User reviews

I remember in 1993, X-Men the Animated Series is my obsession and I'm not the only one. For a lot of people in my country, 1993 - 1994 is the X-Men craze era. The said cartoon series was one of the highest-rated TV shows at the time. I was especially obsessed with Rogue. She's beautiful and sexy. She of superior strength and when she fights, she rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yet she can't be touched. She's an irresistible temptation to men, especially to Gambit who longs to touch her so much, when she can't be touched.

I was a sappy romantic at heart too so I'm always looking forward to moments between her and Gambit!!! And the people at my school were no different. Different people - different X-Men character favorites and obsessions, collection of X-Men comics and lots of talk about it during breaks, you name it. Even people over 25 watch it. It is little wonder, however, why there was all this fuss about X-Men. The characters' looks and personalities are charismatic and appealing to viewers. They are drawn as sexy and beautiful women and the men as beautiful and sexy as their female counterparts. Each has their own individual history and personalities which viewers simply find lovable and appealing. The plots and stories are exciting and interesting and there's no denying that the MUSIC at the beginning of every episode is REALLY CATCHY!!!!!!!!!!!!! The animated series was simply VERY WELL DONE!!! The fact that this animated series is one of the highest-rated and most-viewed Saturday morning programs in American history to date, that it is very popular in other countries aside from the U.S., and that it boosts sales of X-Men comics--as people who who didn't read x-men comics before this one started reading them as soon as they got obsessed with it--- are proofs that this is definitely one of the best cartoon series in 90s. In my opinion it is the BEST CARTOON SERIES, not just during the 90s but UNTIL NOW!!!!!!

X-Men shows a different idea of heroes. This is unlike Batman and Superman who are loved by ordinary people because they are heroes. X-Men, on the other hand, although fighting for peace and justice, defending their fellow mutants and ordinary men from harm in the process, are hated and feared by those they've sworn to protect. Humankind, that is. Still they continue to protect and defend mankind.

Marvel really did it right with this one and it could NOT be said that Batman and/or Superman animated series is/are superior than this one. X-Men The Animated Series(90s) is undeniably one of the most excellent, most watched and ultra-popular cartoon series up to this day!!!!!!!!

Story: People known as mutants born with a superpower disability must try to persuade the humans that they are peaceful while they battle other mutants.

Production: Perfect

Main intelligence: 5. Humans are dumb because they are okay with the Fantastic 4 but are not okay with mutants.

Highlight: The story, battles, characters, this show did not have any limits. It was non-stop X-mening.

Should you watch this show?: Yes. If you like superheroes, the best animation, non-yokeness, non-cringefest then this is the show for you. It's the perfect show. If you are a fan of X-men and Mutants, there are plenty in this show to interact with. Almost every story from the comics were covered in this show.

Sadly, the shows that followed this perfect iCON was a step-down.

In my very own opinion, the X-Men cartoon series was arguably the closest remake of the X-men that fans could get and much more faithful to the comic books themselves than what the live action movies will ever be. The costumes were identical as the comics, the superheroes were as realistic as they were and the story lines were much more varied, exciting and believable. Wolverine, Storm, Gambit, Rogue, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Professor Xavier and Jubilee were as they were. The artwork was also excellent, but just what you'd expected from Marvel.

Whilst the films were in all a shambles in terms of the design and look of the characters, the cartoon series and Marvel have thankfully retained the originality, appeal and quality of the comics, and the appearances of which made the X-men one of the most successful comic book hero franchises in history. Another difference between the cartoon series and the films was the fact the creators of the show put a lot of emphasis on character development and the emotional plight of the mutants's own expectations of wanting to belong to the world and to feel accepted, which this has been addressed much better in the series than the film trilogy ever did. Therefore, the human interest aspect- no make that mutant interest aspect and the triumph over adversity tales of each and everyone of the X-Men members had more of a feel and resonance to it, of which we could empathise the characters with, and of which the films themselves fail to do because it just didn't translate well on the big screen.

