Episode #18 - The Mutants' Revenge
Original Airdate October 7th, 1995

Spider-Man's progressing neogenic mutation is making him ill and he seeks the aid of a man known to help all mutants... Professor Charles Xavier. In doing so he meets the X-Men but is disappointed to learn that Xavier does not 'cure' mutancy, only helps those born that way to accept and control their abilities. In the process of this endeavor though he becomes involved in a plot to destroy mutants everywhere. Will he be able to stop this hideous plan with the help of the X-Men?

Credits
Story By: John Semper and Micheal Edens
Written By: Francais Moss and Ted Pedersen
Music Composed By: Shuki Levy and Kussa Mahchi
Animation Services By: Toyko Movie Shinsha (TMS)
Guest Starring: Christopher Daniel Barnes as Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Alyson Court as Jubilee, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Lenore Zann as Rogue, Norm Spencer as Cyclops, Chris Potter as Gambit, Catherine Disher as Jean Grey, Cedric Smith as Professor Xavier, George Buza as Beast, David Warner as Herbert Landon, Mark Hamill as The Hobgoblin, Roscoe Lee Browne as Kingpin, Maxwell Caulfield as Alistair Smthye, Laurie O'Brien as Genevieve and Brian Keith as Uncle Ben

Review: Following from where part 1 started, we have Spidey and Wolverine fighting in the alley, and Hobgoblin gleefully watching them. Given how there was a strict policy against violence (in an action cartoon. Will BS and P ever learn?), some of the fight scenes in the earlier episodes weren't too bad, but by the time season 4 started, most of the fights were nothing more than a waste of time in some episodes.

The story quickly moved into Spider-Man/Wolverine team up mode, which was actually one of the better team ups the show produced. The chemistry was there, as was the unease and dis trust. My favourite X-Man and Spidey together in one episode, who would have thought it possible? Whilst the rest of them X-Men, besides Beast, don't really do a whole lot in this episode, I don't really care, because the Wolverine/Spider-Man stuff was pure gold. Especially the "you sure showed him/shut up you puny little geek!" line.


It's worth pointing out that FOX decided to bring all of the X-Men voice actors from Canada over to L.A. to record their voices, to their credit. Which was great because Cal Dodd is Wolverine, even up to a Kevin Conroy is Batman standard. Several people have had the role since, but it's still his by divine right, which is something, especially as one of the newer Wolverines includes the incredibly talented Mark Hamill. None of the other, non-Australian (Canadian? what's the difference?!) have been too bad in the role, but Dodd owns it. This man is Wolverine's voice.

As for the climax, Landon turning into the monster creature thing was a little too weird for me, especially as he became too much like King Kong. It didn't ruin the story, I just felt that the only animated team up in this continuity between Spider-Man and The X-Men should've had a better villain. Definatly one of Spidey's best team ups, and a great episode for fans of either show.