Before Robert Downey Jr. donned his Mark I Iron Man suit in 2008 and kick-started a decade-long superhero cinematic behemoth, and even before Tobey Maguire mourned Uncle Ben in 2002’s Spider-Man, there was the X-Men Animated Series.

Does anyone hear that? Da da da da DUM, Da DUM– The X-Men theme was the most anticipated theme of cartoon lovers everywhere.

Running for five glorious seasons from 1992 to 1997, the original animated show helped Marvel’s Merry Mutants take over the minds and hearts of comic book nerds and lay people alike. You didn’t have to be into comics to know the X-Men. They were everywhere, and those of us who were around at the time couldn’t get enough of them.

Now over two decades later Disney Plus and Marvel Animation have seen fit to bestow upon us a continuation series, one that picks up one year after the closing of the original. Now, there’s really only one big question on everyone’s minds– is it any good?

Simply said, it iS.

How good, you say?

To paraphrase one Hank McCoy, the blue-furred big brained Beast of the team, “Oh, my stars and garters!”

Once the first few chords of the iconic theme starts and you see the classic intro remade with modern animation techniques, I challenge, nay, I dare you to not grin from ear to ear. Suddenly the world melts away and you are a kid again, back in your highschool days with your eyes glued to the TV, remote in hand, pumping up the volume.

Da da da da DUM, Da DUM–

The high-powered roster of Cyclops, Jean Grey, Gambit, Rogue, Beast, Jubilee, Bishop and Wolverine are back, still fighting for a world that fears and hates them. As impossible as it might seem, they are better than ever as they continue to fight for peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. The animation is crisp, modern but with that unmistakably signature 90’s style, improving in many ways but still honoring the original’s visual aesthetic.

I was graciously given access to the initial three episodes, and I must say, firstly, that it has certainly exceeded expectations. And secondly, oh, what cruelty it was to only have three episodes to watch. A friend of mine, understandably curious and excited, asked me if it was as good as the hype, and I said no, it was better.

The characters are spot on, with their humor, banter and idiosyncrasies. The themes displayed are relevant, the relationships complex. Though aimed at younger kids the show doesn’t dumb things down for them, resulting in a show that is still attractive but also challenging for them.

This also gives us older kids something to latch on to and follow with eagerness. The 1990’s was a decade where the X-Men dominated the comic book charts, resulting in many fan-favorite storylines and characters. The events in the new show continue directly from the first season, often referencing them with callbacks, but perhaps even more exciting and appreciated is the continued adaptation of classic storylines from the comics.

Those of us who were around during the heyday of the mutants can instantly spot not just plot points, but even comic panels, costume variants, and iconic covers, all carefully and respectfully plucked from our collective fanboy memory and shown to us in a fresh, new way.

This is nostalgia done right. The writers and producers of the show know their audience, and know what to give them. Plus it is not all fanservice and character cameos. You can see the care and love for the material that went into adapting the beloved stories, characters and looks.

But is there anything for the X-Men newbie?

Da da da da DUM, Da DUM–!

Why yes, the show is appealing, engrossing and exciting to those who maybe only have a passing knowledge of the X-Men, or perhaps are more familiar with different iterations of the characters. At the peak of the team’s popularity, the 90’s X-Men remain the quintessential versions, and this show reminds us all why that is. Let your flag of nostalgia fly proudly, X-Men fans. As much as this is a treat for us by those behind the creation of the revival, this is also something we as fans from that era can hold up to the youngins of today and say, “Look at this, this is how we used to roll, this was our jam, and I think you’re going to like it.”

The X-Men ‘97 is now streaming on Disney Plus.

Da da da da DUM, Da DUM–!