Unlike the movies, the animated show had a raw ness and bite to each and every one of those characters that was totally devoid in the live action versions and it never managed to pussyfoot around the issues, as well as the story lines, of which again were far more realistic and believable.

This is what the movies themselves ought to have been like, but rather than leave things as they were, the directors Brett Ratner and Brian Singer decided to change a couple things round, without realising how much this would put die-hard and ardent X-men fans off. Why tamper with a classic formula? Besides, the film's disappointment shouldn't take away from the fact that the cartoon series is the best on- screen version of the X-Men.

Forget the films, either stick with the comics or go for this, the animated version instead.

It's been a while since I last watched "X-Men," the animated series from the early 1990s, but I do remember that this is/was one of the greatest comic book superhero shows I ever watched during my childhood. I was a reader of the Stan Lee-/Jack Kirby-co-created X-Men comics for Marvel Comics as a child - along with Spider-Man, who remains my favorite superhero, and the two Marvel Comics titles formed the cornerstone of my fascination with comic book superheroes. The "X-Men" titles struck a personal chord with me as I got older because of how its world re-defined people's hatreds and prejudices against each other to accommodate people with mutant powers being discriminated against by the powers-that-be. Being a black American, I instantly related to the plight of the X-Men and any other mutant character who was the target of those who ultimately wished the destruction of anyone with mutant powers. That was ultimately the greatest element about the comics, and this incredible animated series. It's the reason why I grew to deeply appreciate Marvel Comics more than any other comic book publisher in the industry. "X-Men," "Spider-Man: The Animated Series," and "Batman: The Animated Series" were all the reasons why during the early '90s, I loved comic book superhero cartoon shows.

10/10

The X-Men Animated Series was great, hands down. Sure, it wasn't the comic -- and yes, the X-Men lineup stayed the same through all six seasons... but it handelled very well. In some ways I wish the comic could have been more concise like the Animated Series was. Some guest characters (Dazzler, my favourite X-Man, for one) weren't portrayed very well, especially in the explenation of their mutant powers, but it was very cool to see it all piece together.

The X-Men had it's share of continuity problems, however. In season 1, for example, everything was loosely played off of the comics. For instance, the X-Men did NOT know Warren Worthington III (Angel/Archangel). Later on through the series, however, Angel is shown as an original X-Man. Iceman was also later guest-starred as an original X-Man, and Polaris was shown as a former X-Man as well. Other than that, though, the team is set as Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey, Jubilee, Beast and Professor X. Some great storylines were the Phoenix Saga, Dark Phoenix Saga and the Phalenx Covenant.

Just about any X-Man you can think of was cameoed as well. Except for Shadowcat that is. Nightcrawler, Dazzler, Colossus, Havok, Wolfsbane, Cannonball, Longshot, and Rictor all stand fresh in my mind. It was truly a great series -- and it was very sad to see it cancelled, as it brought something more substantial to television -- a dream, a goal. Not talking sponges like you see on Nickelodeon. This was and will continue to be one of the greatest cartoons that graced Saturday-morning television.

I love everything about X Men. The animation is very detailed and atmospheric, and the character designs especially with Wolverine are quite sophisticated for the time. The action sequences, which never suspended disbelief and had some wondrous elements for kids and adults alike to savour, have a lot of fluidity in that regard. The music is wonderful as well, the intro is one of the coolest of any animated series of the 90s(and there were a lot) and the background scoring manages to be beautiful and haunting. The writing is intelligent, sometimes affecting and sometimes humorous, though any sense of conflicting emotions are equally convincing, while the story lines are daring and always interesting and the characters right from charismatic Wolverine, sexy Rogue to the appropriately antagonistic villains are very well-written and likable. The voice acting is always expressive and never felt stereotypical, bland or overdone. In conclusion, a superb series. 10/10 Bethany Cox

After 16 years since its release and almost 11 after its last episode, I still think that X-Men TAS stills being the perfect animated series ever based on a comic book so powerful as X-Men ever was. I still miss it.

You can feel the difference between X-Men TAS and X-Men Evolutions with the ages. Today I'm 26 y.o. and until now I watch TAS and feel excited about it while I watch Evolutions and feel bored with those teenage jokes. TAS was an animated series for teenagers and adults, because it was fun for the kids and mature on its plot and all its stories were very consistent for the adult audience.

I must say that I like a lot the movie trilogy, but just because I'm a huge fan of the mutants, but the movies wasn't faithful to the comics at all. I agree that some changes were needed for the movies, but a lot was changed... and a lot change for the comics after the movies, and Evolution is the proof of that.

X-Men TAS was extremely faithful to the comics and a lot close to the comics stories. It was like seeing the comics in the TV. All the main character and villains were there, with all their powers, original costumes, personalities, all their stories were well explored during all the 5 seasons. The other supporting characters also had their important moments. The important stories like The Savage Island or The Genosha Island, Apocalipse and mainly (I SAID MAINLY) The Phoenix Saga and The Dark Phoenix Saga were masterpieces and I still watch to them till today like they were the real movies that I though one day X-Men would be, but never was.

They tried to insert some kind of Phoenix in the movies but it was a joke comparing to the importance of this entire saga in the comics, and TAS did an amazing experience with entire saga for over 9 episodes. I still think that all the Phoenix saga should become a movie series because it's a sci-fi epic that everyone would enjoy, and a sci-fi epic that the movie series fails to be in some moments.

Today the art work in TAS stills being something great because it was entirely colored by hands and not by computer. All the animated technique used in production are no longer in use by any kind of studio and that's another great thing to admire.

X-Men TAS is a strongly recommended series for those who enjoy a lot so loved mutants and also for those who became fans after the movies and don't know anything about them in the early years or think that Evolutions is a great piece of work. Yeah... Evolution is all about a great PIECE of work, while TAS is an ENTIRE great work.

X-Men is one of the perennial favorites in the Marvel catalog, maybe as well known now as Spider-Man, and seeing this TV series it's not hard to see why. This is taken, as far as I can tell from my limited knowledge of the original comics that featured the main cast assembled here (Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Gambit, Jean Grey, Xavier, Jubilee), right from the source material, and it's a pleasure to see how the series in the first two seasons followed a fairly straightforward continuity. Indeed it's like going through a comic book series; you can't really jump in on any episode to really gage the plot (albeit there are some great stand-alone episodes, particularly in the second season where we get some backstories on Gambit and Rogue), though at the least you get an idea of who every character is and what their interests, powers, concerns and little dramas tend to veer toward.

This is not to say sometimes it can't get a little confusing; by the time it gets into time travel with Cable it can be a little crazy, especially in terms of how much affects what or why an apocalypse still seems to be taking place. But aside from that, it's a classic Saturday morning serial, with lots of adventure and action and colorful villains. And they're all given some meaty comic-boom dialog, too, and it's a step-up usually from the times in the movie series when they've tried to go too far (i.e. X3, Wolverine) in defining personalities. Here it's done just enough as to get a grasp of everyone, but relatively so. And along with the breakneck animation (some of it quite sophisticated for the time, some on par with the Ninja Turtles cartoons if not quite up there with Batman), there's the whole issue of being a mutant, the identity of it and how it is to be a human and an outsider in society that works its way into the show and theme in general.

It's got a message but it doesn't overstate it, it's got action that is believable enough so that we don't roll our eyes and incredible at times to keep the kids wondering (there's a moment where the flying-angel character in an episode asks Rogue how she can fly and she gives a shrug kind of answer, a perfect little comic-book moment), not to mention characters like Beast and Wolverine and Magneto, who are the kinds of icons that need strong storytelling to keep them interesting to new and old fans. This X-Men series, frankly, is the be-all-end-all for me, bad-ass and an all-around crowd-pleaser.

