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mbeckham1, thanks man. I will put in the summer watch list and try and catch up before it starts again. ~ Robert
It is that time again. Time for the big summer blockbuster tie-ins to hit the shelves. Sometimes this can mean a cartoon or TV series can finally be released for the first time on DVD. This is usually the case however, for Wolverine and the X-Men Marvel and Lions Gate are simply striking when the iron is hot. Hey, I am not knocking Lions Gate and Marvel for doing so it is just that the last episode premiered on March 12, 2009. One would think they would release the whole season on DVD not just three episodes. Marvel is quick to do that with trade paperbacks of their books’ story arcs. Why not their cartoon series as well?
Obviously they put out this morsel from the series in the hopes of catching some younger fans and perhaps even hooking some new fans into watching it on Nicktoons. Outside of the marketing and the lure to grab new fans this “trilogy” DVD is fun yet I find myself torn between what I know as an occasional reader of the X-Men and a fan of the films.
It’s better to ignore all other universes and continuities and see the series as its own entity. Sure we could all complain about Wolverine taking charge of the team as an obvious marketing scheme set up by Marvel. Wolverine smiling in the first episode alone would turn off many fans as well. I have even read about some fans complaining about this particular line up of X-Men. Regardless, this series ropes you in immediately with Wolverine (voiced by Steve Blum) about to take a leave of absence from the X-Men. The team’s psychics, Professor X and Jean Grey, are attacked and then without warning we flash to a year later.
DVD artwork for Wolverine and the X-Men Heroes Return Trilogy
© Lionsgate
It turns out the X-Men have disbanded since the attack and a government sanctioned task force called the M.R.D. (Mutant Response Division) is rounding up Mutants. Wolverine has been laying low but when he sees that people need his help he springs to action. It is here that he learns that the government is rounding up Mutants and anyone who aids them. After some humans risk their lives for Wolverine he realizes that those behind the M.R.D. have to be stopped and the world needs the X-Men once again. The first X-Man to rejoin the team is Beast (Fred Tatasciore). Tatasciore, who is better known for playing the Hulk (Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow and Hulk VS.), and Blum are perfect in their roles and completely breathe life into the Beast and Wolverine. The handsome savage and the brilliant monster banter back and fourth and their brief moments together make you wish that they wouldn’t find their former teammates so quickly. They do. But only half join eliminating this new dynamic duo’s screen time. However, by the end of the “trilogy” not everyone has rejoined the team and some have even changed their allegiance.
The Brotherhood of Mutants is featured heavily in the second act of the trilogy. Quicksilver, the Blob, Toad and Domino talk Rogue (Kieren van den Blink) into joining their cause. Her loyalty is in question and her friendship with Wolverine also takes center stage in the trilogy. What is refreshing is that the Brotherhood of Mutants are not sinister evil bad guys. They are not twisting their mustaches with evil delight as they plan world domination. There is a great sense that they are a lot like the X-Men only they have a different philosophy on how Mutants should take their place in the world. They are still the “bad guys” but they are relatable and not just simply evildoers.
The final part of the trilogy is the real hook as Professor X returns, as a mental projection, from twenty years in the future. He warns them that if Wolverine does not lead the X-Men they will fail. We then witness the nightmarish future Professor X is walking around and living in. Warning from the future, reluctant leader, team in disarray and I am totally sucked in. However I have to ask, is the entire series worth watching? It starts off with great promises but with no release for the whole first season should I try and catch it on re-runs? If you are a fan of the series I want to hear from you. Is Wolverine and the X-Men worth watching? I picked up the DVD “mini trade” but now should I go back and watch all the past episodes?
mbeckham1, thanks man. I will put in the summer watch list and try and catch up before it starts again. ~ Robert
ive seen da ntire series thus far. season 1 does start slow, has stand alone eps dat take away from da main story, n hardcore xfans may spot mistakes n hav many questions win it cums 2 characterizations n such. n da animation style takes sum getting used 2. but i can tell u dat towards da end of da season, da storytelling is amazing. very well written!! n ull prolly hav a geekgasm win u c da very last scene in da very last ep if uve been reading da comics for da las 15 or so years.
i cant stress enuf how good it gets. hang in dere. took me a few eps 2 get n2 it but win da main plot picks up, it stays up n ull b totally satisfied wit da outcum. i dont usually recommend many american cartoons cuz dere really aint dat many good ones left on da air deez days, but dis certainly is 1 of dem. highly recomended!
up here in canada we are close to the end of the season and have to say i have been pleasently surprised with this toon. to gear people up for the release of the movie on the 25th they did a marathon from 7am to noon. so far the only new toon i have not been pleased with is the new iron man one.
Sorry to chime in like this, but has anyone seen the wolverine movie, and if so, can someone explain to me what the hell happened to deadpool and who the crap was weapon XI, and was this anywhere near the justice wolverine deserved. I'm not comic suave, just insanely confused...thanx.
I have only seen up to the Nitro episode, and I already consider this to be far and away the best Marvel toon ever. I love it and can't wait for more eps! Bring on more Nightcrawler!
Yes. I've recently watched the first six episodes on Nicktoons. The characters are three dimimensional, the conficts are well developed, complex for a Y7, and very involving. The brotherhood and other threats continue to have more dimension than the moustache twirling baddies, and the X-Men sometimes have to struggle with which side to be on. Wolverine's struggle with the leasership role is very well played by Steve Blum, and the old Wolverine is still simmering under the surface, only balanced by a new found maturity and weight of responsiblity. All the characters have well drawn and distinctive personalities. Like the third movie Cyclops is imbittered and ill at ease with the group in general since Jean disappeared, but is still harboring a desperate hope that they might find her. It's an interesting take on Cyclops that we got to see too little of in the movie. Forge andhisgeey kid genius pewersona and the way it obviousl;y gets on Wolverine's nerves provides great comic reliefe. And wondering whether the White Queen will turn on them is a good sorce of anxiety for the new reluctant leader. That an the Professors occasional communications with Wolverine in the future provide great drama for the series. One of my favorites since JLU left the tv.