Episode:Night of the Lizard

Spider-Man must stop his first supervillain. However, can he bring himself to do what is necessary after learning who it is and how he is involved? (Series Premiere)

Story
Spider-Man swings across the city keeping a watchful eye. However, underneath the city two technicians are attacked by a large, snarling creature. They both make it outside but one runs near a sewer grate and is then pulled under by a green, scaly hand. The other drives away and his reckless speeding catches the attention of the wallcrawler. Spider-Man tries to get the van under control but the technician drives it through a barrier and into the water. Spider-Man pulls him out and the man babbles on about red eyes chasing him.

At the Daily Bugle Robbie Robertson tells Peter Parker that since Peter's so good at taking photos of Spider-Man he should try his luck with the Lizard. However, J. Jonah Jameson has already put Eddie Brock on the case. A rivalry begins when Peter states that he personally knows an expert on mutagenics and reptiles, Dr. Curt Connors. Jameson then decides that whoever gets a photo of the Lizard to him first would get a thousand dollar bonus.

On his way home Peter considers what he could do with a thousand dollars. He can't wait to tell his Aunt May, who happens to be in financial troubles but won't tell her nephew. Peter knows anyways. He knows that Aunt May needs the money more and vows to get it to her.

Spider-Man goes into the sewers thinking the Lizard is only a myth, until he sees a large footprint. He examines photos of the print on his way to the ESU Science Hall, where he meets up with Debra Whitman. Debra looks at the photos and notices that it seems reptilian but the imprint is that of a biped. Peter quickly quiets Debra as his Spider-Sense goes off. They hear something coming from Dr. Connors office just before the lights go off. Debra thinks it's the storm, while an unseen Eddie follows them. They hear Dr. Connors but only see a large lizard creature. The Lizard grabs something and jumps out the window. Peter goes to follow but quickly remembers that he cannot change into his superhero costume in front of Debra.

Debra thinks that the Lizard kidnapped Dr. Connors. Peter then remembers an experiment where they used the blood from a lizard and the Neogenic Recombinator to grow a limb on a lab rat. Connors then considers how this could help humans, as he clutches his own arm stub. Spider-Man and the Lizard unknowingly go to the same place, the Connors Residence.

Spider-Man comes asking about Dr. Connors but his wife, Margaret, cryptically says she does not want him hurt her husband. Outside Eddie is being attacked by the Lizard. Spider-Man comes to his rescue and takes some pictures but looses his camera. The two fight it out in the courtyard but Lizard eventually gets the upper hand until Connors' son asks his dad to stop. In a flash of lightning the Lizard disappears and Spider-Man is only left to wonder what Billy meant by "daddy."

Margaret tells him that the Lizard is indeed her husband. He used the Recombinator on himself to make his arm grow again. It worked but when he arrived home he began to look green and scaly. She didn't go to the police because she didn't want them hunting him down like some kind of freak. Spider-Man promises to keep it a secret but Eddie overhears and decides to turn it into a major story for the Bugle. Spider-Man catches up with him and webs him to a lamppost, not letting Brock ruin Connors' life. While he was away the Lizard came back and took Margaret.

Spider-Man sends Billy to a neighbor and follows the two into the sewers. Spider-Man comments to himself that he's scared not simply because the Lizard is more powerful than he is but because inside is his friend who he cannot hurt. Not only that but he helped the doctor with his experiments so he is partially responsible. The wallcrawler then finds the missing technician who was taken before. He tells the superhero that the Lizard is building something electrical but couldn't do it himself and needed someone else. Spider-Man leaves the technician and follows the sounds of Margaret's screams.

Lizard needs Margaret to handle the controls because the technician got too afraid and weak. He plans to turn his wife and everyone in the city into lizard creatures like himself in some twisted plot to stop suffering and pain. Spider-Man webs a camera into position and attacks Lizard. The reptilian part of Connors' brain takes over and viciously attacks Spider-Man. The hero tells Margaret to leave quickly but instead she picks up the Recombinator. Lizard accidentally knocks her with his tail and the Recombinator flies onto a far pipe. Spider-Man grabs the Recombinator and activates it but Lizard tackles him and the two plunge into the water below.

The two continue the fight underneath the water. The Recombinator activates and both appear caught by its beam. Margaret watches as the entire body of water lights up and a huge geyser erupts in the middle. Spider-Man emerges from the water carrying an unconscious, and fully human, Dr. Connors. Spider-Man promises to get them both out after he fetches his camera with the thousand dollar photo.

Eddie brings Jameson and several cops to the Connors' residence trying to convince them that Connors is the Lizard, until a perfectly normal Curt opens the door. Elsewhere, Peter hands Aunt May the thousand dollars he earned and shows her the photo he got of Lizard battling Spider-Man. She then gets worried that because he went into the sewer he got all kinds of germs, or that Spider-Man would get him. She leads him upstairs promising to get him a warm cup of soup.

Quotes
"New York City, if only everything down there was as peaceful as it looked from up here."
 * -Spider-Man, first line of the series

"I was a TV executive." "Oh, you're better off down here."
 * -The two underground technicians

"What's this? Another satisfied graduate of the New York City Cab Driving Academy?"
 * -Spider-Man

"Why does she always keep things from me? Look at these bills! Here I am thinking of things to buy for myself. She's been like a mother to me for years. It's time I paid her back. And if I can't, then Spider-Man will."
 * -Peter thinking to himself

"Oh no. Not Debra Whitman. The little sister I never had, or wanted."
 * -Peter

"NO! GET AWAY!"
 * -Dr. Connors as the Lizard

"You were downright brave back there. It was quite a surprise." "Why Ms. Whitman, is that a compliment? From you?" "Don't push your luck."
 * -Debra and Peter

"When am I going to get the hang of being a superhero and a photographer at the same time."
 * -Spider-Man

"No Daddy! Stop!" "Billy…"
 * -Billy and Lizard

"When I break this story to Jameson it'll be Pulitzer time!"
 * -Eddie Brock

"You can't do this!" "I already have."
 * -Eddie and Spider-Man

"Why can't I be one of those galaxy hopping superheroes? Why do I end up in the sewers? You don't find the Fantastic Four in the sewer. Or the Avengers. Never do you find the Avengers in the sewers. Or the Defenders. Well, maybe the Hulk."
 * -Spider-Man

"You'll-you'll come back for me, right?" "Hey, I'm a hero, remember."
 * -The technician and Spider-Man

"Why did you bring me here Curt? Why?" "So we could be together."
 * -Margaret and Lizard

"Don't be afraid Margaret. It'll transform you. You'll be able to heal any wound. Replace any limb. First you, then everyone."
 * -Lizard

"Margaret, I'm sorry."
 * -Lizard after knocking down his wife

"Strange. So strange. A week ago this creature was a scientist. My teacher. My friend. It can't be. He wanted to help as much as I did. And now look at the both of us. Fighting each other. Fighting for our lives."
 * -Spider-Man under the water

"Curt?" "He'll be ok."
 * -Margaret and Spider-Man

"A thousand dollar photo. And what's Eddie Brock going to end up with? An exclusive story no one's ever going to believe."
 * -Spider-Man

"I'm telling you JJ. The Lizard is Curt Connors. I would've had you out earlier but Spider-Man webbed me." "Dr. Connors is a respected scientist, Brock. And Peter Parker already brought me photos of the Lizard this morning." "But I'll show you the Lizard himself." "You better be right about this." "Boss, if I'm wrong I'll…I'll…I'll eat today's issue of the Bugle." [Curt opens the door] "J. Jonah Jameson. What brings you here this morning?" "You want it cooked or raw?"
 * -Eddie, Jonah, and Curt

"Aunt May, she'd never understand. Spider-Man's already caught me in his web. And for better or worse, he and I are stuck together…forever."
 * -Spider-Man, last line of the episode

Trivia

 * This episode features the only time Peter wears a baseball cap. It says ESU.
 * Peter's Spider Sense gives him green eyes this episode only.
 * In this episode Curt Conners talks about loosing an arm during a war. In the comics he was a gifted surgeon that performed surgery on wounded GIs. His arm was injured in a blast and had to be taken off.
 * Spider-Man mentioning the Fantastic Four may be a reference to the first issue of Amazing Spider-Man, where he actually did try to join the team.
 * Syndicated versions of this episode omit a sequence in which the Lizard accidentally slams into his wife with his tail when turning.
 * The first indication that Aunt May does not like Spider-Man.
 * One episode in and footage is already being reused, the last scene of the episode is taken from the first scene featuring Spider-Man swinging from the same gargoyle.
 * This was adapted into comic book format in Spider-Man Adventures #1. It was later reprinted in Kellogg's Fruit Loops Mini-Comics #1 and in the trade paperback Spider-Man Adventures.

Inconsistencies

 * The door to Dr. Connors' office is spelled Conners.

Continuity
This would be the first of many events that would lead Eddie Brock onto a hateful path until he became Venom in.

Establishes that the Fantastic Four, Avengers, Defenders, and Hulk have already been active at the time of this episode. and would not begin airing until afterwards and the Defenders are never actually seen nor mentioned outside of this episode.

The Lizard seems to hold on to some of his intelligence in this episode. In later episodes, he often portrayed more as a raging beast though at times does keep his intelligence.

Background
can be considered a partner series to. This pilot's title is a reference to the other pilot.

The original character design for Peter Parker was originally going to adhere close to the comics version, right down to a button down shirt and vest sweater he'd wear over his costume (similar to the clothing worn by Dick Grayson on Fox's Batman: The Animated Series). But at the last minute, the design was completely changed and Peter was given a more muscular frame (as well as looking similar to Nicholas Hammond from the live action series from the 70's). He also wore a rugby shirt, choosing to roll up his Spider-Man costume sleeves underneath the rugby's short sleeves.

FOX aired this episode about 4 months before the other Season 1 episodes as a special sneak preview. It made its first regular-run appearance on March 4, 1995.

Reaction
"Stu" of Marvel Animation age claimed this episode was perhaps one of the best series pilots ever made. It had a lot to quickly introduce but did quite well. The episode featured some of the best animation of the series, or of any Marvel series. Had the show kept up this quality it would be remembered in the same light as Batman: The Animated Series. The action was exciting despite the restrictions placed on the series. Considered to be the highlight of the entire series, though not by "Stu."

TV.com gives the episode a rating of 8.9 Superb.