The first two episodes of X-Men 97 are now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. Check out my spoiler-free review of X-Men 97 by heading over here.

The synopsis reads:

The upcoming animated series revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.

The voice cast includes Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, JP Karliak as Morph, Lenore Zann as Rogue, George Buza as Beast, AJ LoCascio as Gambit, Holly Chou as Jubilee, Isaac Robinson-Smith as Bishop, Matthew Waterson as Magneto and Adrian Hough as Nightcrawler.

X-Men The Animated Series originally aired on Fox Kids for 76 episodes across five seasons from 1992 to 1997. The series is currently available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar.

I’ll be discussing heavy spoilers so if you haven’t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, now’s your chance to stop reading.

Episode 1: To Me, My X-Men

Introduction Of Robert Da Costa AKA Sunspot

In the beginning, we see a mutant named Roberto Da Costa get kidnapped by the anti-mutant group known as Friends Of Humanity.

In the comics, Roberto Da Costa is Sunspot, who possesses the ability to absorb and channel solar power. He was originally part of the New Mutants.

Daily Bugle Newspaper

We get a glimpse of a Daily Bugle newspaper. The highlights include what seems to be Jubilee, Bishop and Sooraya Qadir AKA Dust (the one in a niqab).

We also get a mention of Spider-Man and the Hellfire Gala, a reference to a storyline in the comics where the mutant nation called Krakoa opens itself to the world for one night with a Met Gala-ish event.

Jean Grey Is Pregnant

The baby will grow up to be Nathan Summers AKA Cable.

Omega Level Mutants Mentioned And Storm Is One Of Them

The Sentinels mention “Omega-Level Mutant Detected” when Storm shows up.

What is an Omega-Level Mutant? Omega-level mutants are those with the most powerful genetic potential of their mutant abilities. Usually, Omega-Level Mutants have powers on a planetary scale, such as being able to terraform planets, commit genocide, or alter reality. Besides Storm, other famous Omega-Level mutants in the comics include Iceman, Magneto, Jean Grey, David Haller AKA Legion (Professor X’s son) and Franklin Richards AKA the son of Mister Fantastic.

The Last Will And Testament Of Charles Xavier

Basically, it seems that Charles Xavier left everything he owned, including the X-Men, to Magneto.

This was probably inspired by Uncanny X-Men (2013) #23 published in July 2014.

Episode 2: Mutant Liberation Begins

Magneto Saves The Morlocks

The Morlocks are mutants who live underground in the sewers, who are led by Callisto (the one on the very left).

This Version Of Magneto Used To Be In A Romantic Relationship With Rogue

This actually has precedent in the comics, but the most prominent version of this couple was in the alternate reality called the Age Of Apocalypse. However, this was never alluded to in the original animated series, so this is a bit of a weird retcon.

Part of why they became a couple is because due to Magneto’s powers, he’s one of the few people who can touch Rogue without being affected by her powers. Don’t ask why.

The Trial Of Magneto Happened In The Comics As Well

Trial of Magneto was originally the title of a story arc in Uncanny X-Men (1985), by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Romita Jr., where Magneto was put on trial before the International Court of Justice.

Introduction Of X-Cutioner

X-Cutioner is an obscure X-Men villain from the comics. In the comics, Carl Denti AKA X-Cutioner is a former FBI agent obsessed with stalking mutants who kill humans. He uses an array of both alien technology (such as Shi’ar power armor and Z’nox sensors) and Earthly technology (such as Sentinel propulsion units) in his quest. Created by Scott Lobdell and Jason Pearson, he first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men Annual #17 (June 1993).

Storm Loses Her Powers

X-Cutioner shoots Storm with a weapon that makes her lose her powers.

Because of this, she leaves the X-Men at the end of the episode.

Cyclops And Jean Grey’s Baby Is Confirmed To Be Cable

They name him Nathan ‘Charles’ Summers.

Another Jean Grey Appears At The End Of The Episode

Who is this Jean Grey?

Well, it’s very complicated but in the comics, but this woman that just appeared is actually the real Jean Grey who survived the events of the Dark Phoenix.

The Jean Grey that married Cyclops and becomes pregnant is actually a clone of Jean Grey, which means that Nathan Summers AKA Cable is actually the son of this Jean Grey clone. The Jean Grey clone would later go by another name, Madelyne Pryor, and she would become the Goblin Queen, a recurring villain for the X-Men.

Looks like we’ll have to wait until the next episode to find out.

Until then, excelsior!