Ultimate Spider-Man Animated series

[Raph's Girl]

Looks like an USM tv series is premiering next year on Disney XD. No word on who all is involved in it tho.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1004/13/ultimatespiderman.jpg


http://tv.ign.com/articles/108/1083412p1.html

[Peanut]

F*cking bullsh*t. Spectacular was amazing. I'm going to hate this JUST CAUSE! (2)

[Brodie]

Very exciting....though Ultimate is essentially what Spectacular was when it aired.

Either way, I'm really excited...I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS TO GET CANCELLED.

[Mutated Turtle]

Can't they ever just give it a rest?Geez,

[Cure]

I'm angry.

[Candy Kappa]

wish they could just continue with spectaculear, I liked it.

I really hope their not making it too ultimate, the ultimate universe is just not my cup of tea.

[The Stryker]

Awesome. I hope the art style is similar to the books. Spectacular was great but I could not get into the character designs at all.

[Turo602]

Awesome. I hope the art style is similar to the books. Spectacular was great but I could not get into the character designs at all.

I agree with you on that.

If they were cool, this should be there sneaky way of continuing the Spectacular show with a different name. That show was going somewhere and it had to get the boot, just like Legion of Superheroes. This gets me so mad!!!

I guess I still got the 90s Spider-Man.

[FlawedCoil82]

Spider-Man fans should still be grateful. While it is still a rumor floating around the Marvel animation universe, I have also read that the "Wolverine And The X-Men" show has also been cancelled (with no news of a replacement).
Jack

[GK Punk]

Don't know how I feel about this. I was really hoping for another season of Spectacular, as it was easily the best Spidey toon yet. I want to be excited for this, as I loved Ultimate Spidey, but the fact it means Spectacular is done is kinda lame.

[Peanut]

Don't know how I feel about this. I was really hoping for another season of Spectacular, as it was easily the best Spidey toon yet. I want to be excited for this, as I loved Ultimate Spidey, but the fact it means Spectacular is done is kinda lame.

Agreed on this. It's not that I'm totally against this, it's just that I really liked Spectacular.

And we had gone somewhere in that incarnation of Spidey. We had gotten some development in both Peter and Spider-Man, as well as fleshed out a lot of his rogues gallery. We'd gotten past that awkward "learning phase" all Spider-Man media goes through. I don't want to go back again, not so quickly.

[XERO]

Just a nitpick. What's with the nickname 'Spidey'?

I mean, we never call Superman 'Supey', Aquaman 'Aquey', or God forbid, even Iron Man 'Irony'.

What the f*ck?

[Ninjinister]

I have also read that the "Wolverine And The X-Men" show has also been cancelled (with no news of a replacement).
Jack

Whaaaaaaat?

[Peanut]

Because Stan Lee said it and Stan Lee is awesome? Also, Spidey doesn't sound retarded like the rest of your poor examples. Superman is "Supes", why isn't Spider-Man called "Spides"?

Because it sounds f*cking stupid!

[XERO]

Because Stan Lee said it and Stan Lee is awesome? Also, Spidey doesn't sound retarded like the rest of your poor examples. Superman is "Supes", why isn't Spider-Man called "Spides"?

Because it sounds f*cking stupid!

Damn, what symbiote crawled up your ass? You guys are harsh tonight.

Like I said, it was a nitpick. Nobody brought it up before, even if it is a stupid subject.

[GK Punk]

I don't think he was being harsh, it read as joking to me. But yeah, Spidey has been his official nickname since like the 60's. who am I to argue?

[Peanut]

I don't think he was being harsh, it read as joking to me.

Someone caught on! HOT DAMN! Over 8 years later and finally the day has come!

[oldmanwinters]

I wonder if they are gonna inject MJ with Oz mutagen and turn her into the so-called "Ultimate Demogoblin."

Strange storyline right there...

[XERO]

It's cool. I just wanted to use the word 'symbiote'. :P

I've known Peanut long enough to accept that's how he operates.

[Raph's Girl]

Whaaaaaaat?

Yep. It's not on the fall schedule and as of 2 months ago they hadn't even started production on it. But ya never know. Wolverine and the X-Men might show up in 2011.

