Somehow, X-Men ’97 Season 2 is even better. With Apocalypse rising and X-Force finally shining, this feels like a 90s masterpiece reborn.
When Marvel Animation revived the classic animated series with X-Men ’97, I was absolutely blown away. The first season was, in my eyes, practically perfect. It captured the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of the original Saturday morning cartoon while elevating the storytelling for an audience that had grown up. So, going into the second season, my expectations were dangerously high. I honestly didn’t think they could top what they had already done. Yet, after watching the first four episodes of Season 2, I am happy to report that somehow, against all odds, it is even better.
The best thing about this series is that it doesn’t just feel like a modern continuation or a nostalgic cash-in. It genuinely feels like a show that was completely produced in the late 1990s, locked away in a vault for nearly three decades, and somehow rediscovered and broadcast today.
As a massive, lifelong Marvel fan, my favorite part of this revival has been the sheer scale of the universe we are exploring. The writers clearly share that deep love for the source material, and they have been leaning heavily into the broader lore. Throughout just these first four episodes, I have been losing my mind seeing more and more classic Marvel characters make their appearances.
While I want to be careful not to spoil the exact narrative beats for anyone who hasn’t watched yet, I absolutely have to shout out two major inclusions. X-Force and X-Factor are two of my all-time favorite mutant teams from the comics, and seeing them finally get their well-deserved time to shine on screen had me practically jumping off my couch. The way the show manages to balance an ever-growing roster of characters without losing focus on the core emotional arcs is nothing short of a storytelling miracle.
Of course, you can’t talk about Season 2 without addressing the massive shadow looming over it. The finale of the first season teased the arrival of one of the X-Men’s most formidable adversaries, and these first four episodes dive headfirst into the threat of Apocalypse. Boy oh boy, does this series perfectly capture just how dangerous and powerful he is.
In the comics and the original show, Apocalypse was always a grand, sweeping threat, but X-Men ’97 grounds his villainy in a way that feels genuinely terrifying. At the same time, the writing makes you almost feel bad for him, which makes the stakes feel higher than ever.
Beyond the incredible writing and character choices, the technical execution of this show continues to operate at a masterclass level.
The visual style remains exceptional. The team has mastered the art of blending modern animation techniques with the distinct, hand-drawn aesthetic of the late 1990s. The action sequences are fluid, dynamic, and colorful, yet they still retain that slightly gritty, nostalgic texture that reminds you of eating cereal in front of a small television.
The cast is still delivering top-notch performances across the board. The emotional weight they bring to these characters gives the dialogue a sense of gravitas that rivals any live-action MCU project.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the soundtrack. My God, that score from The Newton Brothers gives me chills every single time it kicks in. They understand exactly when to play into the iconic, synth-heavy nostalgia of the original theme and when to weave in modern, sweeping orchestral elements to punctuate the drama.
Four episodes in, and X-Men ’97 Season 2 has already cemented itself as a triumph. It honors the past while pushing the boundaries of what a modern superhero animated series can be. I have no idea how they are going to top it with the back half of this season, but at this point, I’ll never doubt this creative team again. To me, my X-Men!
About X-Men 97 Season 2
“X-Men ’97” Season 2 continues with the heroic mutant team of X-Men, divided and thrown across different eras in time as they struggle to navigate their return home. Meanwhile, back in the 1990s, suspicious foes and new strains of mutant intolerance are on the rise in the wake of the X-Men’s absence.
The second season of the original animated series features 9 episodes, and the voice cast includes Ross Marquand as Professor X, Matthew Waterson as Magneto, Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Lenore Zann as Rogue, and George Buza as Beast.
