There are a number of reasons why the X-Men have grown to be extremely popular through the years, both via comics and all of the live-action and TV iterations that we have seen thus far. The recent phenomenon which was X-Men ‘97 once again proved something that has always been true with respect to the franchise. The series is not merely a superhero-based narrative. It goes deeper and has a range of real-life lessons that make it much more relevant than any other Marvel creation, including The Avengers.
X-Men ‘97 supervising director, Jake Casterona, recently delved into exactly what makes the X-Men a better team than The Avengers, which also boasts of some of Marvel’s most popular superheroes.
Jake Castorena reveals exactly what makes X-Men better than even The Avengers
The Avengers have majorly been at the center of the MCU in the last decade or so, and the X-Men are only now going to slowly trickle into the multiverse. However, the narrative, both in the comics, and other iterations, has always held societal value and has some obvious lessons to be learned.
While that includes accepting differences and treating everybody with respect, the series itself is closer to real life than anything else Marvel has created. It features incessant, love-based drama between the mutants, a plethora of fallouts, and a number of violent fights as well. However, when it matters most, the X-Men move past their differences and unite against all kinds of evil.
Castorena believes these elements set them apart from The Avengers, and goes to show exactly why the characters are so well-loved, (via Discussing Film)
The X-Men always should be the underdogs. There’s a reason why they’re not tattered or received as well as The Avengers. But there’s also a reason why they work so well, and why they have things like the Danger Room. While the Avengers might just wing that shit, the X-Men work together. They have their squabbles, they have their drama, their love triangles, though they always come back together as a unit.
Needless to say, there are simply a number of reasons why the X-Men are more of a team, and a family, unlike The Avengers. After all, they are only a group of good-hearted mercenaries thrown together by a human being.
The X-Men stand for bigger things than The Avengers
Morph in X-Men ’97 | Disney Plus
Castorena managed to hit the nerve while explaining what sets the X-Men apart from The Avengers. The franchise has been Marvel’s obvious flagbearer when it comes to inclusivity and cultural impact. The narrative has traditionally made human beings’ outlook towards mutants a major plot point, generally varying from accepting to hateful.
At its very core, Charles Xavier’s message has firmly been about mutual respect and co-existence, and the X-Men have always strived to hold it high. That is barring a few exceptions, such as the occasional Magneto tantrum, which we also saw in X-Men ‘97.
Regardless, the franchise itself has strived to include diversity, as seen via the way X-Men ‘97 proved Morph was non-binary. It also shows more relatable struggles, with characters undergoing a range of emotions and phases that people in the real world do too.
Therefore, while The Avengers have since forever been in the spotlight when it comes to the MCU, the X-Men will always remain one of Marvel’s best creations. What’s more, perhaps the recent rut that MCU has been facing, will also be traversed via the tried-and-tested X-Men.
X-Men ‘97 is currently available to be streamed on Disney+.
