10 Things To Remember From X-Men: The Animated Series Before X-Men ’97

By Richard Craig Published 4 minutes ago

Following Marvel’s X-Men ’97 trailer, there are some vital events from X-Men: The Animated Series that should be remembered in advance of the reboot.

Summary

• X-Men '97 is a nostalgic continuation of the classic 1990s X-Men animation from 1997, promising exploration of the X-Men universe.
• Marvel's X-Men '97, part of the MCU umbrella, is not within the MCU timeline, marking a significant expansion of the X-Men franchise.
• The return of iconic characters like Wolverine and Magneto in X-Men '97 sets the stage for thrilling developments and a faithful adaptation.

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Before watching X-Men '97 there are several important aspects of the original X-Men: The Animated Series that should be remembered. X-Men '97 is a continuation of the classic 1990s cartoon, X-Men: The Animated Series. Picking up where the original series left off in 1997, X-Men '97 promises a nostalgic exploration of the X-Men universe.

The X-Men '97 trailer has prompted some exciting developments for the famed Marvel superhero troupe. Produced by Marvel Animation, X-Men '97 is under the Marvel Cinematic Universe umbrella but does not exist within the MCU timeline. Nevertheless, X-Men '97 is the first major X-Men project to be produced by the franchise, expanding upon one of the X-Men's greatest adaptations.

10 Charles Xavier Has Gone To Space

See X-Men: TAS Season 5, Episode 10 "Graduation Day"

Professor Charles Xavier was a central figure in X-Men: The Animated Series, as the leader of the X-Men. However, he is very obviously absent in the reboot, with several hints in the X-Men '97 trailer suggesting Xavier's death. In fact, in the X-Men: TAS finale, "Graduation Day," Xavier is mortally wounded by anti-mutant campaigner, Henry Gyrich. In order to save his life, Xavier's romantic partner, Lilandra, offers to take Xavier with her to her homeworld, where their alien technology could keep Xavier alive. Bidding farewell to his X-Men and Magneto, Xavier leaves Earth for good, leaving his final fate something of a mystery.

9 Magneto Is On The Brink Of World Domination

See X-Men: TAS Season 5, Episode 10 "Graduation Day"

In order to say goodbye to his former friend in "Graduation Day," Magneto postpones his bid for world domination. Serving as X-Men: The Animated Series' primary antagonist, Magneto had a compelling character arc throughout. Much of his motivation was spurred by anti-mutant prejudice, to which he responded by striving for mutant dominance. This reached its apex during "Graduation Day," when Magneto gathered a considerable mutant army — many of whom were angered by the attack on Xavier. Hearing of his friend's condition, Magneto completely abandons his battle plans, but could resume them immediately when X-Men '97 continues the narrative.

8 Bishop The Time Traveler

See X-Men: TAS Season 1, Episodes 11-12 "Days Of Future Past;" Season 2, Episodes 7-8 "Time Fugitives;" Season 4, Episodes 9-10 "One Man's Worth" & Season 4, Episodes 18-21 "Beyond Good And Evil."

Bishop appears throughout the X-Men '97 trailer as a member of the reboot's hero team. In X-Men: The Animated Series, Bishop was not a part of the X-Men team, though he did appear regularly throughout. Bishop was one of the strongest ancillary characters in the series, and making him a full-time member is a thrilling development, though it should be noted that Bishop previously appeared exclusively as a time traveler. Bishop engaged in numerous time-traveling narratives, journeying from his apocalyptic future to the 1990s — including the show's rendition of Days of Future Past.

7 Jubilee Has Effectively Graduated

See X-Men: TAS Season 5, Episode 6 "Jubilee's Fairytale Theatre" & Season 5, Episode 10 "Graduation Day"

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In X-Men: The Animated Series, Jubilee effectively graduated from being a fledgling member to a mature and capable X-Man through gradual character development and pivotal story arcs. Initially depicted as a teenager rescued by the X-Men in the very first episode, Jubilee undergoes rigorous training which flourishes throughout the final season. Jubilee begins wearing a more mature costume in the final episodes, and the other X-Men comment on her development into a formidable mutant in "Jubilee's Fairytale Theater," which serves as a metaphor for her growing into an adult member of the X-Men team.

6 Morph Has Returned To The X-Men

See x-Men: TAS Season 1, Episodes1-2 "Night Of The Sentinels;" Season 2, Episodes 1-2 "Till Death Do Us Part;" Season 2, Episode 3 "Whatever It Takes;" Season 4, Episode 6 "Courage" & Season 5, Episode 10 "Graduation Day"

Another major event in "Graduation Day" was Morph rejoining the X-Men team. Morph experienced one of the most compelling narrative arcs throughout the series. Morph was seemingly killed in the very first X-Men: The Animated Series story ("Night of the Sentinels"). However, Morph reappears in "Till Death Do Us Part" under the influence of Mister Sinister, causing him to turn against his former friends. Morph slowly regains his sense of identity, but, unable to trust himself, flees and refuses to rejoin the team. He finally rejoined the team officially in "Graduation Day," and appears in the X-Men '97 trailer.

