Summary
X-Men ‘97still has a swathe of characters to introduce who didn’t previously appear inX-Men: The Animated Series.X-Men: The Animated Seriesboasted a stunning array ofMarvelcharacters throughout its iconic run in the 1990s.TheX-Men ‘97castintroduced several additional characters from theX-Menpantheon. However, some characters never made it into either but would make especially compelling additions toX-Men ‘97season 2.
TheX-Men: TASrevival has proven itself so triumphant thatX-Men ‘97season 2 was confirmed before season 1 was even released. Season 2 promises to maintain this impeccable reputation for complex narratives and nuanced characterization.X-Men ‘97season 1 was brimming with great X-Men characters, adapting some into the animated timeline for the first time, but season 2 has the potential to introduce further mutants from the comic books who never appeared inX-Men: The Animated Series.
10 Best Quotes From X-Men ‘97 Season 1
X-Men ’97 season 1 has proven itself to be as iconic as the classic X-Men: TAS, proffering a swathe of celebrated scenes and perfect quotations.
10Kitty Pryde Is A Classic And Beloved X-Men Character
Kitty Pryde Appeared In Pryde Of The X-Men, X-Men: Evolution, Wolverine And The X-Men, & 4 X-Men Movies
Kitty Pryde, AKA Shadowcat, is a beloved X-Man known for her unique phasing abilities. Despite her long-standing role in the comics and serving as the main character in the 1989 pilotPryde of the X-Men, Kitty did not appear inX-Men: The Animated Series. Her absence was particularly notable in comic book adaptations such as “Days of Future Past,” in which she played a vital role. Shadowcat largely functioned in the comics asthe audience surrogate with a relatable coming-of-age narrative.
Kitty later matured into a formidable hero within the X-Men team. Though this role is filled by Jubilee and Sunspot inX-Men: TASandX-Men ’97, Kitty could still bring compelling narratives depicting her personal growth. Including Kitty inX-Men ‘97season 2 would add a dynamic, multifaceted character. Indeed, Kitty Pryde is perhapsthe biggest X-Men character conspicuously missing from the animated timeline.
X-Men ’97 Can Officially Introduce A Missing Marvel Character 31 Years After Their First Tease
X-Men ‘97’s setup means a character first teased to appear in the original animated Marvel show finally can more than three decades later.
9Danielle Moonstar Was An Essential New Mutants Member
Danielle Moonstar Appeared In X-Men: Evolution & The New Mutants
Danielle Moonstar is a standout character from Marvel’sX-Menuniverse and a central member of the New Mutants team. Though several other New Mutants were established inX-Men: TAS, Danielle “Mirage” Moonstar was not. As a Native American mutant with the ability to create illusions based on people’s fears and desires, her powers and background have provided rich storytelling potential throughout the comics.
Mirage’s leadership qualities and deep sense of empathy make her a very interesting character who can add significant depth to a narrative. She would therefore be perfect forX-Men ’97season 2.Danielle’s illusion-conjuring powers would flourish withX-Men ‘97’s updated animated techniques- as was seen through Madelyne Pryor’s illusions in episode 3 “Fire Made Flesh.” Given the established presence of other New Mutants, Moonstar’s introduction could seamlessly integrate into the existing storyline.
8Magma Is An Important Young X-Men Member
Magma Appeared In The X-Men: Legends Video Game, X-Men: Evolution, & Wolverine And The X-Men
Magma, also known as Amara Aquilla, is an interesting character from Marvel’s X-Men universe who would be an excellent addition toX-Men ‘97season 2. Originating from the Romanesque city-state of Nova Roma (a fictional town hidden in the Amazon Rainforest), Amara possesses the ability to control lava and heat. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she was a sporadic yet impactful member of the New Mutants, eventually becoming more central in the 2000s.
