X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men | |
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Genre | Superhero |
Based on | |
Written by | Larry Parr |
Directed by | Ray Lee (as "Direction Supervision") Stu Rosen (voice director) |
Voices of | Michael Bell Earl Boen Andi Chapman Pat Fraley Ron Gans Dan Gilvezan Alan Oppenheimer Patrick Pinney Neil Ross Susan Silo Kath Soucie John Stephenson Alexandra Stoddart Frank Welker |
Narrated by | Stan Lee |
Composer | Robert J. Walsh |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of episodes | 1 |
Production | |
Executive producers | Margaret Loesch Lee Gunther |
Producers | Rick Hoberg Larry Houston Will Meugniot |
Editor | Al Breitenbach |
Running time | 30 min (including commercials) |
Production company | Marvel Productions |
Original release | |
Network | First-run syndication |
Release | September 16, 1989 |
Related | |
Marvel Action Universe |
X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men is an animated television pilot originally broadcast in 1989 on the Marvel Action Universe television block, featuring Marvel Comics' mutant superheroes of the X-Men. [1] The pilot aired infrequently in syndication and was later released on video. It later served as the basis for Konami's X-Men arcade game. [2]
The title is a pun on the name of Kitty Pryde, the youngest of the X-Men by the time the pilot was produced. The series that this episode was intended to launch never materialized; Marvel Productions went back to the drawing board for 1992's X-Men: The Animated Series . The funding for the pilot was originally intended for a 13th episode of RoboCop: The Animated Series ; Marvel Productions took advantage of this to have Toei Animation animate it. The pilot itself is most specifically influenced by issues #129 [3] –139 [4] of Uncanny X-Men .
Shortly after this pilot was delivered, Marvel started having financial issues (New World Pictures, who purchased the Marvel Entertainment Group or MEG from Cadence Industries in 1986, sold MEG in January 1989 to the Andrews Group) and stopped work on every project in progress, except Muppet Babies . This pilot effectively marked the end of the Marvel animated universe created by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises/Marvel Productions, which began with Fantastic Four (1978) and continued with Spider-Woman (1979), Spider-Man (1981), Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981) and The Incredible Hulk (1982). The X-Men themselves had previously guest starred in several episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, although that particular series isn't necessarily in the same continuity as "Pryde of the X-Men".
Narrated by X-Men co-creator Stan Lee, Pryde of the X-Men stars Professor X and the X-Men who were known as Cyclops, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, and The Dazzler saving the world from Magneto and his "Brotherhood of Mutant Terrorists" (Toad, the Blob, Pyro, Juggernaut, and the White Queen; who in addition to her telepathic abilities, displays the ability to create "psy-bolts" - sometimes called "psionic energy spears" or "psychic harpoons" - that can damage physical objects, similar to her character's powers in early comics). The X-Mansion, Danger Room, [5] [6] [7] [8] Cerebro, Blackbird, [9] [10] Asteroid M, and Lockheed the dragon, who was introduced as a pest on Asteroid M, are also featured.
The team lineup for the X-Men is similar to the lineup for the 1975 'All New All Different' X-Men. The chief differences are that Thunderbird, Banshee and Sunfire are not on the team in the cartoon, although they would also be the shortest lived members of the comics iteration, while Kitty Pryde and Dazzler would both join later.
The X-Men's archenemy Magneto is being transported by a military convoy. Magneto is unable to use his powers, trapped in a force field, until he is freed by the White Queen, a member of his "Brotherhood of Mutant Terrorists", allowing him to use his magnetic powers to tear apart his portable prison and escape.
Elsewhere, Kitty Pryde arrives at Professor Xavier's school to begin training her phasing powers, allowing her to pass through solid matter. In the Danger Room, Kitty is introduced to the X-Men: Cyclops, Colossus, Dazzler, Nightcrawler, Storm, and Wolverine. Frightened by Nightcrawler's demonic appearance, Kitty almost causes the Danger Room to go haywire, making Wolverine protest her recruitment.
Magneto sends Pyro and Blob to retrieve the tracking coordinates for the Scorpio comet approaching Earth, with the secondary goal of distracting the X-Men while Magneto and Juggernaut invade the X-Mansion. Xavier reads Magneto's thoughts, learning that they seek to steal the "mutant power circuit" of Cerebro (the mutant-tracking computer); he gives it to Kitty and orders her to flee, but Magneto manages to capture it.
