10 Best X-Men: The Animated Series Episodes

3. Enter Magneto

The difference between the X-Men and Magneto is demonstrated brilliantly and economically in 'Enter Magneto', showing the series' strong writing at its best.

With Beast in prison after being captured (following the events of 'Night of the Sentinels'), Magneto attempts to break him out, only for him to refuse in favour of having his day in court. This leads to Professor X giving Jubilee the lowdown on why himself and Magneto are on opposing sides, via some impressive flashbacks.

This episode really serves as a long introduction to a character who would go on to become as important to the series as the X-Men themselves, but manages to pack plenty of awesome stuff in elsewhere. As well as Beast's apt references to The Merchant of Venice (with its heavy racial themes), we also get to see Wolverine's hatred for Sabertooth emerge, and the final battle is brilliantly epic.

The X-Men films may have used Magneto a few times too many, and beaten viewers over the head with his and Xavier's philosophical differences again and again, but 'Enter Magneto' explores their opposing views in an easily-digestible way.