Magma’s successful animated appearances in shows likeX-Men: Evolutiondemonstrate her appeal and potential for engaging storylines. Magma’s role as the main character in theX-Men: Legendsvideo game successfully introduced her to a wider audience. Her appearance inX-Men ’97would draw from all of these.Magma’s narrative inX-Men ’97could explore her dual heritage and struggle with identity - prevalent themes inX-Men ‘97- while her powers could provide for numerous visually striking sequences.
10 Great X-Men ‘97 Details You Probably Missed
Marvel’s X-Men ’97 is littered with great details that hint at the show’s unfolding narrative and celebrate the impressive legacy of X-Men: TAS.
7X-23 Is Another Weapon X Experiment
X-23 Appeared In Wolverine And The X-Men & Logan
X-23, AKA Laura Kinney, is a compelling character who is perfect for an appearance inX-Men ‘97season 2. Created forX-Men: Evolutionin 2003 and transitioning to comics in 2004, she brings a fresh and intense dynamic to theX-Menuniverse. Laura, a clone and successor to Wolverine, possesses similar healing powers and adamantium claws, but her unique struggles with her identity and past make her especially fascinating.
Since her celebrated role in the filmLogan, Laura has become a more widely known and beloved character. Laura’s journey from a weapon to a hero resonates deeply with narratives concerning redemption and self-discovery that could be readily introduced torecommenceX-Men: TAS’s brilliant depiction of the Weapon X program. With Wolverine’s backstory being filled out in the comics in the years followingX-Men: TAS, X-23 could be the conduit to address the aspects that were missing or retconned.
6Cassandra Nova Is Xavier’s Evil Twin
Cassandra Nova Appears In Deadpool & Wolverine
Cassandra Nova is a fearsome adversary inX-Mencomics. Cassandra was first created in 2001, and therefore could not have appeared inX-Men: The Animated Seriesbut would make a great villain forX-Men ’97season 2. As the twin sister of Charles Xavier, Cassandra shares a deep and complex connection with the X-Men, amplifying the emotional and psychological stakes of their conflicts.
Cassandra Nova’s upcoming appearance inDeadpool & Wolverinehighlights her significance and enduring impact within the Marvel universe. Cassandra’s vast telepathic abilities, combined with her ruthless intellect and ambition, make herone of the most powerful and malevolent villains in theX-Menpantheon. Introducing her inX-Men ‘97would bring fresh, high-stakes drama and allow for the exploration of profound notions regarding familial bonds, the nature of evil, and the resilience of the human spirit.
5Azazel Was Nightcrawler’s Original Father
Azazel Appeared In X-Men: First Class & Deadpool & Wolverine
Azazel is a sinister and enigmatic character from Marvel Comics who could help further explore Nightcrawler’s history inX-Men #97season 2. Introduced in 2003, Azazel is a demonic mutant with teleportation abilities who was Nightcrawler’s father (though this was retconned in 2023). Azazel’s dark, mysterious background and the Hell dimension from which he hails add a unique supernatural element to the X-Men universe which would adapt well toX-Men ’97.
Introducing Azazel intoX-Men ’97could further expand upon Nightcrawler’s origin story. It was depicted inX-Men: TAS, where he was revealed as Mystique’s son, but his father was never revealed. WithX-Men ‘97’s narratives involving the nature of family, particularly between Nightcrawler and Rogue,Azazel’s inclusion could facilitate further stories. Moreover, Azazel’s appearance inX-Men: First Classdemonstrated an audience intrigue surrounding the mutant, whichX-Men ’97could exploit.
10 Characters X-Men ‘97 Has Done Better Than The Movies
X-Men ’97 boasts some of the greatest depictions of Marvel’s mutants, many of which surpass their live-action counterparts in the X-Men movies.
4Daken Is Wolverine’s Son
Daken Is Yet To Make His On-Screen Debut
Daken is a complex and multifaceted character ideal forX-Men ‘97season 2. As the son of Wolverine, Daken shares his father’s enhanced senses, healing factor, and retractable claws, but his darker,more morally ambiguous nature sets him apart. His introduction toX-Men ‘97would offer a fresh, intense dynamic and allow the series to delve deeper into Wolverine’s mysterious backstory, which was explored sporadically inX-Men: The Animated Series.
