Episode 88 - SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES

Among the many superheroes who strengthened their foothold in the cultural consciousness via animated avatars, is there any tale more fortuitous than that of our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man? In his '90s cartoon, Spidey confidently leaned into his sprawling comic book mythology (recently energized by a badass symbiote named Venom), and re-introduced the world to a sympathetic, wisecracking do-gooder whose popularity would only soar higher in the coming decades.

Bona fide web-head Daniel Borders-Ashe swings by to discuss the defiantly nerdy series that faithfully re-created the structure and the spirit of the comics. Also, we sling suggestions for Spider-Man's (and Stan Lee's) future adventures.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)
Produced by Bob Richardson
Based on Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Starring Christopher Gary Barnes, Linda Gary, Julie Bennett, Sara Ballantine, Jennifer Hale, Gary Imhoff, Rodney Saulsberry, Roscoe Lee Browne, Hank Azaria, and Ed Asner

Episodes featured in this podcast:
"The Alien Costume, Part 3" (aired 5/13/1995)
"Shriek of the Vulture" (aired 2/17/1996)
"The Return of the Green Goblin" (aired 7/12/1997)
"Spider Wars, Chapter II: Farewell, Spider Man" (1/31/1998)

Episode 87 - BABE

A surprise Best Picture nominee at the 1995 Oscars, Babe presents an idyllic portrait of country life comprised of modest living, cross-species cooperation, and a perpetual magic hour. Thanks to its cast of cute critters (both real and animatronic), as well as the gentle stoicism of James Cromwell, this rural fable is preceded by its very amiable reputation.

But after years of more nuanced views on animal rights--and considering all the activities that must occur at the Hoggett farm--what do we think of this particular piglet and his friends, both two and four-legged?

Babe (1995)
Directed by Chris Noonan
Produced by Bill Miller, George Miller, and Doug Mitchell
Written by George Miller and Chris Noonan
Based on The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith
Starring James Cromwell and Magda Szubanski, and the voices of Christine Cavanaugh, Miriam Margolyes, Danny Mann, Miriam Flynn, Russi Taylor, and Hugo Weaving

Episode 86 - THE MUMMY RETURNS

Believe it or not, there was a time when The Mummy franchise felt like the second coming of Indiana Jones. Or so a teenage action junkie was likely to think, circa the summer of 2001, when The Mummy Returns announced its presence as a bigger, faster, and louder version of its hit predecessor.

But where gains are made through massive visual effects and breakneck pacing, something else (Retro chic style? Tongue-in-cheek humor?) is inevitably de-emphasized, or perhaps even lost. Put on your pith helmet and find out The Mummy Returns avoids the curse of sequel excess!

The Mummy Returns (2001)

Written and directed by Stephen Sommers

Produced by Sean Daniel and James Jacks

Starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo, John Hannah, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velasquez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Freddie Boath, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson