Madame Webwas hot trash… But, there was a pretty incredible version of the character that had time to shine 28 years earlier inSpider-Man: The Animated Series. According to Rotten Tomatoes and the general consensus online, I, like most people who saw Madame Web, was deeply disappointed with the movie that was released in theaters. After seeing promising trailers, and getting excited about the actual powered Spider-People inthe Sony Spider-Man Universe, the movie failed on almost all counts.
But it was even more frustrating becauseMadame Web was not just a random character. Madame Web was an integral part of my childhood, who I became familiar with through the originalSpider-Man: The Animated Seriesthat started in 1994. And what appeared on the big screen in 2024 was nothing close to the incredible and powerful version of this hero from that show.
Madame Web Has A Considerable Story In Spider-Man: The Animated Series
Spider-Man: The Animated Series Succeeded Where Madame Web Failed
InSpider-Man: TAS, Madame Web is introduced in 1996, in a substantial storyline that sets up some of the most ambitious and creative stories to ever appear in cartoons up to that point. Literally more than a decade before the MCU, and even longer before the concept of the Spider-Verse was adapted to the big screen,Madame Web was the key character who introduced Peter Parker to the Spider-Versein the original cartoon.
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And over the course of several pivotal episodes,Madame Web teaches Peter what it means to be a Spider-Man, and puts him together with a team of other Spider-Heroes. This entire arc took a long time to build out, but at the time, it was one of the most exciting things I had ever watched. And without Madame Web, none of that would have been possible. So, when the movie was announced, I was excited, and things got even more interesting when thetrailer promised a set of Spider-Heroes of its own.
Why Madame Web’s Story In Spider-Man: The Animated Series Is Better Than The Madame Web Movie
It Didn’t Try To Lure The Audience In With False Promises
Unfortunately, the promises were hollow and the SSU opted to race towards its own demise instead of actually trying to adapt a Spider story with any substance. The thing is,people had issues withMadame Webbeing an origin storyfor a character who is most often depicted as being considerably older, and more in-tune with her powers. But that wasn’t even my biggest issue with the movie. Developing the character and introducing a backstory sounds like a solid plan, and one that is worth chasing, butMadame Webis all origin, with about 5 minutes of heroing.
When the movie was announced, I was excited, and things got even more interesting when the trailer promised a set of Spider-Heroes of its own.
And while that may have worked for some people, the movie was marketed with the ladies in full Spider-outfits in a prominent way. So, whenthe movie was nothing like the trailers, or the posters, and the end product felt like a scam, it was incredibly disappointing. On the other hand,Spider-Man: TASintroduced the character to the world, made her a supremely powerful, fully-realized hero, and made the story fun and engaging. All of that is muchmore than can be said forMadame Web, as much as I wanted to enjoy the film.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series Shows There Is Real Promise For Madame Web On-Screen
Madame Web Could Still Have A Future In Movies
And while the SSU is dead and swiftly getting buried with news and announcements about the upcomingSpider-Man 4in the MCU,I’m not completely ready to let go of Madame Webas a character. Madame Web is an extraordinary being with limitless potential, as seen inSpider-Man: TAS. It would make sense to include her at some point in the future, whether that be as part of theInto the Spider-Versemovies that have managed to explore the multiverse in creative and engaging ways withoutMadame Webso far, or in a live-action outing, potentially joining the MCU.
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Madame Web could be an incredible mentor to Peter Parker, she could be a key to fixing the multiverse, or she could just be another awesome superhero. But if Madame Web never gets a chance to shine on the big screen, that would be a thoroughly disappointing outcome for such an intriguing and expansive character from the original animated series. HopefullyMadame Webdid not ruin the character’s future chances, and something like the MCU orthe Spider-Verse moviescan step in and save the day, giving the character another chance to shine.
