Monday, January 22, 2024

Wolverine and the X-Men (2009) (Series Review)

  When it comes to my fandoms in the vein of comic-books or superhero’s … the “X-Men” have always been my absolute favorite. It’s also the franchise I consume the most content of when it comes to either movies or TV shows. One of my most fond entries in the long running saga is a short, one season long animated series that aired in 2009 called “Wolverine and the X-Men”. This was the third outing for the X-Men in animated Television form, excluding cameos in other Marvel shows and the failed piolet in 1989 titled “Pryde of the X-Men”. 

Unlike the previous “X-Men: The Animated Series” of the 90’s or “X-Men: Evolution” of the early 2000’s, “Wolverine and the X-Men” was the first series aimed at established fans of the franchise, treating it’s viewers like they already knew the established characters and world setting, without any major introductions for new comers. Also, unlike its predecessors, this “X-Men” series was less episodic in structure, and more serialized, like one big story broken-up into twenty-six chapters. While there were select stand-alone outings, most of them all tied into one flowing narrative, culminating into a big season climax that tied-up most of the plot-lines, with select details left unresolved after the show didn’t get renewed for a second season. Regardless, I’m a fan of what I got in this one season alone, and I wanted to put a spot-light on what this series brought to my favorite comic-book characters.     

  Like I said, this show doesn’t bother introducing any of the main characters for new viewers, and opens with a glimpse of the simple life-and-times of our principal heroes at Professor X’s school for mutants. Things get exciting fast, as the school is hit by a mysterious explosion, forcing the Professor into a twenty-year long coma. Team member Jean Grey likewise goes missing in the aftermath, and all the other members go their separate ways. 

One year after the attack, a new task force called the Mutant Registration Division, or MRD for short, is putting the smack down on all mutants, and have transformed the nation into an oppressive militarized zone. Wolverine see's first hand how out of control the division has become, and believes that now more then ever … the world needs the X-Men to fight back against their oppressors. With former team leader Cyclops emotionally grief-stricken, and the other leaders unaccounted for, Wolverine reluctantly takes on the role of the new team leader. Once the X-Men are re-assembled, they begin receiving telepathic messages from Professor X in the far-off future, who’s awoken in a world where the X-Men are dead, civilization has collapsed, and all human and mutant kind has been taken over by malevolent robots called the Sentinels. Thus, as the driving narrative of the series, Professor X frequently contacts the X-Men in the past with different missions that could potentially undo the horrible future that awaits them, as well as solve the mystery of who attacked the mansion in the beginning.   

  So, the big make or break deal of this show is how comfortable you feel seeing Wolverine as the leader of the X-Men. Similar to Batman, Wolverine is one of those fan favorite Comic-Book characters, who’s also gotten a fair amount of backlash, due to the amount of attention they’ve gotten. In general, I respect fans and even general viewers wanting to see other characters explored, and I’d even encourage studios to give other, less popular characters a shot. 

However, while I can’t control the amount of content that comes out, I’m not going to let it change the fact that both Batman and Wolverine are two of my all-time favorite characters, and a series focused on Wolverine is easily going to fit in my wheelhouse. While I certainly wouldn’t want this to be a permanent change, I do still find a novelty in seeing Wolverine as a team leader for a self-contained, one and done animated series event. Following after both the 90’s “X-Men: The Animated Series” and “X-Men: Evolution”, I feel I’ve had two perfect shows that generally kept to the status quo, and I’d want any future X-Men shows to change things up. The possibilities are open now, and I’d honestly be down for a series where maybe Storm is the team leader, or perhaps even one where Nightcrawler is the leader of his own team. As for this series, Wolverine as team leader gives the show it’s identify apart from the others, and works as a one-off event.

  The show is at least self-aware that Wolverine isn’t an ideal leader, and we see the X-Men characters even have a hard time excepting him commanding the team. Even Wolverine himself doubts his capabilities as a team leader, and it’s interesting to see him struggle with his new position when he’s always been a loner.  

They do a terrific job fleshing out his personal journey, and voice actor Steven Blum is outstanding in the role … in fact, he might be my personal favorite vocal talent as Wolverine. With all that said, the one thing keeping this series underneath it’s two predecessors is that, while it’s a solid Wolverine series, it’s only an okay X-Men show. Most of the team members like Beast, Shadow Cat, Storm, Angel and Iceman are present, and are very likable when on screen, but they do feel like part of an ensemble, and don’t leave an impression like they did in other X-Men related material. Some characters like Nightcrawler, Cyclops and Rogue do at least have their personal character arcs, as well as solid standalone episodes. Other fan favorites like Gambit, Colossus and Psylocke are reduced to either guest appearances or cameos, and while there done well enough, I feel like I could have used more.     

