|Dracula]] (in “The Transylvanian Connection”), [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”)

* [[Harvey Korman]] – [[Black Knight (Sir Percy)|Black Knight]] (in “Knights and Demons”)

* [[Harvey Korman]] – [[Black Knight (Sir Percy)|Black Knight]] (in “Knights and Demons”)

* Jennifer Kyle – [[Kitty Pryde|Sprite/Kitty Pryde]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”)

* Jennifer Kyle – [[Kitty Pryde|Sprite/Kitty Pryde]] (in “The X-Men Adventure”)

* [[David Landsberg]] – Videoman/Francis Byte (in “The Education of a Superhero”)

* [[David Landsberg]] – Videoman/Francis Byte (in “The Education of a Superhero”)

* [[William Marshall (actor)|William Marshall]] – [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]] (in “A Firestar is Born”), [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]] (in “The Origin of the Spider-Friends”)

* [[William Marshall (actor)|William Marshall]] – [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]] (in “A is Born”), [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]] (in “The Origin of the Spider-Friends”)

* [[Vic Perrin]] – [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] (in “The Vengeance of Loki!”), Zerona’s Soldier (in “The Vengeance of Loki!”), Burglar (in “Along Came Spidey”)

* [[Vic Perrin]] – [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] (in “The Vengeance of Loki!”), Zerona’s Soldier (in “The Vengeance of Loki!”), Burglar (in “Along Came Spidey”)

* [[Robert Ridgely]] – [[Kraven the Hunter]] (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)

* [[Robert Ridgely]] – [[Kraven the Hunter]] (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)

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* [[Michael Rye]] – [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]] (in “The Prison Plot”)

* [[Michael Rye]] – [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]] (in “The Prison Plot”)

* [[Steve Schatzberg]] – Wolf-Thing (in “The Transylvanian Connection”)

* [[Steve Schatzberg]] – Wolf-Thing (in “The Transylvanian Connection”)

* [[Marilyn Schreffler]] – Bonnie (in “A Firestar is Born”)

* [[Marilyn Schreffler]] – Bonnie (in “A is Born”)

==Crew==

==Crew==

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==Episodes==

==Episodes==

===Series overview===

{{Series overview

{{Series overview

| color1 = #B11030

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| WrittenBy = [[Donald F. Glut]]

| WrittenBy = [[Donald F. Glut]]

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1981|9|19}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1981|9|19}}

| ShortSummary = Kraven the Hunter plans to unleash a dinosaur army from the dinosaurs he obtained from the [[Savage Land]]. To make matters worse, Kraven also captures Firestar to help hatch his dinosaur eggs.<br/>Villain: [[Kraven the Hunter]]

| ShortSummary = Kraven the Hunter plans to unleash a dinosaur army from the dinosaurs he obtained from the [[Savage Land]]. To make matters worse, Kraven also captures to help hatch his dinosaur eggs.<br/>Villain: [[Kraven the Hunter]]

| LineColor = B11030

| LineColor = B11030

}}

}}

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| WrittenBy = Christy Marx

| WrittenBy = Christy Marx

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1981|10|3}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1981|10|3}}

| ShortSummary = Firestar falls in love with [[Sunfire (comics)|Sunfire]] as his uncle Genju plans to hatch a fire monster.<br/>Villain(s): Genju, Fire Monster

| ShortSummary = falls in love with [[Sunfire (comics)|Sunfire]] as his uncle Genju plans to hatch a fire monster.<br/>Villain(s): Genju, Fire Monster

| LineColor = B11030

| LineColor = B11030

}}

}}

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| WrittenBy = Dennis Marks

| WrittenBy = Dennis Marks

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1981|10|10}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1981|10|10}}

| ShortSummary = An irradiated meteor turns a group of bees into the villain Swarm, who turns Iceman, Firestar, and the rest of the city into bees. Only Spider-Man is immune. Can he find a way to stop Swarm from taking over the world?<br/>Villain: [[Swarm (Marvel Comics)|Swarm]]

| ShortSummary = An irradiated meteor turns a group of bees into the villain Swarm, who turns Iceman, , and the rest of the city into bees. Only Spider-Man is immune. Can he find a way to stop Swarm from taking over the world?<br/>Villain: [[Swarm (Marvel Comics)|Swarm]]

| LineColor = B11030

| LineColor = B11030

}}

}}

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| WrittenBy = Christy Marx

| WrittenBy = Christy Marx

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1982|9|25}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1982|9|25}}

