X-Men in television

The fictional X-Men created by Marvel Comics has appeared in multiple forms of media besides comics, including on television numerous times, in both live action and animated television programs.

Animated

The Marvel Super Heroes (1966)

The X-Men made their first ever animated appearance on The Marvel Super Heroes TV series in 1966 with Professor X commanding the original X-Men line-up of the Cyclops, the Beast, Marvel Girl, the Angel, and Iceman. The X-Men appeared in the Sub-Mariner episode "Dr. Doom's Day / The Doomed Allegiance / Tug of Death". Though the episode was adapted from Fantastic Four No. 6 (1962) and Fantastic Four Annual No. 3 (1965), Grantray-Lawrence Animation did not have the rights to the Fantastic Four (their series was produced by Hanna-Barbera), and so instead substituted the X-Men.[1] The X-Men are never referred to in this episode as the X-Men but rather as the Allies for Peace.[2] The characters kept their original looks and individual names from the comics.

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981–1983)

The X-Men guest-starred in several episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, which included Iceman, along with Spider-Man and Firestar, as the main characters, starting with a flashback in "The Origin of Iceman".[2] Appearing in this particular episode are Professor X and the five original X-Men: Iceman, the Angel, the Beast, Marvel Girl, and Cyclops. For the continuity of the show, Firestar was also a former member of the X-Men. X-Men member Sunfire would also pop up on his own in a later episode teaming up with the Amazing Friends, as well as representing a romantic interest for Firestar.

The X-Men's next appearance was in the episode "A Firestar is Born",[2] which included appearances from Professor X, Storm, the Angel, Cyclops, Wolverine, and the Juggernaut and cameos by Magneto and a Sentinel.

The X-Men would return the following season in the episode titled "The X-Men Adventure".[2] Making appearances this time were: Professor X, Cyclops, Sprite, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird. This episode was meant to be a pilot for an X-Men cartoon that was slated to feature the X-Men characters, plus Lady Lightning (an animated version of Carol Danvers / Ms. Marvel) and Videoman as members.[3] The series was never produced.

Pryde of the X-Men (1989)

In 1989, Marvel Productions produced a half-hour pilot X-Men episode titled X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men. It related the story of Kitty Pryde's first adventure with the team of mutants which included Professor X, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Dazzler as they fought against Magneto, the White Queen, the Juggernaut, the Blob, Pyro, and the Toad.[2] The series was never picked up but the single episode aired infrequently in syndication during the Marvel Action Universe series and was released on video in 1990.[1]

In 1991, a six-player arcade game and a four-player version were based upon the pilot starring Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, and Dazzler as the playable characters. Kitty Pryde and Professor X also appear.[4]

X-Men (1992–1997)

In 1992, the Fox network launched an X-Men animated series with the roster of Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Beast, Gambit, Jubilee, Jean Grey, and Professor X with secondary background player Morph making occasional appearances. The two-part pilot episode, "Night of the Sentinels" began a five-season series. It was an extraordinary success and helped to widen the X-Men's popularity.[2] The five seasons ended in 1997. It returned to Fox's line-up for several months after the first movie was released in 2000.[5]

Spider-Man (1995–1997)

The X-Men guest starred on Spider-Man in episodes "The Mutant Agenda" and "Mutants Revenge", when Spider-Man seeks Professor X's help with his growing mutation disease. Storm would later guest-star in the Secret Wars arc.[2]

Fantastic Four (1995)

Cyclops, Jean Grey, Gambit, Wolverine, Storm, and the Juggernaut, along with the Scarlet Spider, made cameos in the Fantastic Four series, in the episode "Nightmare in Green", as the Human Torch flies overhead.[6]

X-Men: Evolution (2000–2003)

In 2000, The WB launched the X-Men: Evolution television series, which portrayed the X-Men as teenagers attending a regular public high school in addition to the Xavier Institute. The series ended in 2003 after its fourth season. The show focused on Cyclops, Jean Grey, Spyke (Storm's nephew), Storm, Wolverine, Rogue, Beast, Shadowcat and Nightcrawler.[2]

Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003)

The X-Men and mutant-kind are mentioned in an episode of the short-lived CGI series Spider-Man: The New Animated Series called "The Party". Peter Parker is quoted as saying, "I bet the X-Men get to go to parties". Soon after, he is ambushed by a group of cops, one of them calling him a "mutant freak".[7]

X-Men: Darktide (2006)

In 2006, Minimates released a short animated brickfilm called X-Men: Darktide on DVD with a box set of figures.[8] The story involved the X-Men battling the Brotherhood at an oil rig. The X-Men team consists of Cyclops, Jean Grey, Archangel, Wolverine, the Beast, Xavier and Storm. The Brotherhood team is Mystique, Magneto and the Juggernaut.

