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So here we go with another batch of episodes from this
modern-style series which makes good use of conventional animation.
This time the stories are from season two. I have to admit
to a growing admiration for this work; the more of these I
see the better I seem to enjoy them. The characters are well
fleshed-out, each possessing their own idiosyncrasies which
made me warm to the people rather than their superpowers.
There is also a good balance between tales concentrating on
the new arrivals and those centring on the more established
heroes. This flexibility extends to the emotional aspect of
the show too. Serious rescues or clashes with powerful villains
are interspersed with light humorous touches.
In
The Beast of Bayville, Hank McCoy, ex-American football
hero and now respected teacher at Bayville High School, suffers
from Jekyll and Hyde moments as the beast inside him attempts
to assert itself. Personally-concocted serums no longer have
any effect in keeping it at bay. However, help comes from
an unexpected source. When Evan Daniels (alias Spyke) cuts
class McCoy is lenient, appealing to the boy's teamwork nature,
and so when the other X-Men are battling McCoy's alter ego
Spyke simply talks him into accepting the nature of the beast.
In
Adrift, Scott Summers (Cyclops) attempts to rescue
his brother Alex caught surfing in a virulent storm. They
are both cast adrift, and even a rescue helicopter is struck
by lightening and crashes, dumping its pilots into the sea.
When the coastguard picks up the helicopter crew there is
no sign of Scott or Alex, and it is left to the X-Jet and
its occupants, Storm and Jean Grey to save the day.
In
the Christmas episode, On Angel's Wings, a mutant with
wings saves a crippled woman from a burning building and thwarts
a mugging. Rogue, who is rather taken with Scott Summers,
accompanies him in investigating the sightings. Magneto causes
some mischief to turn the public against Angel after he saves
the life of a little girl. When Angel refuses to join Magneto,
Cyclops and Rogue help battle the arch nemesis of the X-Men.
In
African Storm, Spyke fails to protect Storm in an X-Men
training simulation. An African shaman, whom she had years
ago justifiably turned the tribe against, captures her spirit
in his staff. The X-Men come to her rescue, but it is Spyke
who proves his worth.
Disc
extras include: Stan Lee - The Original X-Man, in which
Stan the man talks about his original creations and how they
have been adapted for this animated series; and Inside
Xavier's Institute, which has the voice of Wolverine give
a guided tour using clips from various episodes. There is
also an extended trailer for the season one DVD releases.
This
DVD contains four episodes, as opposed to the three of previous
releases, and would have gained an extra point if not for
the fact that The Beast of Bayville has already appeared
on the region 2 disc Mutants Rising.
Ty
Power
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