X-Men in television

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The X-Men, a superhero team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby that appears in comic books produced by Marvel Comics, has appeared in multiple television series since the team's inception in 1963. X-Men: The Animated Series premiered on Fox Kids in 1992 and ran for five seasons until 1997. The series is credited with bringing mainstream attention to the X-Men. Following th conclusion of The Animated Series, a new X-Men cartoon titled X-Men: Evolution began airing on Kids' WB from 2000 to 2003 for four seasons.

Contents

Across the various X-Men television series, which characters make up the team's roster and are members of the cast often changes. The only characters to have appeared as cast members and part of the X-Men across all five series are Scott Summers / Cyclops, James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine, Ororo Munroe / Storm, Hank McCoy / Beast, and Professor Charles Xavier.

X-Men series

SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally released Head writer Director(s)Network
X-Men: The Animated Series 113October 31, 1992 (1992-10-31)March 27, 1993 (1993-03-27)Eric LewaldLarry Houston Fox Kids
213October 23, 1993 (1993-10-23)February 19, 1994 (1994-02-19)
319July 29, 1994 (1994-07-29)October 5, 1996 (1996-10-05)
421May 6, 1995 (1995-05-06)October 26, 1996 (1996-10-26)
510September 7, 1996 (1996-09-07)September 20, 1997 (1997-09-20)
X-Men: Evolution 113November 4, 2000 (2000-11-04)May 12, 2001 (2001-05-12)Greg JohnsonVarious Kids' WB
217September 29, 2001 (2001-09-29)May 11, 2002 (2002-05-11)
313September 14, 2002 (2002-09-14)August 23, 2003 (2003-08-23)
49August 30, 2003 (2003-08-30)October 25, 2003 (2003-10-25)
Wolverine and the X-Men 126January 23, 2009 (2009-01-23)November 29, 2009 (2009-11-29) Craig Kyle & Greg JohnsonNicholas Filippi, Steven E. Gordon, Doug Murphy & Boyd Kirkland Nicktoons
Marvel Anime: X-Men 112April 1, 2011 (2011-04-01)June 24, 2011 (2011-06-24)Mitsutaka Hirota & Warren Ellis Fuminori Kizaki Animax & G4
X-Men '97 110March 20, 2024 (2024-03-20)May 22, 2024 (2024-05-22)Beau DeMayoJake Castorena, Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura Disney+
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X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997)

In 1992, the Fox network launched X-Men: The Animated Series with the roster of Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Beast, Gambit, Jubilee, Jean Grey, and Professor X with secondary background player Morph making occasional appearances. The two-part pilot episode, "Night of the Sentinels" began a five-season series. It was an extraordinary success and helped to widen the X-Men's popularity. [1] The five seasons ended in 1997. It returned to Fox's line-up for several months after the first movie was released in 2000. [2]

X-Men: Evolution (2000–2003)

In 2000, The WB launched the X-Men: Evolution television series, which portrayed the X-Men as teenagers attending a regular public high school in addition to the Xavier Institute. The series ended in 2003 after its fourth season. The show focused on Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Shadowcat, Wolverine, Storm, Beast, Professor X, Spyke (Storm's nephew), in addition to introducing the character Laura Kinney / X-23, who has since become a recurring character in the comics. [1]

Wolverine and the X-Men (2009)

In 2008, Marvel Studios released a new X-Men animated show that featured Wolverine titled Wolverine and the X-Men . This series used a mesh of 2D/3D animation for characters and backgrounds. [3] Avi Arad, CEO of Marvel Studios, stated "X-Men is one of Marvel's crown jewels and it makes sense to focus on the popular Wolverine character for our second animation project." [4] The series debuted in the United States on January 23, 2009 and in the U.K. in February. [3] [5] It also aired in Latin America and Canada. The team consisted of Wolverine, Cyclops, Beast, Storm, Shadowcat, Iceman, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Angel, Jean Grey, Colossus, Forge, and Professor X. The show was cancelled just after one season due to financing issues. [1]

Marvel Anime: X-Men (2011)