5 Magneto Founded His Mutant Refuge Genosha

See X-Men: TAS Season 1, Episode 6 "Cold Vengeance," Season 1, Episode 7 "Slave Island," Season 4, Episodes 3-4 "Sanctuary" & Season 5, Episode 10 "Graduation"

The island of Genosha appeared early in X-Men: The Animated Series, but follows a very different history to the Marvel Comics counterpart. Genosha first appeared in season 1, episode 6, "Cold Vengeance," during which the island's residents present it as a mutant-friendly location, before enslaving multiple mutants. Later in season 4, episode 3, "Sanctuary Part 1," Magneto visits the island with his Acolytes. Discovering mutants still enslaved by Genoshans, Magneto frees the slaves. Finally, in "Graduation Day," Magneto's mutant army gathers on Genosha and the island falls under the villain's control, finally establishing Magneto's mutant haven.

4 Jean Grey Has Already Faced The Dark Phoenix

See X-Men: TAS Season 3, Episodes 3-7 "The Phoenix Saga" & Season 3 Episodes 14-17 "The Dark Phoenix Saga"

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Perhaps the biggest X-Men story ever was the Dark Phoenix Saga, for which X-Men: The Animated Series delivered the greatest adaptation. It offered a stark and emotional exploration of Jean Grey's torment as she was overwhelmed by the Phoenix Force. Upon her death at the end of "The Dark Phoenix Saga," Jean is brought back to life by the Phoenix Force — taking a small piece of each X-man's life and bestowing it to Jean. Unlike the comics, this was as far as X-Men: TAS explored the narrative, barely exploring the consequences — which may be explored in X-Men '97.

3 Apocalypse Is Trapped In The Astral Plane

See X-Men: TAS Season 4, Episodes 18-21 "Beyond Good And Evil"

Apocalypse was one of the most persistent threats the X-Men faced throughout X-Men: The Animated Series. Repeatedly emerging in a bid to dominate the world, and eventually time itself, Apocalypse was a compelling villain who will likely appear in X-Men '97 at some point. Apocalypse's previous evil deeds culminated in "Beyond Good and Evil" when he gathered mutant psychics in the axis of time in an attempt to control the entire timeline. Apocalypse was ultimately defeated when the X-Men and Cale destroyed his Lazarus Chamber in an ancient pyramid, trapping his consciousness in the Astral Plane.

2 Cable Has Officially Met The X-Men

See X-Men: TAS Season 1, Episode 7 "Slave Island;" Season 1, Episode 9 "The Cure;" Season 2 Episodes 7-8 "Time Fugitives" & Season 4, Episodes 18-21 "Beyond Good And Evil"

Like Bishop, Cable was introduced sporadically throughout X-Men: The Animated Series as a time traveler. He was introduced enigmatically in "Slave Island," before appearing briefly in "The Cure." However, his most notable narrative came later in "Time Fugitives," where Cable met the X-Men and Bishop officially. He returns later in "Beyond Good and Evil," continuing to fight the menace Apocalypse poses, often with the X-Men's help. With the character's popularity, he will likely appear in X-Men '97 at some point, particularly considering Jean Grey's pregnancy was teased in the trailer.

1 Mutant-Human Relations Remain Strained

See X-Men: TAS Season 1, Episodes 1-2 "Night Of The Sentinels" & Season 5, Episode 10 "Graduation Day"

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Throughout the X-Men: The Animated Series, narratives predominantly handled mutant discrimination and politics. During the series, mutant-human relations are depicted as deeply strained due to fear, prejudice, and misunderstanding, with these stories serving as a metaphor for real-world discrimination. Humans often viewed mutants with suspicion and hostility, leading to widespread anti-mutant sentiments and legislation aimed at controlling or eradicating mutant-kind. This tension persisted throughout the series and culminated in the finale when Professor Xavier is attacked. Despite the X-Men's efforts to promote peace and coexistence, mutant-human relations are presumably still poor in X-Men '97.

Release Date March 20, 2024 Cast Jennifer Hale , Chris Potter , Alison Sealy-Smith , Lenore Zann , Cal Dodd , Catherine Disher , Adrian Hough , Ray Chase , Chris Britton , George Buza Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Franchise(s) X-Men Where To Watch Disney Plus