Highlights

  • X-Men '97 impressively carries on the legacy of the original animated series with updated visuals and storylines, leaving viewers hungry for more.
  • Beau DeMayo's departure from the show didn't stop him from trolling fans online with a Sad Wolverine meme, hinting at major plot developments.
  • X-Men '97 has been renewed for a second season and has received positive reception, proving itself as a successful revival of a beloved animated series.

X-Men ‘97 has been on a legendary run, ending its ninth episode with a great tragedy that viewers are still reeling from as they await the next season of Marvel's hit show. However, this anxiety didn’t stop one person responsible from trolling fans online.

X-Men ‘97 is a fan dream made manifest, carrying on the legacy of X-Men: The Animated Series as a spiritual successor with beautiful new visuals and updated designs, while still hanging on to what made the original great. After a successful debut and a first season escalation that’s got everyone watching by the throat, the series has left a resounding impact with its season finale, in large thanks to initial showrunner Beau DeMayo, who was fired from X-Men ‘97 without an official statement.

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Despite being let go from his role on the animated project, DeMayo has been a great presence for fans online, even recently offering some big reveals about X-Men '97’s episode 8. However, his contribution to the discourse on the ninth episode was far more deliciously malicious. Taking to his official X account, DeMayo posted an image using the popular Sad Wolverine meme template, showing the scrappy Canadian mutant looking longingly at his trademark Adamantium skeleton in a picture frame, alluding to the traumatic end to the ninth episode’s climax, which saw a lethal confrontation between the X-Men and Magneto that ends in the mutant ripping the Adamantium metal out of Wolverine as retaliation for (literally) stabbing him in the back.

DeMayo’s meme, which makes use of the popular format that was originally taken from an episode of X-Men: The Animated Series, was a troll on fans who were anxiously awaiting the conclusion of the season, but also a clue to the outcome of the season's events. True to how X-Men '97 finds ways to incorporate the original series' DNA, this latest post from DeMayo suggests that the showrunner went all in on setting up one of the character’s most emotional storylines. Following the Fatal Attractions comics arc in the 90’s, which episode 9 adapts in part, Wolverine lives on but must do so without his adamantium skeleton, marking a major shift in both his combat prowess and his perception of himself. This aftermath and the ensuing emotional journey is most likely what DeMayo had in mind for fans.

X-Men ‘97 has been a masterclass in why animated series should be revived, as the sheer amount of vintage comic book material that has been exposed to a massive mainstream audience in just one season could be studied academically. The finale, which got even casual fans famished and begging for news on a season 2 release date, also introduced a new outlook for the team as well. Thankfully, the show has already been renewed for a second season, which is currently in production, and has been okayed for a third as well, still in development. While there was initially some skepticism from fans who were wary of remakes and revisions to beloved shows, X-Men ‘97 has unironically become Marvel’s best move in ages, setting a stage that Deadpool & Wolverine can hopefully take up.

With the first season of ‘97 going out with a win, some fans are upset that James Gunn insists that Justice League Unlimited won't get X-Men ‘97 treatment, purportedly to avoid stepping in Marvel’s lane. Fans can look forward to seeing just how long this resolve lasts as the show (hopefully) goes on to greater things in future seasons.

X-Men ‘97 is currently available to stream on Disney+.

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Source: Beau DeMayo/X