[Brodie]

See, I dont get this as being a kids show...I'm conflicted with the idea of throwing in the Ultimate Universe, just because it was grizzlier than the normal stuff, with Ultimates and X-Men...So, if they bring in Spidey...is it gonna be toned down significantly?

[Ninjinister]

Yep. It's not on the fall schedule and as of 2 months ago they hadn't even started production on it. But ya never know. Wolverine and the X-Men might show up in 2011.

I am pretty sure that last year, they showed previews for season 2, and even indicated that Deadpool would show up. Thus, why I am so puzzled.

[Peanut]

I watched a lot of the show in the beginning, but totally fell off when they spent so much time in future world. Did they kick that sh*t out at any point or what? I really didn't like it.

[Raph's Girl]

I am pretty sure that last year, they showed previews for season 2, and even indicated that Deadpool would show up. Thus, why I am so puzzled.

At San Diego Comic Con they showed pics of characters that would have shown up but not footage.

[Turo602]

Spider-Man fans should still be grateful. While it is still a rumor floating around the Marvel animation universe, I have also read that the "Wolverine And The X-Men" show has also been cancelled (with no news of a replacement).
Jack

umm Isn't this real and not just a rumor? And when the hell did it ever get cancelled?

Any way this cartoon better be cool.

[The Stryker]

Any way this cartoon better be cool.

Or possibly.......bad-ass?

[Turo602]

Or possibly.......bad-ass?

Hell yeah, BAAAAAAAAAAAAADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSS!!!:lol: And that's a magic word.:P

[Spacebabie]

Bah.

I'm another fan of Spectacular. It had great writing, great plots and yes there is a personal bias because I know Greg Weisman and I loved what he did.

[Turo602]

Spider-Man fans should still be grateful. While it is still a rumor floating around the Marvel animation universe, I have also read that the "Wolverine And The X-Men" show has also been cancelled (with no news of a replacement).
Jack

You asshole butt munch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You had to jinx it arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

why why why why!!!!!

Now there are officially no good cartoons out in the world!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have nothing to live for!!!!!!!!!:P

http://tv.ign.com/articles/108/1084434p1.html

I'm just going to cradle up in my room and cry for a few hours or so...

[Ninjinister]

Wow... um... okay...

[Spitfire]

Crap I really liked that series. Instead of being told how it was supposed to end how about he makes it into a movie? Lion's Gate would be a good avenue for that. Also I don't get why they had issues that series was popular and drew in good ratings.

[ZariusTwo]

Bendis regretted the MJ/Demogoblin thing, he was working on overkill. I love how he's reinvented her as an insecure hot reporter geek

[Turo602]

Well now that I know what to expect from the Avengers cartoon and Young Justice, I have some hope for this show.

Oh yeah and this...

http://tv.ign.com/articles/110/1108397p1.html

[Cure]

AOx-7Iq0rv4

[GK Punk]

Looks pretty awesome to me

[Turo602]

Too bad it's not Amazing, because this show looks amazing to me.

[Redeemer]

Truthfully I think Spectacular and Wolverines X-men have both been cancelled for a good while, Don't know why. Its retarded, I am assuming, bc they both were based off the Movie sereis and sense neither could get a 4th movie then i guess they decided to go in a new direction and reboot.

[Turo602]

Truthfully I think Spectacular and Wolverines X-men have both been cancelled for a good while, Don't know why. Its retarded, I am assuming, bc they both were based off the Movie sereis and sense neither could get a 4th movie then i guess they decided to go in a new direction and reboot.

SHHHHHH... This show looks a lot better. Maybe they can do the same in the future for X-Men. I am just shocked at how amazing this show looks for a cartoon of today. It looks as good or better then the 90s one. I was expecting to get a really skinny Spider-Man since this is Ultimate Spider-Man but was I wrong. You can also notice they stuck with the 3D city like in the Fox Kids show.

[AllTheDVDsWillBeMine!]

I loved Spectacular to the point where I don't need anything else Spider-Man to be good anymore. The first season of that show is enough for me.

That said, I like everything seen in that trailer except for the wrist communicator. Maybe when its released officially and we can hear the dialogue clearly it'll make more sense.

[Brodie]

Did someone on the last page say Spectacular and Wolverine & The X-Men were based on the movies?

what the ****.