I remember back in 1992 when this show debuted, I thought it was one of the best cartoons on the air, along with "Batman: The Animated Series". The characters had great powers but no one was so incredibly powered that they couldn't get knocked down and knocked around. Plus they were always getting on each others nerves. As cool as Wolverine and Gambit were, I always held great fondness for Cyclops and Beast, I guess because I admired Cyclops for being so stalwart and steadfast and Beast for being so damn smart, laid back and intelligent. Gambit's love/hate relationship with Rogue, the hottest virgin super-heroine in comic books, was always good for a laugh and only occasionally got dramatic but never so much that it got sappy. Professor Xavier, Storm, Jean, and Jubilee rounded out the cast of heroes with their own powers and self-doubts and dreams. Well, actually the only character who probably didn't benefit from the series was Jean Grey, who for some strange reason was always fainting in action scenes. I'm guessing the writers simply didn't have a good grasp of her character or a strong idea of how to make her powers look cool and dynamic compared to the weather controlling Storm, high flying super tanker Rogue or even fire work shooting Jubilee.

One of my few regrets/complaints about this show was that the X-Men's big villain, Magneto, was only a villain or rather a well meaning if twisted and tainted anti-hero for only the first two episodes in which he appeared, and so the role of #1 agitator to the X-Men went to Mr. Sinister during the 2nd season along with the usual stock villains of racist Americans. The first 3 seasons were probably the best, after that it kind of started to wane. Also I regret that Colossus and Night-Crawler were not regular members of the cast, as Night-Crawler was a very soulful character and Colossus, well, he's just so damn cool.

But these complaints are very minor in light of what was otherwise one of the best comic book to cartoon adaptations ever to air. Certainly superior to the now defunct Wolverine & the X-Men, though X-Men Evolution featured a stronger version of Jean Grey.

The X-Men later made some guest appearances on "Spider-Man", which had a lot of promise and brighter animation but ultimately squandered its potential. Captain America later guest starred in both X-Men and Spider-Man.

I just read a review to say its so bad, its unwatchable as an adult and its childish, IT WAS MADE FOR KIDS, adults didnt really watch cartoons back in the day or read comics as much as they do now. Of course its childish, it was morning TV for KIDS and guidlines were very strict compared to how they are now. Stop reviewing as adults and review for a child

SEASON 1 (4/5)

X-Men won't be what you expect as a new viewer; each two or three episodes complete their own storyline, and things go fast here. Every scene has a goal in the current episode's storyline. In a way, it's a good thing, despite only 13 episodes, the stories show a surprising variety of places, enemies, characters, and themes. On the other side, sometimes it feels like you are missing something, like proper introductions. For example, Apocalypse suddenly first appears behind a door. I think there are better ways to introduce what is meant to be the most powerful antagonist.

In the end, it really feels like reading the comic but without the narration. Speaking of that, X-Men did a great job adapting famous story arcs from, at the time, 30 years of comics while keeping a coherent cast and overarching story.

SEASON 2 (4/5)

The second season brings deeper storylines, better introduction to new characters and themes and some very well animated fight scenes that feels like, once again, reading the comics. X-Men are getting even better to talk about societal issues, mirroring real life hate crimes, the AIDS fears and far-right politics.

There are some surprising, memorable episodes, especially one where a time-traveler is attacked by another time-traveler from the first time-traveler's future. Sounds convoluted? It is! But it's original and not as hard to follow as it sounds.

This season would have a better grade if the last episodes were a little more focused. The whole savage land's storyline, despite being from the comics, feels too out of place, and since the whole season was teasing the finale there, it made things even more disappointing. Also, if some characters keep having the best parts while others, especially Jean Grey, are getting so useless (and fragile), it becomes a recurring joke.

