Hello, and welcome back, Spidey fans! Recently, as I’m sure you have heard, a new show, entitled “Spider-Noir” (available in black and white, as well as color) arrived on Amazon Prime, featuring Nicholas Cage as Ben Reilly, which is set in 1930’s New York City. It got me wondering as to what other characters might be prime candidates (get it?) for a solo show. So let’s take a look at the most interesting Spider-People that could work as a show, starting with…
Ben Reilly, the Scarlet Spider
I’m not counting the Ben Reilly in “Spider-Noir” as the Ben Reilly we know (I won’t spoil why here, save to say that it’s Ben Reilly only in name). That said, I feel like a show based on “The Lost Years” with Ben Reilly, clone of Spider-Man, hitting the road and lending a sticky hand where needed would make for a really fun and interesting show! Basically, combine “The Incredible Hulk” TV show of the 80’s with Spider-Man, and you’d surely have a memorable hit on your hands. Throw in recurring antagonists like Kaine and the Jackal, and you could easily keep the show going for at least three seasons, perhaps more, since I can’t imagine the show requiring a super high budget. If they wanna go the Netflix Marvel route, they could do a slow build up to Ben Reilly becoming the Scarlet Spider by the end of season one. Then again, it might just be as interesting seeing Ben never suit up (though, I admit, some part of me would be a little disappointed to never see the blue hoodie in a live action Ben Reilly show).
Kaine, the Scarlet Spider
They could easily do a spin-off show with Kaine as the Scarlet Spider heading to Texas and trying to carve out a life for himself there. They could easily cure Kaine at some point during Ben’s show and send him on his way. Heck, Ben could even show up for a cross-over or two! Ben and Kaine’s shows could easily compliment each other. Of course, Kaine is a much less forgiving arachnid-themed hero, but that’s what made his solo book especially interesting, and it’s an element of his character (one of many) that I would love to see carried over into live-action.
Spider-Man 2099
Apparently, at one point, Miguel O’Hara was supposed to get his own animated series, before things went in another direction and brought us the “Spider-Man Unlimited” cartoon back in 1999. Spider-Man 2099 fighting the likes of Venom 2099, Vulture 2099, and Alchemax would make for an exciting show. And while I wouldn’t mind seeing the Spider-Man of the year 2099 as a live action show, I’m definitely open to an animated series, as well.
Spider-Girl: Mayday Parker
Mayday Parker had one of the longest Marvel Comic series featuring a female character, and for good reason; the characters were fun, the writing and art were always top notch, and the characters were allowed to progress naturally! And, because it made for such excellent reading, I have no doubt that it would make for an equally excellent show, whether it was live action, or animated!
Spider-Ham
Sure, this one would have to be animated, but Marvel giving us a Looney Tunes humor meets Spider-Man action every week would undoubtedly be must see entertainment! The “Spider-Verse” animated films showed how fun Spider-Ham himself could be, so imagine if he actually got a little more focus, as well as his own supporting cast (Mary Jane Warthog, anyone?)! Add in foes like the Green Gobbler , Raven the Hunter, and Doctor Octopussycat, and how could you not watch this every week?
Superior Spider-Man
Chances are good that most audience members know the stories of Peter Parker thanks to the many films and animated series we’ve been given over the years. However, I doubt many know the story of Doctor Octopus seemingly killing Spider-Man and taking over his body to prove himself the better Spider-Man. A hook like that would definitely pull audience members in, as would the lingering question of Peter’s potential return. A concept like this lends itself well to either a live action show, or a dark, gritty animated series, and I’m open to both.
Jessica Drew, Spider-Woman
Back when Wolverine first received his own solo series, Jessica Drew was a detective and supporting character, which always really stuck out to me (those were the first stories I read about Jessica). Seeing Drew use her powers every week to find clues and solve crimes has a lot of potential, especially if set on the gritty streets of modern, or even 1970s New York City, would be gripping, but I find myself doubting the likes of Turner D. Century showing up as a villain unless they’re heavily reimagined.
Spider-Man: Reign
Let’s start off with leaving out the, uh, thing that kills Mary Jane off in this story, okay? That said, a Spider-Man story in the vein of “The Dark Knight Returns” would make for a killer story, animated, or in live action. I personally would want to see them do this story as an animated movie just like Warner Brothers did for Batman; they could even bring Christopher Daniel Barnes back to voice Spidey! How cool would that be?! But, since this is about shows, I’d settle for them bringing Barnes back for an extended stay, as well!
Mac Gargan, the Sinister Spider-Man
If the Superior Spider-Man is more of an anti-hero, Mac Gargan as Spider-Man is just a pure villain! He would freely engage in murder, blackmail and outright villainy, and seeing such power with no responsibility would be an interesting take on the character most people think they know. Of course, that leaves the question of who would actually be around to stop his crimes, or, at least, attempt to every week? Perhaps supporting characters like Black Cat, Silver Sable, and even Anti-Venom could show up? I think of this like a live action show where the villain is the main character, as we saw on shows like “Breaking Bad” and “The Sopranos”.
Spider-Man: 1602
Peter Parquagh, the Spider-Man of 1602, offers a unique setting for viewers, particularly if they go the live action route and have a larger than usual budget. Something like this could be “Game of Thrones” meets “Jamestown”, and I have no doubt that this would reel people in!
Did your favorite Spider-Person make the list for a solo show? Do you have a take that you would prefer for one of the characters that I listed? Sound off in the comments section below!
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