Warning: This article contains spoilers for X-Men ’97 episode 10, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3.”
Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 season 2 could solve one of Marvel Television’s biggest blunders, according to a wild new theory. X-Men ’97 season 1 concluded on May 15, 2024, with an epic three-part finale that pitted the X-Men team against their former leader, Magneto, and the human-Sentinel hybrid Bastion. X-Men: The Animated Series’ revival has become an incredibly popular addition to Marvel Studios’ repertoire, and with X-Men ’97 season 2 and 3 already in development, the series has the perfect opportunity to explore some of Marvel Comics’ most exciting storylines before the X-Men team is reinvented for the live-action MCU.
X-Men ’97’s 10-episode first season concluded with the three-part finale, “Tolerance is Extinction,” which saw elements of Marvel Comics’ Operation: Zero Tolerance and Fatal Attractions storylines adapted into animation. X-Men ’97 season 1, episode 10, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3,” ended with the X-Men saving the world from Bastion and a falling Asteroid M, but finding themselves separated and thrown into different time periods, ready to face a new terrifying villain, Apocalypse. However, X-Men ’97’s finale did tease the formation of a new X-Men team, led by Forge and Bishop, though the status of two potential members is uncertain
The Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver Are “Off World” in X-Men ’97
After the X-Men disappeared in X-Men ’97 episode 10’s dramatic final battle, surviving member Forge compiled a board of known mutants, featuring the members of the X-Men, who are currently presumed dead. Forge’s board also included eight new mutants, including Colossus, Magik, Shadowcat, Emma Frost, Dust, Exodus, Havok, and Iceman, who may form the X-Men’s new line-up in X-Men ’97. However, Forge’s board also revealed that two iconic Marvel characters were “off world” in X-Men ’97, leaving the fate of Magneto’s children, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, unclear, but this could set up a major storyline for X-Men ’97 season 2.
Wanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch was voiced by Susan Roman in X-Men: The Animated Series , while Paul Haddad voiced Pietro Maximoff’s Quicksilver.
X-Men ’97 Season 2 Introduces The Inhumans In Major MCU Theory
The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver being “off world” in X-Men ’97 raises the question as to where exactly the Maximoff twins might be. The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver were last seen in X-Men: The Animated Series season 4, episode 13, “Family Ties,” though the pair were teased throughout X-Men ’97, despite not making a full appearance. The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver appeared on a poster in Jubilee’s “Motendo” video game in episode 4, “Motendo,” Morph impersonated Quicksilver to use his abilities in episode 7, “Bright Eyes,” and the pair appeared in a vision in Magneto’s mind in X-Men ’97’s finale.
This all sets up the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver for a bigger role in X-Men ’97 season 2, and one theory suggests the pair could actually be on the moon, in the Inhuman city of Attilan. Between 1973 and 1990 in Marvel Comics, Quicksilver was married to the Inhuman Crystal, who could manipulate the elements, and the pair even had a daughter, Luna. This would be a brilliant storyline to explore in X-Men ’97 season 2, particularly since the Inhumans have been underused in Marvel’s live-action and animated media, so they could make themselves known in X-Men ’97’s upcoming adventures.
The Inhumans In X-Men ’97 Season 2 Can Fix Problems With Marvel Television’s Failed Series
After Inhumans were introduced to Agents of SHIELD, Marvel Television produced a dedicated series centered on the superpowered species, led by Anson Mount as the Inhuman King, Black Bolt, Serinda Swan as Medusa, and Isabelle Cornish as Crystal. Unfortunately, Marvel Television’s Inhumans was a monumental failure, with the series running for only one season before being canceled, which has hindered the inclusion of Inhumans in the MCU. Mount reprised the role of Black Bolt in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, portraying a variant of his original character, but the Inhumans still haven’t appeared in the MCU’s main continuity.
While Marvel Studios may be fearful to introduce the Inhumans into the live-action MCU, Marvel Animation has the opportunity to adapt the Inhumans more faithfully in X-Men ’97. The prospect of the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver being in Attilan creates an easy way for the series to bring Inhumans into the mix, setting up major Marvel Comics storylines, such as Inhumans vs. X-Men and House of M. Not only would this allow the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver to return in X-Men ’97, but this would also open the door for many more powerful Marvel characters to make their animated debuts.
