Resurrecting the Past: X-Men ’97 Season 2 Finale + Review

Originally published August 13, 2026. This article reviews season 2 of Marvel’s X-Men ’97 animated series.

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After 9 episodes, season 2 of X-Men ’97 has drawn to a close. We’ve seen the return of fan favorites (more on that post-credits scene later) and the rise of old enemies. Season 2 has been a rollercoaster follow-up to the hit animated show’s first season.

As Marvel comic book lore translates from page to small screen, every week kept fans on their toes. In fact, the show has been renewed for third and fourth seasons. The stakes for mutantkind have always been high. But at what cost? While character development continues to be the show’s core strength, season 2 also grappled with rushed storylines and a recycled super-villain. Here’s my season 2 review.

X-Warning: Major spoilers ahead for X-Men ’97 season 2

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Episode 9 Finale Wraps Up Season 2

“The ones you care for will be your undoing.” – Apocalypse

Morph Cameo Watch: Doctor Octopus, Mister Fantastic

Unlike the slow, chilling development of Bastion as the season 1 villain, we knew going into season 2 that our over-arching enemy would be Apocalypse. Even more so than Bastian, En Sabah Nur is a classic X-Men villain. However, his villainous arc fell a bit flat.

In the original animated series, we already saw The Twelve storyline adapted. This time around, things felt promising with the threat of mutants being turned into Horsemen. However, it was only Gambit who was changed. Even the intriguing question of destiny versus reformation from the early season 2 episodes was discarded. Instead, we just got Apocalypse morphing into his gargantuan form and lots of explosive fights. Rogue’s magical transformation in the finale felt more like a mutant deus ex machina than anything else.

Of course, any mutant fight on X-Men ’97 has been a feast for the eyes. Still, sacrifice is once again a major motif for this season, just like season 1. With Nightcrawler and Magneto’s deaths, and the defeat of Apocalypse, how will these beloved characters return? Death is never the end in comic books, especially for an X-Man. But is ending season 2 with two more major character deaths merely hitting the same note as season 1?

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X-Men ’97 Season 2 Post-Credits Scene

“Don’t mind me. Just catching up on some reading.” – Mystique

• Opening Credits Easter Egg: There’s a hint at this reveal when multiple Val Coopers replace the charging line of villains

At the end of episode 8, Valerie Cooper showed Cable a tarot card depicting The Tower. Traditionally, this is a card that denotes chaotic upheaval. Who better to bring the mayhem than the shapeshifting double-crossing Mystique?

Finally, fan theories have paid off and it’s confirmed: Valerie Cooper is Mystique! Well, at least, for a second. How long has Mystique been impersonating the government figure? Hard to say. But there’s no question that Mystique’s presence will be known as her vile human son, Graydon Creed, takes on the U.S. presidency in season 3.

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New Character Spotlights in X-Men ’97

“I’m not apologizing for protecting my people.” – Polaris

• Throwback Episode: Polaris first appeared on screen in X-Men: The Animated Series season 3, episode 11, “Cold Comfort”

In season 1, it could be said that Storm and Magneto were the big stars of the storylines. Without a doubt, the breakout season 2 star is the long-awaited Polaris. As the estranged daughter of Magneto, Polaris must navigate a complicated legacy. Her righteous anger certainly fills the magnet-sized hole in our hearts. There’s something deeply cathartic about seeing Polaris rip apart the plans of the Purifiers.

Two other beloved characters, Emma Frost and Colossus, also received more attention this season. Though short, Emma’s appearance in episode 2 delivered her signature sassy wit. Later, Colossus appeared as a grieving Acolyte in the moving episode “Strange Land, Savage Heart.” Psylocke also gets an honorable mention from this season, since it’s her debut as more than just a Morph cameo — here’s hoping she gets more screentime soon.

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Expanding X-Men Team Dynamics

“I’m an X-Man. Pretty sure I always was.” – Polaris

• Standout Sequences: Polaris taking down Purifiers, Jubilee liberating young mutants, Nightcrawler attack POV
• Roster Changeup: When Polaris rejoins the X-Men, Banshee’s daughter Siryn replaces her on X-Factor

It feels like a lot of ground has been covered this season because the storylines have spanned time and space. Literally reaching back millennia into the past and the future, we’ve seen so much happen to the X-Men. Like any X-Men experience, the best part is the relationships. And season 2 brought us all-new dynamics with X-Factor and X-Force.

One of the most surprising combinations was Polaris and Bishop. Both have tenuous relationships to the X-Men, new members in their own ways. Together, they make an exciting duo. Jubilee and Sunspot further mature over on the X-Force squad and Jubilee especially comes into her own as a mutant vigilante.

“Death is evolution.” – Gambit

• Noteworthy Episodes: “Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs” + “Strange Land, Savage Heart”

It’s understandable that only so much story can be fit into a limited TV series with limited time. Yet there were definitely instances where I was left wanting more — I’d love to see more of Polaris finding her place again among the original team members, as well as the X-Men dealing with Magneto’s death. Only Professor X and Polaris were given a chance to grieve. Meanwhile, Gambit’s resurrection and time as a Horseman felt so quick. Like many fans, I thought we’d see more of the X-Men get their turn as an Apocalypse follower, especially considering Magneto’s demise. Even the new X-Corp suits (inspired by Grant Morrison’s comics run) barely got any exploration.

Still, other episodes worked extremely well as self-contained stories, like “Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs” and “Strange Land, Savage Heart.” Wolverine and Morph’s episode 5 incorporated horror elements, with allusions to Alien and The Thing, and tense team dynamics with appearances by Sabretooth, Lady Deathstrike, and Omega Red. It also expanded on the heartbreaking relationship between Morph and Wolverine. That particular brand of one-sided love is tough to endure, no matter which form Morph takes.

Then, episode 7 gave closure to the devastation of Genosha. Plus, this episode also provided more of an outlet for mutant anger. X-Men ’97 excels when it lets mutants shine in their multifaceted glory, like Magneto’s showstopping season 1 United Nations monologue. In the face of outright prejudice, not all mutants can be expected to react with Charles Xavier’s patience. Colossus is the perfect conduit for this moral dilemma, while Nightcrawler also gets a chance to lay the foundation for his unwavering faith.

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What are your thoughts and opinions on X-Men ’97 season 2? And what do you predict for seasons 3 and 4?

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