As part of a four-series collaboration between the Japanese Madhouse animation house and Marvel, the X-Men starred in a 12 episode anime series that premiered in Japan on Animax and in the United States on G4 in 2011. [6] [7] The series deals with the X-Men coming to Japan to investigate the disappearance of Armor. The antagonists are reported to be the U-Men. [8] [9]

X-Men '97 (2024–present)

Set a year after the conclusion of The Animated Series—in which Xavier nearly died in an assassination attempt and was taken to space to be healed by the alien Shi'ar Empire—the X-Men face new challenges without Xavier, under the leadership of their former adversary Magneto. [10] [11]

On November 12, 2021, Marvel announced a revival of the 1992–1997 animated series titled X-Men '97 , set to be released on Disney+ in 2024 and will be produced by Marvel Studios. Beau DeMayo will serve as the head writer and executive producer for the upcoming series with several cast members from the original animated series are set to reprise their roles and will be joined by new cast. Original animated series director Larry Houston, and its showrunners and producers Eric and Julia Lewald are announced as the consultants for the upcoming series. [12] [13] [14] It is set to premiere on Disney+ on March 20, 2024 and run for 10 episodes. [15] A second season is in development.

The entire cast of The Animated Series reappear as main characters. Dodd, Sealy-Smith, Zann, Buza all reprise their roles as Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, and Beast, respectively. [16] At the beginning of the series Morph and Lucas Bishop also join the cast, voiced by J. P. Karliak (replacing Ron Rubin) and Isaac Robinson-Smith (replacing Philip Akin).

Other appearances

Early appearances and attempts at X-Men cartoons

The Marvel Super Heroes (1966)

The X-Men made their first television appearance in 1966 on The Marvel Super Heroes , with Professor X commanding Cyclops, Beast, Marvel Girl, the Angel, and Iceman. The X-Men appeared in the Sub-Mariner episode "Dr. Doom's Day / The Doomed Allegiance / Tug of Death". The episode was adapted from Fantastic Four No. 6 (1962) and Fantastic Four Annual No. 3 (1965), but as Grantray-Lawrence Animation did not have the rights to the Fantastic Four—their series was produced by Hanna-Barbera)—the team was substituted with the X-Men. [17] The team is not referred to as the X-Men but as the Allies for Peace. [1]

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981–1983)

The X-Men guest-starred in several episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends , which included Iceman, along with Spider-Man and Firestar, as the main characters, starting with a flashback in "The Origin of Iceman". [1] Appearing in this particular episode are Professor X and the five original X-Men: Iceman, the Angel, the Beast, Marvel Girl, and Cyclops. For the continuity of the show, Firestar was also a former member of the X-Men. X-Men member Sunfire would also pop up on his own in a later episode teaming up with the Amazing Friends, as well as representing a romantic interest for Firestar.

The X-Men's next appearance was in the episode "A Firestar is Born", [1] which included appearances from Professor X, Storm, the Angel, Cyclops, Wolverine, and the Juggernaut and cameos by Magneto and a Sentinel.

The X-Men would return the following season in the episode titled "The X-Men Adventure". [1] Making appearances this time were: Professor X, Cyclops, Sprite, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird. This episode was meant to be a pilot for an X-Men cartoon that was slated to feature the X-Men characters, plus Lady Lightning (an animated version of Carol Danvers / Ms. Marvel) and Videoman as members. [18] The series was never produced.

Pryde of the X-Men (1989)

In 1989, Marvel Productions produced a half-hour pilot X-Men episode titled X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men . It related the story of Kitty Pryde's first adventure with the team of mutants which included Professor X, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Dazzler as they fought against Magneto, the White Queen, the Juggernaut, the Blob, Pyro, and the Toad. [1] The series was never picked up but the single episode aired infrequently in syndication during the Marvel Action Universe series and was released on video in 1990. [17]

Guest roles and cameos in other series

Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1995–1997)

The X-Men starred on Spider-Man: The Animated Series in episodes "The Mutant Agenda" and "Mutants Revenge", when Spider-Man seeks Professor X's help with his growing mutation disease. Storm would later guest-star in the Secret Wars arc. [1]

Fantastic Four (1994–1996)

Cyclops, Jean Grey, Gambit, Wolverine, Storm, and the Juggernaut, along with the Scarlet Spider, made cameos in the Fantastic Four series, in the episode "Nightmare in Green", as the Human Torch flies overhead. [19]

