X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men pilot effectively marked the end of the Marvel animated universe created by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises/Marvel Productions, which began with "Fantastic Four" (1978) and continued with "Spider-Woman" (1979), "Spider-Man" (1981), "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends" (1981) and "The Incredible Hulk" (1982). The X-Men themselves had previously guest starred in several episodes of "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends", although that particular series isn't necessarily in the same continuity as "Pryde of the X-Men". Narrated by X-Men co-creator Stan Lee, "Pryde of the X-Men" stars Professor X and the X-Men who were known as Cyclops, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, and Dazzler saving
World War Hulk: X-Men that he endured in interplanetary exile and is humbled. Xavier admits that he wouldn't have agreed to shoot the Hulk into space permanently, but would've sent him there while the Illuminati searched for a cure. Acknowledging this as well as other mistakes that have hurt his X-Men in the past, Xavier surrenders to the Hulk willingly, but the gathered Astonishing X-Men refuse to give him up without a fight. A second fight breaks out with Cyclops, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Beast, Shadowcat, Colossus and Lockheed against the Hulk. Again like in the previous issue Hulk defeats each member of the team.