Spider-Man - The '67 Collection (6 Volume Animated Set) - Region 1 DVD

The comic book Spider-Man, who debuted in Marvel's Amazing Fantasy in 1962, epitomized the superhero as antihero. During his battles with bizarre villains, Peter Parker was beset by self-doubts and personal problems. The animated Spider-Man was a straightforward action superhero who was too busy performing weird stunts like fashioning a boat and motor out of spider webs to worry or agonize.

From the opening titles that announce the program is "in COLOR," Spider-Man feels dated. When he fights Electro, Spidey can fend off blasts of electricity because he's added "just a little asbestos to my web liquid"; when he discovers the extent of his new powers, Peter dreams of a spot on The Ed Sullivan Show. Although the directors include Ralph Bakshi and former Disney artist Clyde Geronimi, the animation is extremely limited. The same shots of Spiderman swinging over New York appear again and again. But these limits probably won't trouble nostalgic adults who grew up watching Spider-Man on Saturday mornings: "Wherever there's a hang-up / You'll find the Spider-Man!" (Unrated, suitable for ages 7 and older: cartoon violence, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon