- Title: Spider-Man – Night of the Lizard
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Spidey Sunday takes us back to the 90s and Spider-Man‘s (Christopher Daniel Barnes) first run-in with the Lizard (Joseph Campanella). Forgoing any unnecessary origin story, the 90s Spider-Man series kicked off with Spidey already firmly established as a hero in New York. The episode plays things close to the vest using the comic blueprint for the characters to build from without making too many obvious changes. Many of the classic character beats can already be found here with Peter always struggling to make ends meet earning what he can by selling photos to J. Jonah Jameson (Edward Asner) and The Daily Bugle, balancing his life as both Peter and Spider-Man, and always feeling guilty about not being able to do more for Aunt May (Linda Gary).
Introducing Eddie Brock (Hank Azaria) as a rival for Peter, the episode sets up conflicts for Eddie with both Peter and Spider-Man in the opening episode which will, in short order, lead to the introduction of Venom. However, “Night of the Lizard” centers around Peter’s discovery that the mysterious lizard creature is his professor Dr. Curt Connors whose attempt to regrow his missing limb have had unfortunate side-effects including his lizard appearance and obsession with turning everyone else into lizards as well. The episode culminates with Spidey’s battle with the Lizard in the sewers, successfully returning his friend to human form, with an epilogue that leaves Brock cursing both Peter (who beat him out on the story) and Spider-Man (whose interference cost him a big payday).
