Anyway, to kick things off, I'll start out with some thoughts on the new animated television series, "Wolverine & the X-Men." Now, if you read my Wolverine: Origins review, you can probably guess my feeling on that title, and on the show's premise in general. Basically, the story goes that some sort of "telepathic bomb" went off at Xavier's and all the telepaths disappeared. I say ALL, but the only ones I can think of are Professor X and Jean Grey. Because of this, the X-Men disband. This is all backstory, because the series starts off with Wolverine getting the band back together, and, using telepathy, Professor X, who is trapped 20 years in a Sentinel dominated future, tells Wolverine he must be the one to lead the X-Men to prevent that future from happening.
So, yeah, I hate the idea of Wolverine as leader of the X-Men. Vehemently. Cyclops is supposed to be the leader. Although, in the show he's just busy moping about the loss of Jean to command a razor and hot shower, let alone a team of mutants. However, as much as I hate that concept, the characters and plots are so strong, that I love this show anyway.
I just watched episode 12 (I've been watching them all online), and the most interesting thing about Logan being the leader, is that Scott basically gets to fill the "Wolverine Role." And let me tell you, Cyclops is a friggin' badass in that role. Cyclops has always been my favorite X-Men (which might be why I have a moderate predisposition to dislike Wolverine since the two characters are almost alwlays at odds) and it was just awesome to see him blasting the bejesus out of everyone and everything standing in the way of his one man crusade to find Jean. I'm not a big fan of the trench coat the animators decided to give him, since it's always got this weird "popped collar" that hangs open exactly the same way always, but his costume looks awesome otherwise. The only thing I didn't like with this particular episode was Wolverine scolding Cyke like a child at the end, but, whatever. What goes around comes around, I guess.
A couple minor complaints with the series (other than Wolverine getting top billing): I don't like that Iceman is one of the "Kid X-Men." He's an original. Someone needs to start showing him some love and stop skewing his age to be eternally 15. I'm sure they need age appropriate "Kitty-Bobby sexual tension," but I just don't like them as a couple. I keep thinking how upset Colossus is gonna be whenever he finally shows up. And I'd really like to see some more Angel. There's another original who gets absolutely zero respect.
But, what I find to be the coolest aspect of this entire show, is that watching it feels exactly the same as jumping into X-Men comics right now. What I mean is that the very first episode already has a backstory that you have never read/seen. You're diving into the middle of these characters lives and just fleshing things out for yourself as you go along. The characters all know each other, all have histories with each other, but you, as the viewer, are thrown right into the middle of it. Which, if you think about it, is exactly what most life situations are like as well. The only real "origin story" you know is your own, and you just have to put together the pieces of peoples' pasts on your own as best you can with the information available.
Overall, I'd say this is easily the best representation of the X-Men that isn't in comic books. Better than any of the movies, and infinitely superior to the other animated show in the 90's. (And I loved that show.) If you haven't had a chance to watch it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out.
3 comments:
I agree that choosing a different continuity is a cool launching point for the series, but I had a hard time getting over just how lame Professor X using telepathy to contact people in the past is. I really like them using the modern incarnation of Emma Frost as it is a sign to viewers that, yes, stuff in fact may change in the x-universe.
I feel the absolute worst part of the series is the animation, which is, at times, as bad as I've ever seen. This is what 2009 animation is supposed to be? No thanks!
a follow up - I've since watched Wolverine & The X-Men in its widescreen presentation and the animation looks much better. In this presentation, I feel the series is animated well, though it's not hitting the ball out of the park. There are still very odd moments, and anything more than a few characters on the screen and it starts really hurting. But it's still pretty good, usually.
However, everthing was made ok by Prelate Summers' appearance in the season finale.
I've only seen it in widescreen. But thanks, I will avoid it in any other form! I haven't quite finished up the series... I think i have 5 episodes left to go. But now I'm stoked to see Prelate Summers show up...
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