SEASON 3 (3.5/5)

Most people will remember this season as the Dark Phoenix season, which was pretty great and certainly the most faithful adaptation of this famous story arc. That said, some episodes were not that good. Longshot or the Savage Land episodes are not very exciting. Don't get me wrong, there are still some very good ones outside the Phoenix saga. This season also has the inclusion of cosmic elements with multiple types of aliens and big spaceships (I was never a fan of it in the comics...).

The incoherence in the art style is most jarring this season, sometimes it gets so shiny and smooth that it is unnerving in some way and then goes back to the usual art in the next scene.

For Wolverine's fans, he has some pretty sharp one-liners this season!

SEASON 4 (4.5/5)

Season four comes back to the format of the first two seasons with shorter stories, most of them lasting one episode, but this time it really takes full advantage of it. Each story is fun and emotionally resonant. It's close to the second season, but without a weak story like the Savage Lands. It helps that this time we put on the side the aliens' storyline (even if they come back for the finale).

If the episodes are more "grounded" than the last season, the 4-part finale is a crazy ride into time-travel and multi-dimensionality. It's chaotic and barely comprehensive, but it's a lot of fun. Intended as the original series finale, all the characters come back for an epic face-off. The episode even takes the time to introduce as a new character, the comic fan-favorite: Psylocke.

My favorite episodes of the whole series up to now are all in this season, with a preference for the "One Man's Worth" episodes.

I would have given a perfect score, but one of the biggest flaws of the show here it's even more flagrant this season: the show is not creative at all when it comes to using the mutants' power. Basically, despite the large variety of powers the cast has, the show goes barely above the energetic projectiles and some acrobatic skills. There is a whole scene where Magneto, instead of fighting with his metal-bending power uses... sound waves as projectiles? And I don't think Gambit even uses his power the whole season.

SEASON 5 (2/5)

What a cheap way to finish such a phenomenal cartoon show... This season was ordered last minute after what was supposed to be the finale season, and it really shows. If the season starts strong with the Phalanx episodes, the rest of the episodes are mildly entertaining to boring. The worst thing is the art; the second half of the season sees a big shift in design where characters barely look like what they used to, the movements are all jiggly, and the backgrounds are ugly and lack perspective. Even if the stories are still good (not as good as they should be, but still), the art direction is so cheap that it distracts from the plot. It can be so-bad-is-good sometimes, though, but you don't really watch X-Men for this kind of laugh.

The series finale is so vapid. The idea of Charles Xavier in his deathbed after a terrorist attack against mutants and Magneto seeing that as a reason to lead his army against humans is actually pretty good but the execution is so bad nothing stands out from that outside the last shot where all (badly drawn) X-Men step outside to say goodbye to the professor.

Don't waste your time with this season, only four episodes may be worth it.

As a kid, it was pretty common for me to spend my Saturday mornings watching cartoons. But the only stuff that usually interested me were the superhero shows, and by the mid-90s I'd make sure to catch X-Men and Spider-Man, which were coincidentally the two comic book titles I usually spent my allowance on (more specifically, X-Men and The Amazing Spider-Man back in their Jim Lee/Andy Kubert and Mark Bagley days, respectively).

Just recently, thanks to the hype surrounding Superman Returns, I made it a point to try and watch all of Bruce Timm's DC animated shows on DVD, and I found myself absolutely enthralled and in love with this animated universe. From the dark mysteries and noirish atmosphere of Batman to the epic and rousing sci-fi adventures of Superman and Justice League these were shows that delivered great animation, top-notch voice acting, mature writing, and action scenes that would put most summer blockbusters to shame. Hell, even the musical scores were amazing, with great work done by composers Shirley Walker and Lolita Ritmanis.

So stoked was I by the DCAU, I made it a point to try and rewatch some of the Marvel cartoons of the 90s so I rented any available DVDs (given that most of the Marvel shows didn't have any full season releases). Alas, I was half-surprised none of these shows came close to living up to my fond memories. The writing, the animation, the voice acting, and even the music all felt shoddy compared to Bruce Timm's DCAU.

