Best Spider-Man TV Series

11. Amazing Spider-Man (1977-1979, 13 Episodes, CBS)

I got through about 8 minutes of a really boring pilot before giving up.  I fast forwarded to the parts where Spider-Man was in costume and I was even more bored.  I have never seen anyone say too many good things about this series online (nor all that bad either).  It is kind of just there.  Marvel's live-action properties before Blade just did not seem to click (I guess Ferigno's Incredible Hulk does have its ardent supporters, but I could never get into it).  This show doesn't have a memorable aethstetic or fun camp like Adventures of Superman or 1966 Batman.  Just kind of there.

10. Ultimate Spider-Man (2012-Present, 52 Episodes, Disney XD)

I have tried with this show on several occasions and it just does not work for me.  I know there are some supporters who claim that it is good and people just hate on it, but it kind of deserves the hate.  Drake Bell, who I always found to be likable enough, is absolutely grating as a voice actor.  The constant cut aways are incredibly intrusive and unfunny.  There is no comedic timing or point to them.  But then again none of the main story lines are that interesting either.  It is interesting to compare this to a show like the original Teen Titans where the cartoony humor helps its mature storytelling or Batman: The Brave and the Bold which serves as a loving homage to camp.  This is just loud and busy for no real reason.  Which is a shame, because the animation and designs are some of the best Spidey has ever had.

9. Spidey Super Stories (1974-1977, PBS)

Spider-Man was a recurring segment on the classic educational TV series The Electric Company, the sketches even spun off into a comic book for young readers.  On the show Spidey would only speak in speech bubbles to encourage viewers to practice reading.  The segments are pretty fun and suitable for young children.  Not amazing educational television, but it does entertain and has admirable goals.  It is nice to see Spidey, as a character who always plays well to young children, used in this way.

8. Supaidaman (1978-1979, 41 Episodes, Tokyo Channel 12)

Toei produced a Sentai series starring Spider-Man for Japanese audiences.  I don't have a huge knowledge of Sentai.  This show was clearly less concerned with adapting the comics and focused more on reaching a specific audience.  That said, I enjoyed what I saw of it.  The special effects are fun, the music is good, and there is some legitimate suspense to it.  Also the actor portraying Spider-Man is very good.  It is great seeing him so physical and agile in live-action.  Not an accurate adaptation by any stretch of the imagination, but still a fun one.

7. Spider-Man (1981-1982, 26 Episodes, Syndication)

This show has its fans, but I have never understood the appeal too much (aside from the obvious nostalgia).  For the early eighties, this is good superhero animation and it adapts the comic characters fairly well.  Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends spun off of this, which used the same designs and music (although different voices).  It is difficult not to compare it to Amazing Friends, that show just had such a perfect dynamic with its three leads.  This show lacks that sort of rhythm and urgency.  Definitely good for its time, but I don't see a huge reason to look it up.

6. Spider-Man Unlimited (1999-2001, 13 Episodes, Fox Kids)

This show has aged surprisingly well.  Oh don't get me wrong, it is still not a great cartoon but it is definitely an interesting one.  It has a pretty decent premise, really unique designs, Rino Romano voices a good Spider-Man, and the action is good.  I remember a few years after this show came out that it was considered to be the worst Spider-Man cartoon, but the bad will seems to have subsided.  For me anyways, it is interesting enough to justify its short existence.

5. Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003, 13 Episodes, MTV)
Computer animation doesn't age the best.  Watching it a decade later the humans don't look right and the movement is a little slow.  However the designs are good and Spidey himself moves well in CGI.  This show was targeted at young adults and the writers definitely take advantage of the maturity, this show deals with some tough issues in a fairly realistic way.  The focus is solely on Peter's college life.  Aunt May doesn't appear and J. Jonah Jameson is pretty inconsequential.  But the love triangle storyline is well handled.  It would be better if they used more actual villains from the comics instead of creating lame original ones.  But this is a pretty decent show.

4. Spider-Man (1967-1970, 52 Episodes, ABC)
Yes, this is primarily so high because of its theme song.  But that theme song is what kept Spider-Man in the public's consciousness for decades.  This was the most recognizable Spider-Man adaptation until the 1990s.  This is almost the equivalent of Superfriends or Adam West's Batman in terms of raising a comic book character's profile.  It holds up better than most action cartoons of the sixties.  Paul Soles does a good job as Spider-Man and it is just fun.

3. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981-1983, 24 Episodes, NBC)
This is honestly one of my favorite series.  I still watch it from time to time on Netflix.  Superheroes work great with camp and this is camp at its best.  Spider-Man, Iceman and Firestar have fun chemistry and the many guest stars make this almost an adaptation of Marvel Team-Up.  I loved watching this on ABC Family when I was a kid because it was a decent introduction for various Marvel heroes and villains.  There are some good jokes and the action is good for its time.  Superheroes should be fun and it doesn't get much more fun than this.

2. Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998, 65 Episodes, Fox Kids)
This is how many people were introduced to Spider-Man and it is a great introduction.  It is a pretty accurate adaptation of the comics, it gets the character right, includes a lot of supporting characters and villains and has some great artwork.  The show can be a little overly dramatic, but the sincerity of Christopher Daniel Barnes makes it work for the most part.  Even if some episodes are better than others the series remains likable.  This is some of the best versions of characters such as The Lizard, Doc Ock and even J. Jonah Jameson.  The show had an impressive run and still holds up as one of my favorite Spider-Man iterations.

1. Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-2009, 26 Episodes, Kids' WB on the CW/Disney XD)
In only two seasons the Greg Weisman helmed series took its place as one of the all time best superhero cartoons.  Having a great grasp on Peter Parker's life as well as Spider-Man this is the most accurate adaptations Spidey has ever had.  It utilizes not just the main villains but also villains everyone else had overlooked such as The Enforcers.  Everybody is present in its massive supporting cast including Kong MacFarlane, Randy Robertson, Ned Lee, Frederick Foswell, George Stacy, Jean DeWolff and even Hobie Brown.  The show has a great sense of humor, can make teen drama seem compelling and can be mature without going too dark.  The designs are unique and has a clear Steve Dikto influence.  And the plotting of the series finale is incredible with its many twists and turns.  It is accessible for new audiences and huge Spider-Fans alike.  Not enough people have seen this, but it is one of the best.  This is how you tell a Spider-Man story.

Who Could Play J. Jonah Jameson

Marc Webb recently said that he would love J. Jonah Jameson to be in Amazing Spider-Man 3, but has no definite plans for the character.  This is astonishing news to me, because I consider JJJ to be a vital part of the Spidey mythos.  He is probably the most important supporting character, next to Aunt May (who the new movies are very much misusing).  JJJ's relationship with Peter/Spidey is fascinating.  Jameson pays Peter to take pictures of Spider-Man so Jameson can turn the public against him.  They are both simultaneously harming and helping each other in a brilliantly reliable piece of plotting.  I don't see how Sony can plan a Spider-Man movie a year without having set plans for this character.  He easily could be the franchise's Nick Fury, tying each movie together.

Webb mentioned that it would be difficult to top J.K. Simmons, which is a sentiment that is surprisingly echoed across the internet.  Raimi's trilogy seems to have fallen out of favor, but everyone loves Simmons' Jameson.  Which is easy to understand why.  Simmons is a brilliant character actor who fit perfectly in Raimi's caricatured universe.

Simmons improves every project he is involved in (he easily had the best scene in Up in the Air).  But I don't see his great portrayal should make the character off limits for others.  Jameson has been around since 1963 and has been interpreted in many different ways.  The original Stan Lee/Steve Dikto JJJ had a giddiness to him.  Ed Asner (my personal favorite version of JJJ) always delivered his lines for Spider-Man: The Animated Series slowly with an air of disgust.  This is a great character that a lot of awesome character actors could do great things with.

That said I don't think that a fun character like J. Jonah Jameson would fit in the dark, edgy Amazing Spider-Man films (unless he was a reporter who worked with Richard Parker to expose Oscorp, because everything needs to relate to Peter's parents for some reason).  But this was a still a fun list to make.

20. Rob Huebel
There are a lot of great asshole comedians who could really play up this character.  Huebel may be a bit young, but he is a great sketch comic who could really have a lot of fun making Peter's life difficult.

19. John Slattery
One of the few actors I have seen listed online as a potential actor for the part.  Slattery has the right look (sans mustache), has enough eloquence and intimidation to sell the professional, controlling newspaperman.

18. Bob Odenkirk
Odenkirk has one of the best comedic minds and he has been getting a lot of great work in recent years.  He is becoming a staple of character roles in addition to comedy.  He could go to some really interesting places with the role.

17. Craig Ferguson
Craig's TV persona is surprisingly similar to Jameson.  He is smug, giddy, excitable and can go off on incredible rants.  Ferguson doesn't get much acting work, but he is an incredible talent that could be a really fun bit performer.

16. Jeff Goldblum
Smarmy as all get up and an extremely dependable character actor.  Not necessarily an intimidating force, but he can sure portray the jerk side of Jameson.  I can really see Goldblum reveling in making things difficult for Peter.

15. Bruce Campbell
He's already been in three Spider-Man movies.  I really feel that if Raimi hadn't found J.K. Simmons that he would have been a great Jameson.  Casting him would be a bit gimmicky, but Campbell is a solid enough character actor that he could bring his own attitude to the part.

