Ep 22. Blade

Spider-Man has always been one of Marvel's most beloved superheroes. And in the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, we get to see a different side of the web-slinger as he navigates teenage life with his superhero duties. Season 2, episode 22 is appropriately titled Blade, as Spider-Man meets the vampire hunter for the first time.

The episode begins with Spider-Man and his team: Nova, Power Man, and White Tiger, on a hunt for Dracula's book of the undead. This leads them to a warehouse where they encounter Blade, played by Terry Crews. Blade is a mysterious character who is deeply intertwined with the world of vampires. He is also one of Marvel's most famous vampire hunters.

Spider-Man and Blade don't initially hit it off. Blade doesn't trust Spider-Man and thinks he is just a kid who doesn't understand the dangers of the undead. However, when they come across a group of vampires, they are forced to work together. This leads to some great action scenes as Blade and Spider-Man take on the undead.

One of the standout moments of the episode is when Blade shows Spider-Man how to use his spider-sense to detect vampires. The scene is a great example of how the show blends Spider-Man's superhero abilities with the supernatural world that Blade inhabits.

The episode also explores Blade's backstory, delving into his origin story and what drives him to hunt vampires. It's a great example of how the show manages to introduce new characters and give them depth, without taking away from the main character.

As the episode progresses, Spider-Man and Blade begin to develop a mutual respect for each other, and this leads to some great banter between the two. The writers manage to balance the humor with the more serious tone of the vampire storyline, giving the episode a distinctive tone.

Overall, Blade is a great addition to the Ultimate Spider-Man series. It's a fun, action-packed episode that introduces a new character while delving deeper into the world of vampires. The animation is top-notch, and the voice acting is superb, with Terry Crews doing an excellent job as Blade.

Fans of the Spider-Man comics will appreciate the nods to the source material, while newcomers to the character will find a compelling and entertaining story. It's an episode that highlights what makes Ultimate Spider-Man such a great animated series. If you're a fan of superhero shows, you won't want to miss Blade.