Marvel made massive waves recently returning to San Diego Comic-Con, and it wasn’t just for the dominating deluge of MCU announcements. They shared some exciting news about several upcoming animated series including the highly anticipated X-Men ’97. This is essentially an updated continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series, a groundbreaking series that helped pave the way for Marvel characters to become popular externally from the comics.
The show is set to premiere in Fall 2023 and the surviving original voice cast is all returning. Since the original series finale, there have been some major X-Men runs in the comics and many popular new characters introduced, some of which should make their way into X-Men ‘97
Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde)
Perhaps the most obvious name for a character who needs to be in X-Men ’97 is certainly Kitty Pryde (aka Shadowcat). Frankly, it’s still surprising that she wasn’t part of the original series since she has been a staple in the comics since the 1980s. Kitty has become one of the most popular X-Men characters so many fans are hoping she’ll be part of the team upon their introduction into the MCU.
As the youngest person to join the team at the time, Pryde was naturally characterized as the little sister to her teammates. That type of role was filled by Jubilee in X-Men: The Animated Series. However, since she had matured over the show’s five seasons, they could use someone like Pryde again.
Deadpool (Wade Wilson)
Another character that has become incredibly popular outside the comics is Deadpool. He’s periodically appeared in several animated series, and of course, starred in his own film series (played by the hilarious Ryan Reynolds). Interestingly, he’s actually already been established as part of the X-Men: The Animated Series universe, and, during one episode, his visage was used by Morph to scare Wolverine.
Given his personality, powers, and track record as one of the best mercenaries in the comics, Deadpool is certainly someone who many audiences would love to see for real in X-Men ’97. His inclusion could delve into his comical intricacies as well as his history with Wolverine and the Weapon X program.
Mirage (Dani Moonstar)
While the film The New Mutants was ripped apart by critics and fans alike, the team could find a better footing in X-Men ’97. Of the original team members, Wolfsbane, Karma, and Cannonball were all featured throughout X-Men: The Animated Series. Sunspot was further announced as being a recurring character in X-Men ’97, which only leaves Dani Moonstar (aka Mirage).
She is quite a special mutant as she has the power to make other people’s wishes and fears corporeal realities. Her origins in the comics are linked with the Hellfire Club, and they are set to play prominent roles in X-Men ’97 (so perhaps that can establish Mirage’s introduction and development).
Selene
So far, the leading members of the Hellfire Club in this universe have been Emma Frost, Sebastian Shaw, Mastermind, Donald Pierce, and Harry Leland. They are missing one of their most consistent and interesting members, Selene, the Black Queen. Besides gods and cosmic beings like Thor or Eternity, Selene is actually one of the oldest known characters in the comics. Her powers grant her practical immortality as she absorbs the life force of others to prolong hers.
She is also a powerful telekinetic and even possesses some magical abilities, so all in all, Selene can make for a very threatening adversary. She could come into play eventually as part of the Hellfire Club or even on her own as the antagonist for an arc of episodes.
X-23 (Laura Kinney)
Should X-Men ’97 continue to explore the complicated Weapon X program, that could lead to the introduction of Laura Kinney (aka X-23). Interestingly, she was actually an original creation of the animated series, X-Men: Evolution, before she crossed over into the comics. Since then, she’s evolved exponentially to even succeed her father to become the second Wolverine. She is quite a complicated hero, so many fans have conflicting opinions about her.
X-23 would make for another juvenile point-of-view character like Jubilee or Kitty Pryde, however, she’s very different from her tragic upbringing and conditioning as an assassin. Given her and Wolverine’s complicated relationship over the years, if they were to introduce her in X-Men ’97, she’d likely be established as at least a recurring character rather than a one-and-done.
Onslaught
Along with Hellfire Club, Mister Sinister and Bolivar Trask are returning as antagonists. Other prominent X-Men villains should also be incorporated, including Onslaught. It is actually an incredibly powerful and destructive psychic entity created by the dark aspects of Professor X and Magneto’s consciousnesses merging as one.
With Magneto currently leading the X-Men in X-Men ’97 and X-Men: The Animated Series ended with Professor X in a coma, being treated by the Shi’ar, it seems inevitable that they would reunite (which could then allow for the creation of Onslaught and make for a fantastic season finale antagonist).
Kid Omega (Quentin Quire)
Since X-Men: The Animated Series concluded, there have been an incredible amount of new X-Men created in the comics. Many will hopefully find a place in X-Men ’97, such as the Stepford Cuckoos, Dust, and/or Kid Omega. The latter, especially, would be an interesting sight since he’s never been featured outside the comics in any significant way.
Kid Omega is a very powerful and clever telepath and also one of the few characters who served as a host for the Phoenix Force. Though he aligns primarily with the X-Men, he doesn’t share Professor X’s pacifist ways or his thoughts on co-existing with humans. Now that Magneto is in charge, this could lead to some interesting dynamics if he would be introduced.
Madelyn Pryor
Another prominent X-Men villain that has a good chance of appearing in X-Men ’97 is Madelyne Pryor. She is a clone of Jean Grey with all the same abilities and an incredibly complicated relationship with Cyclops. Madelyne could very well become a recurring antagonist in the series, like Mister Sinister or Apocalypse.
Importantly, she is also the mother of Nate Summers (aka Cable), who is returning in a recurring role, and she’s served in the inner circle of the Hellfire Club too (which just better establishes the possibility of her having a role in X-Men ’97). They could even go as far as saying the Jean Grey they thought they knew for years was actually Madelyne Pryor.
Vulcan (Gabriel Summers)
While Cyclops was a central figure in X-Men: The Animated Series, there are some very important aspects of his character and history that weren’t explored. One such thing was his relationship with his brother, Havok. They interact in one episode, but neither realize who they are to one another – hopefully that is rectified in X-Men ’97, which could also allow the introduction of their younger brother, Vulcan.
Unlike his brothers, Vulcan is a villainous character and an omega-level mutant (which are mutants like Jean Grey, Storm, and Iceman, whose powers are nigh-unlimited). He even went to lead the Shi’ar Empire, deposing Empress Lilandra, so he’d make for another fantastic antagonist.
Legion (David Charles Haller)
Legion is rightfully best recognized now for the seminal FX series, Legion, played by Dan Stevens. He was initially created as a violent and destructive antagonist but has since become more of an anti-hero. His powers are so vast he can practically accomplish anything, from reshaping reality according to his every whim to traveling across dimensions.
Importantly, Legion also suffers from dissociative identity disorder which drastically changes his motivations and powers depending on which personality is in charge. His arcs and involvement in X-Men ’97 are contingent on Professor X’s return, but it would be strange for him not to be an important part of the show – so Legion should definitely be incorporated.