The Super Hero Squad Show (2009)

The X-Men appeared on Cartoon Network's The Super Hero Squad Show . [20]

Marvel Anime: Wolverine (2011)

As part of the same four-series collaboration as described above, several characters from the X-Men franchise, including Wolverine and Cyclops, are featured in a 12 episode anime series aired in Japan on Animax and in the United States on G4. [9] [6]

X-Men cast members

CharacterSeries
X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997) X-Men: Evolution (2000–2003) Wolverine and the X-Men (2009) Marvel Anime: X-Men (2011) [21] X-Men '97 (2024–present)
Scott Summers / Cyclops Main
James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine Main
Rogue MainRecurringGuestMain
Ororo Munroe / Storm Main
Hank McCoy / Beast Main
Remy LeBeau / Gambit MainRecurringNoneMain
Jubilation Lee / Jubilee MainRecurringNoneMain
Jean Grey MainRecurringMain
Charles Xavier / Professor X Main
Spyke NoneMainNone
Kitty Pryde / Shadowcat NoneMainNone
Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler GuestMainGuestMain
Warren Worthington III / Angel / Archangel RecurringMainGuest
Emma Frost GuestNoneMainRecurring
Bobby Drake / Iceman GuestRecurringMainNone
Hisako Ichiki / Armor NoneMainNone
Morph RecurringNoneMain
Lucas Bishop RecurringNoneRecurringNoneMain
Erik "Magnus" Lehnsherr / Magneto RecurringNoneMain

Reception

SeriesSeason Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
X-Men: The Animated Series 1 100% (18 reviews) [22] —
2 ——
3 ——
4 ——
5 50% (10 reviews) [23] —
Wolverine and the X-Men 167% (6 reviews) [24] —
X-Men '97 199% (79 reviews) [25] 82 (14 reviews) [26]

See also

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References

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  2. ↑ Moore, Rose (March 23, 2016). "10 Things You Didn't Know About X-Men The Animated Series – 9". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Kirchhofer, Scott (January 7, 2009). "'X-Men' return to animation on Nickelodeon Jan. 23". Nerdvana. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
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  5. ↑ Siegel, Lucas (January 24, 2009). "Review: Wolverine and the X-Men". Newsarama. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  6. 1 2 Weisman, Jon (July 26, 2010). "G4 to air Marvel anime series". Variety . Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
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  9. 1 2 Graham, Bill (July 26, 2010). "G4 To Air Four New Marvel Animated Series Written by Warren Ellis". Collider. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  10. ↑ Carr, Mary Kate (February 15, 2024). "The X-Men are finally back in X-Men '97 trailer". The A.V. Club . Paste. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  11. ↑ Jackson, Kourtnee (March 23, 2024). "Mutant Mania: Marvel's X-Men '97 Revival Series Explained". CNET . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  12. ↑ Belt, Robyn (November 12, 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Cast Announcement for 'X-MEN '97' Coming to Disney+". Marvel Entertainment. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  13. ↑ Gartenberg, Chaim (November 12, 2021). "Marvel embraces the Sad Wolverine meme to announce X-Men '97, a new animated Disney Plus show". The Verge. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  14. ↑ Holub, Christian (November 12, 2021). "'X-Men '97' will resurrect classic animated X-Men series for Disney+". EW.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  15. ↑ Petski, Denise (February 15, 2024). "'X-Men '97' Animated Series Gets Disney+ Premiere Date, Trailer". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  16. ↑ Meenan, Devin (March 19, 2024). "Every Original X-Men Animated Series Voice Actor That Returned For X-Men '97". /Film . Static Media. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Mangels, Andy (August 1993). "Scorching the Screen". Wizard: X-Men Turn Thirty. pp. 70–73.
  18. ↑ Reaves, Michael (n.d.). "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends – The X-Men Adventure". Spider-Friends.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Cameos – Nightmare in Green". Marvel Toonzone. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
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  21. ↑ "X-Men (Marvel Anime) (2011)". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
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  23. ↑ "X-Men: Season 5`". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
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  25. ↑ "X-Men '97: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  26. ↑ "X-Men '97: Season 1". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
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