Wolverine and the X-Men (2009)

In 2008, Marvel Studios released a new X-Men animated show that featured Wolverine titled Wolverine and the X-Men. This series used a mesh of 2D/3D animation for characters and backgrounds.[9] Avi Arad, CEO of Marvel Studios, stated "X-Men is one of Marvel's crown jewels and it makes sense to focus on the popular Wolverine character for our second animation project."[10] The series debuted in the United States on January 23, 2009 and in the U.K. in February.[9][11] It also aired in Latin America and Canada. The team consisted of Wolverine, Emma Frost, Cyclops, the Beast, Storm, Shadowcat, Iceman, Rogue, Nightcrawler, the Angel, Jean Grey and Professor X. The show was cancelled just after one season due to financing issues.[2]

The Super Hero Squad Show (2009)

The X-Men appeared on Cartoon Network's The Super Hero Squad Show.[12]

Marvel Animation: X-Men (2011)

As part of a four-series collaboration between the Japanese Madhouse animation house and Marvel, the X-Men starred in a 12 episode anime series that premiered in Japan on Animax and in the United States on G4 in 2011.[13][14] The series deals with the X-Men coming to Japan to investigate the disappearance of Armor. The antagonists are reported to be the U-Men.[15][16]

Marvel Animation: Wolverine (2011)

As part of the same four-series collaboration as described above, several characters from the X-Men franchise, including Wolverine and Cyclops, are featured in a 12 episode anime series aired in Japan on Animax and in the United States on G4.[16][13]

Live action
Series Season Episodes First aired Last aired Showrunner(s) Status
FX series
Legion 1 8 February 8, 2017 (2017-02-08) March 29, 2017 (2017-03-29) Noah Hawley Released
2 11 April 3, 2018 (2018-04-03) June 12, 2018 (2018-06-12)
3 8 June 24, 2019 (2019-06-24) August 12, 2019 (2019-08-12)
Fox series
The Gifted 1 13 October 2, 2017 (2017-10-02) January 15, 2018 (2018-01-15) Matt Nix Released
2 16 September 25, 2018 (2018-09-25) February 26, 2019 (2019-02-26)

Legion (2017–2019)
Main article: Legion (TV series)

The show focuses on David Haller, who is diagnosed as schizophrenic. Following an encounter with another patient, he is confronted with the possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees might be real.[17]

In October 2015, FX had ordered a pilot titled Legion, with Noah Hawley attached as the showrunner.[17] It was picked up by FX in early 2017 for an eight episodes run.[18] Starring Dan Stevens as Haller, Rachel Keller, Jean Smart, Jemaine Clement, Bill Irwin, Jeremie Harris, and Aubrey Plaza as the Shadow King, the first season aired from February to March 2017. It returned for a second season in 2018.[19]

The Gifted (2017–2019)
Main article: The Gifted (American TV series)

The show focuses on a suburban couple whose lives are changed by the discovery that their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from the government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants for survival.[20]

In July 2016, Fox Broadcasting Company ordered a pilot from Matt Nix.[21] In January 2017, Fox picked up the pilot which Bryan Singer will direct.[22] The show stars Stephen Moyer, Amy Acker, Sean Teale, Natalie Alyn Lind, Percy Hynes White, Jamie Chung as Blink, Coby Bell, Emma Dumont as Polaris, Blair Redford as Thunderbird, and Skyler Samuels as the Stepford Cuckoos. It premiered in October 2, 2017 on Fox.[20]

