Cyclops, Magneto and Bastion in X-Men '97

A fan-made poster for Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 season 1 features the series’ iconic mutant heroes and villains. X-Men ’97, a revival of 1992’s X-Men: The Animated Series, premiered in March 2024, and quickly became one of the Marvel Studios’ most popular projects, despite being set outside the main continuity of the MCU. Picking up roughly a year after Professor X’s departure from Earth in X-Men: The Animated Series’ 1997 finale, X-Men ’97 pitted the X-Men team against some of Marvel Comics’ most iconic villains, including Mister Sinister and Bastion, and adapted some of Marvel’s most memorable storylines.

Over ten episodes, X-Men ’97 captured viewers’ imaginations with a vibrant animation style and meaningful storylines that advanced the narrative of the nostalgic X-Men team brilliantly. In celebration of X-Men ’97 season 1’s epic finale, a fan-made poster shared by KY Design brings together the heroes and villains of the series.

Some of X-Men ’97’s biggest moments are depicted in the poster, including the Wild Sentinel’s attack on Genosha, Magneto’s transformation back into a villain, and Bastion’s rise to power. Even bigger events have been set up for X-Men ’97 season 2, however, posing greater problems for the X-Men team.

What Storylines Might X-Men ’97 Season 2 Explore?

X-Mansion abandoned in X-Men '97

X-Men ’97 season 1, episode 10, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3,” ended with the reveal that Apocalypse will play a major role in the upcoming second season. Apocalypse is one of the X-Men’s most recognizable and terrifying villains, and it seems that the X-Men will battle him across three different timelines. Cyclops and Jean Grey are in the future with the Askani and Nathan Summers, while Rogue, Nightcrawler, Beast, Magneto, and Professor X have come across En Sabah Nur, the young Apocalypse, in Ancient Egypt. The villain also seems to be preparing an assault in the present day, too.

X-Men ’97 season 1’s post-credits scene saw Apocalypse scouring the rubble of Genosha, where he came across a playing card that used to belong to fallen X-Men member Gambit. This teased Gambit’s resurrection as Apocalypse’s Horseman of Death, suggesting other heroes could also become powerful villains in X-Men ’97 season 2. The upcoming season will also likely deal with the fallout of Magneto and Professor X’s mental battle in X-Men ’97 season 1’s finale, perhaps hinting at the emergence of Onslaught, a harrowing villain forged from the combined dark corners of both mutants’ minds.

Gambit’s teased return in X-Men ’97 will create more conflict for Rogue, who had a tumultuous journey in season 1. Morph also declared their love for Wolverine in season 1’s finale, albeit disguised as Jean Grey, which may be explored in X-Men ’97 season 2. Additionally, Forge and Bishop have teased the formation of a new X-Men team in season 2, comprising Colossus, Shadowcat, Emma Frost, Iceman, Magik, Dust, Exodus, and Havok, while the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver have been revealed to be “off world”, presenting another mystery for Marvel Animation’s much-anticipated X-Men ’97 season 2 to solve.