There’s a reason that, to this day, if you want to aurally reference the X-Men, you do it with a few notes of the theme song that introduced X-Men: The Animated Series. That superhero cartoon, which ran from 1992 to 1997, is arguably the definitive adaptation of the Marvel Comics franchise (as it was at the time), drawing on key storylines and boldly exploring socio-political topics like governmental overreach, genocide, AIDs hysteria and LGBT+ othering, all through a mutant-powered lens.
All of which makes revival and sequel X-Men ’97, created in the same 2D art style as the original, a hot property. Season 1 premiered on Disney+ in March 2024, and, as of today, 1 July, Season 2 has started streaming, landing with the first three of nine episodes. After that, episodes 4 through 9 will drop weekly, through to 12 August.
With early access to the first four episodes, we’re loathe to pass judgement on the whole season at this point, but certainly the show starts strong, with a through-the-line mature approach you would expect.
Narratively, Season 2 picks up where 1 ended, with the X-Men scattered across time – some thrown into a despotic far future, and others travelling thousands of years into the past, to Ancient Egypt, where they meet “first mutant” En Sabah Nur, the season’s soon-to-be Big Bad Apocalypse.
It’s up to Bishop and Forge to bring back their fellow heroes if they are to successfully stand against Apocalypse in the present day. Meanwhile, the likes of Jubilee and Cable hold down the fort in a 1997, where multiple mutant groups (of varying moral standings) have emerged to fill the void created by the X-Men’s departure.
For the record, fan favourites like Rogue and Wolverine take a backseat – in the first four episodes of S2 at least. However, if you’re a Magneto or Jubilee enthusiast, these characters receive standout scenes. At the same time, the 90s segment is stuffed with X-Men (and broader Marvel) cameos, making it arguably the most fun in a serious set of initial episodes.
Season 2 of X-Men ’97 ticks the boxes you’ve likely listed out after Season 1. On the quieter front, there’s contemplative, poetic dialogue; space created for poignant moments; and tragedy that stress-tests characters’ previously rock-solid world views, shaking viewers in turn.
Action isn’t neglected either, of course. While the show once more explores how mutant team-ups could work, as heroes combine their special abilities in effective synergy, Season 2 ramps things up a notch on the epic scale. X-Men ’97 is peppered with Omega Level mutants, and in Season 2 they push into limitless power territory – essentially going Super Saiyan if you wanted to use an anime comparison.
Leaving you breathless one moment, and misty-eyed the next, X-Men ’97 S2 is set up to be another laser blast to the feels. Or, put another way, it’s the dizzying emotional equivalent of a Nightcrawler teleportation.