If the mere mention of “previously on X-Men” instantly summons that iconic, gravelly narration in your mind, you’re likely a product of the 90s. The debut of X-Men: The Animated Series in 1992 was a cultural watershed moment, serving as the gateway for countless fans into the expansive Marvel universe. It was no surprise, then, when the 2024 revival, X-Men ’97, landed with such immediate, thunderous acclaim.
Two years later, the team is back. Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil surrounding the abrupt departure of original architect Beau DeMayo—who remains credited as an executive producer—the quality of the production has not faltered. I’ll be blunt: X-Men ’97 season 2 is a triumph. Having previewed the first four episodes, it is clear that the show not only navigates the fallout of its predecessor’s explosive finale but also weaves a significantly more sophisticated tapestry of storytelling that promises to keep momentum peaking right through the season’s conclusion.
Simply put: X-Men ’97 has returned, and the world of animation feels vital once again.
For those needing a refresher: Magneto’s space station nearly obliterated the globe before crashing down to Earth. In a final, desperate act, the X-Men ostensibly sacrificed themselves, only to be scattered across the folds of space and time by an enigmatic entity. Currently, the team is split between the shifting sands of 3000 BC Egypt and the war-ravaged landscape of 3960 AD. Across both eras, they find themselves pitted against an old nemesis: Apocalypse.
In the ancient past, Professor X, Magneto, Rogue, Beast, and Nightcrawler are forced into an uneasy alliance with a young En Sabah Nur. While history remembers him as the tyrant Apocalypse, here he is a man born into bondage, leading an uprising against a pharaoh empowered by advanced technology. Meanwhile, in the distant future, Cyclops and Jean Grey join forces with a resistance movement—led by their own son, Nathan (Cable)—to strike at the heart of Apocalypse’s dominion. Back in the present, an adult Cable has formed his own X-Force to hold the line.
The narrative is sprawling, yet X-Men ’97 manages to maintain focus by dedicating episodes to specific timelines, avoiding the disorienting pacing of constant cuts. By the time we hit the fourth episode, the show executes a seamless reset, perfectly positioning the audience for the second half of the season.
The standout arc is undoubtedly the journey of En Sabah Nur. Voiced with haunting gravitas by Adetokumboh M’Cormack, he is a figure of tragic depth caught in the eternal ideological tug-of-war between Magneto and Professor X. Their debates over the morality of influencing a budding villain mirror the best intellectual arcs of the original 90s run, elevating this revival to the same prestige tier.
While the future timeline leans into a bleaker dystopia, it succeeds in planting vital narrative seeds. Watching Cyclops and Jean struggle with the secret of their son’s identity—and his predestined role as a warrior—provides an emotional anchor. The present-day sequences offer a smaller, more focused spotlight, which is sure to delight dedicated Jubilee fans.
Visually and aurally, the series remains top-tier. There is no lack of ambition here; if anything, the time-hopping premise has pushed the animators toward even more daring compositions. Whether it’s an ethereal astral-plane battle set against a surreal Egyptian vista or the kinetic intensity of an futuristic “Slave Train” skirmish, the show is a masterclass in dynamic action.
Having witnessed the opening act of season 2, my only gripe is the waiting period. How these complex threads will resolve is anyone’s guess, but I am fully invested. After all, the X-Men have never been ones to back down from a challenge.
X-Men ’97 season 2 premieres July 1 on Disney Plus.
Source: Polygon
