Marvel Studios earned the intellectual property rights to the X-Men after Disney acquired Fox in 2019, and since then the fans have been waiting anxiously for the X-Men to debut in the MCU. While it's still unclear how X-Men will make their way to the MCU, Marvel Studios under their new banner- "Marvel Animation' has resurrected the fan favourite "X-Men: The Animated Series" with its new instalment X-Men ‘97. X-Men are finally back, and they are better than ever.
To me, my X-Men
Episode one is titled "To me, my X-Men" in tribute to Professor X's infamous catchphrase from the comics, and it is essentially the X-Men's version of "Avengers Assemble". Every episode welcomes the viewers with the nostalgic X-Men theme from our childhood, revamped by The Newton Brothers that still feels the same. The makers stick with the original animation style, which is noticeably smoother this time around. What works in the favour of X-Men '97 is that it's free from the burden of tying into Marvel Studios' Multiverse Saga, allowing the show to stay faithful to both- the comics and its predecessor. Make no mistake, “X-Men ‘97" is not entirely a new storyline, rather it picks up where "X-Men: The Animated Series" left off, technically making it Season 6 of the animated series. Fortunately, one does not need to watch the original series in order to understand the new one. Many of the original voice actors have returned to reprise their roles which gives new heights to nostalgia.
Episode one offers a bridge between the past and present. Xavier is gone, and his X-Men are trying to carry on his vision of peaceful human-mutant coexistence. Scott, aka Cyclops, is in a dilemma about whether he should continue leading the X-Men or leave to take care of Jean who is pregnant with his son. Amid the biggest threat to their existence, episode one ends with Magneto becoming the heir of Prof. X and now the leader of X-Men. There’s no time for dragged-out scenes when the plot is this packed and right from the get-go, X-Men ’97 wastes no time. With its fast-paced storyline, fabulous retro animation, cleverly placed easter eggs and a load of cameos “X-Men ‘97” appeals to both new viewers and long-time fans. The show’s fight scenes are an undeniable highlight but it also borrows the interpersonal mutant drama from its predecessor which fits perfectly into its super-engaging deep storylines. Amidst the earth-shattering events, are the peaceful moments when themes of identity, love, fear, and self-worth are explored. Every episode leaves us wanting more and more from the following one.
"What are demons but reflections of our fears and shame?"
While the show avoids relying heavily on Wolverine, it gives the other iconic mutants their due screentime to shine. Cyclops, Storm and Rogue get several standout moments. The show does an effective job of exploring Magneto- a complicated character who has always walked the line of villain and anti-hero. While the motivations for these characters remain recognizable, this animated series has evolved. The show frequently borrows from the comics, adapting storylines like “The Trial of Magneto,” “Operation: Zero Tolerance”, “Fatal Attractions” and “Lifedeath,” and has firmly leaned toward more adult themes. The finale of X-Men ‘97 elegantly concludes the plot arcs that we committed to across ten episodes while teasing out sufficient details for season 2, which is reportedly in post-production already.
Jubilee
Before its premiere, I was unsure how well the audience would receive this show, considering shows like She-Hulk and Secret Wars ended up being huge disappointments. However, I'm glad that X-Men didn't meet that fate. All in all, Marvel Studios' first X-Men title is surprisingly great. It honors the defining aspects of its predecessor and builds upon it. It's fresh, hypnotic, vibrant, and just as fun as ever. Our favourite, Wolverine continues to be a hothead and a master of one-liners. Best of all, one could traverse the world of X-Men ‘97 without being obliged to visit the 90s series. Except for a few minor problems, which are not worth mentioning, X-Men ’97 mostly does right. It's almost flawless and has loads of quotable catchphrases. The show concludes on a strong note leaving open threads for season 2 to continue. As a devoted continuation of a cherished animation series, X-Men ’97 is nostalgia done right.
9.5/10
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