Long before the Avengers became a household name through the MCU, I was already deep into the world of comic books. While my heart leaned slightly more toward DC, I always had a fascination with Marvel—especially the X-Men. Unlike the Avengers, who are often celebrated as heroes, Mutants are portrayed as outcasts, constantly facing persecution from humanity. It’s a strange double standard in the Marvel Universe: why is Thor a god and Hulk a hero, while Mutants are seen as threats? This central theme of prejudice is what makes X-Men so compelling.
"X-Men '97" is, as the name suggests, a direct revival of the legendary 90s animated series. The story picks up with a shocking status quo: Professor X is gone, Jean Grey and Cyclops have a son named Cable, and surprisingly, Magneto has stepped up as the leader of the X-Men. While I hadn't seen the original 90s series in its entirety, the show does an excellent job of making the stakes clear. The primary antagonists, Mister Sinister and Bastion, push the team to their limits, eventually forcing Magneto to question whether peaceful coexistence with humanity is truly possible.
The character roster is a perfect blend of icons and deep cuts. While we see favorites like Wolverine, Beast, and Cyclops, the show also shines a spotlight on Sunspot, Jubilee, and Morph. A standout character is Cable, who many modern fans might recognize from Deadpool 2. In this series, his time-traveling abilities are central to the plot, causing massive shifts in the timeline and keeping the audience on their toes.
What makes X-Men '97 so impressive is its accessibility. You don’t need a PhD in Marvel history to jump in; a basic understanding of the characters is enough. The Season 1 finale leaves us on a breathtaking cliffhanger, with the team split between the past and the future. Those in the past encounter a pre-villain version of Apocalypse, while those in the future meet an elderly Hope Summers (Cable's adoptive daughter). The lore is deep, but the storytelling makes you want to keep "studying" this universe. If you have even a passing interest in Marvel, I highly recommend this as your gateway into the world of Mutants.
