X-Men ’97 season 2 has received a fairly substantial update regarding other superhero teams, with several possibilities for which could show up. Since the ending of X-Men ’97 season 1, audiences have been eagerly anticipating updates about the show’s continuation. The reason for this primarily stems from the show’s quality, with X-Men ’97 often being counted among the best-ranked MCU TV shows ever crafted. Thankfully, X-Men ’97 season 2 was developed concurrently with the first, meaning audiences will not have to wait much longer.
The wait for X-Men ’97 season 2’s story has given Marvel Studios several opportunities to tease what is to come. From the hints provided at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 to the teases of D23 a few weeks later, Marvel has provided brief insights into what awaits X-Men ’97‘s best characters going forward. Interestingly, a comment from Brad Winderbaum – the Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation at Marvel Studios – hinted that more superhero teams will be involved in X-Men ’97 season 2, begging the question of which fit the X-named theme Winderbaum cited from Marvel Comics.
5. X-Force
Cable’s Team Could Be Perfect For X-Men ’97
The first team that could potentially be included in X-Men ’97 season 2 is X-Force. In Marvel Comics, X-Force is often depicted as a spin-off of the core X-Men, primarily led by Cable. X-Force acts as more a vigilante-style group than the X-Men, fighting for what they deem is right regardless of human laws. As such, they can be seen as a halfway point between the X-Men, who remain contained within the laws and politics of various countries, and the Brotherhood of Mutants, who tend to go against humanity in several storylines.
Where X-Men ’97 season 2’s story is concerned, the X-Force would fit nicely. One of X-Men ’97 season 1’s burning questions is what will become of the titular team members who were scattered through time. In the present, Forge is shown searching for replacement mutants to uphold Charles Xavier’s legacy, yet Cable is not present. In X-Men ’97 season 2, Cable could have formed the X-Force to fill the void left by the X-Men who are lost in time. Cable and his team could be working as vigilantes as they do in the comics, fighting the fight the X-Men are not there for.
This could even benefit Cable’s character arc in X-Men ’97. The first season ended with Cable reconnecting with his parents, Cyclops and Jean, before the two were presumed dead after being scattered through time. This could lead Cable down a more vengeful path, one that is less morally righteous and thus more akin to vigilantism than superheroism. The X-Force could be a team that reflects this change in Cable’s character, offsetting the exploration of Cable’s origins in X-Men ’97 via his younger self who lives among Clan Askani
4. Generation X
A team that could be included in X-Men ’97 is Generation X. This team could form out of a similar situation to the potential one explored with Cable’s X-Force. In the comics, Generation X is a team primarily made up of younger, teenage mutants. The team was crafted to learn to become the next generation of X-Men though without taking down supervillains as the older team did. That said, Generation X did sometimes clash with villains like Juggernaut and Omega Red, the latter of which appeared in an X-Men ’97 episode 8 cameo.
Generation X would allow for more young mutants to appear in the show, potentially capitalizing on the hints at new team members…
One of the more prominent members of Generation X in the comics was Jubilee, a main hero of X-Men ’97. In the absence of the X-Men, Jubilee and Sunspot could have formed Generation X as they remained in the present in X-Men ’97‘s finale. Given the arcs of both characters in season 1, it would make sense for Jubilee and Sunspot to honor the X-Men by carrying the torch. Similarly, Generation X would allow for more young mutants to appear in the show, potentially capitalizing on the hints at new team members from X-Men ’97 season 1’s finale.
Generation X being included in X-Men ’97 would certainly fit with the themes the show explores, as well as those explored in X-Men: The Animated Series. In the latter, Jubilee was one of the main characters as the newest X-Man, learning to become a part of the team. X-Men ’97 only furthered this by giving her stronger powers and introducing Sunspot as the next new X-Man. Both Jubilee’s and Sunspot’s character arcs could then come full circle by having them be depicted as senior X-Men, leading a team of younger characters.
