Natural Selection (The Spectacular Spider-Man)

"**Natural Selection**"
"Natural Selection"
The Spectacular Spider-Man episode
	Lizard and Spider-Man fight. Lizard's design and personality, as well as the fast paced fight sequences, were heavily praised by critics.
Episode no.	Season 1; Episode 3
Directed by	David Bullock
Written by	Matt Wayne
Production code	S1E03
Original air date	March 15, 2008
Episode chronology
← Previous; "Interactions"	Next →; "Market Forces"
	List of episodes

Last updated January 02, 2025

"Natural Selection" is the third episode of the animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, which is based on the comic book character Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In the episode, Spider-Man must face the scientist he was working for, Curt Connors, who has been mutated into an anthropomorphic lizard by a serum designed to regrow his missing arm.

"Natural Selection" was written by Matt Wayne, known for his work on Justice League Unlimited, and was the first time he had done so for The Spectacular Spider-Man. David Bullock directed it. "Natural Selection" originally aired on March 15, 2008, on the Kids WB! block for The CW network, and met overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, who praise it for its action sequences, narrative direction, and the new design for Lizard.

Plot summary

During his patrol, Spider-Man stops a group of thieves who are breaking into a bakery. Simultaneously, Spider-Man takes pictures to give to the Daily Bugle. He happily leaves and returns home before his curfew. However, upon reviewing the photos, he discovers they are unfortunately unusable. Meanwhile, Dr. Curt Connors injects himself with his experimental serum containing lizard DNA, which was electrocuted by Electro in the previous episode. Later that night, Curt awakens in pain to witness his arm regrow. His wife, Martha, is initially furious that he experimented on himself without her knowledge, but softens upon seeing their son's reaction.

At school, Peter is attacked with water balloons by Flash Thompson and his sidekick Kenny Kong, which he dodges until he realizes it might reveal his secret identity as Spider-Man. Gwen steps in and gets everyone to laugh at Flash instead. Gwen and Peter go to the Connors lab and help Eddie clean up from the previous battle with Electro. Martha announces that Curt's arm had grown back and they celebrate until Martha realizes scales are growing on his arm. The group determine that the reptilian half of Curt's brain is taking over, and that he is starting to regress. Peter tries to comfort the Connors's son, Billy, but is interrupted when Curt fully transforms into a hulking, humanoid lizard, completely lacking in human thought, and runs off.

While Eddie goes in pursuit, Peter manages to slip out and goes after Connors as Spider-Man. While trying to communicate with him, they end up on a subway train fighting both inside, outside, and underneath it. Finally, Spider-Man falls off the train and Connors escapes. Spider-Man returns to the lab and is given a gene cleanser from Martha which must be administered to Connors orally. He then goes off to Bronx Zoo, where Connors is reportedly at.

Spider-Man enters the lizard room where Connors has taken refuge. Connors knocks him out and Eddie arrives to help him out. When he regains consciousness, Spider-Man comes up with a plan to trick him into the polar bear pond. They almost succeed when Connors is alerted by Spider-Man's cellphone ringing. Billy arrives to help his father, which fails to work, and Spider-Man leaps in to get Connors into the pond. Spider-Man pours the cleanser into the mouth of Connors who, as a result, returns to normal, his arm lost once more.

The next day, Peter gets his photos published in the Bugle and gets the money he needs. However, when Gwen, Eddie, and the Connors find out, they are outraged that he ran off simply to take pictures and say he has lost their trust. Although Martha understands the difficult choices that Peter had, she fires him. He secretly grabs another vial of gene cleanser and returns home, frustrated about his reputation. Blaming the events that gave him his powers, he is about to take the vial when he sees a photo of himself with Ben. Realizing that he had saved Curt either way, he decides that Spider-Man is needed and hides the vial under his desk.

