Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Astonishing X-Men is a motion comic, which is something halfway between reading a comic book and watching an animated cartoon; there's lots of detail, but little movement. The short episodes contain superhero battles, with some realistic and fantasy weapons; the tone is a bit more serious and dramatic than you might expect, with a bit more at stake. Expect some mild language, like "damn" and "hell"; some characters are in romantic relationships, complete with lovers' spats. Female characters wear skimpy, sexy outfits, and there's some brief innuendo. Written by Joss Whedon (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the show could appeal to a wide range of genre fans.

Sexual Content

Kitty and Colossus have a lover's spat, and female heroes are shown wearing skimpy costumes. There's also some brief sexual innuendo, such as references to a "Hilton girl" "dancing topless" or a reference to "tongue kissing."

Violence

Medium-level fantasy violence, mostly superheroes and monsters fighting one another with super powers and imaginary weapons. But the fighting feels intense and serious, as if something heavy were at stake. (Teeth are shown being punched out, etc.) In one story, a character commits suicide, and pools of blood are shown; later he's resurrected as a scary zombie/puppet, moving about while twisted and broken. There's some other somewhat scary imagery as well.

Language

Language includes "damn" and "hell," as well as words like "bugger," "geek," and "stupid."

Social Behavior

Characters must make difficult decisions that could put others in danger, which makes the right/wrong scale a little fuzzy. But teamwork, responsibility, and accepting differences are also themes.

Consumerism

The X-Men is a major brand with merchandise, comics, theatrical movies, and more. One off-hand reference to LEGO.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not an issue, except that Wolverine -- in a voiceover -- says how much he likes beer.