X-Men: Animated Series Staff Review
During the early 1990's, a group of mutant super heroes, called X-Men, debuted on Saturday morning cartoons. It was on October 31, 1992, and until this time, the X-men graphic novel lovers and followers of comic books mainly knew mythology. With the release of "X-Men -- The Animated Series", all of that changed.
Now, 17 years later, the original animated television show has made its way on to DVD, through Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. It features stories adapted directly from the original comic books with Marvel X-Men: Volume 1 and Marvel X-Men: Volume 2 - featuring over 16 episodes spanning four discs with some of the best highlights of the amazing series.
Volume 1 starts things off with a "bang" with Night of the Sentinels. This episode creatively tells the back-story of the X-Men, while exploring the conflicts they face from society for being mutants. The action never lets up from there.
Volume 2 ends the X-Men animated series experience with a five-part Phoenix saga which is simply too amazing to describe in words.
Aside from the compelling mythology of the X-Men (in all honestly, who really doesn't want to be a mutant?), Marvel held back nothing on this series, from the compelling score to the great voice cast. "X-men: The Animated Series" had it all.
The DVD transfer of the series really shines through a great picture (presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1) that could only be better if it was on Blu-ray. A Dolby Digital soundtrack, which really packs a punch, that has crisp highs and thundering bass that shakes the house on every explosion.
Before you head out this weekend to see the latest X-Men incarnation, "
X-Men Origins: Wolverine", catch up on your X-Men lore with this fantastic animated series that has been a long time in coming to DVD.
--Nathan M Rose
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