The X-Men return from their confrontation with Blob and Pyro to find the mansion in ruins, and the Professor and Kitty unconscious. Xavier reads Magneto's thoughts again and learns his full plan: to redirect the Scorpio comet onto a collision course with Earth and plunge the planet into another ice age, which would leave normal humans weakened, allowing the mutants to take over. The X-Men leave for Magneto's orbiting sanctuary Asteroid M, but the X-Men instruct Kitty to stay, as the mission is far too dangerous and she has not been trained. Kitty, wanting to prove her worth and make amends for her previous failure, phases aboard the Blackbird and hides, with Xavier's permission.
Upon reaching the asteroid, each X-Man meets an obstacle on the way to Magneto: Storm covers the breach the X-Men blow into Asteroid M, Dazzler takes on Pyro, Wolverine traps Toad, Colossus engages Juggernaut, and Cyclops battles White Queen. After effortlessly teleporting past the Blob, Nightcrawler confronts a gloating Magneto as the Scorpio comet approaches Earth. As Magneto is about to blast Nightcrawler, Kitty emerges from the floor, causing Magneto to accidentally blast the wiring of his device. Nightcrawler teleports up and uses his body as a conduct, while Kitty knocks Magneto onto the platform, using his power to redirect the comet's course towards Asteroid M. Nightcrawler must risk sacrificing himself to complete the machine's circuit, or the comet will change course back to Earth.
The X-Men watch from the Blackbird for Nightcrawler to teleport at the last minute. The comet and asteroid collide, but Nightcrawler rematerializes out in space. The team attempts to retrieve him with the Blackbird's grappler arms, but they miss, and he apparently disintegrates. While the X-Men mourn Nightcrawler, he emerges from a storage locker, revealing that he teleported himself into the plane before the atmospheric compression burned up his suit. While the X-Men give Kitty credit for her efforts, Wolverine insists that Kitty is not yet a member of the X-Men.
Michael Bell | Cyclops and additional voices |
Andi Chapman | Storm and additional voices |
Ronald Gans | Juggernaut |
Alan Oppenheimer | Blob and Colonel Chaffey |
Neil Ross | Nightcrawler and additional voices |
Kath Soucie | Kitty Pryde |
Alexandra Stoddart | Dazzler and additional voices |
Earl Boen | Magneto |
Pat Fraley | Pyro and additional voices |
Dan Gilvezan | Colossus |
Patrick Pinney | Wolverine and additional voices |
Susan Silo | White Queen |
John Stephenson | Professor X and additional voices |
Frank Welker | Toad and Lockheed |
Stan Lee | Narration |
Larry Parr | Writer |
Will Meugniot | Producer |
Ray Lee | Animation director |
Stu Rosen | Voice director |
Margaret Loesch & Lee Gunther | Executive producers |
Robert J. Walsh | Composer |
The pilot drew generally mixed reactions. While the animation was praised for its high quality, [11] [12] [13] [14] the story was criticized for its campy tone compared to the grittier themes of the comics, which included such social issues as isolation, intolerance, and racism. [15] [16] [17] Several changes made from the source material drew criticism, particularly the inclusion of the White Queen as a member of the Brotherhood of Mutants, [16] [17] [18] [19] the characterization of Kitty Pryde as a damsel in distress, [15] [17] and the Canadian Wolverine speaking with an Australian accent.
In 1990, Marvel published a graphic novel titled X-Men Animation Special, [20] [21] an adaptation of Pryde of the X-Men that featured film images of cel animation from the cartoon rather than original art.
In 1989, X-Men: Madness in Murderworld , simply known as X-Men, was released for DOS, Commodore 64, and Amiga computer systems. It was developed and published by Paragon Software in 1989 and featured the cast of Pryde of the X-Men. It was a side-scroller with puzzles set in Murderworld. A limited edition comic book was included.
In 1990, LJN released The Uncanny X-Men for the Nintendo Entertainment System, featuring a near exact lineup of the team from this cartoon, only swapping out Dazzler for Iceman. The game received negative reviews, and was named one of the worst superhero games of all-time by Seanbaby. [22]
In 1992, Konami produced an X-Men arcade game based on the Pryde of the X-Men pilot. Up to six players choose from six X-Men: Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, or Dazzler. Their objective is to stop the villain Magneto from wreaking havoc on human civilization. They must fight through an army of human-sized Sentinels and supervillains such as Pyro, Blob, Wendigo, Nimrod, The White Queen, Juggernaut, and Mystique. Later, Magneto kidnaps Professor X and Kitty Pryde, prompting the heroes to go on a rescue mission. The heroes fight their way to Island M and ultimately to Magneto's base on Asteroid M, where the final battle with Magneto takes place.
