The MontyVerse

After two years away, the X-Men have finally returned—albeit scattered across time. While the wait for X-Men ’97 was torturous, the only question that matters now is: Was it worth it?

X-Men ’97 was a surprise hit for Marvel, garnering critical acclaim, high praise from long time X-Men fans, and renewed interest in this uncanny and astonishing team of heroes. The show is one of the most-watched Disney+ Original animated series (based on hours streamed globally) and even earned an Emmy nomination in 2024 for Outstanding Animated Program. All of this is to say that the bar for a second season of the show was insanely high.

Season 2 clears that bar.

This season succeeds because it takes an enormous narrative risk by scattering the cast across time, yet somehow still creates a balanced and character-focused story worthy of season 1’s highest highs. The show remains focused on what makes the X-Men Marvel’s greatest ensemble: melodrama, social commentary, and exceptional character work. I was able to watch the first four episodes of the season, and it feels like we haven’t missed a beat. It flows extremely well despite grappling with multiple timelines, a huge ensemble, and larger than life characters.

X-Men ’97 Season 2 continues right where Season 1 left off: with the heroic mutant team of X-Men, divided and thrown across different eras in time after the defeat of Bastian. They struggle to navigate their return home while trying to maneuver around the danger each timeline presents. Meanwhile, back in the 1990s, suspicious foes and new strains of mutant intolerance are on the rise in the wake of the X-Men’s absence. With the shadow of Apocalypse looming large over all these eras, can our X-Men find a solution to this time crisis and return home?

I had a few concerns with the general idea of Season 2 with all our favorite characters divided into different time periods; I worried about the balance of storytelling with some characters potentially getting favored over others. However, I am happy to admit the show proved me wrong as these first four episodes seemed extremely well balanced, maneuvering the focus through each group in a satisfying way. The large cast is handled well as every character, new and old, feels like they have at least one moment to shine.

Obviously, some characters will get more focus up front than others, but it was always in service of the story. However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t want more from specific characters. I believe these characters will have a larger role in the back half but it’s very hard to give every person in this big of an ensemble a meaty role when only viewing it as four episodes of nine.

Season 1 of the show was built on amazing dialogue and sharp commentary, with a story that involves time travel, family drama, and one of Marvel’s most powerful villains; I was worried that would get lost in the second season. The commentary is still very much there, just portrayed in different forms as we see new intolerances appear in the wake of the Genosha tragedy. Verbal jousting is still on the menu as well, especially with platonic soul mates Charles Xavier and Magneto. This pair continues to be a highlight of the show, with Ross Marquand and Michael Waterson having such lovely chemistry.  

The character of Magneto acts as a massive part of show and won over many new fans by the end of the first season. The phrase “Magneto was right” echoed across the internet and reminded audiences why Magneto remains one of Marvel’s most compelling characters. I really love the arc Magnus has in Season 2. You can tell that the events of the first season have changed him, and it informs his decisions this time around. The character is so damn well written that you can’t help but feel the urge to hear him out.

Cable and Apocalypse, two characters whose mythology can often become overwhelming, take prominent roles this time around. I will say, I never really loved these two characters in the comics, but the show has done a fantastic job of making me understand them. Getting to spend time with En Sabah Nur in Egypt gives us insight into the rage that fuels the future Apocalypse. Meanwhile, the future shows us what makes Nathan Summers such a tragic and special hero…erg, anti-hero. With a story involving a lot of high concept sci-fi plot devices, the focus on character is never lost.

The voice cast is a huge part of why these characters work so well and why you fall in love with them, cry with them, and feel compelled to follow them. Ray Chase breathes new life into Scott Summers, who has been getting the redemption (and PR boost) this character deserves. Alison Sealy-Smith is Storm. She makes you believe that a weather goddess can command the storms with the gentle regality of her voice. Lenore Zann is still wonderful as the charming Rogue; her voice will forever be synonymous with the character. I could go on and on, but my point is that this is a fantastically talented vocal ensemble who all deserve their flowers.

The animation of X-Men ’97 feels like a step up from the first season. The action set pieces of the first four episodes are absolutely gorgeous, and you can tell that Season 2 is bigger in scope and scale just by the action. The show has the tremendous advantage of cycling through three teams, which gives us a lot of variety in terms of action and animation. It also allows the background artists the opportunity to create new stunning locales that gives this season a visual identity distinct from its predecessor.

The show is further enhanced by the work of the Newton Brothers, who were responsible for the epic, somber, and orchestrally powerful score of the first season. They return this time to pack familiar themes for fan favorite characters (I mean Storm’s “Give Them the Forecast” was instantly iconic.) as well as new music to fit the larger scale and different time periods of Season 2. This duo seems unstoppable as they really are in an unbreakable rhythm between the haunting score of Daredevil: Born Again and the grandiose music of X-Men ’97. I really love that they recognize the weight of the original score, so they keep it for certain moments and then transform and evolve it to fit certain scenes while building their own new themes for characters.

X-Men ’97 Season 2 is the welcome return we all hoped for from this series. Sharp dialogue, fun action set pieces, and big emotional moments all tied together with that X-Men magic we know and love. By scattering its heroes across multiple timelines, X-Men ’97 Season 2 takes a huge storytelling gamble. Remarkably, those first four episodes suggest that gamble has paid off. The series retains the emotional depth, social commentary, and character-driven storytelling that made its first season such a phenomenon while expanding the scope in exciting new ways. If the remaining episodes maintain this momentum, Marvel may once again have one of the best animated shows on television.