Spider-Man: The New Animated Series - The Ultimate Face-Off

All thirteen episodes have already been made availible on the recent special edition set that included a host of extras for fans of the show. This particular reviewer found the animated series to be something of a disappointment due to the forced attempts to "hip up" the character of Peter Parker and a number of absolutely terrible villains. The animation is also a mixed bag as well -- many of the computer generated sequences of Spider-Man web-swinging over New York City are terrific, while scenes with the character (and his college friends) out of costume are far less convincing.

Don't let the new release or the cover art fool you -- these are simply episodes already offered in the special edition from earlier this year (and still availible on Amazon).

The episodes include "Spider-Man Dis-Sabled" which pits the webslinger against an assassin known as Silver Sable, as well as the two-part story that ended the series, "Mind Games, Part One" and "Mind Games, Part Two." There is some alternately entertaining sequences and terribly flawed animation to spare. Neil Patrick Harris is particularly good as the costumed hero, although the trademark "instant changes" from Peter Parker into Spider-Man might be more than a bit annoying to some (he runs down an alley in "Mind Games, Part Two" and magically changes in a burst of light from his street clothes to his red and blue costume? He jumps off a roof in "Spider-Man Dis-Sabled" as Peter Parker and, within a milisecond, swings away as Spider-Man?) The finale of the "Mind Games" two-parter was obviously a set up for season two, but the cancellation of the series will prevent that.

Fans of the series should stick to the special edition and stay away from this bare bones release.