When X-Men ’97 Season 1 debuted back in 2024, it was initially easy to dismiss it as a simple nostalgia play. Our review at the time reflected that sentiment. However, the show quickly demonstrated that it was much more than just rehashing past glories, especially with the shockingly violent fifth episode, “Remember It,” which depicted a mutant genocide at the hands of a giant Sentinel. X-Men ’97 refused to settle for merely revisiting past hits, instead propelling its heroes into the contemporary conflicts of today.

While X-Men ’97 is primarily about transporting viewers back to the 1990s, the second season ingeniously incorporates a literal time travel story. The season picks up from last season’s cliffhanger with the X-Men flung through different periods in time. Two years of anticipation for this follow-up will feel justified for Marvel fans eager to see what happens next.

X-Men ’97 Season 2 retains the fast-paced energy from its predecessor. The premiere season’s brisk pace was sometimes a double-edged sword, not allowing certain storylines to fully resonate with the audience. This time around, however, the scattered X-Men result in a narrower focus that complements how swiftly the story moves. In the future, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Morph, and a declawed Wolverine navigate a dystopian landscape, while Professor X, Magneto, Rogue, Beast, and Nightcrawler find themselves in ancient Egypt. Forge and Bishop are working diligently to bring the X-Men back to the ’90s, though not everyone is eager to return to the present.

The opening chapters allocate an episode to each timeline, offering depth to each setting, with a two-parter dedicated to the ancient Egypt storyline. Amid these temporal shifts, the second episode, “A Force to Be Reckoned With,” keeps viewers grounded in the present where mutantkind is being hunted by X-Force, a team of government-sponsored mutants. Under Cable’s leadership, they stand in for the missing X-Men. The groundwork laid in the first four episodes suggests an inevitable and explosive collision of these X-factions.

Between the high expectations and the two-year wait, X-Men ’97 Season 2 wastes no time diving back into its thrilling narrative. It immediately brings to mind the highs of Season 1 and assures viewers that there’s no sophomore slump in sight. Even as someone who was initially skeptical of reviving the original ’90s X-Men cartoon, the first season won me over, and I entered Season 2 expectant and eager for more excellence. I was not disappointed.

One of the most significant differences from the original series is X-Men ’97’s refined animation, offering brighter and more fluid visuals, particularly during action scenes. A standout moment is in Episode 2, where Jubilee takes on X-Factor goons aboard a helicarrier, roller skating to Veruca Salt’s “Volcano Girls.” It’s a perfectly nostalgic touch, reminding us that we’re in 1997.

Much like in Season 1, X-Men ’97 Season 2 places character development above action sequences. The genuine sincerity in both the writing and performances elevates what could otherwise be dismissed as clichéd dialogue. One such moment is Storm’s declaration against Apocalypse, filled with fervor and determination.

The focus on character depth continues to evolve this season, though with only nine episodes, some characters inevitably take center stage. Wolverine maintains a supporting role, which is a refreshing change considering how many X-Men narratives tend to focus heavily on him. Instead, characters like Cyclops and Jean tackle parental journeys, while Rogue deals with the emotional aftermath of losing Gambit. Her shared moments with En Sabah Nur, the first mutant, further layer the narrative complexity.

Apocalypse figures prominently as this season’s chief antagonist. Though a familiar face, his character is explored with greater depth, tying into the ongoing themes of evolution and survival. His belief in the supremacy of strength makes him the perfect adversary for a time when the conflict between humans and mutants escalates toward war.

X-Men ’97 Season 2 does more than just revitalize a cherished franchise; it deepens its character pools, engaging viewers with thoughtful narratives set against a backdrop of time-travel drama. As always, the animated X-Men remain a guiding light in storytelling, blending action-packed sequences with poignant moments of character growth.

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