If you’ve seen action movies or read comics in the past decades, you shouldn’t be a stranger to the Marvel franchise X-Men, a series that was developed by the late Stan Lee and Jack Kirby all the way back in 1963. This comic and animated series grew into one of the most popular and successful franchises ever developed. They’re a powerhouse.
Over the years, we’ve seen various forms of media other than the original comic books, television shows, and blockbuster movies, and today, I’m going to focus my reviews on X-Men: The Animated Series, a show that I watched in the 1990s when I was a kid.
How Many Seasons Are There In X-Men?
X-Men, The Animated Series debuted in late October 1992 on the Fox Kids network. It had a five-season run with a total of 76 episodes of twenty-two minutes each. The series concluded on 20 September 1997, and across its run and over the years, it became a cultural icon.
Season 1
Season one consisted of thirteen episodes and set the stage for the original core member team of the X-Men: Jean Grey, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Beast, Rogue, and Professor X. The story in this season takes inspiration from the “Mutant Genesis” of the comics and shows us how they battled Magneto, the Sentinels, and other antagonists. Moreover, it touches upon the social issues concerning mutant rights and discrimination, setting the tone for the entire series.
X-men Animated Series Trailer
Season 2
The sophomore season expands on the X-Men universe, it introduces us to heroes and villains, and also takes story arcs from the comics like Jean Grey’s transformation into Dark Phoenix and how the team tried to save her.
Season 3
The third season covers the storyline from “Days of Future Past” and tells us a dystopic worldview of planet earth run by Sentinels.
Season 4
Introduces the powerful mutant Apocalypse and showcases the X-Men’s fight against him, borrowing elements from “The Age of Apocalypse” comic book arc.
Season 5
Delivers an emotional and action-packed conclusion, focusing on the characters’ personal journeys and weaving in storylines such as “The Phalanx Covenant” and “The Legacy Virus.”
Is It Worth Watching?
Yes, definitely, yes. X-Men: The Animated Series is just one example of the many X-Men animated adaptations that kick major ass. This is the first one; it preceded X-Men: Evolution and Wolverine and the X-Men.
While various animated shows have adapted comic book characters, X-Men: The Animated Series stands apart from others for several reasons.
Storytelling
Despite being limited to 13 episodes per season, the show effectively adapts complex and intricate storylines from the comics while maintaining a fluid narrative.
Strong Character Development
X-Men is renowned for its diverse and multidimensional characters. It provides viewers with an in-depth look into their emotional struggles, creating emotionally resonant moments.
Unique Visuals
The series’ 90s-esque aesthetics is a hook if you’re into retro, which blends hand-drawn animation and some special effects seamlessly. The visuals remain faithful to the comics while presenting vibrant colors and unique settings, making them appealing to all age groups..
From its inception in 1963 to its various animated adaptations today, the X-Men universe continues to captivate viewers with its unique blend of action and emotion. X-Men: The Animated Series is undoubtedly one of the most successful animated adaptations, delivering an immersive experience through its engaging storylines and impressive visuals.
The success of X-Men: The Animated Series owes much to its strong roots in the original comics. Despite the liberties taken with some storylines, it remains loyal to the comic book canon and provides a faithful adaptation of the source material, and this is something that fans value a lot.
Its influence can be seen in other X-Men animated titles, such as X-Men: Evolution and Wolverine and the X-Men. Ultimately, comic book fans will always have something to look forward to when it comes to new X-Men adventures in animation.
Also Read: Why Did Deadpool Kill The Marvel Universe? How He Destroyed All The Heroes and Villains