Unfortunately, X-Men happens to be one of those cartoons. Now, I can easily forgive dated animation. There's obviously no chance this series could look anywhere near as good a recent show as, say, Justice League/JLU, but it doesn't even look anywhere near as good as Superman: TAS or Batman: TAS/TNBA, its DC "competitors" at the time. It's also astonishing to make note of how terrible the voice acting was. While it's true some of the voices fit the characters well (Gambit, Rogue, and Wolverine come to mind), most of the lines are delivered in an overly dramatic fashion. I just can't help by try to stifle a giggle whenever Xavier screams and shouts "Power!" every time he's mentally hit by a Psionic attack or whenever Storm (whoever did her voice provides some of the most hammy voice acting ever) makes a point of shouting something akin to "Winds!" every time she summons her powers.

The stories seemed faithful, yet that's also part of the problem. There's such a slavish devotion to the comics that the show never really developed its own identity in the way the DCAU shows did. Part of the point of doing an animated series of a popular comic book is for the writers to make their own interpretation of the series. Timm and company pulled this off time and again, whether it was through original stories (i.e. Legacy and Apokolips...Now!, Project Cadmus, Mask of the Phantasm, and really just far too many to list), original characters (Andrea Beaumont, Harley Quinn, Mercy Graves, etc.), or superior reinterpretations of old characters (Brainiac and to a lesser extent Mr. Freeze).

With the X-Men writers seemingly afraid to deviate from the comics even in terms of characters' appearances (the X-men costumes matched those in the 90s comics), the whole show just gives off this impression of playing it safe. The series is essentially a bland, lifeless adaptation of the comics where as Bruce Timm's DCAU functions as its own separate universe, one that delivered grand entertainment and epic adventures. It doesn't speak well for the show when the only thing that's on my mind while I'm watching it is wondering just how Bruce Timm and his crew would have pulled it off.

The X-Men animated series was a terrific try at bringing the ultra-popular comic book featuring mutant outcasts to the small screen. While the animation was amateurish and choppy at best, the voice over work was a particularly wonderful highlight. The stories were re-hashes of the plots from the comics' 30+ years in publication, and a few standouts included the Phoenix Saga, and its follow-up featuring the reconciliation between Scott Summers, alias Cyclops, and his father, the interstellar pirate/freedom fighter, Corsair.

First of all let me say that I am not a comic nerd, I maybe owned a couple through my whole life (wolverine was my fav and probably because of this show). I have never liked other superhero shows (another critic said he liked the batman cartoon but that show blew, maybe i just didn't like the cartoon style). Basically what I am trying to say is that I am not a superhero guy but this show might be the best cartoon ever ...

You know those shows/movies you loved as a kid then re-watch as an adult and they just seem corny and/or stupid, boring, childish or just plain lame? (i remember loving "labrynth" the movie as a kid, re watched and realized its just a long and boring David bowie music video). I recently got all 5 seasons of X-men for my kids to watch because I remember absolutely loving it watching it new as a kid myself, it was my most anticipated cartoon (besides the simpsons) and I thought the kids would enjoy it...

the theme music gave me butterflies, so lets start there. What a theme song !!! )best ever maybe), so good I can't believe it brought out emotion in me and that is rare. The video for the intro is pretty cool too, love that explosion.

Now on to the show, a lot of reviews here hit it on the nose. The show is so complex and the characters are real. The opening scene of jubilee with her foster parents, man !!! TV shows still don't have the balls to put on content that real.

Gambit hitting on the cashier, man !!! so good.

The characters make jokes that are funny.

They get in each others faces.

The girls are more loving and the guys are cold.

OK i could go on and on so lets just finish by saying watch the damn show and lets never forget it. shows like this don't come along every day and i hope people enjoy it for a long time.

OK i feel like i should throw a couple negatives in just so i don't seem to biased (remember i am not a comic geek so i cant talk about comic book accuracy) just from the first episode though ...

