KOOL TV CLASSIC IMAGE: "SPIDER-MAN" 1967

He's got radioactive blood y'know! It's SPIDER-MAN, 1960's style!

Its basic storytelling animation may now stand out like a sore thumb in today's world dominant CGI market, but I don't care, I loved the 1960's US/Canada produced SPIDER-MAN series as a kid and still do. As a seven year old I still remember rushing home from school to see it on the UK's ITV channel in the afternoons and school holiday mornings to see his crime-busting adventures against all kinds of weird and wonderful villains (including distinctive arch nemesis like the Scorpion, the Vulture and the weird, domed headed Mysterio).

Here's the oh-so memorable theme tune and titles for the series:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o29VoxtsFk

And check out WIKIPEDIA's great behind the scenes feature here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man_(1967_TV_series)

Originally created by Stan Lee and brought to artistic life by the now reclusive artist Steve Ditko, SPIDER-MAN and his nerdy alter-ego, the student/photographer Peter Parker, bitten by a radioactive bug that would turn him into a relatable hero for our times, has endured for nearly fifty years, and he's been a star in all kinds of media/entertainment environments beyond his continuing full colour comic book appearances. From books to animation, to live action TV (SOUND OF MUSIC star Nicholas Hammond played our web slinger hero in a short but memorable series in the late seventies/early eighties), to a new 2011 stage play (with music and lyrics provided by U2's Bono and the Edge), his popularity looks set to continue for as long as audiences want him in their lives. Having already made billions for the MARVEL empire, with three modern successful blockbuster movies brought to life by director Sam Raimi and starring the well cast Tobey Maguire in the title role, the comic book company are now ploughing ahead with a brand new re-imagined series of movies, the first of which is filming in Los Angeles as you read this, with a re-cast younger actor, Brit Andrew Garfield, in the title role. With Marc Webb (appropriate surname!) now taking over the creative reins, and with a plethora of strong acting support from the likes of THE WEST WING's Martin Sheen, OSCAR winner Sally Field, SOUTHLAND's C. Thomas Howell, actor/comedian Denis Leary and Rhys Ifans playing the baddie, The Lizard, the new SPIDER-MAN adventure hits movies theatres in Summer 2012 .

Andrew Garfield as the all-new SPIDER-MAN. Image: SONY/MARVEL.

"Wherever there's a hang-up, you'll find the Spider-man!!!"

It's a criminal fact, but the 1967 animated SPIDER-MAN series is not available on UK DVD, but it is on Region One import from UNIVERSAL.