  Will all that said, every animated X-Men show has had its stand-out individual character who connects with me as my new personal favorite, and the one who makes the experience worthwhile. 

For the 90’s series it was Wolverine, for “X-Men: Evolution” it was Rogue, and for this show … my favorite character came in the form of Emma Frost. In the comics, she was primarily an antagonist known as The White Queen, and was a high-ranking member of the villainous Hellfire Club. In this show, with the absence of Jean Grey, Emma Frost steps in as the team’s new telepath, and has the added bonus of diamond skin. While Jean is more important to the team, Emma Frost is far more interesting, as she’s constantly flipping between fierce loyalty to the team, while also working for her own ends, and it made her tricky to trust, but I was always rooting for her to find a home with the X-Men. She had a fantastic design, an amazing voice, and a lot of personality. Whether you like Wolverine as a team leader or not, this show is absolutely worth watching just for Emma Frost, as she is the key ingredient that made this show a welcomed entry to the X-Men saga. This was such a cool dynamic for the team that she’s carried over into other shows like the “X-Men Anime” in 2011. 

  The villains in general worked, with Magneto once again being their main adversary. This time around, he really plays-up the nice-guy persona, which makes his aggressive actions all the more devious. Both the MRD and Sentinel robots likewise make for thrilling obstacles for our heroes to face. 

All the other famous villains like Mystique, Sabretooth, Juggernaut and the Brotherhood are also present, and satisfy when they appear. This show also highlighted some lesser-known foes who didn’t get spotlighted in the previous “X-Men: Evolution” series, including Sinister, The Shadow King, Mojo, Colonel Moss, The Silver Samuri, and eventually even the Hellfire Club. I’d say that more than any previous X-Men show, this one felt the most like a war, with our heroes acting as soldiers, protecting people and going on missions to eliminate their growing threats. Lines are constantly drawn in the sand, the stakes are higher than ever before, and the action is downright thrilling.

  While the design of the show is kind of basic, the animation on display is of consistent high quality, and really pops with each episode. Even if this isn’t a perfect show, you can tell both the writers and animators are putting their all into the project. The story in general is quiet engaging, with every episode leaving me wanting to see more. 

The musical score is simple, but effective, and gets me excited whenever the action goes down. The opening is like a throwback to the classic 90’s “Batman” series, in that it’s a short action snippet of our heroes doing what they do best, and it’s great. That covers the basics of the show, so from here, I’ll keep it simple by ranking my own personal Top 10 favorite episodes of “Wolverine and the X-Men”.  

 

#10 “Hindsight” (3-Part Primer) 

Kicking-off my ten personal favorite episodes is the three-part primer that set the series in motion. While I mentioned the initial set-up, there’s more that goes on during this opening story arc, including a sub-plot in which long-time team member Rogue betrays her team, and aids the Brother Hood of evil Mutants to frame the X-Men as the nations most wanted criminals. It’s an exciting turn of events, leaving you wondering if this will be a permanent shake-up, or if there’s still hope that Rogue can be saved from her new allies. We also have Emma Frost lead the X-Men on their first engagement with Magneto, in an effort to rescue the comatose Professor X. It’s a solid premier arc, and suitably sets the stage for more excitement to come.      

 

#9 “Breakdown” 

When it comes to my feelings on Cyclops, I always felt he did his job as the proper team leader, but I just never found him that engaging a character to watch. Still, he has all kids of potential to shine if given more attention, and while obviously in Wolverine’s shadow for this series, he at least gets one episode to really flex his capabilities. After getting distracted by his feelings for Jean during a battle with Juggernaut, Cyclops debates weather or not he should have all his memories of her erased. Thus, with the help of Emma Frost, they go on a psychedelic trip down memory lane, covering Cyclopes origins, how he first discovered his powers, first joined the team, and when his feelings for Jean first manifested. It’s a solid origin story for both characters, and once again highlights all kinds of potential for Cyclops as a leading character.   

