Of course, this series aired long before the hit film, Iron Man, and it’s blockbuster sequel. Thanks to the popularity of those two live action movies, we comic book geeks and youngsters now have the opportunity to watch Iron Man, War Machine and the cadre of characters that occupy his universe have at it in this old cartoon. Problem is, just like most of Marvel’s animated ventures back in the 90’s, the final product isn’t that great.

Sure, the stories are decent and the voice acting is overall good, but the animation is clunky and subpar. The armored suits are bulky and the character animation is not smooth at all. You can’t blame this on the era, as this was also the time of the excellent Batman: The Animated Series, as well as Tiny Toons and Pinky and the Brain. Moreover, Nickelodeon had begun creating some wonderful animated series. The only reason for the animation in this series looks bad is cheapness. I’m sorry to be critical, especially for a cartoon intended for young kids, but there is no other reason for it. When something looks this weak, I tend to get cynical and think that the only reason for this cartoon was the merchandising opportunities.

Nevertheless, there are some exciting adventures and my son certainly lit up when we sat down to watch the show together. However, he was much more attentive than I was, so that will tell you may get out of Iron Man: The Complete Animated Series when you choose to view it.

At the same time Marvel was churning out Iron Man cartoons, they were still in the X-Men business, and Buena Vista has also released the final volume of episodes from their popular animated, X-Men, show from the early 90’s. Volume 5 of the is for die-hards (i.e. those who own volumes 1-4) and young kids only. Picking up where Volume 4 left off, there is an obvious dip in the production value of these final episodes. While most of the voice actors remain the same, the animation company used was obviously different and some of the characters are so off model that they do not look at all like the same characters from the previous DVD’s/seasons. Think I’m being judgmental? It was my eight year old son who pointed out the differences to me. I can only imagine that Marvel was trying to cut costs by switching to a cheaper overseas animation company. What a shame. Instead of finishing out the show on a high note, the company delivered quality junk.

This is not Buena Vista’s fault, mind you, as the company had nothing to do with the production of this show. They bought it a few years ago and have been airing it on their channels. If Disney had been involved I know that the series would have looked excellent.  If you can look past the bad animation there are some powerful stories in these episodes. With X-Men you always get an excellent message of tolerance, especially when the character Nightcrawler is involved. Although not a regular, he does appear in one well written episode about the search for his birth mother, Mystique. Mystique is a blue skinned shape shifter who abandoned Nightcrawler (himself blue, with the appearance of the devil) as an infant. Later in life, Mystique raised the X-Man, Rogue, as her own. Thus, Nightcrawler and Rogue are almost adopted siblings.  The two heroes go on a mission to find her and when Nightcrawler confronts Mystique, the scenes are poignant and full of hope.

Elsewhere on the DVD set you get more of the same humans hunting down mutants plots, plus an appearance by Captain America! It’s nothing new, but it will still excite youngsters who have worn out the previous four volumes. As a parent, though, you will most likely leave the room, even if you are the most ardent fanboy.

With the release of these two DVD collections (and hopefully a deluxe Spider Man: the Animated Series package in the works) I hope that Disney is trying to whet the appetites of comic fans and kids in anticipation of some future, better cartoon series featuring the Marvel characters they now own.

What I always liked about this particular X-Men series was the way it adhered to the mythology from the long-running comic books. Even though some of the characters were changed, the story lines about the Savage Land and  in particularly the Phoenix saga (in which telepath Jean Grey is gradually transformed into a God with unlimited power) were played out over a series of episodes that treated this show more like a continuing drama you’d find on prime time instead of a Saturday morning cartoon aimed at kids seven years and older.

Volume 3 contains the “Dark Phoenix Saga,” the conclusion to the Phoenix storyline. This four-episode story arc covers the point in time when Jean Grey’s brain is manipulated by Mastermind and she begins to lose touch with reality. Again, the animated series kept pretty close to the comic book story, although the outcome and fate of Jean Grey was radically changed. Other exciting episodes from the third volume include “Obsession,” in which Arcangel tries to destroy thee ultimate mutant villain, Apocalypse; “Nightcrawler,” featuring an appearance by the lovable, blue skinned furry mutant, Kurt Wagner; and “Orphan’s End,” a story involving Cyclops piecing together the fragments of his youth and learning who his father may be.

