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X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men

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X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men
VHS cover
GenreSuperhero
Based on
X-Men
by
Written byLarry Parr
Directed byRay Lee (as "Direction Supervision")
Stu Rosen (voice director)
Voices ofMichael Bell
Earl Boen
Andi Chapman
Pat Fraley
Ron Gans
Dan Gilvezan
Alan Oppenheimer
Patrick Pinney
Neil Ross
Susan Silo
Kath Soucie
John Stephenson
Alexandra Stoddart
Frank Welker
Narrated byStan Lee
ComposerRobert J. Walsh
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes1
Production
Executive producersMargaret Loesch
Lee Gunther
ProducersRick Hoberg
Larry Houston
Will Meugniot
EditorAl Breitenbach
Running time30 min (including commercials)
Production companiesMarvel Productions
New World Pictures
Toei Animation (Uncredited)
Baker and Taylor Entertainment
Metrolight Studios
Original release
NetworkFirst-run syndication
ReleaseSeptember 16, 1989 (1989-09-16)
Related
Marvel Action Universe

X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men is an animated television pilot originally broadcast in 1989 on the Marvel Action Universe television block, featuring Marvel Comics' mutant superheroes of the X-Men.[1] The pilot aired infrequently in syndication and was later released on video. It later served as the basis for Konami's X-Men arcade game.[2]

Overview

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Television pilot

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The title is a pun on the name of Kitty Pryde, the youngest of the X-Men by the time the pilot was produced. The series that this episode was intended to launch never materialized; Marvel Productions went back to the drawing board for 1992's X-Men: The Animated Series. The funding for the pilot was originally intended for a 13th episode of RoboCop: The Animated Series; Marvel Productions took advantage of this to have Toei Animation animate it. The pilot itself is most specifically influenced by issues #129[3]–139[4] of Uncanny X-Men.

Shortly after this pilot was delivered, Marvel started having financial issues (New World Pictures, who purchased the Marvel Entertainment Group or MEG from Cadence Industries in 1986, sold MEG in January 1989 to the Andrews Group) and stopped work on every project in progress, except Muppet Babies. This pilot effectively marked the end of the Marvel animated universe created by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises/Marvel Productions, which began with Fantastic Four (1978) and continued with Spider-Woman (1979), Spider-Man (1981), Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981) and The Incredible Hulk (1982). The X-Men themselves had previously guest starred in several episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, although that particular series isn't necessarily in the same continuity as "Pryde of the X-Men".

Main characters

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Narrated by X-Men co-creator Stan Lee, Pryde of the X-Men stars Professor X and the X-Men who were known as Cyclops, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, and The Dazzler saving the world from Magneto and his "Brotherhood of Mutant Terrorists" (Toad, the Blob, Pyro, Juggernaut, and the White Queen; who in addition to her telepathic abilities, displays the ability to create "psy-bolts" - sometimes called "psionic energy spears" or "psychic harpoons" - that can damage physical objects, similar to her character's powers in early comics). The X-Mansion, Danger Room,[5][6][7][8] Cerebro, Blackbird,[9][10] Asteroid M, and Lockheed the dragon, who was introduced as a pest on Asteroid M, are also featured.

The team lineup for the X-Men is similar to the lineup for the 1975 'All New All Different' X-Men. The chief differences are that Thunderbird, Banshee and Sunfire are not on the team in the cartoon, although they would also be the shortest lived members of the comics iteration, while Kitty Pryde and Dazzler would both join later.

Plot

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The X-Men's archenemy Magneto is being transported by a military convoy. Magneto is unable to use his powers, trapped in a force field, until he is freed by the White Queen, a member of his "Brotherhood of Mutant Terrorists", allowing him to use his magnetic powers to tear apart his portable prison and escape.

Elsewhere, Kitty Pryde arrives at Professor Xavier's school to begin training her phasing powers, allowing her to pass through solid matter. In the Danger Room, Kitty is introduced to the X-Men: Cyclops, Colossus, Dazzler, Nightcrawler, Storm, and Wolverine. Frightened by Nightcrawler's demonic appearance, Kitty almost causes the Danger Room to go haywire, making Wolverine protest her recruitment.

Magneto sends Pyro and Blob to retrieve the tracking coordinates for the Scorpio comet approaching Earth, with the secondary goal of distracting the X-Men while Magneto and Juggernaut invade the X-Mansion. Xavier reads Magneto's thoughts, learning that they seek to steal the "mutant power circuit" of Cerebro (the mutant-tracking computer); he gives it to Kitty and orders her to flee, but Magneto manages to capture it.

The X-Men return from their confrontation with Blob and Pyro to find the mansion in ruins, and the Professor and Kitty unconscious. Xavier reads Magneto's thoughts again and learns his full plan: to redirect the Scorpio comet onto a collision course with Earth and plunge the planet into another ice age, which would leave normal humans weakened, allowing the mutants to take over. The X-Men leave for Magneto's orbiting sanctuary Asteroid M, but the X-Men instruct Kitty to stay, as the mission is far too dangerous and she has not been trained. Kitty, wanting to prove her worth and make amends for her previous failure, phases aboard the Blackbird and hides, with Xavier's permission.

Upon reaching the asteroid, each X-Man meets an obstacle on the way to Magneto: Storm covers the breach the X-Men blow into Asteroid M, Dazzler takes on Pyro, Wolverine traps Toad, Colossus engages Juggernaut, and Cyclops battles White Queen. After effortlessly teleporting past the Blob, Nightcrawler confronts a gloating Magneto as the Scorpio comet approaches Earth. As Magneto is about to blast Nightcrawler, Kitty emerges from the floor, causing Magneto to accidentally blast the wiring of his device. Nightcrawler teleports up and uses his body as a conduct, while Kitty knocks Magneto onto the platform, using his power to redirect the comet's course towards Asteroid M. Nightcrawler must risk sacrificing himself to complete the machine's circuit, or the comet will change course back to Earth.

