Customer Reviews

X-Men: Volume One (Marvel DVD Comic Book Collection)

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Is it just me or was television overall, but especially children's, better in the nineties? Growing up we had such intelligent children's programs introducing us properly to mature themes of adulthood, Batman: the Animated Series, Spiderman (the 90's version that often crossed over with X-men), and X-Men itself among many more.
Even Disney had more mature shows back then with the likes of Gargoyles on the air (which I'm upset they never finished releasing on DVD) and children's shows with well done premises like Recess. Nickelodeon had it's greats back then too (Rugrats, Doug, Rocko's Modern Life, etc.), now all they have are Dan Schneider productions and Spongebob.
Animated sitcoms/series were smart and edgey not stupid and in your face trying to get shocks, we had the likes of King Of The Hill, Daria and Simpsons at its peak.
Now all kids have are Ben 10 and an onslaught of angularly drawn super hero revamps (which are sometimes enjoyable but not nearly of the same calabur), along with the recent Disney sitcoms that have become so wrongly popular amongst the youth. I wish I could go back to the nineties, luckily this set will help me and anyone else longing to do that by allowing us to revisit these classic episodes.

1 Night of the Sentinels (Part 1)
2 Night of the Sentinels (Part 2)
3 Enter Magneto
4 Deadly Reunions
5 Captive Hearts
6 Cold Vengeance
7 Slave Island
8 The Unstoppable Juggernaut
9 The Cure
10 Come The Apocalypse
11 Days Of Future Past (Part 1)
12 Days Of Future Past (Part 2)
13 The Final Decision
14 Till Death Do Us Part (Part 1)
15 Till Death Do Us Part (Part 2)
16 Whatever It Takes

I can't wait to watch Volume 2, which is also announced, because it has the Pheonix Saga which I remember so vividly still today. It's amazing to me how true to source material and how few liberties comic book based animated series took back then.

There are no special features on this set and though I'd obviously love special features I'm willing to be happy with just the episodes if that's all they'll give us for now. I'm one of the people who hopes that good sales on these volumes will lead to the release of the others and possible special features in the future. I also hope that good sales on these sets could lead to the release of Marvel's 90's Spider-man series in sets like this.

Having now found the time to watch the DVD I want to say for those wondering that the video quality is near the same as I remember the original broadcast being. Any transfer issues are near unnoticeable to me and I am fairly particular about not being distracted by technical issues while watching my DVD. Obviously the animation quality is from the early nineties but really I find it on fairly on par with the new Wolverine and the X-men series. I found watching the episodes very nostalgic and find myself enjoying them in a whole new way now than I did when I was younger. I'm happy to see that the "Previously on X-men" openings are kept on the episodes and that the opening sequence and classic theme play before every episode unlike some other sets.

I also want to add that the box art is even better looking on the actual set than it is online. It comes with a cardboard slipcover over the DVD with an elevated foil colored version of the artwork on the DVD. At least Disney really made these look professional in the packaging department.

For those still wondering whether this set is worth it I say buy at least the first volume to test it out, it's really only costing you a little more than a dollar an episode. Anyways, here's hoping they'll finish releasing this whole series. I still remember the final episode where Xavier leaves the X-men truly on their own. 5 stars for this DVD despite the lack of special features and it's definitely a 5 stars series.

Walt Disney Home Entertainment has passed along the following official details about the upcoming X-Men: Volume One and X-Men: Volume Two DVD releases. The details are posted below.

Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Story: Experience the classic Marvel® legacy as the X-Men animated series finally explodes onto DVD for the first time. Featuring stories adapted directly from the original comic books, this collection is a piece of Marvel history and a must-have for every X-Men fan.

Discover the origins of your favorite characters and uncover the secrets of Magneto and more of the world's most diabolical villains in X-Men: Volume 1. Relive 32 episodes of the series, from the 2-part "Night of The Sentinels" through the 5-part amazing epic "Phoenix Saga," in this must-have collection!

