Marvel’s X-Men’97 has come as a breath of fresh air where we are not just running after the same characters as we have been for the last couple of decades or so. Yes, we do enjoy our neighbourhood Spiderman and the occasional but necessary Hulk-like outburst, but you gotta agree, that the various phases of Marvel have failed to leave the mark that was intended.
Enter X-Men '97, the revamped rendition of Ron Wasserman's iconic synth riff that's set to transport us back to the golden era of 90s cartoons. If you grew up glued to the screen watching X-Men: The Animated Series, we can’t wait to relive those mutant-filled adventures with a fresh twist.
Now, onto the story. X-Men '97 picks up right where the original series left off – with our mutant heroes facing a world that's still not quite ready to accept them. With Professor X out of the picture, it's up to Cyclops, Wolverine, and the gang to save the day.
But here's the thing – Marvel's not just relying on nostalgia to carry the show. Nope, they're using it as a springboard to dive into new territory.
Marvel hasn't had it easy with recent superhero flicks – The Eternals and The Marvels may have missed the mark, but X-Men '97? It's hitting all the right places in every 90s heart. By keeping things simple and tapping into that X-Men cultural consciousness we've all absorbed over the years, Marvel's found a winning formula.
And let's not forget about diversity and inclusion. X-Men '97 is diving headfirst into themes of prejudice and belonging, just like its predecessor. In today's world, where representation matters more than ever, it's refreshing to see Marvel staying true to its roots.
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Now, about Marvel Studios' grand plan to expand the MCU? Well, let's just say it hasn't been smooth sailing. With a flood of projects hitting screens left and right, some have fallen short of expectations. But X-Men '97? It's a beacon of hope in a sea of superhero fatigue.
After the blockbuster success of Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige recognized the need for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to expand. In a 2021 interview with Variety, Feige expressed his excitement for broadening the MCU's universe and making it more diverse by focusing on lesser-known superheroes across films and television.
Since then, audiences have been introduced to characters like Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, and Echo, all of whom are less familiar compared to the iconic likes of Spider-Man or Iron Man.
However, by the end of 2023, it became evident that Feige's ambitious plan was not working how it was supposed to. Production and release schedules were packed, with nine MCU projects hitting screens in both 2021 and 2022.
Despite this influx of content, the reception wasn't always favourable. The Marvels experienced the MCU's lowest-grossing opening weekend, earning a mere $47 million (£38 million). Similarly, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania received poor reviews, with a 46% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics and industry insiders speculated that these challenges were indicative of "superhero fatigue," suggesting that audiences may have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of superhero content being released.
With such circumstances, it was the perfect time for the world to get re-familiarised with X-Men’97 which has been residing in our hearts ever since the last chapter ended in 1997.
Marvel's X-Men '97 is the nostalgic refresh we've been waiting for. So, dust off your X-Men comics, grab some snacks, and get ready to embark on a nostalgia-fueled adventure with Marvel's latest animated gem. The X-Men are back, and this time, they're bringing the '97 vibes with them. Excelsior!
(All views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own)
