X-Men ‘97is the long-awaited continuation of the popular Saturday morning cartoonX-Men: The Animated Series.X-Men ‘97will pick up in the aftermath of the series, and while it is intended to be a fresh jumping-on point for new audiences as it is a return for hardcore fans, many might be trying to get ready for the new series by watching the original animated series or tiding themselves over between each week with some classic episodes.
X-Men: The Animated Seriesran for five seasons and aired 76 episodes. The series was notable for not only adapting classicX-Mencomics but also featuring a wide cast of characters with long-form storytelling that unfolded over the years. With plenty of episodes to choose from, here are the most essential ones to get ready forX-Men ‘97.
12Night of the Sentinels Pt. 1 & 2
“Night of the Sentinels Pt. 1 & 2"was the two-part series premiere ofX-Men: The Animated Series. The series introduces audiences to the world of the X-Menthrough the eyes of Jubilee, a young mutant who is attacked by giant machines known as Sentinels and also meets the X-Men for the first time. The two-part episode is a great introduction to the world of the X-Men, and it is clear why the series took off so quickly with viewers.
Why It’s Important
Apart from introducing the key characters of the X-Men, a lot of important plot points for the entire X-Men series are laid out here. The main conflict is humans’ fear of mutants, and the X-Men’s mission statement is to fight for a world that hates and fears them. The Sentinels, which are one of the biggest threats to the mutants, are shown here. It also sets the stakes for the series, as the character of Morph is killed off in the two-part premiere. While Morph would return and play a role inX-Men ‘97, the events of their death here are important for their character.
11Cold Vengeance
“Cold Vengence"is the sixth episode of the series and is a character-centric episode. Wolverine abruptly leaves the team due to his feelings for Jean Grey and his anger at her relationship with Cyclops. He settles down with an Inuit tribe for a brief time of peace before Sabretooth ruins any sense of happiness. Meanwhile, Gambit, Storm, and Jubilee investigate the mutant island of Genosha and discover that it is actually a trap set up by various human villains of the X-Men to enslave mutants.
Why It’s Essential
While the comics teased the romantic potential between Wolverine and Jean Grey, it wasX-Men: The Animated Seriesthat really established it and would later be carried over into the movie. This interpersonal character drama would become a vital part of the series, and getting to explore the life/one-off adventure of the team showed how richly detailed each character was on their own. With Jean Grey being pregnant in the trailers forX-Men ‘97, it is safe to say that the relationship between Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Cyclops will play a big role in the series. This episode also marks the debut of Cable, who will return inX-Men ‘97.
Related:Can Marvel’s X-Men ‘97 Live Up to Its ’90s Predecessor?
10Days of Future’s Past Pt. 1 & 2
“Days of Future’s Past Pt. 1 & 2"is an adaptation of one of the most popularX-Menstorylines, but with its own twist to fit within the world of the show. It features Bishop traveling back in time to save the future, as he believes Gambit will kill a mutant-hating senator that will lead to an apocalypse which will threaten the human race. Instead, it is revealed that Mystique is going to pose as Gambit to carry out the assignment, and it is up to the X-Men to stop her and save not only the day but the future.
Bishop will be a major characterinX-Men ‘97, officially joining the team, so watching his first and arguably most famous episode is a good start. Time travel is a vital part of X-Men mythology, and there is a good chance it will be a factor inX-Men ‘97. It is also one of the most famous X-Men storylines of all time, so seeing the series spin on it is a good way to prepare audiences thatX-Men ‘97might adapt famous storylines from the comics but also put their own stamp on the material, so audiences might not know exactly what to expect.
9The Final Decision
X-Men: The Animated SeriesSeason 1 concluded with"The Final Decision,“as the mutant-hating human senator Robert Kelly finds himself needing both the X-Men and Magneto’s help as the Sentinel-creating Master Mold becomes sentient, planning to replace Kelly and many other politicians’ minds with machines he can control. In one of the best moments of the series, he tells the humans that he deems them a threat since mutants are humans, and therefore, his programming sees them all as a threat.
X-Men ‘97sees Magneto joining the team, and it is important to watch the first episode in which he and the X-Men were forced to team up. With Sentinels and anti-mutant hate groups like the Friends of Humanity taking center stage in the upcoming series, “The Final Decision” is a great episode to remember that the human bigotry of mutants is illogical, as mutants are still humans. The large number of Sentinels in the trailers and the official clip of the series also suggest Master Mold might be making a return.
8Till Death Do Us Part Pt. 1 & 2
The two-part season premiere of season two, “Till Death Do Us Part Pt. 1 & 2,” brings back the fan-favorite character Morph, but this time, they are under the villainous control of thenew villain named Mister Sinister. Morph uses their shapeshifting abilities and knowledge of the team to trick the X-Men, while Mister Sinister and his associates, The Nasty Boys, kidnap Cyclops and Jean Grey for a sinister purpose.
Mister Sinister is expected to play a major role inX-Men ‘97, so his introduction episodes are a great place to start. This is also where the character of Morph was revived, and seeing how Morph will now be part of the team inX-Men ‘97, anyone who wanted to see how the character survived his death in the debut episode should check this out. The episode also features the first attempt at marriage between Cyclops and Jean Grey, Sinister’s obsession with their bloodline, and the fact that Jean Grey is pregnant in the newest series; all of this might be referenced inX-Men ‘97.
