According to recent social media reactions, the ‘X-Men ’97’ series stirred a debate across the internet, with some critics arguing that it has been overly influenced by ‘Disney wokeness’ thanks to Marvel.
As seen in fan tweets, some voiced concerns over the thematic direction of the upcoming ‘X-Men ’97 series’ on YouTube, claiming it deviates from the original series by focusing too heavily on current socio-political trends. However, long-time fans of the franchise are stepping up to challenge these accusations, pointing to the X-Men’s history of tackling social issues.
Stan Lee Stood Against These Accusations
Since its inception in 1963 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, X-Men has not shied away from reflecting societal issues. As the series began to air during an era of conflict in American history, it drew parallels to the Civil Rights Movement and addressed themes of bigotry, intolerance, and the fight for equality.
Telling the story of ‘mutants as marginalized figures standing against societal norms,’ X-Men became a franchise that mirrors real-world struggles against discrimination. In 2017, after criticism of the ‘nonbinary’ Shapeshifter Morph, Stan Lee said the following about the series:
“Marvel has always been and always will be a reflection of the world right outside of our window… the stories of heroism… have room for everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion or color of their skin. The only things we don’t have room for are hatred, intolerance, and bigotry.”
‘X-Men ’97’ aims to continue this tradition by picking up where the original animated series left off. Set to release on March 20, 2024, the show will see the return of familiar characters, with Cyclops stepping up as the leader in Professor X’s absence and Mr. Sinister as the main antagonist.
Meanwhile, you can check out the hidden clue we found in the trailer, which suggests a Spider-Man crossover.
