10 X-Men Stories From The Animated Show That The MCU Needs To Steal

With the X-Men finally coming to the MCU, there are some classic stories from X-Men: The Animated Series that the MCU should consider adapting. While the comics provide a treasure trove of material, X-Men: TAS already perfected many stories that would translate seamlessly to the MCU timeline. The show not only stayed true to the comics but also introduced compelling narratives that shaped how audiences perceive the X-Men. From political allegories to personal tragedies, X-Men: TAS balanced action, character development, and social commentary in a way that remains unmatched

Airing from 1992 to 1997, X-Men: TAS introduced millions to the X-Men’s themes of prejudice, acceptance, and heroism. Unlike the previous live-action X-Men films, X-Men: TAS focused on serialized storytelling, meaning characters grew over time and story arcs had lasting consequences. The series tackled themes of discrimination, political extremism, and personal redemption – elements that fit perfectly in today’s MCU. With the MCU’s X-Men projects on the horizon and the announcement of an X-Men television series, it’s the perfect time to revisit X-Men: TAS.

10

Gradyon Creed And The Friends Of Humanity

X-Men: TAS Season 1, Episode 4 “ᴅᴇᴀᴅly Reunions”

One of the most compelling subplots in X-Men: TAS was the rise of the Friends of Humanity, an anti-mutant hate group led by Graydon Creed. The son of Sabretooth, Creed’s personal hatred for mutants – despite being half-mutant himself – created a powerful metaphor for real-world bigotry. His rhetoric, propaganda, and violent actions made the Friends of Humanity a significant threat, illustrating how fear and misinformation can turn ordinary people against an oppressed group.

If the MCU wants to establish the X-Men as outsiders in a world that fears them, adapting Graydon Creed’s arc would be a perfect way to show the human side of mutant prejudice. Instead of relying solely on government-led persecution, the MCU could highlight the dangers of hate groups and how they influence public opinion, making the X-Men’s struggle feel more immediate and relevant in today’s political climate.

9

Morph Is Corrupted By Mister Sinister

X-Men: TAS Season 2 Episodes 1-2 “Till Death Do Us Part”

Morph’s tragic arc remains one of the most emotional storylines in X-Men: TAS. Initially a lighthearted X-Men team member, Morph was seemingly killed in the pilot episode but later resurrected and brainwashed by Mister Sinister. Twisted by Sinister’s influence, Morph became a tool of revenge against the X-Men, struggling between his loyalty to his friends and the programming forced upon him.

The MCU could use Morph’s arc to explore themes of trauma, manipulation, and idenтιтy, showcasing how villains like Sinister exploit the vulnerable. His shapeshifting powers also add an element of unpredictability, making him a wild card in any battle. Adapting Morph’s tragic fall and eventual redemption would provide the MCU with a deeply personal X-Men story that balances action with emotional stakes, giving audiences a new kind of betrayal narrative within the superhero genre.

8

Apocalypse Hunts The World’s Telepaths

X-Men: TAS Season 4, Episodes 18-21 “Beyond Good and Evil”

Apocalypse is one of the X-Men’s most formidable foes, and X-Men: TAS’s “Beyond Good and Evil” arc depicted his ambition on a terrifying scale. In this storyline, Apocalypse seeks to reshape reality by capturing the world’s most powerful telepaths, including Professor X, Jean Grey, and Psylocke. His goal is to manipulate time itself, creating a future where only the strong survive.

The MCU could adapt this storyline as a mᴀssive crossover event, bringing together various mutants and even other Marvel heroes to stop Apocalypse’s catastrophic plan. With the introduction of Doctor Doom and the multiverse in the MCU, the themes of time manipulation and survival of the fittest would fit seamlessly into the existing narrative. Apocalypse’s philosophical approach to evolution and destruction would also make him a thought-provoking villain, adding depth beyond just being an unstoppable force of nature.

7

Rogue’s History With The Brotherhood

X-Men: TAS Season 2, Episode 9 “A Rogue’s Tale”

Rogue is one of the most complex characters in X-Men: TAS, and her past with Mystique and the Brotherhood of Mutants added layers to her struggle. In “A Rogue’s Tale,” Rogue is haunted by memories of her time as a villain before joining the X-Men. The episode delves into her relationship with Mystique, who raised her as a daughter but also manipulated her into a life of crime, working as part of the Brotherhood to enact Mystique’s evil schemes – albeit while Mystique is disguised as a human.

The MCU could use this storyline to explore Rogue’s complicated past and the inner turmoil this leads to. It would make Rogie more than just a powerhouse on the battlefield, but a complicated and nuanced individual. Adapting her complicated relationship with Mystique and her moral journey would give the MCU’s Rogue the depth she lacked in Fox’s X-Men films, making her a standout character in the franchise.

6

The Shadow King Controls Storm

X-Men TAS: Season 2, Episode 5 “Whatever It Takes”

Storm’s complex backstory, tied to the sinister Shadow King, is a goldmine for the MCU. In X-Men: The Animated Series, the Shadow King possesses a young mutant named Mjnari in Africa, forcing Storm to confront her painful past. The MCU could use this story to explore Storm’s origins and her connection to the astral plane, adding a supernatural element to her character.

