We revisit the classic ’80s X-Men animated special to find out why it didn’t get a full-series order.
And then we pretend that it did!
I remember the first time I sawPryde of the X-Men.
If theres any such thing as a kitchen sink pilot, this would be it.
So lets take a look at this one to see what made it so special!
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Who madePryde of the X-Men?
It was animated overseas by Toei, the geniuses behind almost every noteworthy anime this side of Miyazaki.
So why was there only one episode made?
Because theMuppet Babiesdemanded it.
What happened was,Marvelran into some financial difficulties around 1989 afterPrydewas produced.
Were there any more episodes planned or written?
Speaking of which…
Did this influence the 90s cartoon at all?
No, in that the entire affair was tonally different in every way.
The similarities between the two are incredible only because they differ so vastly from each other.
We wrote MUCH more about the best episodes of the classic 90sX-Men: The Animated Seriesright here.
Is this why Dazzler was in that one video game?
Konamis classicX-Menbeat em up coin game?
Hold on, theres one more video game that Prydes distinctive artstyle influenced: the semi-classic 8-bitUncanny X-Menfor NES.
Were there toys planned or released?
I think the sheets would have been really neat, though.
I like that idea.
Can somebody mock that up like?
Why was Wolverine Australian?
Hey, wait a second!
Did Professor X just…
Move his leg?
Yep, that happened.
Is this continuity with the other Marvel Productions universe alongsideHulkorSpider-Man and his Amazing Friends, etc.?
Im not quite sure about that.
Officially there is not confirmation either way.
But I like this one better).
Thats because both iterations voiced by the same actor, Neil Ross.
Do with that what you will.
What else is notable about this cartoon?
It started the rather dark trend of every animated series having the mansion destroyed by opposing forces.
Wait, one last thing: who belted out that epic theme song?
Oh yeah, andLeprechauntoo.
If you havent heard it in a while, let me do the honors.
Ah, thats better.
Get ready for your imaginations to be tickled, as well as your mutant abilities.
(But not in a creepy way.
102:Escape the Savage Land!
Professor X and his X-Men are baffled to discover a tropical jungle in the middle of Antarctica.
Then he makes his team of X-Men imposters look responsible for the deed.
Can the real X-Men clear their names and free the US capital before its too late?
104:Not by a Longshot
Cerebro detects a new mutant in the city.
Cyclops is beside himself.
Is she what she seems?
Meanwhile, a group of aliens appear on earth, searching for something called the Phoenix.
Can the X-Men stop this madness, or will the Phoenix powers be the end of Jean Grey?
But the real question is: can they get along first?
Can she stop this timeline from coming to pass with the help of Wolverine and Professor X?
Now, who wants to take a shot at Season 2?
You shold check it out.
Also, follow him on Twitter at @onlywriterever while youre at it.
