When Marvel announced X-Men ’97, I was skeptical. In my mind, the ’92 X-Men cartoon lives as a flawless piece of art with perfect stories and animation. It’s far from it, but I won’t go back and watch it for fear of ruining my memory of experiencing it through my eight-year-old eyes.
Comic book adaptations can vary from fast food to a fulfilling feast, and lately, it feels like Marvel’s quality has been leaning toward the latter, treating rich characters like disposable commodities, Big Macs made of Kobe Beef.
However, Beau DeMayo’s passion for the X-men shines in his work, reminding us of the power of relatable characters. Good stories only polarize a fan base if they’re meant to, but they mostly unite fans.
I’m not here to preach; these characters matter to many, and audiences judge media with their wallets and presence. However, after the product DeMayo delivered, I trusted him with my favorite characters because he remembered what it was like to be an outsider, just like every other X-Men fan. Although we all come from different walks of life, at least we can find common ground in being uncommon, and the X-men celebrate that. It’s a shame he won’t be returning to the series.
In my own novel, I tried to treat my characters with the same care, recognizing the potential in any situation if there’s good characterization at the story’s core. This blog will document my journey in creating The City of the Gods over the past decade, highlighting both setbacks and minor victories. I hope it serves as both a cautionary tale and an author’s note for a story too expansive for traditional commentary.
Whether you’re here to explore new characters, share a love for familiar ones, offer differing opinions, or share fan art, I’m eager to hear from you. Let’s begin this journey together.
Recommendations:
Watch: X-Men ’97
Read: Wild Cards
Listen: MF Doom and Masta Killa E.n.y. House (try to guess the sample)