I'll admit, I'm not usually one for superfluous comic tie-ins. However, X-Men '97 #1 is a surprisingly delightful exception. Writer Steve Foxe, artist Salva Espín, & colorist Matt Milla have givenus a low-stakes yet thoroughly enjoyable prologue to the new Disney+ series of the same name.

The highest compliment I can give this issue is that it felt like a full-fledged episode of X-Men: The Animated Series, spledidly brought to life w/ the visual style of the X-Men '97 series. It's got everything I crave in X-Men content: a dash of camp, thrilling action, witty humor, & of course, our lovable team of mutants.

Foxe captures the distinct voices of the characters, from Wolverine's gruff one-liners to Cyclops's earnest leadership. Espín's art, w/ Milla's vibrant colors, perfectly translates the show's aesthetic to the comic page (I may actually prefer the depiction here to the new show??). This looks exactly like what a comic book is meant to be.

While the story itself might not break new ground, it serves as a satisfying bridge leading up to the show’s revival. I do wish we would have gotten this before the series premiered, but this injects pure nostalgia w/ a fresh coat of paint, leaving me eager to dive back into this beloved world.

Rating: 8/10