Production

"Natural Selection" was the first episode to be written by Matt Wayne.^[3]^[4] Wayne wrote two other episodes in the first season: "The Invisible Hand" and "Persona."^[3] David Bullock was the episode's director.^[4] Dee Bradley Baker, a voice actor for animated series and video games, continued his role as Dr. Connors/The Lizard.^[4]

The episode originally broadcast on March 15, 2008, on the Kids WB! programming block for The CW Network.^[1] When Disney XD premiered The Spectacular Spider-Man on March 23, 2009, it aired "Natural Selection" after the previous two episodes, "Survival of the Fittest" and "Interactions."^[5]

Cultural references

Greg Weisman, one of The Spectacular Spider-Man's producers^[6] came up with a continuing title scheme that follows "The Education of Peter Parker." The first three episode titles ("Survival of the Fittest", "Interactions", and "Natural Selection") follow a biology theme.^[7] Peter's ringtone is "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." The episode incorporates several bullet time moments that are referent to the same style employed in The Matrix films.^[1]

Reception

"Doing a great job of blending Peter's "regular" life with his Spider-Man, action-oriented experiences, this episode really shows how well this series is beginning to come together and offer a very entertaining take on the Spider-Man mythology."

Eric Goldman,
IGN reviewer^[8]

Natural Selection received critical acclaim. Eric Goldman of IGN gave it an 8.8 out of 10 ("Great"). Goldman praised the Lizard's design, calling it "the most visually familiar villain the show had introduced yet" and called the fight sequences "great," especially that of the climactic fight between Spider-Man and Lizard. Goldman called Peter's loss of the Connors's and Eddie's trust "a very well done, classic Peter Parker-can't-win scenario" and that the episode did a "great job" blending the normal and Spider-Man parts of Peter's life.^[8]

Season Elliot, senior editor of iF Magazine, gave the episode an A−, writing "The Lizard himself was a nice update of the original Lizard and he was still in his torn pants, shirt, and lab coat." Elliot praised the design for differentiating itself from that used for Spider-Man or Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, and that he "can't wait for the action figure of this guy!" Like Goldman and Tanaka, Elliot enjoyed the action style and fight sequences and the callbacks to Lizard's original comic book appearance.^[1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwen Stacy</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Gwendolyne Maxine "Gwen" Stacy is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a supporting character in those featuring Spider-Man. A college student and the daughter of George and Helen Stacy, she was the first romantic interest for Peter following his high school graduation before she was murdered by the Green Goblin. Her death has haunted Peter ever since, and stories published long afterwards indicate she still holds a special place in his heart. Gwen was posthumously subjected to numerous cloning experiments by her former professor Miles Warren, Peter's clone Ben Reilly, and an A.I. of Harry Osborn, the latter resulting in the creation of the Kindreds, and Ben briefly resurrecting Gwen in "Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy" (2016–2017), with the embodiment of Death herself confirming in Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider (2017–2018) that all clones Ben created of deceased people had their souls intact on being brought back, while clones of living people had unique souls of their own. In the alternate realities of Ultimate Marvel and Spider-Gwen, a still-living Gwen respectively becomes their universe's versions of Carnage and Spider-Woman.

<i>Spider-Man</i> (1994 TV series) American animated television series

Spider-Man, also known as Spider-Man: The Animated Series, is an American superhero animated television series based on the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name. The series aired on the Fox Kids Network from November 19, 1994, to January 31, 1998, for a total of five seasons comprising 65 episodes, and ran reruns on Toon Disney's Jetix block and on Disney XD. The series was produced by Marvel Films and animated by TMS-Kyokuichi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnage (character)</span> Character in the Marvel Universe

Carnage is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an adversary of Spider-Man and the archenemy of his father Venom, in particular the Eddie Brock incarnation of the character, although Carnage and Venom have joined forces when their goals have aligned. The character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #361, and was created by writer David Michelinie and artist Mark Bagley, although the first published artwork of Carnage was penciled by Chris Marrinan. Stan Lee would also have some input in the character's name and attributes, pushing for a character who would be far darker and more vicious than Venom, due to the latter's more scrupulous character development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lizard (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

