The ‘90s are back. From the first notes of the classic theme song, X-Men ‘97 transports its audience to a time of Saturday morning cartoons and syndicated television. Viewers are met with a hit of nostalgia in the classic art style of comic book artist Jim Lee and sounds of many of the same voice actors from X-Men: The Animated Series that aired from 1992-1997. There are subtle updates to the series, in slight character redesigns, some recasting of voice, and a musical score created by The Newton Brothers, but all the changes keep the essence and magic of its predecessor.

X-Men ‘97’s real strength is that it is actually well-written. The directors Chase Conley (Axe Cop, Black Dynamite), Emi Yonemura and Jake Castorena (storyboard artists for Batman: The Killing Joke) showcase each character’s mutant ability with an awareness of their internal struggles and external relationships. The series is not a remake of the old cartoon. While the storylines do pull from content from the X-Men comic books of the 1980s, this is the first time they are being animated. The writing is clever and suspenseful.

 

The show starts directly following the loss of the X-Men’s charismatic leader Charles Xavier. People who have never seen the original cartoon will join this team as it embarks on a new era without their mentor. Viewers will see how every mutant ability is a blessing and a curse. Jean Gray is powerful yet helpless to protect her family; Cyclops is the leader but still can’t seem to manage Wolverine; Rogue loves but cannot be touched. Superpowers are used creatively, and characters play off each other in battles like a superhero ensemble should.

While the initial hook of the series might be in reminiscing about a golden era of comic books and a time when cartoons were part of shared childhood culture, X-Men ‘97 is a fresh take on Stan Lee’s classic characters. It is a great time to revisit a love of the X-Men or to become a fan for the first time.

 

Boluwatife Adesina
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Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.