1. I don't like how gambit is just waltzing around the mall in his costume, storm and rogue were both in plain clothes though so i don't know why gambit had to be rocking his outfit?

2. The giant robot is hiding behind a tree as jubilee walks by going to her parents house to check on them ... please.

OK thats about it for now

um fav character has gotta be gambit, love the accents

this show embraces diversity but not in a captain planet kind of way

alright i am out

thanks

One of few animated series based on a comic book that successfully managed to capture the very essence of it's source material. Yes, watching an episode felt like picking up a comic book. It's served as great inspiration and entertainment since I was a young child. I think it still holds up today as one of the best animated series ever made with great voice actors, dialogues, plot points and of course the iconic animation style. It's got almost every important X-Men character in if you can think of and if you're an X-Men fan I recommend watching it. I love every bit of this show and can't wait for when Marvel renews it for another season. Better late than never as they say.

MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES is practically my entire childhood in a nutshell. To me, THE X-MEN (1992-1997) is the best of the best, my nostalgic road trip down memory lane. And not to sound sarcastic or lame, but they truly were/are my heroes. Filled with action, drama and a little romance as well, bright coloring, awesome designs, amazing animation, and an assortment of creative and relatable characters, this series just rocks so hard. Diverse, eclectic, and all around bad*sses, these heroes are the highlights of my childhood, teenhood and adulthood. Imperfect, unique and wild, yet they still inspire me to this day.

This series was a huge milestone for Marvel Comics and the entire comic book industry as a whole, (not to mention general animated television) marking the one of the earliest shifts where comic book characters were not seen as nerdy, but seen as edgy and cool, and *gasp* human. In my opinion, the X-Men (later followed by Spiderman, DC's Batman, Blade, Daredevil etc) were the first to attract that wider main stream audience, and they did it by being real, by being brilliant and witty, by being originally and so SO dang cool! X-Men are the gold standard of comic book magic.

Even some of the later modern series don't have THIS same kind of coolness, this kind of sparklin' pizazz. It was a series that absolutely empowered the outcasts, the disabled, the freaks, the nerds, the losers, the geeks, and the loners. It empowered women, well before hollywood and the movie industry truly began to try. The X-Men are legendary, and not much, even by todays standards can truly touch that MAGIC. Put simply, The X-Men: Animated series is a genuine masterpiece. The gold standard.

So excited that Marvel Studios will reboot this amazing series in 2023.. So hyped and the NOSTALGIA. Cannot wait to see Wolverine, Charles, Cyclops, Beast, Jubilee, Jean, Storm, Gambit, Rouge again.

X-Men, the TV series that aired from 1992 to 1997, remains an iconic and timeless superhero animated show that truly captured the hearts of fans around the world. Brimming with thrilling adventures, complex characters, and thought-provoking storylines, this series has secured its place as one of the most beloved adaptations of the X-Men franchise.

From the very first episode, X-Men grabs your attention with its compelling storytelling and captivating animation. The series successfully brings the rich tapestry of the X-Men universe to life, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of these mutant heroes as they navigate a world that fears and misunderstands them. Each episode is filled with action-packed sequences, intense battles, and moral dilemmas, creating an immersive experience for viewers of all ages.

One of the greatest strengths of the X-Men TV series is its exceptional character development. The show delves deep into the complexities of the mutant superheroes, exploring their fears, doubts, and personal journeys. Whether it's the brooding Wolverine, the conflicted Rogue, or the noble Professor X, each character is given depth and nuance, making them relatable and compelling. The relationships and dynamics between the X-Men members are expertly portrayed, highlighting the power of unity and friendship in the face of adversity.

The writing in X-Men is consistently strong throughout most of its run. The series tackles important themes such as prejudice, discrimination, and the search for identity. It doesn't shy away from exploring the moral gray areas and the consequences of the characters' choices, adding layers of complexity to the storytelling. The show successfully balances episodic adventures with overarching story arcs, keeping viewers engaged and eager for the next installment.

