Everybody knows that comics are for children. Right? Wrong! A lot of adults read superhero comics like The X-Men, too. And they went to see the film of this popular comic in summer 2000. But did they like it?

People often have strong opinions about the characters in comics. Because many comics are quite old many people know all the stories and characters very well. For example, Superman and Batman were made into films. The comics began in the 1930s and have thousands of stories. But films must be simple enough for a viewer who doesn't know the comics. Some comic fans get angry about this. They think it is wrong to change the characters and stories.

Were the fans happy when the film of The X-Men was made? Not all of them were, at first. Some fans thought that they were going to hate the movie. Why?

The film-makers had enough money – the film cost seventy-five million dollars. They changed the story a little because they had to introduce the superheroes. But the film is very close to the comic. The X-Men are a group of superheroes with different special powers. Their teacher is Professor X – that is why they are called the X-Men. They want to defend the normal people in the world. The group's enemy is Magneto. He believes that people with special powers must fight the rest of the world.

The comic's fans were most worried about Wolverine. This X-Man is a strong, dangerous fighter with sharp metal claws in his wrists. A tall Australian actor called Hugh Jackman was chosen to be Wolverine. Some fans were angry already – Wolverine is Canadian! And he's short! Jackman knew that he had to keep these fans happy. He couldn't change his height, but he practised hard to sound Canadian!

When the film came out in the summer of 2000, it was a big success. In its first week it earned over fifty-seven million dollars. The fans loved it! The film isn't too simple and it's serious enough for them. One fan said, 'This is the film that we've been waiting for.' They also loved Jackman as Wolverine. The actor is tall, but he is the perfect angry, dangerous Wolverine.

Comics made into films are very successful, so more superhero films are being planned. A second X-Men film will come out in 2002. And the film company is already planning two more films after that. Toby Macguire is going to play Spider-Man. Film-makers are discussing a Captain America film. They want a big star like Tom Cruise. The comic fans are watching and waiting.