[AquaParade]

The Spectacular Spider-man would have impressed me more, had I not read through all of the Ultimate Spider-man comics, before having seen the show. The dialogue and character interaction in Spectacular Spider-man is just so...lifeless, compared to what Brian Michael Bendis was doing in Ultimate. Still, i did love Spectacular's fluid animation, and devotion to the Amazing Spider-man comics. Would have loved to see it continue.

This new show has potential to be the greatest Spidey toon yet, IF it can stray away from just doing "team up" episodes. That's a big if though....

[Jester]

Is the whole series of Wolverine and the X-men still available. I've looked (to be fair at brick and mortar stores) and I saw it all of once, and now it's gone.

[Sergio517]

Is the whole series of Wolverine and the X-men still available. I've looked (to be fair at brick and mortar stores) and I saw it all of once, and now it's gone.

Check out Amazon. They still have the Blu ray one on my wishlist.

[Spitfire]

Is the whole series of Wolverine and the X-men still available. I've looked (to be fair at brick and mortar stores) and I saw it all of once, and now it's gone.

Don't know where you live but I got mine at Frys Electronics.

http://www.amazon.com/Wolverine-X-Men-Complete-Blu-ray-Woverine/dp/B003XTUAWI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302234078&sr=8-2

[Sergio517]

That poster looks very decent. Maybe I'll watch this one because I really hated Spectacular Spider-Man and everything baby about it. From a story standpoint, it had something going, but from the art style of the show, it was horrible. Stop baby-ing everything Marvel!

The new Avengers cartoon is a step up from the Spectacular Spider-Man and Wolverine and the X-Men in terms of art style, although Wolverine had a better art style that appeased my tastes. I hate character designs that look too awkward. Maybe now we'll get real animation where the people look like people and not toons. Been looking for something as good as the best spider-man cartoon ever, Spider-Man TAS. Please stop the whole I'm a kid spider-man learning the ropes. It's whored out too much, Marvel. Everything is a reboot with Spider-Man these days.

OMG! Just saw the trailer for Ultimate Spider-Man. This looks watchable! The characters look realistic now and not cartoony. I just marked out for Jameson! He looks fantastic and not like a car peeled out on his forehead like in the "Spectacular" Spider-"Kid". I can safely bet this version of Eddie Brock won't look like something out of Dragon Ball Z.

I'd love to see Carnage and Venom look menacing and true to the comics and western art designs. I'll be looking out for the debut of Ultimate Spider-Man.

[AllTheDVDsWillBeMine!]

That poster looks very decent. Maybe I'll watch this one because I really hated Spectacular Spider-Man and everything baby about it. From a story standpoint, it had something going, but from the art style of the show, it was horrible. Stop baby-ing everything Marvel!

Just because it doesn't look like Rob Leifeld animated it doesn't mean it's "baby." Whatever that means.

[Sergio517]

Just because it doesn't look like Rob Leifeld animated it doesn't mean it's "baby." Whatever that means.

I don't mean to disrespect. Just how I described it to get my point across to how I see it. I hear you loud and clear. Not knocking off the fans who like it. You're entitled to it. How do you feel about the new one coming up so far?

[Peanut]

Did you seriously just copy/paste your old reply to this thread in here? Did you not notice your comments were the jumping off point for that entire argument and that it was pulled and locked for a reason?

[Sergio517]

Did you seriously just copy/paste your old reply to this thread in here? Did you not notice your comments were the jumping off point for that entire argument and that it was pulled and locked for a reason?

It's not my fault that people chose to go off course. If you want I can edit it to sound less offensive if that's the issue. All I did was post how I felt about the new show in detail which is not against rules. Like I said, I can edit it further because I did make minor edits already when I reposted it.

[Jester]

May I?
QU0tU9iAekE

[Candy Kappa]

It looks really promising. The style is a step-back to Marvel's animated universe art style, but still have some touches from modern Animated animation style. It's nice and fluid and hopefully it'll stay like that through the actual show, and Spidey look a lot younger then he did in TAS, which is good cause that was one of the things I liked with Spectacular, he was a young teen. Spectacular did start right after Peter got his powers within a short period of time, and I hope this will be something similar, Spidey have recently acquired his powers but we don't have to see the very beginning all over again.

not a fan of the Ultimate Universe, but i haven't read Ultimate Spider-Man which apparently have the good Ultimate stories and it'll probably be altered to fit a more PG audience. So I'm sure I'm going to be positively surprised.