Reception

Ratings
Series Season Originally aired Nielsen ratings
First aired Total viewers
(in millions)		 Last aired Total viewers
(in millions)		 Average total viewers (inc. DVR)
(in millions)
Legion 1 February 8, 2017 (2017-02-08) 1.622[23] March 29, 2017 (2017-03-29) 0.812[24] 2.48
2 April 3, 2018 (2018-04-03) 0.669[25] June 12, 2018 (2018-06-12) 0.315[26] TBD
The Gifted 1 October 2, 2017 (2017-10-02) 4.90[27] January 15, 2018 (2018-01-15) 3.42[28] 5.85
2 September 25, 2018 (2018-09-25) 2.58[29] February 26, 2019 (2019-02-26) 1.61[30] TBD

Critical response
Series Season Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
Legion 1 91% (84 reviews)[31] 82 (40 reviews)[32]
2 90% (36 reviews)[33] 85 (10 reviews)[34]
3 93% (27 reviews)[35] 72 (6 Reviews)[36]
The Gifted 1 74% (50 reviews)[37] 63 (22 reviews)[38]
2 82% (11 reviews)[39] N/A
gollark: They can recognize themselves in mirrors.
gollark: Again, mirror test. Some BIRDS pass it.
gollark: There's the mirror test.
gollark: How do you know an animal isn't?
gollark: Probably a bunch?

See also

References
  1. Mangels, Andy (August 1993). "Scorching the Screen". Wizard: X-Men Turn Thirty. pp. 70–73.
  2. Goldman, Eric (May 31, 2011). "The X-Men's TV History". IGN. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  3. Reaves, Michael (n.d.). "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends – The X-Men Adventure". Spider-Friends.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  4. White, Brett (February 11, 2017). "Pryde of the X-Men: 16 Things The Failed Cartoon Got Right – 3". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  5. Moore, Rose (March 23, 2016). "10 Things You Didn't Know About X-Men The Animated Series – 9". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  6. "Cameos – Nightmare in Green". Marvel Toonzone. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
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  8. Zhang, Chris (June 6, 2018). "Saturday Morning Juggernaut: A Cartoon Guide to DEADPOOL 2's Biggest Bad Guy". ComicsVerse. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
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  12. Holt, Louis (September 7, 2017). "X-Men To Appear on the Super Hero Squad Show". Comicbook. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  13. Weisman, Jon (July 26, 2010). "G4 to air Marvel anime series". Variety. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  14. Loo, Egan (July 23, 2010). "Marvel Anime to Run on G4 in the United States in 2011". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  15. "SDCC: G4 Announces New Marvel Anime Series". Superhero Hype!. July 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
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  20. Pedersen, Erik (May 16, 2017). "'The Gifted' Trailer Tops 31M Views, Fox Says". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  21. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 12, 2016). "Marvel X-Men Series from Matt Nix, Bryan Singer Lands Put Pilot Commitment at Fox (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016.
  22. Goldberg, Lesley (January 25, 2017). "Bryan Singer to Direct Fox's 'X-Men' Pilot". The Hollywood Reporter.
  23. Welch, Alex (February 9, 2017). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'Legion' premiere brings in strong numbers, 'The Magicians' holds steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  24. Welch, Alex (March 30, 2017). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'Legion' season finale holds steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  25. Welch, Alex (April 4, 2018). "Tuesday cable ratings: 'Legion' premieres down, 'WWE Smackdown' holds steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  26. Metcalf, Mitch (June 13, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.12.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  27. Porter, Rick (October 3, 2017). "'Big Bang Theory,' 'Voice' adjust up; 'Good Doctor,' 'DWTS,' 'Kevin Can Wait,' 'The Brave' & 'Scorpion' down: Monday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
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  29. Welch, Alex (September 26, 2018). "'This is Us' and 'The Voice' adjust up, 'New Amsterdam' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  30. Welch, Alex (February 27, 2019). "'FBI' adjusts up, 'The Gifted' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
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  32. "Legion: Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  33. "Legion: Season 2 (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  34. "Legion: Season 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  35. Legion: Season 3, retrieved March 3, 2020
  36. Legion, retrieved March 3, 2020
  37. "The Gifted: Season 1 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  38. "The Gifted: Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  39. "The Gifted: Season 2 (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
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