The new show is loosely based on the comic book series of the same name by Brian Michael Bendis that was launched in late 2000 (this otaku has the first issue). It was one of several "Ultimate" reboot series launched at the time to modernise several Marvel franchises for a younger generation.
The new television show's premise has a teenage Spidey joining Shield (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) for some much needed training and, according to Shield leader Nick Fury, to evolve and become "the Ultimate Spider-Man".
Once on board the mobile Shield HQ fortress, Spidey finds out he will be teaming up with other young heroes who are also being trained by Fury. Spidey's new teammates include Nova, Iron Fist, Power Man and White Tiger, who all lack the field experience he has but has the Shield training he hasn't.
The popular Nickelodeon star Drake Bell provides the voice of Peter Parker/Spider-Man and manages to do a really good job of conveying Spidey's sarcastic joking around and Peter's teen nerdiness. The show is punctuated with Warner Brothers-like humour and wackiness that gives Spidey fans a fun insight into his goofy side.
Ultimate Spider-Man premiered on April 1 on the Disney XD cable channel in the United States, so hopefully the show will be swinging onto Hong Kong television screens in the not-too-distant future.