Volume 4 features the two-part Magneto episode, “Sanctuary.” In it, the X-Men’s arch nemesis invites all mutants who wish to flee Earth to  join him on his orbiting  asteroid, Asteroid M, to live free of the hatred and ridicule of humanity. Also included is the epic “Beyond Good and Evil”  a four-parter which features appearances by the then popular Cable and Bishop in a battle through time to save humanity from Apocalypse, and “The Lotus and The Steel,” a classic Wolverine episode that finds him leaving the X-Men and returning to Japan, where he spent his youth.

Full of drama, action, and a little bit of romance, these volumes do have some clunkers. “Have Yourself A Morlock Little X-Mas” is so sugary sweet you may have to vistt the dentist afterward. Trust me when I tell you it is sickening.  Moreover, some of the episodes were a little more heavy handed than I recalled. “Nightcrawler,” in particular, was really laying on the Christianity message. By the end of it I think everyone in the show was worshiping God. It felt a little too preachy for me.

Technically, the animation is still blocky, and the sound a little overbearing at times. Furthermore, some of the voice actors were a little weak. Still, with such great stories to tell, the misteps in animation and voice acting are easily overlooked.

For any child who is a fan of the X-Men movies, or who catches the Nickelodeon hit, Wolverine and the X-men, these two volumes (along with the previously released two) are a fine addition to their library. They ain’t too bad for the fan boy fathers, either.

Marvel DVD Comic Book Collection: X-Men Volume 3 (2009, Buena Vista)
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Marvel DVD Comic Book Collection: X-Men Volume 4 (2009, Buena Vista)
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Buena Vista Home Entertainment has just released what they dubbed the Marvel Comic Book Collection. X-men Volume 1 and Volume 2 each have 2 discs each and contain the first 33 episodes in order from seasons 1 and 2 and the first 7 episodes from season 3.

When creating this particular series, it was apparent that the producers had a specific approach: Keep the X-Men team simple, with no more than 8 characters. That may seem like a lot, but considering that there are too many X-Men related characters in the Marvel Universe to count, this was a wise decision. They opted with the popular characters of the time: Cyclops, the pensive leader who shoots optic rays out of his eyes; Jean Grey, a beautiful and powerful telekinetic; Wolverine, (the most popular character then and now), a savage with claws in his hands; Gambit, a reformed Cajun thief with the ability to manipulate kinetic energy; Rogue, a southern misfit who is seemingly indestructible and can absorb other peoples’ powers; Beast, a brilliant scientist trapped in a furry blue body; Storm, a stunning weather goddess from Africa; and Jubilee, a teenage girl just learning to use her mutant ability. With a smaller group it allowed the viewer to get attached to the characters on an emotional level.

In addition to the popular heroes of the time, these X-Men DVD’s also feature many of the key villains from X-Men history, including Magneto, Mr. Sinister, Apocalypse and the Sentinels. Popular storylines from the comic adapted for the series include “Days of Future Past”, Wolverine’s run in with Sabertooth, the Savage Land, and “The Phoenix saga”, which introduces a mysterious life force that overtakes Jean Grey’s psyche and makes her the most powerful being in the universe.

Just like the comic book series, this is a serialized adventure series with storylines carrying over from episode to episode, some story arcs even lasting four or five episodes. This technique is as much a tribute to the month to month storytelling of comic books as well as a benefit to viewers. Instead of cramming things into 30 minutes and moving on, X-Men is more like a nighttime drama than your typical Saturday morning cartoon. Thus, having a collection of the episodes in order like they are presented in these two volumes is the best way to watch them.

Although a Y7 show, there are some adult themes being dealt with in X-Men, themes of love and broken hearts that may fly over a youngster’s head. No matter, there is enough action and adventure to keep them happy.

After X-Men completed its 5 season run (future DVD volumes are sure to come), there would be two more X-Men animated shows, X-Men: Evolution and the current Wolverine and the X-Men (as well as three feature films and the Wolverine prequel that now dwells in theaters). Although those later series are better animated, they are not necessarily better shows. In fact X-Men is a fine tribute to the legacy of the X-Men universe and good time for anyone who is a fan of super heroes.

Marvel DVD Comic Book Collection: X-Men Volume 1 (2009, Buena Vista)
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Marvel DVD Comic Book Collection: X-Men Volume 2 (2009, Buena Vista)
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