X-Men: Evolution ran on Kids WB for four seasons. For the most part, it was successful, though it did at times lack the grit of the '90s X-Men that was shown on Fox from 1992 to 1997.
While it did have some toned down storylines, there were still times where it even excelled above the '90s X-Men cartoon. Especially in the graphics department. Sadly, the show was cut short when it wasn't picked up for a 5th season.
The Creators Weren't Happy With Mystique's Initial Designs
X-Men: Evolution had a completely different look and feel when compared to the original X-Men cartoon of the '90s and even to the comics. At times, the characters looked a bit unrealistic in appearance and body type. Yet, it was the villain Mystique's appearance in the first season that made the designers do a re-do of her costume and overall design beginning in season 2. The new design turned out to be a hit and lasted until the end of the series.
The Character Spyke Was Created For The Series
For a cartoon as critically acclaimed as what X-Men: Evolution was, it isn't surprising that it added to the X-Men lore. In fact, the cartoon not only added key backstories but also a new mutant by the name of Spyke. The character who appeared as a teen on the cartoon series had a prominent role in many of the plots on the show. Spyke was a high school student who just happened to be the nephew of the popular X-Men heroine Storm.
X-Men: Evolution Was Originally Going To Have At Least 5 Seasons
While it was hinted that season 4 could be the show's last season, causing the creators to sew up any remaining unfinished plots by the end of the finale. That said, X-Men: Evolution creators still pushed for a 5th season. Sadly, in the end, the season 4 finale turned out to be the last time it was aired.
If it would have been picked up for season 5 it would have consisted of 13 episodes and would have continued to focus on mankind's persecution of mutants.
X-Men: Evolution Comic
It isn't shocking nowadays for popular cartoons that are at the end of their run to pick up or continue their stories in comic book form. In many other series, this has proven to be a great way to end fan backlash when it comes to a popular show being canceled before its time. However, X-Men Evolution's success didn't carry over into comics even though it did create some original plots and character designs. Due to low sales, the comic was canceled after only 9 issues.
Episode Change Due To 9-11 Attacks
The tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, changed how many in the United States viewed graphic images on their televisions and even in their movies. Shortly after the attacks X-Men: Evolution was airing the episode "Growing Pains" that had a scene where Avalanche saves the life of Shadowcat from falling debris. Fearing that the scene would come off as insensitive due to the recent tragedy, censors and the network decided to cut the scene altogether from the episode.
The Show's Creators Were Pressured By Marvel To Show More Superheroes
It is no secret that Marvel loves an all-encompassing expanded universe that details every Marvel superhero that was ever created. Which makes sense since it has been so successful in marketing movies with various different conglomerations and teams of superheroes attached to each project.
However, X-Men: Evolution's showrunners wanted to keep the show focused just on the X-Men instead of trying to add in other superheroes that share their world. In the end, they did compromise by giving Captain America a cameo.
A Secular Nightcrawler
One consistency in the X-Men universe is Nightcrawler's faith in God. In most versions, he has Catholic roots that he clings to and in some cases even goes as far as to convert others to his cause. However, in X-Men: Evolution this was toned down so much that it was basically non-existent from the cartoon. No real reason was ever given by the network as to the change in the character's overall religious philosophy. Which normally wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't so paramount to Nightcrawler's identity.
X-Men Evolution's Buffy The Vampire Slayer Connection
While on the surface Buffy The Vampire Slayer comes from a different background with a vastly different audience. Yet, that didn't stop the writers of X-Men Evolution from making comparisons to Shadowcat with Buffy Summers. In their eyes, they were both teenagers that went to school and afterward fought bad guys. The connections do not stop there as Buffy The Vampire Slayer's creator Joss Whedon is an X-Men fan giving Buffy the last name of Summers out of his love for the X-Men's team leader's last name.
The Cartoon Was Too Dark For The Network
There is always a certain level of darkness when it comes to superhero shows. There has to be since in most cases it is a personal tragedy that leads these superheroes to be who they are today.
While the WB wanted to tone down some of the violence and dark nature before it followed down the path of similar popular superhero cartoons of the time, the effort proved unsuccessful as X-Men: Evolution's success gave the network little choice but to continue down the winning path.
Jean's College Major Was Similar To Her Character's Career In The Movie
There are so many positive aspects of writing for a series with clear and identifiable characters. Since, with all the history, all writers had to do was pick and choose which stories they wished to elaborate on. Sadly, that also comes at a price since at the time of X-Men: Evolution the first X-Men live-action adaption movie had hit theaters. Leaving the writers to have to make Jean Grey a genetics major since in the movie she was a doctor in genetics.