In 2024, X-Men ‘97 took audiences by storm. As a continuation of the fan-favourite X-Men animated series from the ‘90s, the new series brought back beloved voice actors, along with some new ones, to bring everyone’s fave mutants to life once more.
As an X-Men fan who grew up watching the OG animated series on Saturday mornings with my dad, it’s truly been a joy to see these versions of the characters return in season one. The same continues in season two. This season, the architects of the original series, Larry Houston, Eric Lewald, and Julia Lewald, serve as executive producers, and they were excited to get back into the swing of things in a bigger capacity than in season one.
The start of the new series was a hit with critics and fans alike, myself included. In just a few days, X-Men ‘97 is back for season two, and I am happy to report that season two is fixing to be just as good as the first. I have only seen the first four episodes, but I was instantly all-in as soon as the new season started playing on my screen.
The second season has the X-Men displaced across different time periods. While some are still in the ‘90s, other team members find themselves stuck in either the past or the future. As a result, each group faces its own set of issues while trying to find their way back to their proper place in time. It makes for an exciting season, with a lot to look forward to.
Perhaps the most exciting thing this season is the introduction of Apocalypse. As one of the X-Men’s most recognizable and formidable villains, we get to see Apocalypse’s start. This is probably one of the best parts of season two that I’ve seen thus far. The writers did a fantastic job with En Sabah Nur’s backstory, showcasing his origins and how they culminate in the creation of the villain who becomes the X-Men’s strongest foe.
Similar to season one, X-Men ‘97 boasts strong storytelling that focuses on the relationships among our favourite mutants. In season two, perhaps the best reflection of this is the kinship between Professor Xavier and Magneto. They have an exceptionally poignant arc in the latest season that does a great service to everything enjoyable about their characters and what they mean to each other.
Of course, we cannot talk about the series without talking about the animation. Again, the series does an expert job of blending the animation style from the original animated series while elevating it for a modern audience. The way the animation pops on the screen, especially when the characters use their various powers, is phenomenal and will definitely keep your eyes glued to the screen. Trust me, you will not want to limit any screen time when it comes to watching X-Men ‘97.
Although the first four episodes of season two are as close to pitch-perfect as you can get, my one critique would be the story’s density. Since the storyline mainly deals with time travel, certain characters are sometimes left behind. With so much going on, it’s easy for some of the characters to be placed on the back burner. In addition, casual viewers unfamiliar with the characters, particularly newcomers, might find the story a bit dense and hard to follow. Time travel can be a tricky subject to tackle, but throughout the four episodes of season two, the series maintains an even rhythm.
Not only is X-Men ’97 Marvel Animation’s best project, but it might be Marvel’s best existing project in general. If the first four episodes are anything to go by, season two is shaping up to be a thrilling and exciting television event. Balancing the time-spanning adventures, action, emotional stakes, and character development with ease, X-Men ‘97 proves once more that it is one of the best TV series, animated or otherwise, available today.
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