Additionally, it would introduce a powerful telepathic villain who differs from traditional X-Men antagonists like Magneto or Apocalypse. By exploring Storm’s leadership and inner turmoil, the story could elevate her character beyond just a team member, making her a central figure. This is important because X-Men movies largely disregarded the fact that Storm served as the X-Men’s team leader for many years. It would also serve as an opportunity to highlight Storm’s godlike abilities while grounding her with an emotional struggle against an enemy she has feared since childhood.

5

Angel Seeks A Cure From Apocalypse

X-Men: TAS Season 1, Episode 9 “The Cure”

One of the most compelling transformations in X-Men: The Animated Series is Warren Worthington III’s fall from grace. Desperate to rid himself of his wings, Angel becomes an easy target for Apocalypse, who turns him into the fearsome Archangel. This tragic arc is perfect for the MCU’s version of the X-Men, offering an emotionally charged exploration of self-acceptance and the dangers of playing god.

The story could serve as a broader allegory for body modification, transhumanism, and the price of power. With Apocalypse’s inevitable arrival in the MCU, his role in reshaping mutants to fit his vision would add gravitas to his threat. Angel’s internal conflict, torn between his humanity and his newfound destructive abilities, would also provide a visually stunning and deeply personal struggle. His redemption arc could mirror the larger X-Men themes of overcoming darkness and embracing one’s true self.

4

Cable And Bishop Stop The Mutant Plague

X-Men: TAS Season 2, Episodes 7-8 “Time Fugitives”

The MCU is already delving into time travel and multiversal narratives, making “Time Fugitives” a natural fit. This two-part episode follows Cable and Bishop as they battle a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly mutant-targeting plague that threatens both the present and future. In a cinematic adaptation, this story could introduce the Legacy Virus, a devastating disease with clear allegorical potential, paralleling real-world pandemics and discrimination against marginalized groups.

It would also provide a perfect opportunity to explore the ideological differences between Cable and Bishop – one fighting to preserve the timeline, the other attempting to reshape it. Their uneasy alliance, along with the high stakes of mutant survival, would bring tension and urgency. This plot would also allow the MCU to establish both mutants and their enemies across different time periods, further enriching the X-Men’s role in the larger cinematic universe.

3

Rogue Wrestles With Carol Danvers’ Psyche

X-Men: TAS Season 2, Episode 9 “A Rogue’s Tale”

Rogue’s backstory remains one of the most compelling yet underutilized elements in the MCU. In X-Men: The Animated Series, her battle with Carol Danvers’ psyche inside her mind is a haunting and tragic storyline. The MCU could use this to finally explain Rogue’s powers in a meaningful way – showing how she, under Mystique direction, permanently absorbed Carol’s abilities, leaving the former Ms. Marvel in a coma.

This would also create a fascinating internal struggle for Rogue, who is haunted by Carol’s consciousness while grappling with guilt and idenтιтy issues. With The Marvels already establishing Carol as a major cosmic figure, this storyline would allow for a grounded, character-driven conflict that ties Rogue to the larger universe. It could also set the stage for Rogue’s eventual redemption, as she struggles to control her immense power and find her place among the X-Men.

2

Magneto Creates Asteroid M

X-Men: TAS Season 4, Episodes 1-2 “Sanctuary”

Magneto’s dream of a mutant utopia is one of the most defining aspects of his character, and “Sanctuary” captures this perfectly. In this two-part story, he creates Asteroid M, a safe haven for mutants away from human oppression. However, internal conflict and treachery lead to its inevitable downfall. The MCU could adapt this storyline to explore Magneto’s more sympathetic side, portraying him as a leader striving for peace, only to see his vision corrupted by extremism.

This could also introduce key X-Men themes – coexistence vs. separatism, the cost of utopian ideals, and the fine line between hero and villain. The destruction of Asteroid M would be a tragic turning point for Magneto, solidifying him as one of the MCU’s most nuanced antagonists. Additionally, it would provide an opportunity to showcase epic space battles and further integrate mutants into the broader cosmic side of the MCU.

1

Nightcrawler And Rogue Discover Their Mother

X-Men: TAS Season 4, Episode 9 “Bloodlines”

Family ties are a recurring theme in X-Men: The Animated Series, and “Bloodlines” offers one of the most shocking reveals – Mystique is both Nightcrawler’s and Rogue’s mother. The MCU could use this story to explore the deep emotional wounds caused by Mystique’s abandonment of her children and the complex relationships she maintains with them.

Nightcrawler’s unwavering faith and optimism contrast sharply with Rogue’s resentment and anger, creating a compelling family drama. This storyline could also redefine Mystique’s role in the MCU, portraying her as more than just a villain – perhaps a conflicted figure torn between her children and her allegiance to mutantkind. By focusing on these relationships, the MCU could craft a heartfelt, character-driven story that deepens its portrayal of mutants beyond their powers, making them truly resonate with audiences as they did in the iconic X-Men: The Animated Series.

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