X-Men ’97 episode 7 explored the aftermath of the devastating attack on Genosha, but may have included one small detail that hints at another threat.

One major MCU theory hints at X-Men ’97 setting up another secret villain, and one detail in episode 7, “Bright Eyes,” may support this wild suspicion. Continuing the story of X-Men: The Animated Series, which previously ran for five seasons between 1992 and 1997, Marvel Studios Animation’s X-Men ’97 premiered in March 2024, and caught up with the X-Men team roughly a year after Professor X left Earth. So far, the X-Men have battled some iconic Marvel villains, including Mister Sinister, Mojo, Henry Gyrich, Bolivar Trask, the Adversary and Bastion, but another legendary villain may have also been subtly teased.

While X-Men ’97 episode 7, “Bright Eyes”, set up the humanoid Sentinel Bastion as the major antagonist of the series’ upcoming three-part finale, “Tolerance is Extinction,” the episode may have also added fuel to the fire of another major villain theory. “Bright Eyes” explored the aftermath of X-Men ’97 episode 5’s attack on Genosha, with the X-Men helping to recover bodies and survivors among the rubble of the mutant nation. While they were able to recover some characters, including Emma Frost, the fact that one X-Men ally wasn’t found supports the notion that they could be a villain in disguise.

Valerie Cooper Hasn’t Been Found After X-Men ’97’s Genosha Attack

Throughout season 1 of X-Men ’97, suspicions have been raised about Dr. Valerie Cooper’s true nature. Cooper was introduced as a United Nations official at the trial of Magneto, but one major theory suggests she may actually be the mutant shape-shifter Mystique in disguise. One detail in X-Men ’97 episode 7 could support this idea, as Cyclops remarks that Cooper’s body hasn’t been found on Genosha, despite the UN operative being at the center of the action. It’s hard to imagine an average human surviving the attack on Genosha, which perhaps implies Valerie Cooper isn’t a regular human at all.

The theory suggesting Valerie Cooper could be Mystique in disguise has some clear evidence to back it up. Perhaps most notably, Cooper seems to be present whenever tragedy strikes for the X-Men, including during the X-Cutioner’s attack at Magneto’s trial and during the attack on Genosha. Cooper has also shown an uncharacteristic interest in X-Men member Rogue, who is Mystique’s adoptive daughter, and some eagle-eyed viewers have even seen Cooper’s eye color changing from her usual blue to yellow, the color of Mystique’s eyes, in moments of high stress. Cooper’s potential survival in X-Men ’97 episode 7 reinforces this theory.

Mystique Could Have Escaped From Genosha Very Easily

While it’s incomprehensible that the average human Valerie Cooper would have been able to survive the attack on Genosha, it’s easy to imagine Mystique simply walking away from the devastation. Mystique’s mutant ability allows her to assume the form of anybody she desires at will and in a matter of moments, which means she could have simply changed her shape and escaped from Genosha without anybody knowing who she really was. This would clearly explain how Valerie Cooper’s body hasn’t been found in the rubble, even after X-Men ’97 episode 5 seemed to tease the UN official’s demise on Genosha.

Mystique was voiced by Randall Carpenter and Jennifer Dale in X-Men: The Animated Series , but hasn’t yet made an official appearance in X-Men ’97 .

There is also precedence for Mystique assuming Valerie Cooper’s body in X-Men ’97, as this happened in a 1991 Marvel Comics storyline after Cooper shot herself during battle with the Shadow King. This X-Men ’97 theory has been hugely convincing, though there hasn’t actually been any overt sign of Valerie Cooper revealing herself to be Mystique in disguise. With X-Men ’97’s three-part finale coming up, it’s possible that this reveal could finally take place, and this would certainly have a major impact on X-Men member Rogue, who has already been going through some emotional turmoil in X-Men ’97’s recent episodes.

X-Men ’97’s Mystique Reveal Could Be Even More Damaging For Rogue

Rogue has been the subject of some tumultuous storylines in X-Men ’97, and the return of her adoptive mother would make this worse. After the truth of her relationship with Magneto came to light, Rogue was forced to choose between the master of magnetism and fellow X-Men member Gambit, though the latter died on Genosha before knowing that Rogue chose him. Rogue’s rampage in X-Men ’97 episode 7 saw her goad Captain America and kill Bolivar Trask in cold blood, so Mystique’s return would only ignite the pair’s estranged connection, making Rogue even more unpredictable in future X-Men ’97 episodes.