The X-Men are a superhero team in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer/editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, the team first appeared in The X-Men #1. Although initially cancelled in 1970 due to low sales, following its 1975 revival and subsequent direction under writer Chris Claremont, it became one of Marvel's most recognizable and successful franchises. They have appeared in numerous books, television shows, 20th Century Fox's X-Men films, and video games. The X-Men title may refer to the superhero team itself, the eponymous comic series, or the broader franchise, which includes various solo titles and team books, such as the New Mutants, Excalibur, and X-Force.
Colossus is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1.
Pyro is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The Brotherhood of Mutants is a fictional group of mutants appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Brotherhood are among the chief adversaries of the X-Men.
X-Men: Evolution is an American animated television series based on the superhero series X-Men published by Marvel Comics. Taking inspiration from the early issues of the original comics, the series portrays the X-Men as teenagers rather than adults, following their struggle to control their mutant powers as they face various threats. X-Men: Evolution ran for a total of four seasons, comprising 52 episodes in total, from November 4, 2000, to October 25, 2003, on Kids' WB, making it the third longest-running Marvel Comics animated series at the time, behind Fox Kids' X-Men: The Animated Series and Spider-Man. The series later aired on Disney XD from June 15, 2009, to December 30, 2011.
Nightcrawler is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with the X-Men. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he debuted in the comic book Giant-Size X-Men #1. By the time of his creation, there was already another Marvel character with the same name, but with a hyphen (Night-Crawler), which was later changed to Dark-Crawler to avoid confusion.
Katherine Anne "Kitty" Pryde is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with the X-Men. The character first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men #129 and was co-created by writer-artist John Byrne and writer Chris Claremont. A mutant, Pryde possesses a "phasing" ability that allows her to pass through objects, hence she is intangible while using this ability. This power also disrupts any electrical field she passes through, and lets her simulate levitation.
Ultimate X-Men is a superhero comic book series, which was published by Marvel Comics, from 2001 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running X-Men comic book franchise as part of the Ultimate Marvel imprint. The Ultimate X-Men exist alongside other revamped Marvel characters in Ultimate Marvel titles including Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four and The Ultimates.
X-Men is a side-scrolling beat 'em up game produced and released by Konami for arcades in 1992, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. The in-game character designs are based on the 1989 cartoon X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men. In the game, up to six players control the X-Men to defeat their archenemy Magneto. The six-player version of the game utilizes two screens housed in a deluxe cabinet. It was one of the top five highest-grossing dedicated arcade games of 1992 in the United States, while the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) nominated it for the "most innovative new technology" award.
"Fatal Attractions" is a major X-Men crossover written by Fabian Nicieza and Scott Lobdell, published by Marvel Comics in 1993. Spanning the entire line of books, it served to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Marvel's X-Men.
X-Men: The End is a 2004-2006 trilogy of miniseries published by Marvel Comics, detailing the last days of the X-Men and their adventures in an alternative future. The series, which was part of Marvel's The End line of books, was written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Sean Chen, with cover art by Greg Land and Gene Ha.
The Blackbird is a fictional jet aircraft appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, the aircraft first appeared in X-Men #94. The Blackbird concept has survived multiple redesigns over the years. It is used primarily by the X-Men as a personal transport vehicle.
Cerebro's X-Men are a team of supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are a nanotechnology version of the X-Men created by Cerebro when the supercomputer briefly goes rogue.
Wolverine and the X-Men is a 2009 American animated series by Marvel Entertainment. It is the fourth animated adaptation of the X-Men characters. In the show, Wolverine attempts to reassemble the X-Men and becomes their new leader, following a devastating incident that led to the disappearances of both Jean Grey and Charles Xavier.
The X-Men are a fictional superhero team created by Marvel Comics that appear in comic books and other forms of media.
X-Men Gold is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics and initially created by writer Marc Guggenheim and artist Ardian Syaf. This series builds off of plot points established in X-Men Prime. The first issue was released April 5, 2017, with the last issue released on September 19, 2018.
The fictional X-Men created by Marvel Comics have appeared in multiple forms of media besides comics, including on television numerous times, in both live action and animated television programs.