| ShortSummary = Iceman and Firestar attend an [[X-Men]] reunion featuring [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]], [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]], and its latest members [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] and [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] (who oddly speaks with an Australian accent). Firestar recalls her origins, dealing with a bully named Bonnie, and being recruited into the X-Men where they fought Magneto and a [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]]. After that, the [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]] crashes the party in an effort to destroy his stepbrother [[Professor X]].<br/>Villain: Juggernaut

| ShortSummary = Iceman and attend an [[X-Men]] reunion featuring [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]], [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]], and its latest members [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]] and [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] (who oddly speaks with an Australian accent). recalls her origins, dealing with a bully named Bonnie, and being recruited into the X-Men where they fought Magneto and a [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]]. After that, the [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]] crashes the party in an effort to destroy his stepbrother [[Professor X]].<br/>Villain: Juggernaut

| LineColor = 000

| LineColor = 000

}}

}}

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| WrittenBy = [[Jack Mendelsohn]]

| WrittenBy = [[Jack Mendelsohn]]

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|9|24}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|9|24}}

| ShortSummary = Firestar is kidnapped by [[Dracula (Marvel Comics)|Dracula]]. Spider-Man and Iceman go to [[Transylvania]] to rescue her, fighting both a [[Werewolf]] and [[Frankenstein’s Monster (Marvel Comics)|Frankenstein’s Monster]].<br/>Villain: Dracula

| ShortSummary = is kidnapped by [[Dracula (Marvel Comics)|Dracula]]. Spider-Man and Iceman go to [[Transylvania]] to rescue her, fighting both a [[Werewolf]] and [[Frankenstein’s Monster (Marvel Comics)|Frankenstein’s Monster]].<br/>Villain: Dracula

| LineColor = 0000A0

| LineColor = 0000A0

}}

}}

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| WrittenBy = Michael Reaves

| WrittenBy = Michael Reaves

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|10|8}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|10|8}}

| ShortSummary = After the Spider-Friends thwart [[Mac Gargan|Scorpion]], a chemical scientist named Zoltan Amadeus recreates Spider-Man’s powers with a spider serum. He frames Spider-Man for his crimes which leads to his arrest. [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Matt Murdock]] appears as Spider-Man’s lawyer. When Spider-Man ends up on Rikers Island, Scorpion stages a jailbreak to take out Spider-Man, but is defeated. After Zoltan mutates into the Arachnoid, Iceman and Firestar clear Spider-Man’s name by the time he defeats Scorpion and are given the antidote to return Zoltan to normal.<br/>Villain(s): Arachnoid, Scorpion

| ShortSummary = After the Spider-Friends thwart [[Mac Gargan|Scorpion]], a chemical scientist named Zoltan Amadeus recreates Spider-Man’s powers with a spider serum. He frames Spider-Man for his crimes which leads to his arrest. [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Matt Murdock]] appears as Spider-Man’s lawyer. When Spider-Man ends up on Rikers Island, Scorpion stages a jailbreak to take out Spider-Man, but is defeated. After Zoltan mutates into the Arachnoid, Iceman and clear Spider-Man’s name by the time he defeats Scorpion and are given the antidote to return Zoltan to normal.<br/>Villain(s): Arachnoid, Scorpion

| LineColor = 0000A0

| LineColor = 0000A0

}}

}}

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| WrittenBy = Donald Glut

| WrittenBy = Donald Glut

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|10|15}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|10|15}}

| ShortSummary = [[Stan Lee]] narrates how Spider-Man, Iceman, and Firestar first teamed-up to fight the [[Abner Jenkins|Beetle]] when he targeted [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]]’s latest invention.<br/>Villain: Beetle

| ShortSummary = [[Stan Lee]] narrates how Spider-Man, Iceman, and first teamed-up to fight the [[Abner Jenkins|Beetle]] when he targeted [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]]’s latest invention.<br/>Villain: Beetle

| LineColor = 0000A0

| LineColor = 0000A0

}}

}}

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| WrittenBy = Dennis Marks

| WrittenBy = Dennis Marks

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|10|22}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|10|22}}

| ShortSummary = Spidey falls in love with a stranded girl from the future, a girl named Ariel, whose spaceship has been stolen by [[Doctor Octopus]]. After Doctor Octopus is defeated, Iceman and Firestar learn that Ariel and her brother Bartow are sick. In the hospital, it is revealed that they lack immune systems. Spider-Man helps them return to the future, but Ariel’s and Bartow’s father returns Spider-Man to the present because he carries germs from “Old Earth”.<br/>Villain: Doctor Octopus

