Warning: This article contains spoilers for X-Men ’97 episode 7, “Bright Eyes.”
Captain America may have teased the return of an animated Avengers team during his cameo appearance in X-Men ’97 episode 7. Despite the X-Men: The Animated Series revival being set outside the main continuity of the MCU, Marvel Studios previously promised major cameos from popular MCU heroes in X-Men ’97, and this kicked off properly in X-Men ’97 episode 7, “Bright Eyes”, with an appearance from Captain America. However, Captain America might not be the last Avenger that audiences see in action in X-Men ’97, as the star-spangled man-with-a-plan may have teased more cameos coming up in the animated series.
In the aftermath of the attack on Genosha, X-Men ’97 episode 7 saw Rogue head out on her search for Henry Gyrich and Bolivar Trask, the creator of the Sentinels. This caught Captain America’s attention, who provided her with valuable information, but refused to help in her quest, instead wanting to use his team to apprehend Gyrich. This seemingly teased the return of the Avengers in X-Men ’97, who had previously been seen in various installments of the Marvel Animated Universe in the 1990s, and this could create the opportunity for several brilliant cameos in X-Men ’97’s upcoming three-part finale.
10. Captain America Seems To Lead X-Men ’97’s Avengers Team
Captain America First Appeared In Fantastic Four’s Animated Series In 1995
Captain America’s mention of his team in X-Men ’97 could have been referring to any number of groups, but the Avengers seems like the most likely option. Many Avengers were featured throughout previous Marvel Animated Universe shows, and Captain America was one of the most prolific members of the team, just as he was in the live-action MCU. The fact that Captain America and his team were also searching for Gyrich and Trask means the Avengers could have a pivotal role in X-Men ’97’s upcoming episodes.
Captain America’s Return In X-Men ’97 May Have Set Up Avengers Vs. X-Men
The version of Captain America in X-Men ’97 is very different to Chris Evans’ live-action version in the MCU. He appears more steadfast in his role, and cares more for the symbolism of his suit, which brings him into conflict with Rogue. This could be teasing X-Men ’97’s adaptation of Marvel Comics’ Avengers vs. X-Men, which may feature many members of the Avengers team.
9. Spider-Man Has Previous Experience With X-Men ’97’s Team
Spider-Man First Appeared In X-Men: The Animated Series In 1994
One of the most prominent superheroes featured in the Marvel Animated Universe, aside from the X-Men, was Spider-Man. Spider-Man is one of the most recognized heroes in the world, and his previous crossovers with the X-Men team in the 1990s make his return in X-Men ’97 very likely. While Spider-Man wasn’t featured on the Avengers team in the ’90s, his recent stint in the team in the live-action MCU means he could be a crucial member of Captain America’s team in X-Men ’97.
Spider-Man Was One Of The Marvel Animated Universe’s Most Prominent Heroes
While X-Men: The Animated Series was the longest-running series in the Marvel Animated Universe, running for 76 episodes, Spider-Man: The Animated Series came in a close second. Spider-Man’s series ran for five seasons between 1994 and 1998, spanning 65 episodes. This saw him team up with many other iconic Marvel characters, becoming the most prominent solo hero, making him a clear candidate for Captain America’s Avengers team.
8. Carol Danvers’ Ms. Marvel Could Return In X-Men ’97
Ms. Marvel First Appeared In X-Men: The Animated Series In 1994
Despite only appearing in one episode of X-Men: The Animated Series, season 2, episode 9, “A Rogue’s Tale,” Carol Danvers’ Ms. Marvel played a pivotal role in the series. While she was a member of her adoptive mother, Mystique’s, Brotherhood of Mutants, Rogue absorbed Ms. Marvel’s abilities. This left Danvers in a coma, but empowered Rogue massively, so it would be brilliant to see Danvers return, perhaps as Captain Marvel, as a member of Captain America’s Avengers team, to once again face off with Rogue.
Rogue taking Carol Danvers’ Ms. Marvel powers is one of Marvel Comics’ most iconic moments, but has never been seen in live-action.
X-Men: The Animated Series Teased Carol Danvers’ Survival
While she was last seen in a coma in X-Men: The Animated Series, the final shot of “A Rogue’s Tale” teased Carol Danvers waking up and restoring her abilities. This could see her return in X-Men ’97, especially since she has a rich history with the X-Men in Marvel Comics. Binary recently made her MCU debut, hinting at X-Men ’97’s potential introduction of the hero.
7. Daredevil Was A Prominent Hero In Marvel’s Animated Franchise
Daredevil First Appeared In Fantastic Four’s Animated Series In 1995
Matt Murdock’s Daredevil only made an appearance as a photograph in X-Men: The Animated Series season 3, episode 8, “No Mutant is an Island.” This came after his debut in Fantastic Four: The Animated Series and his larger role in Spider-Man, which saw him team up with Peter Parker. While Daredevil hasn’t become an official Avengers member in the MCU, his connection to other heroes in the Marvel Animated Universe makes him a clear candidate for Captain America’s team in X-Men ’97.
Daredevil Hasn’t Yet Become An Avenger In The MCU
Charlie Cox first appeared as the live-action Matt Murdock in Marvel Television’s Daredevil in 2015, but recently made his debut in the MCU proper. After making appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo, Daredevil will return in Marvel Studios’ Daredevil: Born Again, which could introduce him to more heroes. This could set him up to become a member of the MCU’s Avengers team.
