The start of the 90s was a very different time. Way before superhero-genre blockbusters dominated Hollywood, you could count quality comic book-based movies on the fingers of one hand, let alone quality comic book-based television programmes. But to the surprise of many, 1992 was the year when the landscape would never be the same. Alongside the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series, X-Men: The Animated Series ushered in an era of serialised storytelling that’s unprecedented in the history of television.
Airing from from October 31, 1992, to September 20, 1997, X-Men: The Animated Series is lauded for its characterisation of its titular characters, handling of moral complexities, as well as the various adaptations of iconic comic book arcs. Naturally, expectations were tremendously high when a revival series titled X-Men ‘97 was announced. Set to continue the story of the original series, it stands to reason that some may be dubious about whether Marvel Studios could recreate the magic of the original series.
It may sound like hyperbole, but X-Men ’97 is Marvel Studios’ best output in years. Produced by Marvel Animation, a division of Marvel Studios centered on development of its animated projects, the revival series fires on all cylinders from the first episode till the season finale. Combining excellent writing, spectacular action sequences, and clever utilisation of the emotional resonance carried over from the original series, X-Men ’97 serves as a phenomenal continuation to an enduring classic.
Honouring the spirit of its source material (both the comic books and the original show), X-Men’ 97 delivers an incredible season of television that deserves to be experience. While the show may come across as a nostalgic blast to the past on the surface, it’s filled to the brim with relevant themes, providing an insightful commentary that dives deep into racism, humanity, the yearn for connection, and many others.
The excellent writing is bolstered by incredible voice acting that elevates much of the character work laid by the series. Some of the standouts include Cyclops (Ray Chase), Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale), Rogue (Lenore Zann), and Magneto (Matthew Waterson). These characters bring a level of humanity that greatly contrasts the visual spectacles of its dazzling visuals. And it’s not to say that the rest of the X-Men were poorly handled either, it’s just that these four characters were that good. The excellent handling of the X-Men highlights the original show’s biggest strength: Affirming the notion that what made the original series great was its relentless focus on people, not superheroes.
Perhaps the one, weaker aspect of the show would be its occasionally breakneck pace. Considering the depth and scale of its story, the season could’ve benefited from more episodes. As it stands, certain episodes move at such a rapid pace that newcomers may feel overwhelmed by the story. As a revival series, X-Men ’97 assumes that its audience is somewhat familiar with the story told by its predecessor. That being said, there’s still much to enjoy regardless of whether or not one is familiar with the original series. (Although we recommend that you watch it beforehand.)
After a series of underwhelming projects by Marvel Studios, X-Men ’97 is a breath of fresh air that’s highly welcomed. Hopefully, the success of the revival series will serve as a template for Marvel Studios when it’s time to introduce the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (for real, this time). Successfully balancing nostalgia with modern storytelling, you owe it to yourself to experience X-Men ’97.