Episode Guide:

VOLUME 1

Disc 1
Night of the Sentinels (Part 1)
Night of the Sentinels (Part 2)
Enter Magneto
Deadly Reunions
Captive Hearts
Cold Vengeance
Slave Island
The Unstoppable Juggernaut

Disc 2
The Cure
Come The Apocalypse
Days Of Future Past (Part 1)
Days Of Future Past (Part 2)
The Final Decision
Till Death Do Us Part (Part 1)
Till Death Do Us Part (Part 2)
Whatever It Takes

VOLUME 2

Disc 1
Red Dawn
Repo Man
X-Ternally Yours
Time Fugitives (Part 1)
Time Fugitives (Part 2)
A Rogue's Tale
Beauty & The Beast
Mojo Vision

Disc 2
Reunion (Part 1)
Reunion (Part 2)
Out of the Past (Part 1)
Out of the Past (Part 2)
The Phoenix Saga (Part 1): Sacrifice
The Phoenix Saga (Part 2): The Dark Shroud
The Phoenix Saga (Part 3): Cry of the Banshee
The Phoenix Saga (Part 4): The Starjammers
The Phoenix Saga (Part 5): Child of Light

VOLUME 1 STREET DATE: April 28, 2009
Direct prebook: March 3, 2009
Suggested retail price: $23.99 US; $29.99 Canadian
Rated: `TV-Y7-FV'
Run time: Approximately 368 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: French and Spanish

VOLUME 2 STREET DATE: April 28, 2009
Direct prebook: March 3, 2009
Suggested retail price: $23.99 US; $29.99 Canadian
Rated: `TV-Y7-FV'
Run time: Approximately 391 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: French and Spanish

Neil K has it wrong. The first two volumes (4 dvds) contain the first 33 episodes in order...all of seasons 1&2 plus the first half of season 3. The last half of season 3 plus seasons 4 and 5 (43 episodes) will be on the next two volumes (another 4 dvds or so).

That works out very nicely, and makes a total of 8-9 dvds for the series, which is nice and compact. Definitely looking forward to it, and the price is fairly reasonable at $18 US per 2-disc volume

I will not spend any time elaborating on the importance of this pivotal superhero animated series since anyone visiting this page undoubtedly knows that already. However, since many DVD sets have been issued in edited form over the years, I felt it necessary to alleviate any concerns of the same being true of this release. The episodes on this set clock in at around 21mins 30secs each, which is the correct full length. A handful of early episodes had incomplete animation that was only seen in the original airing and corrected by the original animation studio ever since, which is what are on these discs. For instance, the original airing of "Slave Island, Part 3" ended with the X-Men arriving at an intact X-Mansion instead of one demolished by the Juggernaut. Due to animation delays/ problems with "The Unstoppable Juggernaut" episode (which was to follow chronologically), the ending was altered, since the Juggernaut episode would not be ready to air for several weeks. So "The Cure" and "Come The Apocalypse", which were ready to be aired, were shown first instead. Fortunately, these episodes are arranged by production order and not broadcast order, thus the chronology of the storylines are not disjointed.

This series is one of the few where having the original broadcast versions is not better. So many of those early episodes aired initially with incomplete special effects shots, coloring mistakes, dialogue sync errors, poorly animated scenes, and so forth. The two-part pilot episodes in particular have several variations due to repeated corrections and alterations (FOX initially aired unfinished, error-ridden versions of the pilot episodes as part of a 'sneak preview'). While such issues were eventually corrected and finalized in subsequent airings, the fear has remained that a studio releasing this series on DVD would issue the flawed original versions. Luckily, Disney seems to have done their homework with this release even though the series was not treated to a full video and audio restoration job or extras (thus, a star deduction). Further proof that these are not the syndicated versions - this set features the original voices of Storm and Sinister, which were re-dubbed by the replacement voice actors in reruns. BOTTOM LINE: Disney has issued the corrected versions of certain episodes that originally aired with animation errors and NOT the edited for time syndicated reruns.

