Open the door, get on the floor, everybody walk the dinosaur and get ready to revisit the Savage Land this week for the final installment of our X-Men: The Animated Series review, part of our Summer TV Binge here at Multiversity!
It almost pains me to end these reviews. Going back to such a wonderful nineties gem and an indelible part of my childhood has been a pleasure. But, all good things must come to a close and, thus, we shall part ways with “Reunion.” I should hope I don’t need to give a warning for a twenty-plus-year-old-show but, as always, beware of spoilers.
1. Lord of the Jungle
Of course they would bring in Ka-Zar. How can you visit The Savage Land without Lord Plunder? The Wild Man of Tropico features heavily in the two-parter as Shanna and the rest of his people have been taken captive by the enigmatic “Master” in Magneto’s former citadel. “Reunion” jumbles up a whole bunch of stories from the original comics but it is a real fan service to see so many elements on display in this early-90s show. The citadel, The Savage Land Mutates, Sauron, and a whole mess of other cogs in this machine all appeared in various stories throughout the runs written by Roy Thomas, Len Wein, and Chris Claremont. And, wouldn’t ya know it? The late, great Len Wein actually wrote “Reunion pt. 1.”
2. Murphy
“Reunion” sees many titular rejoinings but none were so special for us 90s kids as that of Morph, who had been missing since the debut of the series after appearing to have been killed by sentinels. We’d been given hints to his fate being more open and even seen Wolverine track him down at one point but here the team actually catches up with him as he…stars in a play?
It’s a strange way to reintroduce the character to the forefront of at least this episode but this is indeed where Scott, Jean, and Logan find their erstwhile teammate and friend, playing no less than Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It’s odd, but somewhat fitting for the shape-shifting miscreant who now himself holds a bit of a split personality.
3. All You Nasty Boys
“Reunion” is not the first appearance in this series of Sinister’s goons but they are more prominent here. Interestingly, The Nasty Boys were hardly used in the comics, having only appeared in Peter David’s X-Factor as well as some minor later cameos. X-Men: The Animated Series also replaces Ramrod with Vertigo, who fans of the comics would know from the Marauders, or even far earlier as part of the Savage Land Mutates.
4. Speaking of Wrasslin’
It’s unclear if David was intending to reference the pro-wrestling duo of Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags with his creation of the Nasty Boys, but he did also name one member Gorgeous George. George Raymond Wagner was one of the innovators of American professional wrestling and went on to influence many stars of past and present. His theme song was even reused by one of sports entertainment’s biggest names ever, the Macho Man Randy Savage.
And if that’s not enough boot stompin’ action for ya, I have one more seemingly subtle nod to the one true sport in “Reunion.” Upon meeting Ka-Zar, Wolverine refers to him as “Nature Boy.” Any smart mark knows this as the moniker of the stylin’, profilin’, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss stealing, wheelin’ and dealin’ son of a gun, Ric Flair. Ka-Zar’s design also seems to share some likeness with Flair in X-Men: The Animated Series. Comics and wrestling have long had a connection in fandom, even Hulk Hogan took his name from the Marvel character, so perhaps these references are all intentional.
5. We’ll Meet Again
And here we come to not only the end of an episode, and a season, but of our Summer Binge. “Reunion” sees Sinister defeated, the Savage Land inhabitants freed, the X-Men reunited with their leader and their friend Morph, but it also sets up for the next season. Sauron exclaims it to be time for the “true future” of the Savage Land as we see the image of Sinister appear in the sand of a beach. Season three would also see some more developments with Morph, but most importantly, feature the acclaimed adaptation of “The Phoenix Saga.”
Perhaps we will see each other again next summer to cover that, and more. But, for now, “Reunion” ends the way most X-Men: The Animated Series episodes do: with construction. Although I don’t really recall seeing the Savage Land inhabitants’ huts having been destroyed. Nonetheless, it is mandated that if the X-Men are not fighting, they are rebuilding. This is the circle of life.
It is with that observation that I bid you all a fond farewell. Next week will see my other TV review series coming to a conclusion, but keep an eye out for me. I’m always around to bring some snark and some interesting takes on all things comics. Goodbye (for now) my friends and, as always, excelsior!