[AllTheDVDsWillBeMine!]

One thing I'm pretty sure about: they probably won't top Spectacular's theme song.

[Candy Kappa]

One thing I'm pretty sure about: they probably won't top Spectacular's theme song.

it's pretty Spectacular... :P

[ZariusTwo]

From a story standpoint, it had something going, but from the art style of the show, it was horrible.

The designs allowed for sleeker and more fluid animation.

The new Avengers cartoon is a step up from the Spectacular Spider-Man and Wolverine and the X-Men in terms of art style

The Avengers art style is all over the place and extremly goofy looking, it reminds me of the s*it art style Marvel had for Spider-Man Unlimited and the final seasons of X-Men: TAS, back when the companty was bankrupt. SSM and WATXM's art styles are vastly superior and add sensibility to the character designs.

Please stop the whole I'm a kid spider-man learning the ropes. It's whored out too much

You're...AWARE that SSM was the first Spidey cartoon to PROPERLY explore this aspect of the character right? All other incarnations focused on an early adult Peter Parker working at the Bugle, even that overrated s*ite Spider-Man: TAS had Peter at an advanced stage of early adulthood, long past his high school days...he was in grad school in that series. It's not "whored out" at all, do your research for f*ck's sake.

OMG! Just saw the trailer for Ultimate Spider-Man. This looks watchable! The characters look realistic now and not cartoony.

I don't see the difference between either cartoon honestly

I just marked out for Jameson! He looks fantastic and not like a car peeled out on his forehead like in the "Spectacular" Spider-"Kid".Z

Again, I don't see a difference.

And, again, I love how you criticise the Spider-Kid when he started out as a kid in the comics. You don't look very smart when you do that.

Truthfully I think Spectacular and Wolverines X-men have both been cancelled for a good while, Don't know why. Its retarded, I am assuming, bc they both were based off the Movie sereis and sense neither could get a 4th movie then i guess they decided to go in a new direction and reboot.

SSM and WATXM were NOT based on any movies. Christ.

[Voltron]

The never-ending battle, eh, Zarius?

I love the high school years of Peter Parker. It's how he started; it's where he gained his popularity. 30-something Peter Parker is not fun to watch. Young audiences don't want to watch his super mortgaging curtailment powers, you know?

[Turo602]

The designs allowed for sleeker and more fluid animation.

I don't see the difference between either cartoon honestly



Again, I don't see a difference.

Just because they cheaped up on the art design for fluid animation doesn't make the designs any better. And also, Avengers looks a lot better IMO. It kinda reminds me of Justice League.

You should get some glasses. You need them.

And let's please not make this a Spider-Man TAS vs Spectacular Spider-Man thing again.

[Brodie]

I think design wise, Spectacular looks better than Avengers. Avengers looks fine, and the people look "normal." But it comes off as super generic. I loved Cheeks' style, and his designs for Spectacular were great (aside from the gingerbread action figure people), stylized and aesthetically pleasing.

[Cure]

And let's please not make this a Spider-Man TAS vs Spectacular Spider-Man thing again.

You can blame your brother if it does happen.

[Redeemer]

Just because they cheaped up on the art design for fluid animation doesn't make the designs any better. And also, Avengers looks a lot better IMO. It kinda reminds me of Justice League.

You should get some glasses. You need them.

And let's please not make this a Spider-Man TAS vs Spectacular Spider-Man thing again.

Oh trust me I will!!!! haha!:lol:

The avengers has very generic style, which I dont mind, JL had a more dark tone to it which made it look more sleeker to me.

You can blame your brother if it does happen.

Takes two to tango!

Overal I have I hopes for the series. I usually dont like Young Peter Parker, I prefer college Peter.

They have used Young Peter parker in the last few incarnation weather it be video games or tv show, but I dont think it will bother me to much.

[Jester]

They have used Young Peter Parker in the last few incarnation weather it be video games or TV show, but I don't think it will bother me to much.
Lets see:
Spidey '67 - College Student
80's Spidey - College Student
Spidey and his Amazing Friends - College Student
Spidey: TAS - College Student
Spidey Unlimited - psudeo spin-off of TAS, young adult
MTV's Spidey - loosely based on the movies, College Student.
Spectacular Spidey - High School Kid

Yep, most of the TV adaptations had a Young Peter Parker...he needs to be older.