The X-Men watch from the Blackbird for Nightcrawler to teleport at the last minute. The comet and asteroid collide, but Nightcrawler rematerializes out in space. The team attempts to retrieve him with the Blackbird's grappler arms, but they miss, and he apparently disintegrates. While the X-Men mourn Nightcrawler, he emerges from a storage locker, revealing that he teleported himself into the plane before the atmospheric compression burned up his suit. While the X-Men give Kitty credit for her efforts, Wolverine insists that Kitty is not yet a member of the X-Men.

Credits

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Cast

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Michael Bell Cyclops and additional voices
Andi Chapman Storm and additional voices
Ronald Gans Juggernaut
Alan Oppenheimer Blob and Colonel Chaffey
Neil Ross Nightcrawler and additional voices
Kath Soucie Kitty Pryde
Alexandra Stoddart Dazzler and additional voices
Earl Boen Magneto
Pat Fraley Pyro and additional voices
Dan Gilvezan Colossus
Patrick Pinney Wolverine and additional voices
Susan Silo White Queen
John Stephenson Professor X and additional voices
Frank Welker Toad and Lockheed

Crew

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Stan Lee Narration
Larry Parr Writer
Will Meugniot Producer
Ray Lee Animation director
Stu Rosen Voice director
Margaret Loesch & Lee Gunther Executive producers
Robert J. Walsh Composer

Critical response

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The pilot drew generally mixed reactions. While the animation was praised for its high quality,[11][12][13][14] the story was criticized for its campy tone compared to the grittier themes of the comics, which included such social issues as isolation, intolerance, and racism.[15][16][17] Several changes made from the source material drew criticism, particularly the inclusion of the White Queen as a member of the Brotherhood of Mutants,[16][17][18][19] the characterization of Kitty Pryde as a damsel in distress,[15][17] and the Canadian Wolverine speaking with an Australian accent.

Tie-ins

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Graphic novels

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In 1990, Marvel published a graphic novel titled X-Men Animation Special,[20][21] an adaptation of Pryde of the X-Men that featured film images of cel animation from the cartoon rather than original art.

Video games

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In 1989, X-Men: Madness in Murderworld, simply known as X-Men, was released for DOS, Commodore 64, and Amiga computer systems. It was developed and published by Paragon Software in 1989 and featured the cast of Pryde of the X-Men. It was a side-scroller with puzzles set in Murderworld. A limited edition comic book was included.

In 1990, LJN released The Uncanny X-Men for the Nintendo Entertainment System, featuring a near exact lineup of the team from this cartoon, only swapping out Dazzler for Iceman. The game received negative reviews, and was named one of the worst superhero games of all-time by Seanbaby.[22]

In 1992, Konami produced an X-Men arcade game based on the Pryde of the X-Men pilot. Up to six players choose from six X-Men: Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, or Dazzler. Their objective is to stop the villain Magneto from wreaking havoc on human civilization. They must fight through an army of human-sized Sentinels and supervillains such as Pyro, Blob, Wendigo, Nimrod, The White Queen, Juggernaut, and Mystique. Later, Magneto kidnaps Professor X and Kitty Pryde, prompting the heroes to go on a rescue mission. The heroes fight their way to Island M and ultimately to Magneto's base on Asteroid M, where the final battle with Magneto takes place.

References

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  1. ^ "The History of Wolverine and the X-Men on TV". IGN. News Corporation. August 27, 2009. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  2. ^ "Digital Monkey Box Brings You: X-Men Arcade". Digitalmonkeybox.com. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  3. ^ "X-Men #129 [UPC with Black Slash] (January 1980)". Grand Comics Database. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  4. ^ "X-Men #139 [Direct] (November 1980)". Grand Comics Database. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  5. ^ "Image" (JPG). Marvel.toonzone.net. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Image" (JPG). Marvel.toonzone.net. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Image" (JPG). Marvel.toonzone.net. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Image" (JPG). Marvel.toonzone.net. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  9. ^ "X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men Screen Grabs". Toonzone. September 8, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
  10. ^ "X-Men Episode Review: 'Reunion'". Toonzone. September 8, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
  11. ^ "The X-Men In Animation - A Retrospective". Marvel Animation Age.
  12. ^ "Marvel Animation Age Presents: X-Men - Reviews". Marvel.toonzone.net. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  13. ^ "Marvel Animation Age". Marvel.toonzone.net. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  14. ^ Goldman, Eric. "The History of Wolverine and the X-Men on TV". IGN. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  15. ^ a b "Marvel Animation Age". Marvel.toonzone.net. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  16. ^ a b "X-E - Pryde of The X-Men - The Original X-Men Cartoon!". X-entertainment.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  17. ^ a b c "UGO's World of X-Men - Pryde of the X-Men TV Pilot". Xmen.Ugo.Com. Archived from the original on 2009-03-07. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  18. ^ "Marvel Animation Age". Marvel.toonzone.net. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  19. ^ "3B Theater: CultTV: X-Men - Pryde of the X-Men!". Badmovieplanet.com. 2007-02-22. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  20. ^ "X MEN Animation Special Graphic Novel PRYDE OF THE 1990". eBay. 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  21. ^ "X-Men: Animation Special Gn". Mile High Comics. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  22. ^ Seanbaby (2008-02-29). "Legion of Suck". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
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