I agree that, while it is really awesome to finally have this amazing cartoon on DVD after what seems like a 1000 years, it should have been done right. Disney had ample time to clean up and remaster this cartoon. Just look, for example at what they were able to do for the release of their other classics like Pinnochio and such. Those movies are decades old compared to X-Men that was out only some 15 years ago. Disney/ Buena Vista should know better than this. At the same time I am very happy to finally have these and even though I prefer a cleaner version it still looks and holds a type of nostalgic quality for me. 3 out of 5.

Just got it today after oh so many years of waiting, and figured I'd let other buyers know what to expect.

The episodes haven't been cleaned up... there's only so much that can be done to enhance a 1990's animated series. But at least there aren't commerical cut-offs, lost footage, or tv station watermarks on the screen, like there are on countless bootleg copies of the series.

The DVDs (this one, and volume 2) are bare-bones; no commentary, no special features, no booklet. Just a simple standard DVD case that holds 2 DVDs that are silver and gray, with no artwork on them. Basic menus with very little artwork adorning them.

My guess is after releasing all 70+ episodes of the series, there will be a deluxe boxed set with commentary, features, additional artwork, etc. (this is usually the case with tv shows, especially cartoons). But for 20 bucks or less for each set, the lack of anything special doesn't take away from the fact that both X-MEN volumes are a STEAL.

As for the content.... the show is still just as awesome as I remember it. Yes, it's dated, and the dialogue can be corny at times, but back when I was a kid, Jim Lee's run on X-Men was the coolest thing on earth, and if you loved Lee's take on the characters, you'll love these sets.

X-Men fan? Then pick this up. It's worth it. :)

In an alternate world where humans are living among mutant beings and are hated among the normal people. Mutants are beings with extraordinary powers or looks that makes them different and are sometimes hunted down, yet an extraordinary mutant man named Professor Charles Xavier rounds up good mutants from across the country and other nations to train them as "X-Men" which are a group of superheroes with unique powers such as Wolverine for instance who is a Canadian mutant with an adamantium skeleton/claws that could break through anything and he could heal up instantly and never age like we do. Jubilee who has the power to blow stuff up, Storm who is an African mutant with the power to control the weather, Beast who lives up to his name is a furry beast-like mutant with superhuman strength and intelligence. Jean Grey who is a beauty with the exact powers just like Professor X on telepathy/telekinesis, Gambit who is a Canjun mutant with the powers to make cards and objects into explosive bombs with a touch, Rogue is a southern belle mutant who can fly and has both superhuman strength and can absorb other people's powers/lifeforces temporary by touching them. Cyclops has the ability to shoot lasers through his eyes but must wear a special pair of goggles or sunglasses to block his unstoppable laser-eyes and finally Professor X who is the teacher/creator of the "School for the Gift" is also the leader of the group as his powers consists of telepathy/telekinsis as he struggles to fight for mutant rights and peace between good mutants/humans alike but unfortunately his former friend Magento bands up some terrorist mutants to destroy mankind while the X-Men with Professor X uses their powers for good to help mankind.

A brilliant animated adaptation of the Marvel comics is truly an outstanding animated show with intelligent writing, emotion and action galore. I love the animation to this show and how faithful to the classic Marvel comics it is even to the roots of the comic series, the show went on to win a daytime award for best animated series and has created more X-Men fans since then yet even hardcore X-Men fans were satisfied with this series. It became the highest rated saturday morning show on FOX appealing to people of all ages including adults not just kids or X-Men fanatics, the show is the definition for 90's animation much like Batman, Superman or Animaniacs had.