The Lizard is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #6 as an enemy of the superhero Spider-Man. While the character has retained this role throughout most of his subsequent appearances, he has also been portrayed as a tragic antihero and occasional ally of Spider-Man. Connors is sometimes an ally of Spider-Man just as himself, and not necessarily as his alter ego.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Six Arms Saga</span> Marvel Comics storyline

"The Six Arms Saga" is a story arc featuring the popular Marvel Comics character Spider-Man, written by Stan Lee and drawn by Gil Kane. It spans the issues The Amazing Spider-Man #100–102 (1971) and features the first appearance and origin story of Morbius, the Living Vampire. The story arc is mostly remembered for Spider-Man growing four extra arms, and for a subsequent What If…? stating that keeping the arms would have allowed Spider-Man to save Gwen Stacy and defeat Thanos himself.

<i>Spider-Man 3</i> (video game) 2007 video game

Spider-Man 3 is a 2007 action-adventure game based on the 2007 film of the same name. The game is the sequel to 2004's Spider-Man 2, itself based on the 2004 film of the same name. It was released for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Wii, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance on May 4, 2007, and for the PlayStation Portable on October 16, 2007. Published by Activision, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were developed by Treyarch, while Vicarious Visions handled the development of the other versions, which are drastically different. Beenox ported Treyarch's version of the game to Microsoft Windows.

The Spectacular Spider-Man is an American superhero animated television series developed by Victor Cook and Greg Weisman based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. In terms of overall tone and style, the series is based primarily on the Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and John Romita Sr. era of The Amazing Spider-Man, with a similar balance of action, drama and comedy as well as a high school setting. However, it also tends to blend material from all eras of the comic's run up to that point in addition to other sources such as the Ultimate Spider-Man comics by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, as well as Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film trilogy.

"Interactions" is the second episode of the animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, based on the comic book character Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The episode sees Spider-Man confronting the supervillain Electro, whose body was corrupted with electricity after a freak lab accident.

"Survival of the Fittest" is the pilot episode of the animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, which is based on the comic book character Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The episode was written and directed by the series developers, Greg Weisman and Victor Cook. In the episode, Spider-Man faces the evil Vulture as he begins his junior year in high school.

Victor A. Cook is an American film and television producer and director best known for his work on the animated series The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008–2009), Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010–2013) and Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters (2017–2018), and as an executive producer of Disney Junior's T.O.T.S.

"Market Forces" is the fourth episode of the animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, which is based on the comic book character Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In the episode, Spider-Man is hunted by Shocker, whose suit allows him to fire intense sonic blasts.

"Competition" is the fifth episode of the animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, which is based on the comic book character Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In it, Spider-Man must face the Sandman, a former petty thug who now can manipulate his sand body at will.

The Invisible Hand (<i>The Spectacular Spider-Man</i>) 6th episode of the 1st season of The Spectacular Spider-Man

"The Invisible Hand" is the sixth episode of the animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, which is based on the comic book character Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The episode follows Spider-Man as he faces the Rhino, who has an indestructible rhino-like suit and super strength. In his personal life, as his alter ego Peter Parker, Spider-Man tries to ask out Daily Bugle worker Betty Brant to the upcoming fall formal at his high school.

"Reaction" is the eighth episode of the American animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, which is based on the comic book character Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The episode originally broadcast in the United States on the Kids WB! block for The CW on May 3, 2008.

"Catalysts" is the seventh episode of the animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, which is based on the comic book character Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The episode sees Spider-Man trying to stop the psychotic supervillain Green Goblin from bombing a dinner party filled with high-class New York citizens on the night of his school's big Fall Formal.

"The Uncertainty Principle" is the ninth episode of the animated television series The Spectacular Spider-Man, which is based on the comic book character Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It originally aired on the Kids WB! programming block on The CW Network on May 10, 2008.

