For example. there are many interesting characters who liven up the source material but are missing from the series. Here is a list of 10 I would like to see in those CBS episodes. Keep in mind that this ranking is based on how these comic book characters would fare against each other on a neutral field in Rutland, Vermont.
1) The Incredible Hulk: This is the great crossover that never was in the BOTNS era: CBS stars Hulk and Spider-Man appearing together, preferably on a Friday night. If it's true the network feared becoming a "superhero channel," then this was never going to happen, but it's easy to imagine a reality in which they gave Spidey a legitimate second season and both heroes had successful series.
1) The Incredible Hulk: This is the great crossover that never was in the BOTNS era: CBS stars Hulk and Spider-Man appearing together, preferably on a Friday night. If it's true the network feared becoming a "superhero channel," then this was never going to happen, but it's easy to imagine a reality in which they gave Spidey a legitimate second season and both heroes had successful series.
The real crossover I'd like to see might be Bill Bixby and Nicholas Hammond. I think Hammond's relatively subdued Peter Parker would make an interesting match for Bixby's David Banner.
2) Joe "Robbie" Robertson: Hilly Hicks plays the character in the pilot movie, but it's not enough. I can see why he's not there: The show compresses the entire Daily Bugle newspaper to 3 people, and one of them (Chip Fields as Rita) serves as the "voice of reason" as it is and the intermediary with J. Jonah Jameson. Of course there is also the fact that Jameson is not at all the hothead he is in the comics. Still, Robbie is a great character, and it feels like a missed opportunity to leave him out.
2) (tie) Ben Urich: Again, the Bugle of the show is run by 2 or 3 people at any given time, but I would love to see a hard-boiled newsman working with Peter on some of these cases. The public was still in the post-Watergate glow of celebrating investigative journalism, and Urich could provide some explorations of that territory. Unfortunately, the show often makes Parker photographer and reporter, which leaves less room for a Urich type.
4) Gwen Stacy: The series brings on Ellen Bry as friend/rival Julie in Season 2 and then seems unable to decide where it wants that to go. Then it ends the series by introducing an apparent different love interest played by Rosalaind Chao.
Hammond is not doing anything like the nebbishy Parker of the early comics, so why not give him a girlfriend or at least a potential one? Mary Jane would be welcome, too, but Gwen would provide more of a physical contrast to Julie while serving as more of a match for the show's energy.
Hammond is not doing anything like the nebbishy Parker of the early comics, so why not give him a girlfriend or at least a potential one? Mary Jane would be welcome, too, but Gwen would provide more of a physical contrast to Julie while serving as more of a match for the show's energy.
5) Felicia Hardy: Black Cat's flirtations with Spider-Man always amused me, and she would inject a lot of life into the live-action TV Spider-verse. It would be relatively easy to bring the character to the screen: Find a hot actress, make a hot catsuit, have the character be a jewel thief who has chemistry with Spidey.
6) Chameleon: As great it would be to see someone like Green Goblin, I want to be realistic about the kind of villains the series can do on its budget. I never considered Chameleon an A-lister, but the disguise gimmick is a natural and was sort of touched on in a few episodes. They could recreate some of that "two Parkers" magic from the "Night of the Clones" episode!
7) Kingpin: Vincent Donofrio's performance as the character in the modern-era Marvel shows leaves an indelible impression, but I think this villain would work in 1978. All you really need is a charismatic big fella organizing some crimes. With the right casting, Kingpin could be a great asset to the CBS show.
8) Morbius: OK, a living vampire character would take a little more money and effort, but the supernatural was big in the decade, and I can see (or not see) the show using a lot of darkness and camera angles to make a moody, economical presentation of this character. The "haunted house" episode the show has steps into this territory, but it should have kicked it up a notch and gone vampire.
9) Madame Web: Let's just say that the recent screen portrayal of this character does not leave an indelible impression. A "seasoned" character actress being weird and making dramatic proclamations about the future could make for an entertaining episode. The series barely uses Aunt May, so how about a nod to the Gray Panther crowd?
10) Hypno-Hustler: No commentary needed. Just look at him and tell me you wouldn't want to see an attempt to do this on 1978 broadcast television:
