Secret comic book movies: The Amazing Spider-Man TV pilot (1977)
By Mike McNulty
A new column examining obscure or unknown comic book films begins with a look back at the very first live-action Spider-Man movie from the 1970’s.
Comic book movies have grown in popularity in recent years. Yet those of you who’ve only experienced them through watching the Marvel and DC films might be surprised to learn just how many comic book movies there really are.
In fact, this is a film genre that goes almost as far back as the creation of the comic book itself. It’s just a matter of finding them.
With most of us stuck at home due to everything happening in the world right now, and with productions on various superhero movies and television shows halted, many of you are likely looking for something to pass the time. Thus, with this new column, we’ll be digging through the cinematic archives in search of the hidden comic book movies of yesteryear.
Some of these are genuine cult classics; some are not even superhero movies at all; some have earned critical acclaim, while others were so bad they never made it to theaters; and then there are those which you may not have known were even comic book movies at all.
And we will begin this quest for “Secret Comic Book Movies” with the very first live-action Spider-Man movie… that was also the pilot episode for Marvel’s first live-action television series.