Can’t Get Enough of Spidey? Try These

Three home entertainment companies are jumping on the web in hopes of cashing in on the enormous interest and hype surrounding Sam Raimi’s big-screen version of “Spider-Man,” opening in theaters today.

On Tuesday, Buena Vista released on DVD ($20) and VHS ($15) the very entertaining “Spider-Man: The Ultimate Villain Showdown,” which features four animated adventures from the 1995 series starring everyone’s favorite wall-crawling superhero. Spidey goes mano a mano with his super nemeses the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and the Kingpin in these enjoyable, fast-paced cartoons. Also featured on the disc is an episode of the 1967 Saturday-morning cartoon version of “Spider-Man,” titled “The Origins of Spider-Man.” The animation on the vintage adventure isn’t on par with the new version, but it’s campy fun and features the catchy, albeit somewhat annoying, theme song, “Spider-Man, Spider-Man.”

The real star of the DVD, though, is the 79-year-old Stan Lee, former publisher of Marvel Comics and co-creator of Spidey and numerous other superheroes like the Hulk and the Fantastic Four. In a series of interviews, the colorful and gregarious Lee talks about the origins of Spider-Man, his desire to imbue Spidey’s alter ego, Peter Parker, with realism, and the success of the series. There’s also a fun, interactive “Villain’s Gallery,” which features extensive data on each of the superhero’s foes, Lee’s comments on the bad guys, and clips of the villains in action.

Arriving May 7 on video ($10) and DVD ($15) from Anchor Bay Entertainment is the rather cheesy “How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way.” Originally released on video in the late ‘80s, this how-to program is based on the best-selling book by Lee and comic book artist John Buscema. For an hour, the two talk about “simple” techniques to draw comic book characters. Buscema seems uncomfortable in front of the camera, but Lee, in his dark glasses and polyester outfit, is all personality as he discusses such topics as shapes, the power of perspective, figure drawing, composition and design.

Lee is also front and center in Columbia TriStar’s VHS ($20) and DVD ($25) entry in the “Spider-Man” canon, “Stan Lee’s Mutants, Monsters & Marvels,” scheduled for release May 14. Lee and Kevin Smith, director of such films as “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy” and a comic book fanatic, have a lengthy chat at a comic book store in Santa Monica. Smith, who has written comics and even owns a comic book store in New Jersey, is clearly in awe of Lee.

Their conversation is divided into two parts: “Creating Spider-Man” and “Here Come the Heroes.”

In “Spider-Man,” Lee talks about the origins of the superhero, though his story is a bit different than in the Buena Vista release. He also talks about the controversy over the credit of “Spider-Man.” Lee believes that since he came up with the idea, he should be the sole creator. However, original artist Steve Ditko believes he should be considered co-creator since he brought Lee’s vision to life.

In the second program, Lee talks about his history and his 60-plus years in the comic book business.

The DVD also includes cast and crew biographies, a very short behind-the-scenes featurette, an interview with Lee’s wife of 54 years, Joan, home movies from Lee’s personal collection and Lee’s original poem, “God Woke.”