14. Ralph Garman
While looking at potential actors I was definitely looking at angry people.  Fans of the podcast Hollywood Babble-On know that nobody is angrier than Garman.  He regularly goes into yelling spats that the audience always enjoys.  Garman is a solid personality who has done his fair share of bit characters.  He is extremely talented, but has not crossed over into much success.  He also extremely open about his geekdom and his head is the same shape as J. Jonah Jameson.

13. Gary Cole
I am kind of surprised that we haven't seen Gary Cole pop up in a superhero movie.  He is an actor with a pretty impressive range as he regularly transitions from goofy comedies to scary villains.  Both of those skill sets would greatly benefit this role.  He is hammy enough but can stay grounded too.  Out of all of the people on this list I think that he would fit in Webb's movies the easiest.

12. Kurtwood Smith
Forever tied to his memorable role as Red from That '70s Show, Smith has great comedy chops and makes a great adversary.

11. Richard Jenkins
One of the few character actors who is comparable to Simmons.  Jenkins has proven that he can play any role of any size.  He is the most dependable person working in Hollywood and would seem like a natural fit.

10. Eugene Levy
Definitely resembles Jameson the strongest, all he is missing is a mustache and a frown.  Levy is a tried and true comedic performer.  He commits to every role, no matter what the quality of the movie is.  He is guarantee to elevate the material and would be a great choice for a more comic relief angle.

9. Johnny Knoxville
I don't understand why he was cast as the voice of Leonardo, because he seems like such a natural Raphael.  As much as I liked Chris Diamantopoulos' Moe Howard, I was excited to see the Jack-Ass star attached to The Three Stooges.  Jameson definitely seems to share a number of similarities with the stooge.  I think that Knoxville harsher sensibilities would work well.

8. Paul F. Tompkins

I am convinced that everything that Paul F. Tompkins touches turns to gold.  He has such a unique comedic mind, individual style and weird skill set.  I am really surprised that he does not receive more acting work.  Although most of his characters are impressions, he is the best at caricatures.  He is so natural as cartoony personalities.  He even dresses like Jameson.

7. Philip Baker Hall
There are a number of older actors that I considered for the part (I probably should have given spots for Dabney Coleman or James Cromwell).  But the one I keep returning to is the veteran Hall.  Hall has given so many brilliant performances that it is easy to see him fit in to this role.  Detective Bookman seems to share many similarities with the publisher.  Hall has the best timing in the business and would certainly make an impact in this part.

6. Stephen Tobolowsky
Seriously, how has Tobolowsky never been considered for this part?  Seems right in his wheelhouse.

5. Craig T. Nelson

Nobody plays angry better than Craig T. Nelson.  Him screaming hate for a man in a costume seems like such a natural fit for his acting style.  He can balance intimidation along with genuine sincerity (which Jameson does have underneath all his hard edge).  There would also be that extra angle of Mr. Incredible trying to destroy a superhero.

4. Ian Roberts
The founding UCB member has never found much mainstream success.  He has had several fun bit roles and is a stand-out in an improv ensemble.  Roberts can play this type of character really well.  He also has such an incredible commitment to characters with weird goals.  His comedy background really makes him desirable for a role like this.  He understands how to play off of others and where exactly to find the best joke.  He helped write a whole book on the art of improv (which is great), that experience would really help make this character stand-out.

3. Danny Trejo
Danny Trejo has certainly perfected a type, but I think it would be a lot of fun for him to adjust his tough guy character to this role.  Sure Jameson isn't a thug or a murderer, but he is intimidating and extremely cartoonish.  Trejo is a very over the top actor with an extremely expressive face.  I would love to hear Trejo yelling about how much he hates Spider-Man.

2. Ron Perlman
His huge amounts of geek cred will definitely make fans accept him in the role.  Perlman is one of the few badasses who is very good at comedic timing.  He would be able to drum up all sorts of hate for Spidey and deliver some memorable punchlines.  He can definitely play the hardened side of Jameson, but would still believably be able to throw some joy.

1. Christopher McDonald
What ever happened to Christopher McDonald?  He was a staple of 1990s films with memorable roles in Cheers, Thelma and Louise, Quiz Show, Leave it to Beaver, Flubber, Requiem for a Dream, Spy Kids 2 and of course his scene stealing role as Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore.  Some of those movies are better than others (Quiz Show being the one you need to see right now) and his role isn't the largest in all of them but you remember him in each of film.  He has also done great voice work in Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond and The Iron Giant.  He is a classy actor that can get away with playing huge jerks.  He could really make a Jameson that could stand on its own as equal to J.K. Simmons.  He is also a great actor that could benefit the most from this kind of exposure.