By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
One of my fondest memories from childhood revolves around spending Sunday evenings engrossed in the X-Men: The Animated Series omnibus on Fox Kidz TV. Growing up alongside the X-Men instilled in me a deep appreciation for superheroes, even influencing the naming of an entire review website influenced by them. Thus, the announcement of X-Men 97 filled me with eager anticipation!
The inaugural episode aimed to captivate viewers with nostalgia, featuring a reworked yet familiar theme song and a narrative structure reminiscent of the original series. With beloved characters making their return and culminating in an epic team-based battle, it delivered everything one could desire from a debut episode. However, it also hinted at a darker tone than its predecessor, signalling a shift towards more mature themes.
X-Men 97 excels in storytelling, weaving multi-episode arcs and character developments seamlessly into its overarching narrative. The series builds momentum from its strong start, reaching a crescendo with an epic three-part finale, solidifying its status as one of Marvel’s finest TV offerings to date. Despite featuring significant Marvel cameos, they never overshadow the main narrative, hinting at the possibility of a broader animated cinematic universe.
The animation impressively retains the hand-drawn aesthetic of the original series while seamlessly integrating modern digital techniques. This blend results in a visually stunning series that never detracts from the storytelling.
While the show doesn’t stumble in any particular area, there is a moment halfway through the series that personally resonated with me, necessitating a brief hiatus from watching. However, the final episode’s teaser offers hope of resolution, potentially easing the impact of that earlier moment.
Overall, X-Men 97 transcends mere nostalgia, delivering a vibrant and captivating series filled with mature themes, exhilarating action, and well-developed characters.
X-Geeks 