The comic book stories published by Marvel Comics since the 1940s have featured several noteworthy concepts besides its fictional characters, such as unique places and artifacts. Since the introduction of Peter Parker as a character in 1962, with the superhero alter-ego, Spider-Man, a number of these locations have been prominently featured in connection with storylines specific to this character. These have then been carried over to depictions of Spider-Man in film, video games, and other media. There follows a list of those features.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martha Connors</span> Marvel Comics character

Martha Connors is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is usually depicted as a supporting character of Spider-Man, and the wife of Dr. Curt Connors, also known as the Lizard. Much of her character's story revolves around her constant suffering, yet perseverance through her husband's constant transformations. Martha was later injected with Curt's Lizard Formula to cure her of a deadly virus, which also mutated her into an anthropomorphic lizard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Connors (character)</span> Comics character

William "Billy" Connors is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is usually depicted as a supporting character of Spider-Man, and the son of Dr. Curt Connors, also known as the Lizard. Much of his character's story deals with the trauma of his father's uncontrollable powers. Billy was later injected with Curt's Lizard Formula to cure him of a deadly virus, which also mutated him into an anthropomorphic lizard.

References

1 2 3 4 Elliot, Sean (March 17, 2008). "The Spectacular Spider-Man: Season One - 'Natural Selection'". iF Magazine. Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
↑ "Natural Selection". Marvel.com . Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
1 2 "Spectacular Spider-Man's Matt Wayne Talks Black Cat and Black Costume". Major Spoilers. May 15, 2008. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
1 2 3 Salon, Sam (March 13, 2008). ""The Spectacular Spider Man" Premiere Swings to Strong Nielsen Ratings". Slice of SciFi . Retrieved August 17, 2009.
↑ Goldman, Eric (January 26, 2009). "Spider-Man's Spectacular TV Return". IGN . Retrieved August 21, 2009.
↑ Elliot, Sean (April 4, 2008). "Symbiotically Bonding With 'Spectacular Spider-Man' Producer Victor Cook - Part 1". iF Magazine. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010.
↑ Weisman, Greg (August 11, 2008). "Ask Greg". Gargoyles: A Station Eight Fan Web Site. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
1 2 Goldman, Eric (April 16, 2008). "Spectacular Spider-Man: "Natural Selection" Review". IGN. Retrieved August 21, 2009.

External links

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[If-1] 1 2 3 4 Elliot, Sean (March 17, 2008). "The Spectacular Spider-Man: Season One - 'Natural Selection'". iF Magazine. Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2009.

[official-2] "Natural Selection". Marvel.com . Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2009.

[Matt-3] 1 2 "Spectacular Spider-Man's Matt Wayne Talks Black Cat and Black Costume". Major Spoilers. May 15, 2008. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved August 21, 2009.

[Slice-4] 1 2 3 Salon, Sam (March 13, 2008). ""The Spectacular Spider Man" Premiere Swings to Strong Nielsen Ratings". Slice of SciFi . Retrieved August 17, 2009.

[5] Goldman, Eric (January 26, 2009). "Spider-Man's Spectacular TV Return". IGN . Retrieved August 21, 2009.

[Cook-6] Elliot, Sean (April 4, 2008). "Symbiotically Bonding With 'Spectacular Spider-Man' Producer Victor Cook - Part 1". iF Magazine. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010.

[7] Weisman, Greg (August 11, 2008). "Ask Greg". Gargoyles: A Station Eight Fan Web Site. Retrieved August 21, 2009.

[IGN-8] 1 2 Goldman, Eric (April 16, 2008). "Spectacular Spider-Man: "Natural Selection" Review". IGN. Retrieved August 21, 2009.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

v t e The Spectacular Spider-Man
Episodes	"Survival of the Fittest" "Interactions" "Natural Selection" "Market Forces" "Competition" "The Invisible Hand" "Catalysts" "Reaction" "The Uncertainty Principle"
Related	Characters Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Category