Daken’s struggle with his identity, feelings of abandonment, and desire for power would create rich, emotionally charged storylines forX-Men ‘97. His presence could challenge Wolverine and the X-Men in new ways, both in terms of physical confrontations and psychological battles.Exploring Daken’s complex relationship with his father would add depth and nuance to Wolverine’s character, enrichingX-Men ’97’s overall narrative of the series while expanding Wolverine’s iconic backstory.
3Hope Summers Is A Mutant Messiah
Hope Summers is a pivotal character in Marvel Comics, whose appearance inX-Men ‘97has been subtly teased. As the first mutant born after the devastating “House of M” event,Hope is often referred to as the “Mutant Messiah.“Her ability to mimic and enhance other mutants’ powers makes her a uniquely powerful and versatile character. Her backstory involves intense training and survival experiences with Cable, with both characters raised by the Askani tribe in the post-apocalyptic future.
With Cable’s new backstory firmly established inX-Men ’97season 1 and the presumably pending time travel narrative in season 2,Hope could be easily introduced. Hope’s appearance would deepen the series’ exploration of mutant evolution and destiny. The surpriseending inX-Men ’97season 1, in which Jean Grey and Cyclops encounter the Askani in the dystopian future, hints at this narrative.
2The Stepford Cuckoos Are Telepathic Quintuplets
The Stepford Cuckoos Appeared In Wolverine And The X-Men, The Gifted, & X-Men: The Last Stand
The Stepford Cuckoos, also known as the Five-in-One, were created as clones of Emma Frost. The telepathic quintuplet sisters - Celeste, Esme, Irma, Phoebe, and Sophie - share a powerful hive mind that allows them to function with unparalleled psychic coordination. Their unique abilities and eerie synchronization provide fresh narrative possibilities and complex, high-stakes scenarios.
Including the Stepford Cuckoos inX-Men ’97season 2 would help explore the realm of telepathywithin the series. The Cuckoos’ connection to Emma Frost makes them especially suited for adaption into the animated series after she was revealed in episode 7, “Bright Eyes,” to have survived the Genosha massacre in episode 5. Moreover, Emma Frost’s appearances inX-Men: TASfeel far too insignificant and simplistic considering her subsequent time as an X-Men member and leader of her own mutant academy. The Stepford Cuckoos could help instigate these stories in theX-Men ’97narrative.
1Onslaught’s Appearance In X-Men ‘97 Has Been Teased
Onslaught Is Yet To Make An On-Screen Appearance
Onslaught is a powerful and terrifying X-Men villain first introduced in 1995. Born fromthe merged consciousness of Professor Xavier and Magneto, Onslaught possesses immense telepathic and telekinetic abilities, alongside Magneto’s mastery of magnetism. This makes him an adversary of unparalleled strength and complexity.
Onslaught’s character embodies the internal and external conflicts within the X-Men, as he represents the darkest aspects of their greatest mentors. Onslaught’s storyline would explore corruption, redemption, and the consequences of unchecked power. Depicting Onslaught inX-Men ’97season 2 thus would challenge the X-Men physically and emotionally, in a manner befitting a season-long villain.
Onslaught’s presence would provide intense, high-stakes drama, making him a compelling adversaryfor the series’ second season. Interestingly,Onslaught has been teased throughoutX-Men ’97with narratives comparable to those that led to his debut in the comic books.As one of the primary villains missing fromX-Men: The Animated Series, his arrival inX-Men ’97season 2 would be a thrilling development.
X-Men ‘97
Cast
X-Men ‘97 is the direct continuation of the popular 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. Taking up where the third season left off, Marvel’s revival brings back famous mutants such as Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, and Nightcrawler, who fight villains like Mr. Sinister, the Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club.