| ShortSummary = Spidey falls in love with a stranded girl from the future, a girl named Ariel, whose spaceship has been stolen by [[Doctor Octopus]]. After Doctor Octopus is defeated, Iceman and learn that Ariel and her brother Bartow are sick. In the hospital, it is revealed that they lack immune systems. Spider-Man helps them return to the future, but Ariel’s and Bartow’s father returns Spider-Man to the present because he carries germs from “Old Earth”.<br/>Villain: Doctor Octopus

| LineColor = 0000A0

| LineColor = 0000A0

}}

}}

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| WrittenBy = Michael Reaves

| WrittenBy = Michael Reaves

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|10|29}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1983|10|29}}

| ShortSummary = The Spider-Friends visit the X-Mansion, teaming with the X-Men (Cyclops, [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]], Storm, [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]], [[Thunderbird (John Proudstar)|Thunderbird]], [[Kitty Pryde|Sprite]], and Professor X) and battle Cyberiad. He was once Firestar‘s old boyfriend Nathan Price who was changed into a cyborg in an accident caused when [[Advanced Idea Mechanics|A.I.M.]] agents raided his laboratory.<br/>Villain: Cyberiad

| ShortSummary = The Spider-Friends visit the X-Mansion, teaming with the X-Men (Cyclops, [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]], Storm, [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]], [[Thunderbird (John Proudstar)|Thunderbird]], [[Kitty Pryde|Sprite]], and Professor X) and battle Cyberiad. He was once ‘s old boyfriend Nathan Price who was changed into a cyborg in an accident caused when [[Advanced Idea Mechanics|A.I.M.]] agents raided his laboratory.<br/>Villain: Cyberiad

| LineColor = 0000A0

| LineColor = 0000A0

}}

}}

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==Comic books==

==Comic books==

===Adaptation===

===Adaptation===

The first comic book that directly referenced the ”Amazing Friends” show was ”Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends” #1 (December 1981), a [[one-shot (comics)|one-shot]] that adapted the [[pilot episode]], “The Triumph of the Green Goblin”. Though the comic version altered the story to bring it in line with established [[Marvel Universe]] continuity (such as making the Green Goblin identity a costume as in the comics, rather than a physical transformation as in the episode), it was not considered part of Marvel continuity. It is the first appearance of Firestar in a comics story, though the version of Firestar that exists within Marvel continuity did not appear until ”[[Uncanny X-Men]]” #193 (May 1985).

The first comic book that directly referenced the ”Amazing Friends” show was ”Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends” #1 (December 1981), a [[one-shot (comics)|one-shot]] that adapted the [[pilot episode]], “The Triumph of the Green Goblin”. Though the comic version altered the story to bring it in line with established [[Marvel Universe]] continuity (such as making the Green Goblin identity a costume as in the comics, rather than a physical transformation as in the episode), it was not considered part of Marvel continuity. It is the first appearance of in a comics story, though the version of Firestar that exists within Marvel continuity did not appear until ”[[Uncanny X-Men]]” #193 (May 1985).

The story was reprinted in England in late 1983 in the weekly [[Marvel UK]] title ”[[Spider-Man Comics Weekly|Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]]”. It was reprinted in the U.S. as ”Marvel Action Universe” #1 (January 1989), released to coincide with the airing of ”Amazing Friends” reruns on the [[Marvel Action Universe|television series of the same name]] and on the 2017 [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] ”X-Men Origins: Firestar”.

The story was reprinted in England in late 1983 in the weekly [[Marvel UK]] title ”[[Spider-Man Comics Weekly|Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]]”. It was reprinted in the U.S. as ”Marvel Action Universe” #1 (January 1989), released to coincide with the airing of ”Amazing Friends” reruns on the [[Marvel Action Universe|television series of the same name]] and on the 2017 [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] ”X-Men Origins: Firestar”.

American superhero animated TV series

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends is a 1981–1983 American superhero animated television series produced by Marvel Productions, and a crossover with the 1981 Spider-Man series.^[2] In addition to the established Marvel Comics characters Spider-Man and Iceman, the show introduced the principal character Fire-Star.^[3] As a trio called the Spider-Friends, they defeat various villains of the Marvel Universe.^[4]

The series was an attempt by NBC to replicate some of the success ABC enjoyed with the Super Friends franchise.^[5] The makers of the show intended the stars to be Spider-Man, Iceman, and the Human Torch.^[5] However, legal issues about the rights to the Human Torch character (which had also plagued Marvel once before for the 1978 Fantastic Four cartoon) led to the Human Torch being replaced by the new character Fire-Star, who had similar powers, but was a mutant like Iceman. The Fire-Star character’s name changed frequently during pre-production, including Firefly, Starblaze, and Heatwave. Due to the character’s popularity, Firestar (without the hyphen) was subsequently added to the mainstream Marvel Universe.

