One of the most successful Marvel TV shows on Disney+ has been X-Men '97. The writers of this ongoing series managed to dust off the old X-Men animated show from the 90s in a way that stayed true to the characters of that era while also managing to tell a compelling story that is relevant today. Classic characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Wolverine, Professor X, and Magneto all return in this show, and the events of the first season take them all on quite a journey.

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The finale wrapped up this first season nicely while also promising big things to come in the future. As such, there are plenty of plot threads the show needs to address in season 2 of X-Men '97.

6 Bone Claws

Wolverine Was Left Without His Adamantium

In one of the most shocking moments of the series, Magneto finally tires of Wolverine's constant thwarting of his plans and decides to use his powers of magnetism to rip the adamantium starlight out of the mutant in the penultimate episode of X-Men '97. Luckily, Logan has an incredible healing factor, and the show took some time to reveal that he survived the brutal attack. However, the character is likely to look quite different in Season 2.

The shiny metal claws are a staple of Wolverine's character, but these were only given to him as part of the Weapon X program. Before this, his iconic claws were made of nothing but bone, and so, it is likely that these will return now that the adamantium is gone. How he will inevitably regain his adamantium skeleton in the future is anyone's guess.

5 Bishop And Forge

The Two Remaining Mutants Now Have A Huge Task Ahead Of Them

The season finale of X-Men '97 saw the X-Men heroically sacrifice themselves to stop Earth from being destroyed by Asteroid M. In one of the final scenes in the episode, viewers are shown that Forge is still holding things down at the school six months after the X-Men disappeared. Bishop then arrives to reveal that he thinks the X-Men have been displaced in time.

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With the X-Men now stuck 3,000 years in the past, it is up to Bishop and Forge to work together as the face of the mutant school in the present day. Neither of these characters is fond of the other, but their journey to rescue their friends could lead to more time-travel adventures. Such antics could involve the likes of other Marvel animated characters like Kang, Madame Web from Spider-Man: The Animated Series, or Cable. Either way, this plot thread leaves all these possibilities open to explore.

4 The Avengers

Both Captain America And Iron Man Are Shown Reacting To The Events On Asteroid M

One of the best things about X-Men '97 is that it exists in a version of the Marvel universe that is already fully established. This means that fans will get to be treated to glimpses of other famous superheroes, even though the show is firmly focused on the mutants and their struggles. Some of these character moments are just quick nods, like when Morph turns into The Hulk to fight a sentinel, while others are more story-focused, like when Rogue is talked down by Captain America after Gambit's death.

The season finale of X-Men '97 features many recognizable Marvel faces reacting to the dramatic events occurring on Asteroid M. However, the most important cameos at the end of the show come when the viewer gets to see how the president is acting. He is flanked by both Iron Man and Captain America, two of the most famous members of The Avengers and two of the most popular superheroes of the last ten years. As such, it seems that the show is hinting that The Avengers may have a bigger role in mutant affairs moving forward. X-Men vs. the Avengers is an idea that is still a long way away, but that doesn't mean that Season 2 of X-Men '97 can't start sewing the seeds of this conflict.

3 A Good Magneto

The X-Men's Biggest Villain Now Has A New Outlook

X-Men '97 has a lot of action-packed moments in its first season, as many superhero projects should. However, one of the best parts of the series is the conversation between Professor X and Magneto in the final episode. Charles uses his powers to meld minds with his former friend to try to talk him down from his maniacal plans on Asteroid M. This is a great moment for the pair, one that shows the scars that Magneto carries and how Professor X still cares for his old friend.

The result of this mind meld ends with Magneto in a place where he finally realizes his mistake. Rather than lashing out against humans or X-Men, he instead rescues the team once more before leaving. Magneto is still one of the most complicated fictional characters in history, so he will no doubt come into conflict with the X-Men again. However, it seems that he is likely to be on their side for Season 2, and if Apocalypse is coming, then the team will need all the help it can get.

2 Four Horsemen / Return Of Gambit

Teasing A Way For One Of The Show's Most Popular Mutants To Return

One of the moments that took everyone by surprise in X-Men '97 was the death of Gambit at the end of the fifth episode. The card-throwing mutant dies heroically defending Genosha from a sentinel attack, and the results of his demise puts his girlfriend, Rogue, on a great character journey. However, Gambit is one of the most popular X-Men in the show, and so, many viewers noticed his absence in the final three episodes. Therefore, it would be great to see him return to the show again.

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While Gambit's death looked to be like an irreversible sacrifice, anything is possible in the world of comic books. Not everyone stays dead forever in the Marvel universe, and the tease of the villain, Apocalypse, at the end of Season 1 provides a perfect opportunity to resurrect Gambit. Apocalypse normally recruits four powerful mutants to act as his horsemen as he reigns, and Gambit has a history in the comics as being one of them. Therefore, Apocalypse may bring Gambit back as a horseman in Season 2 and make the character act in a more villainous role, which will make his story more interesting without simply bringing him back as if nothing happened.

1 Apocalypse

This Iconic X-Men Villain May Become A Huge Threat

Of course, the most interesting thing that the end of X-Men '97's first season sets up is the reveal of Apocalypse. The X-Men find themselves stranded 3,000 years in the past and heroically rescue an unknown person from being attacked. When asked who they are, the man replies that his name is En Sabah Nur.

Any X-Men fan will instantly know that En Sabah Nur is the name that was used by the very first mutant in Ancient Egypt, who later became the tyrannical ruler, Apocalypse. The large villain has no tolerance for humanity, and so it seems that he will pose a big threat to the X-Men team in the next season. Via his four horsemen, old characters may also return as villains, and some mutants may need to rethink their allegiances. On top of all this, his most famous story arc in the comics is The Age of Apocalypse. This divergent timeline starts with Professor X's son, Legion, traveling back in time to kill Magneto but accidentally wiping Professor X from existence. The result of this action leads to a new timeline where Apocalypse is ruling Earth, which means the X-Men's actions in the past could inadvertently cause the rise of their next big villain.

X-Men '97

Release Date

March 20, 2024

Studio

Marvel Animation

Number of Episodes

10

Streaming Service(s)

Disney Plus