X-Men: Evolution

X-Men: Evolution was the first real exposure that I had to the X-Men universe. The original animated series was way back when I was just a toddler, so I am not too familiar with it. Thus, I had a lot to thank to the Evolution series because it made me feel fascinated with the X-Men and eventually Marvel universe.

The concept of making the characters teenage high schoolers was a bit appalling, especially to the comic fans, but I guess it was intended to appeal to younger generations. In my opinion, making them teenagers aren't too bad at all. It allowed more character growth to happen for most characters whilst dealing with the anti-mutant issues, even for the notorious Brotherhood members like Avalanche and Quicksilver.

The story was a bit slow at first. Of course, it had intentions of introducing the characters that would later make up the X-Men team and the Brotherhood. It was good that it did this so that newcomers to the X-Men world would not feel lost when watching it. As the first season finale ended, I felt a bit empty, wanting more. But it satisfied my X-Men thirst, with enough action and character developments that made me wait for Season 2. As the series progressed, it did get better and more structured. More loved-by-fans characters were introduced such as Gambit and Colossus and added great dynamics to the conflicts and relationships (eg. the questionable bond between Rogue and Remy in the show).

The characters in the series are definitely fleshed out. They had opportunities to experience emotional and personal growth that changed them from the first time we met them in the series. In return, viewers will have certain opinions on most of them, be it love, hate or neutral.

The animation in X-Men: Evolution is of course much better and smoother than the X-Men: TAS (which is not to say the original animated series is bad or anything). The actions scenes excited me a lot, the showcase of the mutants' powers are made more subtle but still believable and the expressions on the characters are drawn well, making us believe in their emotions. Kudos to Steve Gordon for coming up with great character designs as well.

All in all, X-Men: Evolution is definitely a good series to try if you're an X-Men fan. The stories does not quite follow to the comics, but that's what makes it good, as it tries to tell the stories of the X-Men universe in a more relatable way, especially to the younger generations.

Despite my limited knowledge of X-Men--or perhaps because of it--I love this show. The animation, voices and music are GREAT, and it is not from Japan (no offense to anime fans). I love how Nightcrawler and Beast look. And to those who said that characters like Beast were being ignored, the episode "Beast of Bayville" proves otherwise and also proves that the series is living up to its name and evolving, which takes time. I hope the evolution continues.

Seeing how many have bashed this show, I decided to give my two-cents in. I had never heard of X-men before Cartoon Network decided to show Evo here in Sweden. Curious, I went on-line to see if it was something. What was explained got me interested, and I started to look up facts on the original comics, particular the first ones. Afterwards I saw Pryde of the X-men, and one of TAS, and accutally decided that I liked Evo better! When it arrived I had no means to see the first episode, or the second as I was away that weekend. But when I did see it, I watched the episode 'Spyke-cam' and decided that I liked the animation. (Rouge's and Kitty's dance went smooth.) Also, I researched about Evan (Spyke.) And found out that he was an Evo-exclusive chara, and stumbled upon an interview with the creator of him. Apparently they wanted Evo to have something unique, so they made Spyke, and from what they says, they didn't know about Marrow. I believe them, because how many X-men/mutants are there in the Marvelverse?! They can't know everything about all of them. Now they also gave the mutants a more likely life.

I mean, if a big institute is opened up in your city and you see almost nothing of those who live there, wouldn't you wonder? That's why it's so good to have the mutants go in a 'normal' school. (How normal it is to have earthquakes without fault-lines, a shape-shifting, blue principal, and prehistoric monsters from another dimension destroying the school dance.) Both Jean and Scott are part of the popular-class people. Pietro is a part of the cute guy-class. Todd is in the, not to be near unless absolutely needed. Kitty is a part of the annoying freshman-class, though she is friend with Jean. Rouge is the loner. (Well until her powers developed.) Kurt is the insecure one. Evan is the joker. And so on, they need to cooperate with the normal teenage problems, be the normal teenager, and handle the evolution of their powers.

One more thing, Logan only came to the institute when the news was talking about strange things in Bayville. When he got there, it's unlikely that he knew that he was gonna be a teacher. But as the student-body where growing in the institute they where in need of more teachers, and Logan's loyalty to the X-men, as well as his friend Chuck(Xavier.) he became the violent, lonesome teacher, that pretends he doesn't like the students, but he wouldn't want them hurt.

I'll give this show 9.5/10.

That's pretty much what I would chalk this up to. The New Mutants series finally hits the screen. If you read the comics back in the 80's like myself then you know what I'm talking about. Wolfsbane, Sunspot, Boom Boom, amazing!

Plus, it's totally different than any previous series or new one that's out now, in the sense that they didn't regurgitate old stories. The 90's series tried retelling some cool plots but left me yelling at the screen all the time. "That's not how that happened!" "Why'd they do that?!" lol.

X-Men Evo is all original start to finish. Awesome. Think about it. We all want to see some of our favorite tales retold visually but me, I don't want my favs being changed for the sake of cost or director's personal choice (X-men the last stand... ugh).

Evolution also had the best animation ever! Very anime influenced. Some characters like Wolvie were a little exaggerated visually but still very cool looking. Especially season 3 and 4 with Apocalypse. Best rendition of this character I've ever witnessed. He was totally evil. Magneto comes off like a dark shadowy madman, which is so different. No soft old man here. Magnus was vicious and calculating. Perfect!

I couldn't ask for anything more other than bring this one back! It was stopped when it just reached it's peak. So sad. I was ready to see all the things that Xavier seen for the future. (When you see the series finale you'll know what I mean). So...

until Wolverine starts hosting his own cooking show, talk show and reality TV... make mine Marvel.

i have read one slash review for this series to many, STOP COMPLAINING! IT'S JUST A TV SHOW FOR GOD SAKES!!!!!!!! how bad could it be if Marvel gave it the ok to begin with. anyway, if children watch the show and get into the x-men they will be more inclined to get into the comic's and get the original story, the entire genre will be more likely to fade into complete obscurity over the years if todays children never hear of the x-men. so if you stop watching the series from a completely bias point of view you might actually enjoy it! (for those of you who are reading this and have no idea what i am talking about just watch the show! it's good! of course you cant anymore because it's canceled, so go to amazon.com and buy the DVD's!)