Marvel Comics maintained a high level of creative control over the series, with Stan Lee (co-creator of both Spider-Man and Iceman) working with the screenwriters and involving himself in the casting and animation.^[6]

Some of the sound effects used in the series originated from Universal Television’s Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Adding Ms. Lion, a pet, as a character was another attempt to emulate the Super Friends (specifically the characters Wonder Dog and Gleek).^[5]

Fire-Star actress Kathy Garver recalled that though the storyboards for each episode were completed before the voices were recorded for it, “… we really just worked from script. We’d do a roundtable to get the feeling of how the show was going, and then we would record”.^[6]

Originally broadcast on NBC as a Saturday morning cartoon, the series ran first-run original episodes for three seasons, from 1981 to 1983, then aired repeats for an additional two years (from 1984 to 1986). Alongside the 1981 Spider-Man animated series, Amazing Friends was later re-aired in the late 1980s as part of the 90-minute Marvel Action Universe, a syndicated series that was used as a platform for old and new Marvel-produced animated fare (the newer programming featured RoboCop: The Animated Series, Dino-Riders and on occasion X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, which was a pilot for a potential X-Men animated series). Mihahn and Toei Animation contributed some of the animation for this series.

During the first season, each episode contained a cold open, which was and remains unusual for a children’s cartoon. When the same episodes were re-aired later in the series’ run, these teaser sequences were edited to fit after the titles and episode card. Still, the original sequence infrequently showed up on NBC’s re-airings. Stan Lee did not originally narrate the episodes from this season.

In the second season, the show aired along with a newly produced Hulk animated series as The Incredible Hulk and the Amazing Spider-Man. The two shows shared one intro which showcased the new title. In place of the cold opens from the first season, Marvel Productions created 12-second previews aired immediately preceding the episodes. Stan Lee began narrating the episodes in the second season. Marvel Productions also added narrations by Lee to the first-season episodes at this time to give the series cohesion. Neither first nor second season narrations appear on the current masters, and they have not aired since the NBC airings (as seen on the Stan Lee narration list at Spider-Friends.com).^[7]

For the third season, the characters’ billing was reversed and the show was called, The Amazing Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk. It remained that way for most of the remaining years. NBC did air the show individually in mid-season (post 1986) after it was not initially announced for their fall schedule. Only some of the Stan Lee narrations for the third season are on the current masters. The missing narrations have not aired since the NBC airings.

Peter Parker (Spider-Man), Bobby Drake (Iceman), and Angelica Jones (Fire-Star) are all college students at Empire State University. After working together to defeat the Beetle and recovering the “Power Booster” he stole from Tony Stark (a.k.a. Iron Man) the trio decide to team-up permanently as the “Spider-Friends”. They live together at Aunt May‘s home with her pet dog named Ms. Lion, a Lhasa Apso who was adopted by Fire-Star. Together, the superheroes battle various supervillains.

Some stories featured team-ups with other superheroes including but not limited to Captain America, Doctor Strange, Thor, Sunfire, and the mid-1970s X-Men.

A number of characters were original to the series, with no comic appearance prior to the series premiere.

One of the principal characters, Fire-Star was created specifically for this series when the Human Torch was unavailable (due to licensing issues). The original plan was for Spider-Man to have fire and ice based teammates, so Angelica Jones/Fire-Star was created. Her pre-production names included Heatwave, Firefly, (both having already been names of DC Comics villains), and Starblaze.

Firestar did not appear in Marvel’s mainstream comic book universe until Uncanny X-Men #193 (May 1985). She appears as a member of the Hellions, a group of teenage mutants who functioned as rivals to the New Mutants (a similar group under the tutelage of Charles Xavier). After leaving the Hellions, Firestar becomes a founding member of the New Warriors and later serves as a distinguished member of the Avengers along with her fellow New Warrior, Justice. She is currently a member of the X-Men.

Hiawatha Smith is a college professor at the Spider-Friends’ university. He is the son of a heroic Native American chief who fought against the Axis during World War II.

