Spider-Man The Original Animated Series Season 1 - Volume 3   Starring (voice): Paul Soles, Peg Dixon and Paul Kligman Clear Vision RRP: £14.99 MAR1024 Certificate: PG Available 19 October 2009

Spider-Man, Spider-Man. Carries on doing what a spider can, in this new collection of episodes from the 1960s animated series. He spins a web any size, then has some chips just like fries (I made that last bit up).

Volume 3 incorporates chapters 14a to 20b, seven 20-minute episodes with each split into two separate stories. So that's just under three hours of web-swinging action spread over two discs. These make up the final tales of Season One. Some of the classic villains return in the form of Dr Octopus, the Vulture, Electro, the Rhino and the Green Goblin. We have a second crime spree from the Human Fly, and some more bizarre criminals such as the Fiddler and Doctor Von Schlick (who can control oil) make a first appearance.

The same standard of fun is maintained, although this series sticks solidly to a set format. A crime takes place, Spider-Man has a run-in with the villain who then gets away, Peter Parker overhears useful information from the newspaper offices of the Daily Bugle, Spider-Man tracks down the guilty party and webs them up for the police. Similarly, the more you watch these episode the more you notice repeat sequences of Spider-Man swinging through the city. Incidental music is much repeated too, and publisher J. Jonah. Jameson continually accuses Spider-Man of everything that happens, even though in every story he is proved wrong.

Yes, Original Spider-Man has its faults, but it's quaint and you can't help but love it.

8

Ty Power