X-Men '97 is almost here and the long awaited series is filled to brim with returning Marvel characters - and here are some we'd like to see.
By Mark Salcido
If you are remotely a millennial with a need for nostalgia, then you’ll know the importance of Saturday morning cartoons. Getting up in the morning, grabbing your favorite bowl of cereal, and tunning in for cartoons was a blissful time in most of our childhood. Shows like Batman: The Animated Series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were part of our healthy diet of escapism before we knew how important that was. Yet, another one that sticks out in most minds is perhaps the “cream of the crop” animated Saturday morning Marvel cartoon, X-Men: The Animated Series.
The Fox-produced show was a getaway for many of those who would later become X-Men comic book fans and even those of the live-action movies. The animated show was a fixture in most of our lives as we tuned in to see what adventures the children of the atom would find themselves. The animation, voice-acting, and even subtext and sometimes overt text life lessons implanted themselves in our memories to this day. The iconic intro song is probably playing in your head as you read this.
Disney and Marvel knew that and decided to tap into that nostalgia by bringing these characters, the original cast, and a style of animation similar to the original 90s series. The hype around X-Men ’97 has been growing since the first trailer dropped, and the show is just days from its triumph return. The core characters from the series are set to return with some not-so-core characters. However, we decided to break down which characters we would like to see return, and hopefully, we will see them in this season of X-Men ’97.
Iceman / Bobby Drake
Iceman has been a long-standing member of the X-Men in the comics for decades and a fan favorite among many. Although he’s only shown up in an episode or two of the animated series, there are plenty of opportunities to bring him in X-Men ’97. The character quit the team due to disagreements with Professor Xavier in the animated series, but the latter’s “death” opens the door for Bobby’s return.
Professor X’s departure could leave unresolved issues between him and Bobby, where the former X-Man tries to find closure. This is a grand opening to get more interaction between him and the whole team as opposed to the last time we saw him. Also, the comic character has a connection to the LGTBQ community, which can be a driving point in a show that has relied on the topic of inclusion in the past.
Lilandra Neramani
The Empress of the Shi’ar Empire had a vast and essential role in the third season of the original animated series. Her character and Professor X grew close to one another during the battle between the X-Men and Lilandra’s evil brother, D’Ken. The last time we saw the Majestrix was when she took Xavier away to be cured of what was ailing him. The participation in the X-Men’s adventures was a huge deal back in the day, and the involvement with the Phoenix Saga was also memorable.
Her return would be better suited near the end of the season in a big way that leads into a cliffhanger for X-Men ’97.
Havok / Alex Summers
Havok and Cyclops’s sibling connection has been a well-known stated fact in the comics for decades but never explored in the original animated series. X-Men ’97 has the perfect opportunity to unite these characters and explore that dynamic. Cyclops is now the leader of the X-Men, and Jean Grey is carrying his child. Uncle Havok’s appearance could open the door to exciting interactions between all three.
The sibling rivalry between the two can lead to a deeper dive into their past and how that has shaped them. Furthermore, the two can flex their powers and battle it out like brothers could; it could be a badass action set-piece for the show.
Colossus / Piotr Rasputin and Magik / Illyana Rasputina
Colussus is another fan favorite among comic book readers, but the character wasn’t given enough time in X-Men: TAS. Illyana Rasputina appeared as herself but had not fully grown into her mutant powers, making her known as Magik. X-Men ’97 could see these characters return in a way that possibly bring them as new members. The two are powerful mutants, which would benefit the team and the show.
Some time has gone by within the show’s context, giving us a chance to see a fully formed Illyana and where she has become Magik. Maybe even a plot where the two become US citizens and have to adapt to American life and its ever-changing politics.
Apocalypse / En Sabah Nur
Apocalypse has been one of the big baddies in the X-Men universe in comics and animated series. Many times in the animated series, most – if not all – members of the X-Men come together and defeat the unbeatable opponent. That notion can lead to some very cool epic showdown moments in X-Men ’97. It can even showcase a cool confrontation with Magneto.
Eric Magnus is possibly the new leader of the X-Men in the new series, and the appearance of Apocalypse could test that leadership. The idea of the two of the most powerful mutants in a match for dominance is something any X-Men fan would want to see, and the show has a chance to give us what we want.
Quicksilver / Pietro Maximoff and Scarlet Witch / Wanda Maximoff
Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are other siblings that could appear in X-Men ’97, but it’s totally worth it. The two characters have been heavily in the popular culture zeitgeist since making their live-action debut. The last time we saw the characters was in the episode “Family Ties,” where they discover that Magento is their father. The Magento angle allows the show to explore the family dynamic between the three.
The episode would focus more on Magneto and his children and how the three must adjust to being involved in each other’s lives. It would be a chance to show Magneto differently besides the radical mutant hellbent on his mission. The relationship between Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch also shows how the two fit in the world of the X-Men in a more in-depth way.
Graydon Creed or Henry Peter Gyrich
The two individuals have been strong opponents against the X-Men’s cause and fight for equality. Clips of X-Men ’97 have been released, showing that the group Friends of Humanity will return to the series, allowing the two to appear. Their appearance would lead to the X-Men’s well-known ideology of fighting for mutant rights.
That topic has always been an allegory for equal rights in our society and today’s politically charged world. The X-Men franchise has been known to use subtext to bring up real-world topics, and the characters of Graydon Creed and Henry Peter Gyrich are vessels for that occasion. It wouldn’t be an X-Men cartoon if there weren’t some underlying messages that we need to listen to.
Sabretooth / Graydon Creed Sr.
I’m a sucker for a good fight between Wolverine and Sabertooth, and the X-Men ’97 show needs one. The two interactions were among the coolest things to appear on X-Men: TAS, and Marvel would be dumb not to bring them together again. Sabertooth has never really been a big baddie in the cartoon, so including the character would have to be done on a smaller scale. It could even be something related to Wolverine’s past again.
Bonus Round: Katherine “Kitty” Pryde / Sprite / Shadowcat
This is more for the Shadowcat fans. The character has appeared in animated and live-action films before, but it’s time for her to appear in the X-Men: TAS universe. Shadowcat has a hand in some of the big stories in the history of X-Men, and it’s only fitting that she makes her debut in a program that would bring more attention to the character. Her dynamic with the team members could present interesting interactions and a remarkable display of her powers.
There are a ton of other characters that could make an appearance in X-Men ’97. The world of X-Men is vast, and the characters are plentiful. It is more of a matter of what role these characters can play in season one and possibly in season two. Whoever shows up will be a great addition to the series, and expanding on their mythos is never a bad idea. We’ll have to wait to see who will appear when the series premieres on March 20th.