Hiawatha Smith’s home is adorned with decorations from various cultures including Hindu and native African tribes. Producer and story editor Dennis Marks created the character and admits to basing him on Indiana Jones.^[8]

Smith’s father passed down to his son the mystic knowledge of their people and a map leading to a vast Nazi treasure of wealth and advanced technology sought by the Red Skull. Smith often employs a boomerang in battle. He possesses a supernatural ability to communicate with animals.

Lightwave’s real name is Aurora Dante. Like her older half-brother Bobby Drake (a.k.a. the superhero Iceman), Lightwave is a mutant. She can manipulate and control light. Her other light-based powers include laser blasts, photonic force fields and solid light pressor beams. She can also transform herself into light; in such a form, she is able to exist in the vacuum of outer space.

Lightwave’s only appearance was in “Save the Guardstar”, the final episode of the 1980s cartoon. She is voiced by Annie Lockhart. Bobby Drake explains that they share the same mother.

An agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Lightwave is considered a traitor, due to mind control by rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Buzz Mason. Mason induces Lightwave to steal assorted devices to create a “quantum enhancer” which would increase her powers 1,000 times. With such power, Lightwave would be able to control the Guardstar satellite which orbits the Earth and controls all defense systems and communications systems for the United States. Mason expects world conquest since he controls Lightwave.

Iceman, Fire-Star, and Spider-Man attempt to stop Lightwave. However, she is powerful enough to defeat them. Aboard a space vessel, Buzz Mason forces Iceman into outer space, dooming Iceman if he remains there for long. Spider-Man convinces Lightwave to realize that the half-brother she loves is in mortal danger. Her reaction breaks Mason’s control over her, and she saves Iceman and disables Mason long enough for Spider-Man to subdue him.

Presumably, with Mason’s role realized, S.H.I.E.L.D. restores Lightwave’s good standing. As this is Lightwave’s only appearance, her fate is unknown.

Videoman is an intangible two-dimensional being with lightning bolt-shaped horns that is mostly composed of electronic data gleaned from a video arcade. Videoman makes three appearances in the series where there are two versions of him.

In Season 1, Videoman first appeared as an angular humanoid energy construct created by Electro. Its abilities include moving through and manipulating electronic circuits and projecting rectangular pulses of energy. Videoman is used by Electro to suck in and entrap Spider-Man, Flash Thompson, Fire-Star, and Iceman into a video game display where Electro attempts to destroy the four. However, Flash is able to save himself and the others by escaping through the monitor and into Electro’s electronic components to save the others.

This first villainous version of Videoman makes one other appearance in Season 2’s “Origin of Ice-Man”, with the additional abilities of bringing video game characters to life and draining the unique bio-energy of mutants, temporarily suppressing Iceman’s powers and weakening Fire-Star, as well as being able to emulate their powers for its own use. This time, Videoman is defeated when the Spider-Friends trick it and its video game minions into attacking one another.

In the Season 3 episode “The Education of a Superhero”, nerdy Francis Byte is an avid video game player who is especially engrossed into gaining the high score on a game called Zellman Comman at the local arcade. The villain Gamesman sends a hypnotic signal that entrances over 300,000 people in the city. This does not affect Francis’ girlfriend Louise, Spider-Man, and Fire-Star, nor does the signal affect Francis’ mind, which is distracted from entrancement by Louise and the game. Louise walks away from Francis, then also gets affected and hypnotized after having her pleas disregarded by Francis. He (unbeknownst to any others) plays the arcade machine so rigorously that it and other arcade machines (most of which are emitting the hypnotic waves) explode. The explosion transforms Francis into Videoman.

Francis discovers that he can become his new blue and white, red-eyed alter-ego Videoman at will. However, he is inexperienced with handling such powerful abilities. He tries to help the trio (which has awakened Iceman from his trance) against a hypnotized mob, but they repel his offers due to his inexperience. He then tries to save Louise from the Gamesman, but he is easily blackmailed into manipulating a military communications satellite system in return for Louise’s freedom, an offer that is then reneged upon by the Gamesman. Enraged at the trickery, Videoman helps Spider-Man and the others free Louise and also reverses his stoppage of the military computer. After the Gamesman is defeated, Francis accepts an invitation to join the X-Men, while Louise accepts him and his abilities.

Videoman made a cameo appearance in the 2023 film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. He is depicted as a prisoner of Miguel O’Hara‘s Spider-Society among other universe-displaced villains.

