“X-Men: The Animated Series” may have had a lasting impact as fodder for memes, but for many millennials, the Fox show served as a gateway into one of Marvel’s most revered franchises. Before the blockbuster live-action films of the early 2000s, and certainly before the advent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the “Animated Series” provided a primer on mutants as a powerful allegory for marginalized groups, as well as iconic characters like the saber-clawed Wolverine and the telepathic Jean Grey. .
Due to the complexities of intellectual property rights, the X-Men have been a conspicuous absence from the MCU since its inception in 2008. Disney’s acquisition of Fox opened the door to integration, but the Mouse House has been patient in publicizing its new origins. The “X-Men ’97” animated series marks the first X-Men title to originate from Marvel Studios, the unit led by power producer Kevin Feige. Cleverly, the series reintroduces the X-Men on their own terms, rather than grafting them onto a pre-existing group. Under writer Bo Di Maio, “X-Men ’97” was also freed from any MCU continuity obligations. (DeMayo was recently fired from the show, but has continued work during the upcoming second season.) As a direct follow-up to the “animated series” set near the end of the last millennium, the series can devote its energies to doing the right thing. Through the object of nostalgia while introducing itself to a new audience. As an off-the-beaten-path anime, “X-Men ’97” can take bigger, wilder twists in its story, staying true to the imaginative nature of comic writing while remaining grounded in the emotions of the characters.
In the finale of “The Animated Series”, Professor Charles Xavier is shot dead by an anti-mutant bureaucrat. Technically, it was close-He was fatally shot and transported to an alien world for long-term care, but the first three episodes of X-Men ’97 pare that basic lore down to the simple fact of Xavier’s absence. An X-Men movie without Professor Storm. In Xavier’s absence, Cyclops (Ray Chase) hardly assumes the role of de facto leader, but his pregnant wife Jane (Jennifer Hale) believes the couple should consider stepping back from saving humanity to focus on their family. Xavier seemed to agree. The final moments of the premiere reveal that the Professor’s chosen heir is his former friend and arch-rival Magneto (Matthew Waterson), who agrees to embrace a more peaceful vision of mutants coexisting with humanity.
This twist is enough to give “X-Men ’97” its own identity, though it’s accompanied and followed by a slew of storylines that could each anchor their own feature film. Here, compressed into 30-minute increments, the X-Men face obstacles including Sentinel robots, a weapon that neutralizes their powers and a psychic attack designed by old enemy Mister Sinister (Chris Britton). At one point, it is casually revealed that the main protagonist is actually a clone of himself; Even Magneto’s transition to the X-Men side of things was surprisingly quick and fuss-free. The pacing can be dizzying, but when presented in the cheery throwback style, neon colors and 2D of the original, it’s also engaging. There’s no time to drag things out when the plot is this busy.
“X-Men ’97” introduces a new mutant to serve as an introduction to the crew, but their presence quickly proves unnecessary. “X-Men” as a whole deals with the timeless question of what an oppressed minority owes its oppressor, and certain creations like blue-furred scientist “Beast” (George Buza) and cajun card-thrower “Gambit” (AJ Locascio) have reputations that precede them. The shape-shifting Morphs (J.P. Karliak) get a slight makeover, but while DeMaio describes them as non-binary, their gender neutrality comes off more as an extension of their long-standing superpower than a clear nod to modern norms. The X-Men are coming to the MCU soon enough, many of them via the upcoming “Deadpool 3.” But before they’re used as an adrenaline shot for the deteriorating mothership, it’s a joy to be reacquainted with the X-Men on their home turf.
The first two episodes of “X-Men ’97” are now streaming on Disney+, with the remaining episodes airing weekly on Wednesdays.