I saw the 90's X-Men series which was based on some of the comic books and enjoyed it. Because the Evolution series has the situation set from a different standpoint (with the majority of mutants as high school students), I thought I'd take a look at it out of curiosity's sake. The first season was a little slow with the recruitment of several of the characters into either Professor Xavier's X-Men or Magneto's Brotherhood. But it definitely picked up with the two sides battling on Asteroid M.
Season 2 introduced viewers to Principal Kelly at Bayville High, as well as Hank McCoy who eventually becomes our favorite big blue fellow, the Beast, not to mention Iceman among the new recruits, most of whom still have only minor roles on the show. Of course, the original purpose of the Xavier Institute is to train its students to properly handle their abilities while blending in with normal human society. This however was completely undermined by the evil shape-shifting Mystique who hatched her own plan to expose the X-Men at this season's end.
It's after that point in the series that it's gotten so much better. The X-Men now have to prove they can use their powers for good, while other mutants use their abilities for evil. One of the better episodes where they had to show their mettle was in "The Stuff of Heroes", where the group had to battle Juggernaut, the biggest and baddest of them all. The climactic scene where Cyclops used his full optic blasts against him totally rocked!!! Rogue, after absorbing his immense strength and taking him on was the icing on the cake! Of course, with the public aware of mutants now, the X-Men are shunned and treated as freaks, especially at school. They now have to deal with bigotry and have to refrain from using their powers to fight back, with various degrees of success. Whereas some are able to resist those who pick on them, others are more easily provoked. It's because this series has its heroes blending action between the supervillians as well as the normal people in public and their reactions to the mutants that I think is a much more realistic interpretation that what's seen in the comic books.
I also like the quality of the animation and the special effects aren't as over the top as they were in the 90's series. After all, you really can't see magnetic waves when you link 2 kitchen magnets together, let alone when an electromagnet pulls up scrap metal in a junkyard. This series correctly has Magneto's use of his abilities in invisible form (save for a slight blurring of the picture) and a more proper sound effect whenever he strikes. Another change which I think is better from the 90's series is Rogue. I like her much better without the super strength and ability to fly as if she were Supergirl. I know in the comics, prolonged contact with superhero Miss Marvel caused her to have her powers permanently, which in turn made her more confident and more of a flirt with men. Unlike the 90's series, though, there's much more focus on her actual power of absorption, which much more shows how it's a danger to herself and others. They still managed to keep some of her background with Mystique and bond a little with Nightcrawler, since they're of a certain relation because of the evil shapeshifter.
About my only problems with the Evolution series in comparison to the 90's X-Men series is the lack of focus on adult characters like Storm and Beast. The latter only gets significant time either when he's doing his scientific duties or when his "inner beast" rages out of control on some occasions. Storm gets attention primarily when she's with her nephew Spyke, whether she's training him or giving him some sort of discipline. But she does provide a good parental symbol on the show. Spyke is a pretty good character as he's had to make adjustments to having his abilities, moving to Bayville, and devoting his time to school and his training. In a recent episode, his powers had gone out of his control and as a result has major bone protrusions sticking out from all over his body. With the increased bigotry and overall stress he's had to deal with, he made the choice to join the Morlocks, whose more freakish outward appearances make them more of outcasts than either the X-Men or the Brotherhood. Also a potential upcoming storyline for the series is the potential coming of Apocalypse, as he's had Mesmero manipulate the X-Men and Magneto into opening the doors that will release him from imprisonment. This and Rogue's possible role in this situation (seemingly predicted by Destiny) will most certainly make a good story for the following seasons. X-Men: Evolution is definitely becoming one of the best quality animated series on television.
Season 2 introduced viewers to Principal Kelly at Bayville High, as well as Hank McCoy who eventually becomes our favorite big blue fellow, the Beast, not to mention Iceman among the new recruits, most of whom still have only minor roles on the show. Of course, the original purpose of the Xavier Institute is to train its students to properly handle their abilities while blending in with normal human society. This however was completely undermined by the evil shape-shifting Mystique who hatched her own plan to expose the X-Men at this season's end.
It's after that point in the series that it's gotten so much better. The X-Men now have to prove they can use their powers for good, while other mutants use their abilities for evil. One of the better episodes where they had to show their mettle was in "The Stuff of Heroes", where the group had to battle Juggernaut, the biggest and baddest of them all. The climactic scene where Cyclops used his full optic blasts against him totally rocked!!! Rogue, after absorbing his immense strength and taking him on was the icing on the cake! Of course, with the public aware of mutants now, the X-Men are shunned and treated as freaks, especially at school. They now have to deal with bigotry and have to refrain from using their powers to fight back, with various degrees of success. Whereas some are able to resist those who pick on them, others are more easily provoked. It's because this series has its heroes blending action between the supervillians as well as the normal people in public and their reactions to the mutants that I think is a much more realistic interpretation that what's seen in the comic books.
I also like the quality of the animation and the special effects aren't as over the top as they were in the 90's series. After all, you really can't see magnetic waves when you link 2 kitchen magnets together, let alone when an electromagnet pulls up scrap metal in a junkyard. This series correctly has Magneto's use of his abilities in invisible form (save for a slight blurring of the picture) and a more proper sound effect whenever he strikes. Another change which I think is better from the 90's series is Rogue. I like her much better without the super strength and ability to fly as if she were Supergirl. I know in the comics, prolonged contact with superhero Miss Marvel caused her to have her powers permanently, which in turn made her more confident and more of a flirt with men. Unlike the 90's series, though, there's much more focus on her actual power of absorption, which much more shows how it's a danger to herself and others. They still managed to keep some of her background with Mystique and bond a little with Nightcrawler, since they're of a certain relation because of the evil shapeshifter.
About my only problems with the Evolution series in comparison to the 90's X-Men series is the lack of focus on adult characters like Storm and Beast. The latter only gets significant time either when he's doing his scientific duties or when his "inner beast" rages out of control on some occasions. Storm gets attention primarily when she's with her nephew Spyke, whether she's training him or giving him some sort of discipline. But she does provide a good parental symbol on the show. Spyke is a pretty good character as he's had to make adjustments to having his abilities, moving to Bayville, and devoting his time to school and his training. In a recent episode, his powers had gone out of his control and as a result has major bone protrusions sticking out from all over his body. With the increased bigotry and overall stress he's had to deal with, he made the choice to join the Morlocks, whose more freakish outward appearances make them more of outcasts than either the X-Men or the Brotherhood. Also a potential upcoming storyline for the series is the potential coming of Apocalypse, as he's had Mesmero manipulate the X-Men and Magneto into opening the doors that will release him from imprisonment. This and Rogue's possible role in this situation (seemingly predicted by Destiny) will most certainly make a good story for the following seasons. X-Men: Evolution is definitely becoming one of the best quality animated series on television.