• Hans Conried – Chameleon (in “7 Little Superheroes”)
• Jerry Dexter – Sunfire (in “Sunfire”)
• George DiCenzo – Captain America (in “7 Little Superheroes” and “Pawns of the Kingpin”), Lance Macho
• Alan Dinehart – Boris (in “The Fantastic Mr. Frump”), Sam Blockbuster (in “Spidey Goes Hollywood”), Helicopter Pilot (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Norman Osborn’s Pilot (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Police Officer #2 (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Thief #1 (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Security Guard #1 (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)
• Walker Edmiston – Kingpin (in “Pawns of the Kingpin”)
• Michael Evans – Professor Wells
• Al Fann – Swarm (in “Swarm”)
• June Foray – Aunt May, Crime Computer, Judy
• Kathy Garver – Fire-Star/Angelica Jones, Sally, Storm (in “The X-Men Adventure”)
• Dan Gilvezan – Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Zoltan Amadeus/The Arachnoid (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”), Biker Gang Leader (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)
• John Haymer – Skelton (in “The Crime of All Centuries”), Security Guard #2 (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)
• Sally Julian – Mona Osborn (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Jungle Girl (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”)
• Annie Lockhart – Honey Dove, Storm (in “A Fire-Star is Born”)
• Keye Luke – Sunfire’s Uncle Genju (in “Sunfire”)
• Dennis Marks – Dr. Faustus (in “Pawns of the Kingpin”), Green Goblin/Norman Osborn (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Police Officer #1 (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Thief #2 (in “Triumph of the Green Goblin”), Cyberiad/Nathan Price (in “The X-Men Adventure”)
• Alan Melvin – Electro (in “Videoman”)
• Shepard Menkin – Doctor Doom (in “The Fantastic Mr. Frump”)
• John Stephenson – Colossus (in “The X-Men Adventure”), Eric the Viking (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), Loki (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), Modred the Mystic (in “Knights and Demons”), Shocker (in “Along Came Spidey”), Surtur (in “The Vengeance of Loki”), Thunderbird (in “The X-Men Adventure”), Ymir (in “The Vengeance of Loki”)
• Janet Waldo – Shanna the She-Devil (in “7 Little Superheroes”), Zerona (in “The Vengeance of Loki”)
• Frank Welker – Iceman/Bobby Drake, Ms. Lion, Flash Thompson, Matt Murdock (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”), Mr. Jones (in “A Fire-Star is Born”), Uncle Ben (in “Along Came Spidey”)
• William Woodson – Doctor Strange (in “7 Little Superheroes”), Sub-Mariner (in “7 Little Superheroes”), J. Jonah Jameson (in “Spider-Man Unmasked!”)
• Alan Young – Mr. Frump (in “The Fantastic Mr. Frump”)

• Michael Ansara – Hiawatha Smith (in “The Quest of the Red Skull”)
• Marlene Aragon – Lightwave (in “Mission: Save the Guardstar”)
• Michael Bell – Ariel and Bartow’s father (in “Spidey Meets the Girl of Tomorrow”), Doctor Octopus (in “Spidey Meets the Girl of Tomorrow”)
• Bob Bergen – Bartow (in “Spidey Meets the Girl of Tomorrow”)
• Susan Blu – Louise (in “The Education of a Superhero”), Monica (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”)
• William Callaway – Angel (in “A Fire-Star is Born”), Wolverine (in “A Fire-Star is Born”)
• Cathy Cavadini – Ariel (in “Spidey Meets the Girl of Tomorrow”)
• Christopher Collins – Sandman (in “Spider-Man Unmasked!”), Beetle (in “The Origin of the Spider-Friends”)
• Peter Cullen – Hulk/Dr. Bruce Banner (in “Spidey Goes Hollywood”), Mysterio (in “Spidey Goes Hollywood”), Red Skull (in “The Quest of the Red Skull”)
• Jeff Doucette – Scorpion (in “Attack of the Arachnoid”)
• Ron Feinberg – Frankenstein’s Monster (in “The Transylvanian Connection”)
• Stanley Jones – Professor X, Cyclops (in “A Fire-Star is Born”), Dean Wilmer (in “A Fire-Star is Born”), Dracula (in “The Transylvanian Connection”), Nightcrawler (in “The X-Men Adventure”)
• Harvey Korman – Black Knight (in “Knights and Demons”)
• Jennifer Kyle – Sprite/Kitty Pryde (in “The X-Men Adventure”)
• David Landsberg – Videoman/Francis Byte (in “The Education of a Superhero”)
• William Marshall – Juggernaut (in “A Fire-Star is Born”), Tony Stark (in “The Origin of the Spider-Friends”)
• Vic Perrin – Thor (in “The Vengeance of Loki!”), Zerona’s Soldier (in “The Vengeance of Loki!”), Burglar (in “Along Came Spidey”)
• Robert Ridgely – Kraven the Hunter (in “The Crime of All Centuries”)
• Neil Ross – Cyclops (in “The X-Men Adventure”)
• Michael Rye – Magneto (in “The Prison Plot”)
• Steve Schatzberg – Wolf-Thing (in “The Transylvanian Connection”)
• Marilyn Schreffler – Bonnie (in “A Fire-Star is Born”)

