Spider-Man ran from 1967 through 1970 on ABC, and imprinted its theme song, "Spider-Man, Spider-Man/ Does whatever a spider can / Spins a web, any size / Catches thieves--just like flies" on a generation of viewers.

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!"

Cast and Characters
Voices

• Bernard Cowan as The Narrator
• Paul Soles as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
• Peg Dixon as Betty Brant/Mary Jane Watson
• Paul as J. Jonah Jameson
• Vern Chapman as Doctor Octopus
• Gillie Fenwick as Dr. Smarter/Curt Conners/Lizard/Vulture
• Tom Harvey as Electro/Sandman
• Chris Wiggins as Mysterio
• Carl Banas as Scorpion
• Len Carlson as Green Goblin/Parafino/Stan Patterson
• Harry Ramer as Dr. Smythe/Dr. Noah Boddy/Lee Patterson
• Ed McNamera as Rhino
• Billie Mae Richards as Billy Connors
• Max Ferguson as Phantom
  Recurring characters
• Peter Parker/Spider-Man
• Betty Brant
• Mary Jane Watson
• J. Jonah Jameson
• Doctor Octopus
• Dr. Smarter
• Curt Conners
• Lizard/Vulture
• Electro
• Sandman
• Mysterio
• Scorpion
• Green Goblin
• Parafino
• Stan Patterson
• Dr. Smythe
• Dr. Noah Boddy
• Lee Patterson
• Rhino
• Billy Connors
• Phantom

Broadcast History
First Telecast:September 9, 1967
Last Telecast: June 14, 1970
Number of Episodes: 52
Number of Seasons: 3
Original Network: ABC

Theme Song and Opening Credits

Theme by Paul Francis Webster

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can! Spins a web any size, catches thieves just like flies! Look out! Here comes the Spider-Man! Is he strong? Listen, bud, he's got radioactive blood! Can he swing from a thread? Take a look overhead! Hey there! There goes the Spider-Man! In the chill of night, at the scene of a crime Like a streak of light, he arrives just in time! Spider-Man, Spider-Man, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Wealth and fame he's ignored, action is his reward! To him, life is a great big bang-up! Wherever there's a hang-up, you'll find the Spider-Man!!!

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