This DVD has the first season starting with the 2-part "Night of the Sentinels" showing a teen mutant runaway named Jubilee is founded by the X-Men after being attacked by a large robot called a Sentinel and becomes a member of the X-Men soon. "Enter Magneto" has Beast imprisoned after destroying mutant files at a mutant registration agency as Xavier's enemy/friend Magneto introduces himself and wants to spread his hate among the human race, "Deadly Reunions" has Magneto with Xavier reunited including Wolverine and old time foe Sabretooth. Next "Cold Vengence" has Wolverine seeking a better life in the arctic while Jubielle with Gambit and Storm have a mission/vacation on a special island that accepts mutants that they soon discover is a tourist trap, "Slave Island" continues off the last episode has the three mutants enslaved with other mutants for they must try to find a way out of the hell-hole of a place. "The Unstoppable Juggernaut" has a very large and powerful man named Juggernaut robbing banks and destroyed the mansion as another powerful mutant named Colossus has been framed of those crimes yet the X-Men must prove his innocence, followed by "The Cure" where a professor has a cure for mutant powers yet Rogue wants that cure badly so she can touch another person but she will soon discover that the place isn't what's cracked up to be, "Come The Apocalypse" has a powerful evil mutant named Apocalypse creates his own four horseman for now the X-Men must stop his reign of evil. "Days of the Future 1 & 2" is a 2-parter that is very "Terminator"-esque story about a futuristic mutant named Bishop who is sent back in time to stop an assassin from happening so he could change the future, "The Final Decision" has senator Kelly kidnapped by Magneto then rescued by the Sentinels only to find out that the master of Sentinels has plans on global dominion for they must be destroyed and that a peace treaty between mutants and humans might co-exist. "Till Death Do Us Part 1 and 2" is a 2-part episode where Cyclops and Jean Grey get hitched while a former X-man named Morph comes back with a vengence with the help of a new friend named Mr. Sinister as there's still some anti-mutant groups but sort of a modern KKK where they hunt mutants instead of other human races. And finally "Whatever It Takes" has an evil being that arrived from an Astral plane in Africa to take over the body of a young mutant boy for now Storm with Rouge must repossess him and try to send the creature back to the plane as Xavier and Magneto discover an uncharted land as Wolverine searches for Morph.

These episodes are nicely remastered with good picture and sound yet no extras, i'm glad this show is on DVD.

I never saw this show as a kid, so I'm not letting my sweet nostalgia get in the way of my review. And even with that I must rate this series among the best animated shows I've seen!

While it is true the animation is a bit dated, it still does it's job in providing vivid imagery of this amazing and riveting show! The message that X-Men brings is still is dire need of being heard today, over 10 years later. Equality and an unbiased world is what we should be striving for, even if it seems hopeless. The voice work, though at times cheesy, does the story justice.

'Wolverine and the X-Men' may be the new show in town, but it, in it's equally vivid demand for equality, can't stand to the depth and awe this series commands.

The DVD has been done well. I bought both of the X-Men DVDs and I am glad I did, brought back some memories and I have had a blast sharing these cartoons with my 4 year old son. We have a great time just him and I(the boys)hanging out and watching X-Men. Sometimes we even let mommy stay in the room and watch with us. Only sometimes. :)

This was one of those cartoons I made it a point to wake up early every Saturday morning to watch when I was a kid and now as an adult, I enjoy them just as much but can appreciate it even more. This was a very mature cartoon for its time but not so much that kids couldn't enjoy it. Like its comic book origin, it explores themes you just did not expect from a cartoon of its time. I consider this, Gargoyles, and Batman: The Animated Series to be the culmination of American-style t.v. animation of its time before western animation took a heavy turn towards anime-styled series (not that it was a bad thing, but it did change things). There was something about the chemistry of these characters (maybe because of the voice actors or the writing or what, I'm not sure) that just clicked much better to me than the later X-Men series like Evolution and new, but still good, Wolverine and the X-Men.

I hope that everyone interested will buy this. Disney is releasing it and they're somewhat notorious for not finishing series on dvd if they don't sell "well enough" (such was the fate of Gargoyles). This is a series that deserves to have a full release.