This season features the origins of all three Spider-Friends.

No Region 1 or other NTSC release is planned at this time.

In April 2008, Liberation Entertainment secured the home media rights to select Marvel shows from Jetix Europe in select European territories, including Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.^[9][10] On November 10, the company released the first season of the series on DVD^[11] followed up with a Series 2-3 set^[12] and Complete Series DVD sets^[13] on November 24. These releases were distributed through Lace International, due to Liberation closing their UK branch a few weeks prior in October.^[14] The Liberation releases did not include any of the Stan Lee narrations from the first or second season. Only some of the Stan Lee narrations were in the third season.

Clear Vision later took over European rights and re-released the series on August 2, 2010 (Season 1)^[15] and September 6, 2010 (Seasons 2 and 3)^[16] in the United Kingdom respectively, with a German release following afterwards. These newer editions have improved image quality^[17] and include German dubbing, while removing the 5.1 audio track and English subtitles. A Complete Series release followed on February 11, 2013.^[18]

Budget distributor Walk released a small number of DVD releases in the United Kingdom containing two episodes each for sale in Poundland stores in 2013, under the “Treat Size Introduces…” banner.^[19]

The series was available for instant streaming via Netflix from 2011 to August 2015.^[20] As part of the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company, the copyrights to the New World library were transferred to TFCF America, Inc., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, effective on March 15, 2019.^[21] Consequently, the series became available on the Disney+ streaming service, as a part of U.S. launch on November 12, 2019.

The episode “The Quest of the Red Skull” was excluded due to its direct depictions of Adolf Hitler, the Nazi swastika and the phrase ‘Heil Hitler’.^[22] In 2020, Disney+ placed a warning on the 3rd episode (entitled “Sunfire”) for a racially insensitive portrayal of Sunfire.^[23] In the episode, Sunfire is portrayed as speaking English with a Japanese accent.

Adam Levine of Looper said: “The mutant duo became a memorable pairing for Spider-Man, and the series has been fondly remembered in the decades since for its quaint stories, colorful villains, light-hearted nature, and iconic introductions by creator Stan Lee. The animation was a step up from previous attempts, even if it was still relatively simplistic, and stories explored more of Peter Parker’s personal life than the 1960s series before it”.^[24] James Whitbrook of Gizmodo ranked 5th in their “Spider-Man’s Best Cartoons” list, writing: “The trio had an excellent dynamic that elevated Amazing beyond its sister show, and as campy as it could be, there’s a reason why it remains beloved by many”.^[25]

Olivia Fitzpatrick of Collider ranked Spider-Man and His Amazing Friend 3rd in their “Every ‘Spider-Man’ Animated Series” list.^[26] Jason Serafino of Complex ranked 25th in their “25 Best Animated Comic Book TV Shows Of All Time” list.^[27] IGN ranked Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends 59th in their “Top 100 Animated Series” list, stating that “the animation was predictably budget for the time, particularly when viewed in this post-Spectacular Spider-Man world of ours, but it was fun nonetheless”.^[28]

• Scenes from Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends were re-cut, edited, and re-dubbed into comical shorts as part of Disney XD‘s “Marvel Mash-Up” shorts for their “Marvel Universe on Disney XD” block of programming that includes Ultimate Spider-Man and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes where scenes from Spidey and His Amazing Friends were also mixed with some scenes from the 1981 Spider-Man cartoon.^[29] The cast consists of Dave Boat as Spider-Man, J. Jonah Jameson, Beetle, Sandman, Norman Osborn, Shocker, Thor, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, Colossus, Sprite, Thunderbird, Red Skull, and Magneto, Tom Kenny as Iceman, Firestar, Aunt May, Green Goblin, Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, Swarm, Captain America, Professor X, Nightcrawler, and Loki, J. P. Karliak as Black Cat and Bruce Banner, James Arnold Taylor as Chameleon, Captain America, Iron Man, and Cyberiad, Dee Bradley Baker as Lizard, Jeff Bennett as Cyclops and Juggernaut, and Travis Willingham as Storm, Ka-Zar, and Doctor Doom.^[30]
• In the 1984 film Missing in Action starring Chuck Norris, the Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends episode “Along Came Spidey” can be seen on a television.^[31][32]
• In her civilian identity, Angelica Jones resembles Peter’s girlfriend from the comic books, Mary Jane Watson. This was played up in issues of Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane in which Firestar appeared.

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends was nominated for Best Children’s Television Series at the 1982 Young Artist Awards.^[33]

The first comic book that directly referenced the Amazing Friends show was Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends #1 (December 1981), a one-shot that adapted the pilot episode, “The Triumph of the Green Goblin”. Though the comic version altered the story to bring it in line with established Marvel Universe continuity (such as making the Green Goblin identity a costume as in the comics, rather than a physical transformation as in the episode), it was not considered part of Marvel continuity. It is the first appearance of Fire-Star in a comics story, though the version of Firestar that exists within Marvel continuity did not appear until Uncanny X-Men #193 (May 1985).

The story was reprinted in England in late 1983 in the weekly Marvel UK title Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. It was reprinted in the U.S. as Marvel Action Universe #1 (January 1989), released to coincide with the airing of Amazing Friends reruns on the television series of the same name and on the 2017 trade paperback X-Men Origins: Firestar.

In the Marvel mainstream continuity, Spider-Man, Firestar and Iceman have made sporadic team-ups in Amazing X-Men #7 (July 2014) and Iceman #3 (November 2018).

The mainstream Marvel Universe version of Firestar debuted in the pages of Uncanny X-Men #193 as part of Emma Frost‘s Hellions team. Firestar was given an origin story in a self-titled mini-series (March – June 1986). The character went on to be a founding member of the New Warriors, and later a member of the Avengers.

One change to Firestar from the TV show to the comic books was her powers. In the cartoon, they were fire based. However, Marvel had a number of characters who could control and/or create fire, so they changed her mutant ability to the power to emit and control microwave energy.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the show, Marvel released Spider-Man Family: Amazing Friends #1 on August 9, 2006. The comic starts with an all-new story, “Opposites Attack”, which is officially set before Web of Spider-Man #75. After that is a Mini Marvel tale, “Spider-Man And His Amazing Friends Co-Workers” (note that the strikethrough of “Friends” was a deliberate inclusion in the title). Both stories were written by Sean McKeever.

The remainder of the one-shot is composed of reprints of Untold Tales of Spider-Man #2 and Spider-Man 2099 #2.

An arc in Ultimate Spider-Man is titled “Spider-Man And His Amazing Friends” and issue #118’s cover, showing Spider-Man, Iceman, and Firestar, is a homage to the series title screen. Johnny Storm and Kitty Pryde are also said to be members of the team. Instead of Angelica Jones, Firestar is Liz Allan.^[34] Since then, in Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man, Spidey, Iceman, and the Human Torch have begun living together at Aunt May’s house and have been working as a team as another homage to the series (because Liz, as Firestar, was a member of the X-Men in this continuity; this team roster also reflects the original intent of Amazing Friends to use the Human Torch before licensing issues forced the creation of Firestar).

In 2007’s Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe—Spider-Man: Back in Black one-shot, the villain Videoman is given a brief biography from his “retcon” appearance in the Spider-Man Family one-shot. There is also an annotation describing an “Earth 8107”, where an alternate reality Videoman was created by Electro to battle that world’s Spider-Man. Later, in the same reality, Francis Byte is mutated by an exploding arcade console to become a new Videoman, and later “possibly” join the X-Men.

The Spider-Friends of Earth-1983 (described as a “kinder, gentler than most” world), except for Ms. Lion, are apparently killed by a dimension-hopping Morlun, set on draining the life out of every variation of Spider-Man across the multiverse.^[35]

At the “Street Cart Named Desire Festival”, Peter sees Angelica, but does not seem to recognize her when explaining to Mary Jane that she’s the only redhead that he’s interested in. Bobby and Angelica briefly catch up before returning to their dates which are then interrupted by an ice monster attack. Iceman, Firestar, and Spider-Man suit up and defeat the attacker together. The team-up is called “Iceman and His amazing Friends” both on the issue’s cover and by Iceman in the story. Afterward, the trio chat and Angelica and Bobby commiserate about men on dating apps.^[36]