[Turo602]

You can blame your brother if it does happen.

No reason too. As I recall, Zarius had replied to him before about that same post. Just leave it alone. No need to try to start something again. Sergio already explained himself on why he reposted it. It's not his fault some people got offended and got off topic. Did you see how Brodie just disagreed with me on Avengers? He didn't get offended and trash talked, and I respected his opinion as well.

I don't like where this is going......

Anyway, this show looks very great, just sucks that we got to wait until 2012. I guess they're waiting to have the cartoon hype the movie and the movie hype the cartoon.

[Redeemer]

Lets see:
Spidey '67 - College Student
80's Spidey - College Student
Spidey and his Amazing Friends - College Student
Spidey: TAS - College Student
Spidey Unlimited - psudeo spin-off of TAS, young adult
MTV's Spidey - loosely based on the movies, College Student.
Spectacular Spidey - High School Kid

Yep, most of the TV adaptations had a Young Peter Parker...he needs to be older.

In the movies he started out in High School
In spectacular in High School
In Ultimate Spiderman video game-High school

That makes three consecutive

I said the recent incarnations have been him in high school

And Jester if u are gonna be a jerk about keep the comment to ur self. and learn to freakn read b4 u post.

[The Stryker]

In the movies he started out in High School
In spectacular in High School
In Ultimate Spiderman video game-High school

I said the recent incarnations have been him in high school

And Jester if u are gonna be a jerk about keep the comment to ur self. and learn to freakn read b4 u post.

Jesus. Calm down guy.

[Jester]

They have used Young Peter Parker in the last few incarnation weather it be video games or TV show...
In the movies he started out in High School
In spectacular in High School
In Ultimate Spiderman video game-High school

That makes three consecutive

I said the recent incarnations have been him in high school

And Jester if u are gonna be a jerk about keep the comment to ur self. and learn to freakn read b4 u post.
So...one movie, one video game, and one TV show is nothing compared to almost every animated Spidey series being a College student/Young Adult.

And if we do talk about the movies...he was a high schooler in Spider-man 1 for the first half of the film! The 2 subsequent films are a college aged, young adult Peter.

Ultimate Spider-man the game, was based on the Ultimate Spider-man the comic...where he's a teenager.

Spectacular took Spidey back to the Ditko/Lee roots, hence the "Based on" at the beginning of the series.

Learn to RESEARCH before you jump down someones throat for pointing out that you're a little off base.

[Cure]

So...one movie, one video game, and one TV show is nothing compared to almost every animated Spidey series being a College student/Young Adult.

And if we do talk about the movies...he was a high schooler in Spider-man 1 for the first half of the film! The 2 subsequent films are a college aged, young adult Peter.

Ultimate Spider-man the game, was based on the Ultimate Spider-man the comic...where he's a teenager.

Spectacular took Spidey back to the Ditko/Lee roots, hence the "Based on" at the beginning of the series.

Learn to RESEARCH before you jump down someones throat for pointing out that you're a little off base.

Welcome to my world.

[Redeemer]

So...one movie, one video game, and one TV show is nothing compared to almost every animated Spidey series being a College student/Young Adult.

And if we do talk about the movies...he was a high schooler in Spider-man 1 for the first half of the film! The 2 subsequent films are a college aged, young adult Peter.

Ultimate Spider-man the game, was based on the Ultimate Spider-man the comic...where he's a teenager.

Spectacular took Spidey back to the Ditko/Lee roots, hence the "Based on" at the beginning of the series.

Learn to RESEARCH before you jump down someones throat for pointing out that you're a little off base.

Nah I understand you have good points, but my last few spidy experiences have been with him as a teen. I jst would prefer him as a college student and I am sorry I snapped. I jst took it as a wise ass remark

[Jester]

Nah I understand you have good points, but my last few spidy experiences have been with him as a teen. I jst would prefer him as a college student and I am sorry I snapped. I jst took it as a wise ass remark
To be fair it was a little wise-assy, but accurate.

