X-Men’97 – Mutant Liberation Begins review S1 E2
Mutant Liberation Begins quickly proves the first episode was no fluke. If anything, it confirmed that X-Men’97 is the best treatment of the X-Men in years. It’s not just good — it’s got the potential to be at minimum the best animated version of the X-Men yet.
The X-Men deal with the fallout of Professor Xavier’s will stating that Magneto (Matthew Waterson) is to be the team’s new leader. Naturally, this affects Cyclops the most as he takes Xavier’s decision as some indictment of his leadership potential. Jean sees it as Xavier blessing their chance to start a new life with their baby.
Magneto isn’t exactly ingratiating himself well with his new team behaving as haughty and demanding as ever. The master of magnetism is showing another side — a noble, heroic turn inspired by his dead best friend. While he doesn’t have many X-Men willing to give him a chance, at least one team member is offering their hand in support.
That act in turn is causing friction with another teammate. The relationship twists and turns really makes the show feel like the best of X-Men legend Chris Claremont’s run.
Showrunner Beau DeMayo obviously has a deep affinity for the X-Men lore. In two episodes the series has tackled plot themes from acclaimed X-Men stories over the years.
Not in the slapdash manner of the original cartoon, but in a thoughtful, logical manner. Sure, referencing classic X-Men storylines is a great way to earn brownie points with the fanbase, but tying it into the larger X-Men’97 arc makes a far more effective story.
Also, DeMayo deserves a lot of credit for not just making X-Men’97 simply Wolverine and his mutant sidekicks.
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Hoping to atone for his actions, Magneto agrees to stand trial — similar to the events in Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Vol. 5 available on Amazon (ad). This proves another opportunity for the Friends of Humanity to strike. And this time, their leader is prepared to battle and take down the X-Men singlehandedly.
It’s hard to see this scene and not think back to the Jan. 6 insurrection. There’s no chance that was a coincidence, but it’s done in a way of art imitating life to another level. Over the years, X-Men has become Marvel Comics’ franchise to explore disenfranchisement, bigotry, racism and exclusion. Mutant Liberation Begins shows how truly ugly that can be with some devastating consequences to the X-Men. It also provides a showcase for what will likely be an oft recited and referenced Magneto moment.
Again, the use of the X-Men’s powers is incredibly well done. There’s far more nuance in how team uses their powers, not just in battle, but in other important developments.
Like the first episode, Mutant Liberation Begins ends with a mind-blowing cliffhanger. The series is truly embracing the serial nature of the Disney+ format establishing a genuine can’t wait until the next episode mindset for viewers.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Photo Credit: Disney