 

#8 “Overflow” 

When it comes to the iconic X-Men members, I always felt that Storm earned equal status along with Wolverine and Cyclops as one of the all-time greats. Unfortunately, ever sense the early 2000’s, I feel she’s been ridiculously underutilized … and this show sadly is no different. Storm is present with the team, but once again hardly got any attention … but at least she got one good episode to really shine. 

After the initial attack on the mansion, Storm went back home to Africa, to be the watchful guardian of a secluded village. However, quiet literally lurking in the shadows is Storms greatest enemy … the evil Shadow King, a supernatural entity who takes over her body, and forces her to unleash her powers against Africa. Thus, the X-Men find themselves battling the elements, while Emma Frost proves a valuable team member to fight the Shadow King on the astro-plane. This is a rock-solid episode, with dark and stunning animation on display, and it really highlights all the characters as they work as a team against one of their most malevolent adversaries.   

 

#7 “Wolverine vs The Hulk” 

Despite what you may think, Wolverine wasn’t originally introduced through the X-Men comics … his actual first appearance was in The Incredible Hulk, issue 181, in which he got caught in a battle between The Hulk and another monster called the Wendigo. Fittingly for an animated series focused on Wolverine, we get an episode directly paying tribute to this first issue appearance.  

This time around, Wolverine is recruited by Nick Furry, to bring in The Hulk, after he apparently attacked locals in Canada. Upon further investigation, Wolverine discovers that the real threat is none other then the Wendigo itself, who in true werewolf fashion is transforming people into monsters. Thus, after once again sparing with The Hulk, the two put differences aside to put-down the Wendigo once and for all. This is the only crossover episode in the series with other Marvel established characters, and aside from being a thrilling action adventure, it’s just a loving tribute to the original source material.     

 

#6 “Shades of Grey” 

After being absent for most of the series, Jean Grey has finally emerged, and her powers are once again very unpredictable. After regaining continence in a hospital, Jean accidentally puts an entire town to sleep with a psychic blast. Boy-friend Cyclopes is quick to respond, and he sets out with Emma Frost to retrieve her before the military arrest her. To make matters worse, this also gets the attention of Jean and Cyclopes greatest enemy called Sinister, who dispatches his winged avenger to capture them both for his malevolent plans. Sinister has always been a fan favorite villain, and it was great to see him return in this show … especially with the vocal talents of Clancy Brown behind the character. All around, this is a very intense and suspenseful episode, with one twist after the next, and an ending the perfectly segues us into the series finale.     

 

#5 The Nightcrawler Trilogy 

X-Calibre”, "Greetings from Genosha" and "Hunting Grounds

Nightcrawler in general has always been one of my favorite X-Men characters, and I feel he had the best string of solo episodes in the whole show. In his first venture titled “X-Calibre”, Nightcrawler has to protect a boat fool of mutants, who are under attack from mutant pirates, aiming to use other mutants as gladiators in their lethal combat show, hoisted by none other than the wicked monster known as Mojo. 

In the follow-up episode titled “Greetings from Genosha”, the boat makes it to a safe haven island for mutants, but the catch is that it’s overseen by the X-Men’s longest standing enemy Magneto. At first, he seems true to his word, as his island is an ideal paradise, and Nightcrawler even finds himself falling for Magneto’s daughter, The Scarlet Witch. However, every paradise has its dark secrets, and the more Nightcrawler discovers, the more he’s treated like a prisoner. In the final episode titled “Hunting Grounds”, Mojo resurfaces, captures both Nightcrawler and the Scarlet Witch, and forces them into a deadly survival program for his own twisted amusement. 

Not only do Nightcrawler and the Scarlet Witch work together to stay alive, but it's the turning point to see how much loyalty she has to her father, versus her genuine feelings toured her new friend. All around, it’s a solid trilogy of episodes, and really got me wanting a Nightcrawler centered series. In fact, I’m a fan of the spin-off “Excalibur” comics, and I think an animated series with Nightcrawler has the lead could have great potential.

 

#4 “Battle Lines” 

As Magneto and Senator Kelly rally followers for a massive confrontation of mutants versus military forces, the X-Men find themselves right on the edge of the battle lines, and the one person capable of pushing them over that line is none other than their former team member Rogue. After betraying the X-Men in the premier, this is the turning point where Rogue shows her true colors, and finds her home. Not only a satisfying turn for her character, but one of the best action driven episodes, where the stakes build, and the story progresses. It made for a great mid-season event, and things were only going to escalate from there.  

