X-Men ‘97: comics, cartoons & nostalgia

For a while now, Disney and Marvel have been teasing the inclusion of the X-Men into the current MCU. We had Professor X in ‘Multivers of Madness’, we had Beast in ‘The Marvels’, and we’re getting Wolverine & CO in the upcoming ‘Deadpool’ movie, so we’re getting there. The latest step taken into making this crossover happen is the reboot of the animated X-Men show from the 90s, titled ‘X-Men ‘97’.

X-Men: The Animated Series, a cornerstone of ’90s television, left an indelible mark on Marvel’s mutant universe, captivating audiences with its iconic characters and compelling storytelling. Now, X-Men ’97 seeks to recapture that magic, serving as a direct sequel that promises to both honor its predecessor and introduce a new generation to the world of the X-Men.

The animation for X-Men ’97 has been updated, maintaining the essence of the original series while incorporating modern techniques. The use of 3D animation shaded to look 2D gives the show a fresh, vibrant look, enhancing the impact of its action sequences and allowing the X-Men to unleash their powers in new and exciting ways. The animation team has succeeded in crafting a sequel that looks as good as fans remember the original being, with a style that frequently shines during the many action scenes.

The voice cast of X-Men ’97 features a mix of returning favorites and new talent. Frankly, there would have been no point in bringing anyone back if Cal Dodd weren’t available to voice Wolverine. Between him, Alison Sealy-Smith’s Storm, and Lenore Zahn’s Rogue, the new series has the most important bases covered. The newcomers mostly settle into their roles nicely, with some adjustments needed for characters whose voices have changed due to age or recasting. The return of key voice actors from the original series adds an extra layer of authenticity to X-Men ’97. These actors, along with other returning cast members, help to bridge the gap between the original series and its sequel, providing a sense of continuity and familiarity for fans. X-Men ’97 also introduces new characters, such as Morph and Bishop, expanding the core team roster. While these characters add depth to the series, there is a hope that future episodes will provide more room for their development and exploration.

Early reactions to X-Men ’97 have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its faithfulness to the original series while also pushing the boundaries of what animated superhero storytelling can achieve. For fans of the X-Men, both old and new, X-Men ’97 is a must-watch, offering a nostalgic trip back to the ’90s while charting a bold new course for Marvel’s mutant heroes.

As the first X-Men title to originate from Marvel Studios, X-Men ’97 marks a new chapter in the X-Men saga, free from the constraints of previous continuity. With its compelling storytelling, vibrant visuals, and beloved characters, X-Men ’97 is poised to be a standout addition to the world of animated superhero shows. After the latest MCU movies have been getting poor reviews and as they’re not establishing new box office records as they normally would, fans and industry insiders claim that Kevin Feige is putting all of his MCU eggs into the X-Men and Fantastic 4 (which he probably is, just like the rest of us), hoping they can bring the MCU back into its “glory days” – even tho ‘Eternals’, ‘The Marvels’, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 3’ & ‘Werewolf by Night’ were fairly entertaining. The thing is, you can’t replicate what happened back then when superhero movies weren’t as common as today (thanks to the success of the MCU, actually), they need to move forward and innovate, which they seem to be doing with X-Men ‘97 so far.