The voice acting in X-Men is exceptional, with the talented cast bringing the characters to life with their distinct voices and performances. The voice actors truly embody the essence of each character, delivering memorable and iconic portrayals. Their contributions add an extra layer of emotion and authenticity to the already well-crafted scripts.

While the majority of the series maintains high production values, it's worth noting that there is a noticeable drop in quality during the last season. Some characters become unrecognisable visually, and the voice acting suffer terribly. However, this dip in quality does not detract from the overall impact and legacy of the show. The strength of the storytelling and the captivating characters endures, ensuring that X-Men's impact on the superhero genre remains indelible.

X-Men, the 1992-1997 TV series, is a true gem that has left a substantial mark on the world of animation and superhero storytelling. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to captivate audiences of all ages, transcending time and generations. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer to the X-Men universe, this series is a must-watch for anyone seeking thrilling adventures, complex characters, and profound themes. Prepare to be transported into a world where mutants shine as beacons of hope and inspiration!

It seems incredible to me that this crude cartoon is favourably compared to the stylish Batman, Superman and Justice League cartoons of the same era. The X-men is positively Neanderthal by comparison.

Firstly the art is hackwork. The backgrounds are usually routine or sometimes absent altogether. The characters are inconsistently drawn with faces changing from frame to frame. I challenge anyone to freeze-frame and honestly be able to recognise any character by their facial features.

Colour is ugly and inconsistent too, ie Wolverine's arms will sometimes be drawn yellow, like his costume,and then revert to its normal flesh colour. A minor detail, perhaps, by one that speaks to the low editorial standards at work. Another example of laziness is when the X-men go to Genosha supposedly incognito, but Gambit is still wearing his full costume, which sort of gives the game away! My only explanation for this is that he is so undistinguished looking that no one would recognise him out of costume? He is so undistinguished, apparently, that no one recognises him even IN costume, but they do recognise the incognito Storm.

Next, everything seems rushed. The series begins confusingly with Jubilee being pursued by sentinels. then in Xavier's mansion then back again being caught by the sentinels. No explanation as to why she is allowed to leave is given and the X-men do not seem to notice her absence. Characters appear without introduction and we are expected to know who they are? I can only imagine that well read fans of the comic book would know who's who because you would be lost otherwise. In the trial of the Beast, Sabretooth suddenly appears out of nowhere. I had to rewind to see if I had missed anything but I hadn't.

The stories themselves are mostly good, but they have been lifted from classic comicbooks, they should be. It must be said that the cartoon version does not add anything to the original. In most cases, these stories are presented in a simplified fashion which undermines the original intention; for example the suicidal sacrifice of Jean Grey was apparently too strong for children's TV and Proteus is turned into a childish version of one the X-men's best stories.

Although it improves in later series, early on there's no effort at any characterisation. The characters are stereotyped with their only interactions being aggression towards each other. Obviously the writers have taken the notion that conflict is the essence of drama literally but not allowed any time for getting to know each character. The most egregious example of this is Morph, who is unceremoniously killed off before we know anything about him, but, apart from a few melodramatic "Morph's gone!" this does not even have much impact upon the other X-men. Since there are no real characters, consequently dialogue is awful too, with some lines coming across as unintentionally funny.

Probably as a result of the bad writing, the vocal actors have little to work with and deliver hammy performances. Wolverine is constantly angry and others, such as Gambit, Cyclops and Cable are only marginally less so. Xavier's voice is just plain weird.

In the end, this is a cartoon with the look and psychological depth of a Scooby Doo cartoon. Nice enough for a Saturday morning (and undemanding audience) but nothing that can withstand repeated viewings like the DCU animations from the same period. To be fair. after the awful first series, it does improve. While it is still hideous to look at, the pacing and characterisation is a lot better. So I have upped my original grade.