The Spectacular X-Men

[SPS]

Since we talked about what was wrong with the X-Men, now it is time to talk about how to reboot them Spectacular Spider-Man style. First what works with Spectacular Spider-Man:

1. The cast- Spectacular Spider-Man shows the greatest respect for all the characters, and obscure characters show up out of no where like Sha Shan and Glory Grant. They also picked the cream of the crop from Spider-Man history. So here is my lineup for the team:

Cyclops-The only leader the X-Men have only had.
Nightcrawler-visually interesting and would appeal to the monster crowd.
Wolverine-He's Wolverine need I say more?
Colossus- He's a man made of metal how could that not be cool?
Rogue- Not a classic X-Man but introduce her within the first season or two to provide conflict.
Storm- Though by far not the most interesting X-Man, she would be Cyclops' second in command.
Kitty Pryde- naivete and young, she would be our enterance to the X-Men.

Then there are the villains. Spectacular Spider-Man takes the best parts of the villains and makes them into a tasty meatloaf of a character. The X-Men need a similar approach. Make them characters first!

2. The Story- Spectacular Spider-Man has done in ones that fit into an overall arc. The X-Men could do well with a similar structure. It makes each individual episode satisfying, yet pays off if you continue watching the show.

An example of the stories for the first season:

arc 1- Magneto and his brotherhood. We start with a battle against Juggernaut and end at episode 4 with the brotherhood.

arc 2- Sentinels. We take on the sentinels with episode 8 being a big battle with Master Mold.

season 2 would have to deal with Sinister and Apocalypse, and perhaps season 3 would pay off with the Dark Phoenix.

3. art style- Spectacular Spider-Man has a simple art style that allows for fluid action and is simply the best fights ever. I would do a simplified version of Joe Mad's style just toned down a little bit.

So there are my ideas what are yours?

[Elliot Kane]

I think I'd go for some serious visual flair in my team, as the fight scenes could be utterly spectacular that way.

I think there are a few requirements for any team: leader, powerhouse, conflict catalyst, etc. Versatility is really key, not just in personality but also in skills as well as powers.

I'd also shift the team around a bit between seasons, so this is a 'start team' not an 'all the time team'.

With that in mind, my team:

Cyclops: as SPS says, he's the only leader the X-Men have ever had who is worthy of the name. His uptight personality leas to some great tension with the far more unorthodox Wolvie.

Wolverine: conflict catalyst, trained ninja and all-round badass. What's not to love?

Shadowcat: Kitty Pryde is the best 'lead in' character to introduce the characters, concepts and series as a whole. She's the normal person in an abnormal world. As she's young and inexperienced, she serves as the viewers' eyes in the story.

Beast: Hank has a lot going for him. Visually he is definitely inhuman which is useful, he has superb athleticism which makes him impressive in a fight, he's a heavy hitter which gives him the powerhouse role AND he is a trained scientist which opens some interesting doors there.

Iceman: the air-headed brat with one of the most visually spectacular powers. Perfect for relating to Kitty, annoying Wolvie and blundering straight into trouble through over-enthusiasm. And would give some truly awesome fight scene visuals.

Siryn: hot headed Irish songbird who can whip out the sonic blasts. Can fly, has a visually (and aurally!) impressive power and gives Kitty a friend close to her own age who is also a girl. Wins out over the other X-girls because frankly most of them are crap and have no personality.

[Gray Lensman]

Okay, my turn.

My main focus would be to focus on the most important story elements of the X-Men, try to find the cast members that are most integral, and pick the most interesting/useful characters for the animated format.

The idea, for me, would be to take the best pieces from each major version of the X-Men and try to integrate them together. For instance, I'd probably use Claremont's complex characterization of Magneto, but also play in the idea of Magneto as a cult figure as developed by Grant Morrison.

Villains would be presented in the Buffy/Doctor Who format, with one major enemy per season. I'd want to steadily build up the threat. Magneto to start with (as major arch-enemy and also less dangerous than some of the real Big Bads later), then to the likes of Sinister and Apocalypse over time.


Cast:

The team would gradually evolve over the series. For instance, it might work to have Rogue start as a member of Magneto's Brotherhood, and then gradually show her defection until she finally joins the X-Men.

Starting off, though, my version would look something like this...

Cyclops: Too important to the mythos, and nobody else has ever really worked as a leader.

Wolverine: Because he's the most essential character to the franchise. However, I would not have him overpower the entire cast to the point that it's "Wolverine And His Amazing Friends" syndrome.

Phoenix: Too important to the franchise historically, she's visually interesting, and a Dark Phoenix arc down the road would be a good capstone to the series. That said, she'd need a more developed personality than she's had to date.

Shadowcat: Same reasons as Elliot... she's too useful of a viewpoint character to introduce the series.

Beast: Another character who's been a consistent force in the series, in addition to offering power and scientific ability. Also he's nonhuman, and it'd actually be interesting to show his gradual evolution in his appearance over time.

Quicksilver: Since I'd be starting off with Magneto as the Big Bad, I'd want Pietro around because their relationship is pretty important. That said, I'd want to keep some of the more sympathetic elements of PAD's first run on X-Factor (he's arrogant and irritable because the world moves at a crawl to him).

Scarlet Witch: Because early on in the series, Pietro and Wanda are kind of a package deal. Her personality's going to need a lot of work too, but there's a lot of good material to play with in her case. I don't expect her to stay past S1, though.

Oh, yes, and I'd want Gambit in the only role he works in, IMO... as the shadowy guy who shows up at dramatic moments, acts for his own best interest (either helping or hurting the group as needed), and then leaves.