Dear Beau DeMayo…

10 weeks.

10 weeks of emotion.

10 weeks of action.

10 weeks of drama.

10 weeks of perfection.

I’ve gone on record on more than one occasion declaring that Bruce Timm’s Batman: The Animated Series is the greatest animated series of all time. This series contained every great element of comic book lore and storytelling: comedy, suspense, action, horror, and heroics. Today, I can not make that same statement so boldly.

For 10 weeks, you have managed to re-ignite a flame that only a few still carried torches for. For those of us still dedicated to The Children of The Atom via the source material from Marvel Comics every Wednesday, we welcomed this nostalgia project with open arms. Not knowing, it was going to be much more than that.

For 10 weeks, as writer and showrunner, you developed an animated series that touched so many lives: the oppressed, the lonely, the misunderstood, the betrayed, the angry, and most importantly, the hopeful. You spoke to situations and agendas. You showed us how bonds can be both strengthened and broken in the face of casualty. You portrayed how individuals with the darkest past can still be redeemed. 

For 10 weeks, you made teenagers who were born and raised in the era of the MCU see their own angst and concerns play out in the lives of the X-Men; much like those of us who sought that same refuge in the pages of the comics in the 90s. You made Cyclops cool. You gave Storm her crown. And you showed us Magneto was right. 

To you Beau, I say thank you. X-Men 97 was as appreciated as it was needed. 

To Disney, I say this: We have said and done things that have offended or upset the status quo for someone or even a group of individuals. While we are not above reproach, we are also not beyond forgiveness. These 10 weeks… these 10 episodes… this one season, have meant so much to so many that it would be a shame and a loss for it to continue not as it was intended. We as fans want to continue watching. We want to support this show and its creators. But like the X-Men needed Charles, this show needs Beau. 

I can not speak for everyone but if Beau DeMayo is not reinstated as writer and showrunner for X-Men 97, there are people who will stop supporting this series. They may even stop supporting the platform it is streamed on. Speech is powerful. But when reinforced by the choice to withhold the dollar makes it impactful. I'm certain this would be a gross disappointment to you, Disney. So please, do not make us let you down.