7Time Fugitives Pt. 1 & 2
“Time Fugitives"follows the X-Men’s two major time-travelers, Bishop and Cable. It focuses on a plague that is created by terrorist groups to increase anti-mutant sentiment (not realizing it is part of the mutant Apocalypse’s plan to weed out the weakest of humans and mutants alike). The story features two timelines of events, and the audience gets to see how the future is never truly written and is in a constant state of flux.
This episode was broadcast in 1993, around the same time the comics introduced the Legacy Virus, and it was strongly suggested to be an allegory for AIDS, as mutants were blamed for the spread despite it mainly impacting them. The plague/virus in this episode is very different from an HIV/AIDS metaphor, but for an audience in 2024, the idea of a viral plague is certainly a topical one and hits close to home for many viewersfollowing the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to Cable being present in the episode, fans have suggested the virus in the episode might actually be the techno-organic virus that eventually affects him at a young age. A pregnant Jean Grey in the trailers forX-Men ‘97certainly hints at Cable’s backstory unfolding in the series.
6A Rogue’s Tale
Rogue was a breakout character fromX-Men: The Animated Series. This episode details much of her backstory that audiences might not have known about, and even modern fans might not be fully aware of it. Ever wonder why Rogue inX-Men: The Animated Seriescan fly and has super strength, but not in the films? Well, this episode reveals that she was the adopted daughter of Mystique and was originally a villain, but after an encounter with the heroCarol Danvers in her Ms. Marvel moniker, she touched her for too long and gained her powers. This simultaneously puts Carol Danvers in a coma, eventually making Rogue turn her life of crime around.
This one might be the biggest in terms of larger connections to the Marvel Universe.X-Men: The Animated Serieswas the first in a series of interconnected Marvel animated series. Yet the creators were not allowed to use other Marvel characters, but they would sneak a few non-speaking cameos in through brief animated scenes like Doctor Strange, Thor, and Spider-Man. Carol Danvers’ Ms. Marvel was one of the few exceptions.
While now more commonly known as Captain Marvel, the fact that Carol Danvers was part ofX-Men: The Animated Seriesat all might be an important part ofX-Men ‘97as it is under the control of Marvel Studios and might feature more explicit Marvel cameos in an attempt to expand the franchise. Carol Danvers might get upgraded to Captain Marvel in this ’90s period setting, years before she would in the comics.
5The Phoenix Saga
One of the biggest and most important comic storylines in the X-Men franchise, the animated series dedicated ten of its 19 episodes in Season 3 to adapting thePhoenix Saga, with episodes three, four, five, six, and seven adapting the first part of the storyline and another set doing the Dark Phoenix section. The Phoenix Saga is important as it shows theheroic powers of Jean Grey/The Phoenixand gives her a moment of heroism before her eventual dark turn. Most adaptations of The Phoenix Saga only focus on the Dark Phoenix section, so this series really gives it its due.
The Phoenix Saga is a vital part of Jean Grey’s character, and it will likely be mentioned/referenced inX-Men ‘97. The story arc also introduces many cosmic elements to the franchise, including The Shi’ar Empire and the Starjammers, two sets of characters that will likely return forX-Men ‘97in some shape or form. Easily one of the biggest and most important storylines, this is vital viewing for any X-Men fan.
Related:X-Men ‘97: Storylines the New Animated Series Should Adapt
4The Dark Phoenix Saga
The second part of The Phoenix Saga and the most popular one,The Dark Phoenix Saga, shows how powerful and destructive Jean Grey can be while also establishing how the X-Men will fight to stop her but also defend her from others who wish to harm her. It is an epic five-episode arc that pushes the X-Men to their emotional and physical limits, as they not only need to fight the Phoenix Force, but also the Royal Guard of the Shi’ar Empire and the Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club (but they were not named Hellfire Club due to Fox Kids restrictions at the time).
The Dark Phoenix Saga is the most iconic X-Men storylineof all time and one of the greatest comic storylines ever. It is so popular that live-action films have attempted to adapt it twice, but both have failed to capture the scope and emotional power of the story. The animated series stands as the definitive adaption of The Dark Phoenix Saga, and it certainly will be alluded to inX-Men ‘97, particularly with the confirmation that Sebastian Shaw and Emma Frost of the Inner Circle will appear.
Morph turns on Mister Sinister in the Season 2 finale, and despite being an X-Man at the start of the show, they never return to the team properly untilX-Men ‘97. The reason is explored in"Courage,“which sees Morph dealing with the PTSD of having been mind-controlled by Mister Sinister while facing off against The Sentinels, the very beings that originally killed him. It is a great character-centric story for characters that fans get to see early on in the series and get to flesh out more while explaining their absence for the rest of the series.
Morph was created specifically forX-Men: The Animated Series. They are reworking the character Changeling from the comics, but they had to change the name due to the Teen Titan character, who would later be known as Beast Boy, using the name Changeling at the time. Many audiences tuning intoX-Men ‘97might be encountering Morph for the first time, as they have not had the presence in comics and live-action films that many of the rest of the cast has, so this is a great episode to understand who they are.