 

#3 “Code of Conduct” 

When it comes to Wolverine centered stories … I’ve always loved the Japanese and Samuri themed tales the most. It’s hard to explain, but weather it be the comics, animation or the movies, I’ve always felt that Japanese centered stories bring out the best in one of my favorite X-Men characters. For this outing, The Silver Samuri arrives on the scene, and he’s out for blood against Wolverine, who disgraced him in combat years earlier. Things are put in motion when the Silver Samuri captures the X-Men, and uses them as a means to bait Wolverine into one final duel to the death. 

After the many years of fighting like a brawler, Wolverine goes on a journey to re-discover the Samuri way of fighting with honor. Again, it’s tricky to put into words, but there’s just something about the tone and feel of these particular stories that highlight Wolverines character, and in ways that I just never felt were as strong with his more famous Weapon X related material. Aside from that, the action is this episode is my favorite of the whole show … including a stand-out battle in a storage house. For as great as action scenes with mutant powers are … there’s just no beating the novelty of clashing swords.

 

#2 “Rover” 

As tension escalates for our heroes, Professor X is facing his own battles in the future, with his own special team of new mutants, who are constantly weathering attacks against the lethal Sentinel robots. The one ace up their sleave is a damaged robot Sentinel nicknamed Rover, who’s been reprogramed to aid our heroes in their fight for the future. Sense he’s damaged, he can only speak one word … “DESTROY” … and yet, in the same vein as Hodor and Groot, Rover manages to convey a range of character, emotion and personality through this one statement. 

He also makes a strong connection with the young mutant Marrow, who also feels like a broken outcast. In the end, Rover proves to be more then a scrap of metal, and makes the big sacrifice like any superhero would. What can I say, I’m a sucker for these “Iron Giant” stories, and it surprisingly made for one of the most memorable offerings in this whole show.     

 

Before I reveal my Number One favorite episode, here are some quick Honorable Mentions …

"Aces and Eights"

"Time Bomb"


"Stolen Lives"


"Guardian Angel"  


"Backlash"

 

#1 “Foresight” (3-Part series finale) 

Taking the top spot on my list is the shows three-part series finale, and a near perfect send-off for this short lived, yet highly engaging series. While the show was mostly Wolverine focused, this finale puts him on the side-lines, and puts it’s focus on both Jean Grey and Emma Frost. Following after the events of Jean’s return episode, she gets captured by the Hellfire Club, who aim to take control of the Phoenix Force. This puts Emma Frosts character to the ultimate test, to see where her loyalties and feelings really belong too. Jean is also forced to face her inner demons as she goes on a journey through the astro-world of her mind. 

Meanwhile, Magneto puts his plans into motion, and reprograms the Sentinel robots to launch a full-scale attack on the humans. I’m a longtime fan of the “Ultimate X-Men” comics, and I loved seeing this story line pay tribute to the classic issue titled “The Tomorrow People”. Lastly, in the future, Professor X and his team launch a final offensive against the Sentinel robots that have taken over. All around, this was about as epic as animated X-Men offerings get. While there is an unresolved cliff-hanger revolving around the evil Apocalypse taking over in the future, I can glance over that and view this finale as perfect closure to the series in general. Personally, I’d say the whole show is worth watching, just to get to this thrilling climax.    

  In the end, this was an excellent show, and a worthy addition to the X-Men franchise. I’d say more than any previous series, each episode of “Wolverine and the X-Men” left me excited to see what would come next. Along with an engaging narrative, this show featured the sharpest animation, and some of the most thrilling mutant action. 

Like I said earlier, I wouldn’t put this series above either the classic 90’s “X-Men: The Animated Series” or “X-Men Evolution”, as most of the team members aren’t given proper attention, but the characters who do get focused on are still great, especially with Emma Frost, Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Rogue being reliably strong characters in this series. While I wouldn’t call this show required viewing for X-Men fans, I’d still say it’s encouraged viewing, with enough solid material to appeal to comic book fans. Again, it all depends on how you feel seeing Wolverine in the lead role … either you’ll be open to it, or turned off by it. If you can accept it as a one-time outing to give this show a different feel than its predecessors, I think you’ll get your fix of mutant thrills and excitement.

Thanks for reading my review of the 2009 animated comic-book series “Wolverine and the X-Men” … and continue to enjoy the shows you love!                                                                     

    

 

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