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After years under 20th Century Fox, the X-Men made their proper homecoming with Disney via X-Men ’97, an uncanny revival of the classic 90s animated series that reminded fans why the superhero team was Marvel’s top-selling comic book back in the day.
Full of action, character moments, and shocking turns, the first season of X-Men ‘97 was a crowd-pleaser and acclaimed by fans and critics alike. It was also one that ended with a cliffhanger. Now, two years later, the series returns with its 2nd season, but was the wait worth it? Or does it fail to live up to the hype generated by the thrilling 1st season? The answer, unsurprisingly, falls firmly in the former.
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Traversing Through Different Timelines in X-Men ’97 Season 2
Season 2 kicks off immediately after the previous season’s ending. For the first four episodes, the season focuses on three time periods: the X-Men stranded in the past during the rise of Apocalypse, the X-Men stranded in the future during the reign of Apocalypse, and those left behind in the 1990s. It’s a herculean task to juggle these three different time periods with their endless amount of mutant characters, but to the show’s credit, the season never feels over-stuffed at all.
The past segment is the most interesting storyline in the season thus far, as it focuses on Professor X and Magneto encountering Apocalypse before he became the megomaniacal menace we know him as. For most of the group, this means the urgency to get home faster, but for Magneto, it is the chance to rewrite history by turning Apocalypse into a force for good.
Obviously, the plan doesn’t pan out as Magneto hoped for, but it’s an interesting development and one of the intriguing tropes in time travel stories. It helps that we understand both perspectives, from Xavier’s concern about meddling with the timeline versus Magneto’s more unethical but noble approach.
For the 1990s, this segment will probably be the most entertaining part of Season 2 so far. With most of the X-Men gone, Cable recruits Jubilee and Sunspot as members of X-Force, a hardcore paramilitary strike team that’s more ruthless and radical than the X-Men. But they’re not the only heroes operating because in the aftermath of the X-Men’s disappearance, the US Government has formed X-Factor, the authoritarian group of mutants doing Uncle Sam’s bidding.
It’s a treat, especially for longtime fans, to see X-Force and X-Factor’s rivalry play out as both teams try to live out Charles Xavier’s dream, whether it’s the former’s goal of mutant freedom and revolution, while the latter focuses on their goal of integration and human cooperation. It also means giving Jubilee, a character who has often gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to her portrayals on TV and film, the spotlight. Placing the character as Cable’s moral compass gives her the focus she deserves while emphasizing the need for the X-Men in the aftermath of Season 1.
Finally, the last story arc takes us to the future, where Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, and Morph encounter a young Nathan Summers in an Apocalypse-ruled world. Among the three, this arc is the weakest so far in the show’s first half because it feels like a retread of previous storylines.
Not only does it repeat the emotional farewell between Cyclops, Jean, and Nathan from Season 1’s finale, but the plot feels like the shortest among the three and the one that is resolved the quickest. Now, to be fair, we’ve only seen the first four episodes so far, so perhaps this story arc will have a satisfying payoff and resolution by the finale.
Season 2 Promises to Be Another Good One
All in all, X-Men ‘97 Season 2 maintains the momentum of the previous season and takes our mutant heroes to interesting and action-packed places. And though not all story arcs are equal when it comes to quality, the showrunners smartly remember to focus on character drama and dynamics; essentially capturing the best parts of the X-Men comics and why they’re beloved in the first place.
When X-Men ‘97 Season 1 dropped in 2024, it was hailed as Marvel’s best show. If the first four episodes of Season 2 are anything to go by, then that recognition is staying in place.
X-Men ‘97 Season 2 will stream on Disney+ beginning July 1.
Featured Image and Photos: Courtesy of Disney+
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on its first four episodes, X-Men ’97 Season 2 maintains the character-driven momentum and narrative ambition of Season 1. The multi-timeline structure and expanded roster keep the series engaging, making it a strong continuation for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Season 2 follows three concurrent timelines: the X-Men stranded in the past during Apocalypse’s rise, a group navigating an Apocalypse-ruled future, and those left behind in the 1990s forming new teams — X-Force and X-Factor — in the X-Men’s absence.
Jubilee takes on a significantly expanded role in Season 2, serving as Cable’s moral compass within X-Force. The season uses her perspective to anchor the 1990s storyline and give the character a depth of focus she has rarely received in previous animated or live-action portrayals.
X-Force is a paramilitary mutant team led by Cable, focused on radical mutant freedom. X-Factor is a government-sanctioned group pursuing integration with humanity. Their rivalry in Season 2 reflects competing interpretations of Charles Xavier’s dream of peaceful coexistence.
X-Men ’97 Season 2 begins streaming on Disney+ on July 1. The season opens immediately after the Season 1 finale’s cliffhanger and expands the story across multiple time periods centered on Apocalypse’s rise and reign.