[Sergio517]

Can we stay on topic about the New Spider-Man show. I will happily discuss other spider-man incarnations with further detail since I wasn't allowed too here, nor see the point of it considering all I did was comment based on what I have seen and what I like. Don't care for anyone bringing up cartoons I wasn't alive for, nor watch, or comics I don't care for. I know Spidey's roots and they are irrelevant for what I want to see. Please discuss the new Spider-Man cartoon. Also to those who post, I suggest that we post only to further conversation, not to instigate, be "cute" and "hilarious", or rip on someone for their view. We're here to have fun in discussion. Like I said, we can discuss all spidey cartoons in another topic if someone cares to make one.

[Jester]

AOx-7Iq0rv4
Looks good. The animation looks very fluid. I love that Spidey is quipping. Is that J.K. Simmons as Jameson? If so....AWESOME. He's one of the best things about Rami's Spider-man films. He IS J. Jonah Jameson.
I do agree that the holo-watch is odd. Seems we're getting a teenage Spidey, like he appears in the Ultimate universe.

[Cure]

Seems we're getting a teenage Spidey, like he appears in the Ultimate universe.

See, that's the part I'm not sure of cuz he's way bigger than he was in Spectacular. But I hope you're right.

[Jester]

See, that's the part I'm not sure of cuz he's way bigger than he was in Spectacular. But I hope you're right.
I think I'm going by voice...sounds younger than some other iterations.

[Redeemer]

I am curious though is web shooting a part of his powers or does he make them web through chemicals?

In the ultimate comics he has through powers

But in the ultimate spiderman video game he make it himself.

[Jester]

I am curious though is web shooting a part of his powers or does he make them web through chemicals?

In the ultimate comics he has through powers

But in the ultimate spiderman video game he make it himself.
Actually...
Powers and abilities

Spider-Man possesses superhuman strength, agility, reflexes and equilibrium, the ability to cling to surfaces, and a sixth sense that warns him of impending danger. However, his spider-sense is not as accurate as 616 Spider-Man, as he cannot pinpoint the locations of attacks whereas the 616 version is able to. Peter is an accomplished scientist for his age. Spider-Man's wrist-mounted web-shooters discharge thin strands of web-fluid at high pressure. On contact with air, the long-chain polymer knits and forms an extremely tough, flexible fiber with extraordinary adhesive qualities.

He manages to complete his father's research on adhesives, creating a formula used to create artificial webs

[Redeemer]

Hmmm....
Interesting, I think I like his webshooters better than him having it as a power

[Jester]

Hmmm....
Interesting, I think I like his webshooters better than him having it as a power
I've always preferred the made web-shooter over a power as well.

[Turo602]

Looks good. The animation looks very fluid. I love that Spidey is quipping. Is that J.K. Simmons as Jameson? If so....AWESOME. He's one of the best things about Rami's Spider-man films. He IS J. Jonah Jameson.
I do agree that the holo-watch is odd. Seems we're getting a teenage Spidey, like he appears in the Ultimate universe.

Yeah, that is J.K. Simmons.

[Sergio517]

I've always preferred the made web-shooter over a power as well.

Me too. The power to shoot webs from his wrists sounds... well, nasty. *shivers*

[Jester]

It'd be worse if it were more biologically correct...EWWW!

[Candy Kappa]

It'd be worse if it were more biologically correct...EWWW!

Oh, the mental images....

[Redeemer]

Me too. The power to shoot webs from his wrists sounds... well, nasty. *shivers*

It'd be worse if it were more biologically correct...EWWW!

Lol I didn't think it was gross, but I can jst imagine people shivering from it. :lol: I jst think it took away from his actual character, with his braniac personality

[Sergio517]

It'd be worse if it were more biologically correct...EWWW!

Dude, you're sick! I can see it now, during the upside down spidey kissing MJ scene lol.

[Redeemer]

Dude, you're sick! I can see it now, during the upside down spidey kissing MJ scene lol.

And he jizzed on his wrist!!!

[Slap-Happy]

And he jizzed on his wrist!!!
Whoa there, too far. Too far.

Also, way to be subtle.

[Redeemer]

Whoa there, too far. Too far.

Also, way to be subtle.

No, only for u I am jst comfortable with it. lol :lol:

[Cure]

No, not only him. You ruined the thread with your knack for taking a joke too far.