6. Thor Had A Brief Appearance In X-Men: The Animated Series
Thor First Appeared In X-Men: The Animated Series In 1994
Following a brief appearance during X-Men: The Animated Series’ adaptation of Marvel Comics’ Dark Phoenix Saga, Thor’s story was developed further in Fantastic Four: The Animated Series, The Incredible Hulk and The Avengers: United They Stand. The God of Thunder has become one of the most consistent members of the Avengers in the MCU. This means it makes sense that he’d be included in Captain America’s team in X-Men ’97, though his mortal identity, Donald Blake, could throw a spanner in the works.
Thor Had A Larger Role With The Fantastic Four & The Hulk
While Thor only appeared briefly in X-Men: The Animated Series, feeling the power of the Dark Phoenix, he saw more action in other shows. Thor teamed up with the Fantastic Four to battle Ego, the Living Planet, and the planet-eater Galactus. Thor also joined forces with the Hulk to thwart a Gamma Virus outbreak, and was later seen as one of the core members of the Avengers.
5. The Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver Were Magneto’s Children In X-Men: The Animated Series
The Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver First Appeared in X-Men: The Animated Series In 1993
The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver were first introduced in a cameo capacity in X-Men: The Animated Series, though they had a larger role in season 4, episode 13, “Family Ties.” This episode saw them learn that Magneto was their biological father. While Quicksilver had a very small role in the Marvel Animated Universe, Wanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch went on to play a pivotal role in Iron Man: The Animated Series, and eventually became a true Avenger, setting up her return in X-Men ’97.
While they had been thought to be Magneto’s children for decades in Marvel Comics, the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver were later retconned to be experiments of the High Evolutionary, and therefore not mutants at all.
Quicksilver Has Already Had A Cameo In X-Men ’97
While the Scarlet Witch is yet to return in X-Men ’97, her brother, Pietro Maximoff’s Quicksilver, has already made a brief cameo. X-Men ’97 episode 7 saw Morph assume Quicksilver’s form to harness his speedster abilities during battle with Bolivar Trask’s zombie Sentinel. It’s unclear if the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver will return officially in X-Men ’97, but they’d make great additions to Captain America’s Avengers team.
4. The Black Panther & Storm’s Relationship Could Develop
The Black Panther First Appeared In X-Men: The Animated Series In 1995
After making cameo appearances in X-Men: The Animated Series season 4, episodes 3 and 4, “Sanctuary,” T’Challa’s Black Panther went on to team up with the Fantastic Four and become an Avenger. The Fantastic Four helped T’Challa take down Klaw, who had murdered the Wakandan King. This happened shortly after the Black Panther had watched the X-Men dealing with Magneto during his Asteroid M mission, but the Black Panther’s return in X-Men ’97 could set up an even bigger Marvel storyline.
Storm’s X-Men ’97 Evolution Sets Up Her Relationship With The Black Panther Perfectly
In Marvel Comics, T’Challa and Storm end up marrying, after having met as children. This romance was never explored in X-Men: The Animated Series, but Storm’s recent transformation in X-Men ’97 could have opened the door for this powerful story to finally be told. If the Black Panther returns as a member of Captain America’s Avengers team, it would be easy for a romance to blossom with Ororo Munroe.
3. The Hulk Has Been Confirmed To Exist In X-Men ’97
The Hulk First Appeared In Spider-Man’s Animated Series In 1994
The Hulk Never Actually Appeared In X-Men: The Animated Series
The Hulk was a prominent member of the Avengers in the Marvel Animated Universe, but wasn’t actually seen in X-Men: The Animated Series. In season 4’s premiere episode, “The Juggernaut Returns,” however, a holographic simulation of the Hulk does appear to battle the Juggernaut in the X-Mansion’s Danger Room. This Hulk is destroyed by the Juggernaut, though, as it wasn’t as strong as the real deal.
2. Doctor Strange & Wong Appeared In The X-Men’s & Spider-Man’s Animated Shows
Doctor Strange First Appeared In X-Men: The Animated Series In 1994, While Wong First Appeared In Spider-Man’s Animated Series In 1996
As well as being one of the most prominent heroes in the MCU, Doctor Strange was also a prolific character in the Marvel Animated Universe in the ’90s. He appeared in X-Men, Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk, helping out the titular heroes in various missions. Strange’s assistant, Wong, only appeared in Spider-Man: The Animated Series season 3’s premiere, “Doctor Strange,” but both have recently been set up as key figures in the MCU’s multiverse, so could return in X-Men ’97.
Doctor Strange & Wong Are Key Multiversal Characters In The MCU
Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong’s live-action versions of Doctor Strange and Wong have been set up as core heroes in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. The fact that X-Men ’97 has recently been added to the Multiverse Saga on Disney+ suggests Strange and Wong could also have a large role in the animated series. This could see them included in Captain America’s Avengers team, or perhaps come with a bigger warning.
1. Iron Man & War Machine Could Return In X-Men ’97
Iron Man First Appeared In Fantastic Four’s Animated Series In 1995, While War Machine First Appeared In X-Men: The Animated Series In 1993
While Iron Man, perhaps the world’s most famous Avenger, never appeared in X-Men: The Animated Series, he crossed over into many other Marvel Animated Universe shows, and even led his own. War Machine debuted in X-Men, and became a member of Force Works, but both Iron Man and War Machine could return as Avengers in X-Men ’97. This would be a great opportunity to bring back Iron Man following Robert Downey Jr.’s beloved MCU interpretation, but could also tease a bigger storyline.
Iron Man’s X-Men ’97 Return Could Set Up Avengers: Secret Wars
Marvel Studios’ upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to feature cameos from many Marvel heroes, past and present. This includes the heroes of X-Men ’97, so Iron Man’s potential return in the series open the door for his return in Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr. has recently stated he’d happily return as Iron Man in the MCU, and this could be as the Avengers’ leader from X-Men ’97.