3. X-Factor
A Marvel Comics Team That Aligns With X-Men ’97’s Story
X-Factor is an interesting spin-off team of the X-Men in Marvel Comics. The team originally forms as members of the X-Men begin to lose faith in Charles Xavier’s vision. Although they often fight alongside the X-Men, they have a difference of opinion based on what Charles thinks is correct and change tact in order to help mutants. For example, the members of X-Force pose as mutant hunters to get close to mutants and help them in secret which marks a different formula from the mainline X-Men.
In X-Men ’97‘s final few episodes, several of the X-Men were shown to lose faith in Charles. Naturally, Magneto was the standout, with characters like Sunspot and Rogue abandoning Xavier and the X-Men briefly to work alongside the master of magnetism. Even someone as usually loyal as Beast was shown to question Charles’ methods, potentially meaning that several X-Men members come together to form X-Force. Another interesting element from the comics is that Apocalypse and his horsemen were often depicted as primary antagonists of the X-Force, who were teased in X-Men ’97‘s post-credit scene.
X-Factor being included in X-Men ’97 lays the groundwork for some overly interesting storylines. The idea that Charles Xavier is not always correct is what makes characters like Magneto so compelling. If this were to extend to characters like Cyclops, Jean, and Beast, their characters would become infinitely more intriguing. It could be the case that Jean and Scott learn more about Xavier as they were transported to the future, causing further distrust in his vision. Beast’s experiences with Xavier in the past could cause the same, causing the trio to form X-Factor when reunited.
2. Exiles
A Universe-Hopping Mutant Team
While perhaps not as likely as the other X-teams appearing in X-Men ’97 season 2, another possibility is the Exiles. This is a team of mutants from alternate realities who come together to solve issues across the multiverse. The Exiles often jump between timelines and universes to fight various enemies and aid the heroes of each reality. Given the set-up of X-Men ’97 season 2’s story, a version of the Exiles could be included in the upcoming Marvel TV show.
Other members of the Exiles in the comics were linked to X-Men ’97 characters, such as Magnus Lensherr, Nocturne, and Morph.
As alluded to, X-Men ’97 season 1 ended with characters scattered throughout different points in time. This time-travel-based setup could see the Exiles appear in X-Men ’97 season 2, potentially helping the X-Men from different sections of the timeline as they have been shown to do in the comics. The common leader of the team, Blink, was also introduced in the Age of Apocalypse comic book arc, meaning she could be tied to the primary villain of X-Men ’97 season 2. The Exiles never fought Apocalypse themselves, but changing this to include the Exiles in X-Men ’97 would not be a bad choice.
1. X-Patriots
A Lesser Marvel Comics Team That Could Be Given A Bigger Story
The final X-related team that could appear in X-Men ’97 season 2 is the X-Patriots. This team is admittedly a much smaller one than the likes of X-Force or Generation X and has much fewer stories in Marvel Comics. That said, the X-Patriots’ set-up in the source material could translate well to X-Men ’97. In the comics, the X-Patriots are born out of the “X-Tinction Agenda” storyline. This story sees Genosha become a place that is no longer safe for mutants due to the actions of a cyborg named Cameron Hodge who was brainwashing mutants to take advantage of them.
The genocide committed by Bastion could be why the X-Patriots do not feel safe in Genosha in X-Men ’97…
In the wake of this storyline, a group of mutants leaves Genosha and travels the world seeking refuge in other countries. After being rejected by several, they land in America and are dubbed the X-Patriots by the media. Some tensions arise while the mutants stay in America before they are taken back to Genosha and convinced the country is now safe for mutants to live in peace. After that, the X-Patriots did not feature again, proving how small their role is in the grander scheme of Marvel Comics.
Despite this smaller role, Marvel Animation could give the X-Patriots a bigger one after the mutant massacre of X-Men ’97 episode 5. This episode saw Genosha attacked by giant Sentinels sent by Bastion and Mr. Sinister, leading to the annihilation of thousands of mutants. In X-Men ’97 season 2, the X-Patriots could be introduced as they are in the comics, only with a slight change. The genocide committed by Bastion could be why the X-Patriots do not feel safe in Genosha in X-Men ’97, potentially setting them up for a much bigger story in Marvel television.
