Warning: contains spoilers for both X-Men ’97 #1 and the first two episodes of X-Men ’97!
Marvel’s new X-Men ‘97 prequel comic perfectly bridges a 27-year gap in the lore. Picking up where the beloved 1990s X-Men cartoon left off, X-Men ‘97 has been a hit with both fans and critics. The show’s pilot episode makes it clear a lot has happened to the X-Men since the show’s ending, and Marvel’s new X-Men ‘97 prequel fills in these gaps in a highly entertaining fashion.
The X-Men ‘97 prequel comic was written by Steve Foxe and drawn by Salva Espin. In the pilot, fans see Storm has changed her hairstyle and Jean Grey is pregnant. Furthermore, the episode showed the X-Men now enjoy a good working relationship with the government–a huge change from the past. Marvel’s X-Men ‘97 comic shows the moments the cartoon did not, such as Wolverine’s reaction to the news of Jean’s pregnancy.
Yet the book does more than bring fans up to speed, as it will be telling a story all its own, one deeply rooted in the X-Men franchise.
The first X-Men cartoon, debuting in 1992, helped introduce a generation to Marvel’s mutants. Praised for being faithful to the source material, the cartoon is still fondly remembered by fans today, making it a logical choice for a comeback. X-Men ‘97, the first production of the newly formed Marvel Animation, debuted on Disney + to rave reviews. X-Men ‘97 is more than a nostalgia trip–it moves the franchise along, introducing new elements to the lore as well as adapting classic stories in new and exciting ways.
The X-Men ‘97 comic takes a similar approach. While it fills fans in on what went down in the year between the finale of the first show and X-Men ‘97’s premiere, it also seeds stories of its own. Rumors have swirled that Mister Sinister will be the primary villain of X-Men ‘97, and he makes his presence known here. Just like in the comics, Sinister wants Jean and Cyclops’ baby for his own purposes, and is bringing together evil mutants to further his goal. In the process, X-Men ‘97 may be set up for the Mutant Massacre, a classic storyline.
Marvel’s new X-Men ‘97 prequel comic is a fun and engaging read, and sure to appeal to fans of the cartoon. Foxe and Espin have tapped into what made both X-Men and X-Men ‘97 so popular with fans: it stays true to the source material and respects fans’ intelligence. The book also features exciting Easter Eggs, just like the show. The comic succeeds on different fronts: it bridges a 27-year gap in the lore, but also manages to stand on its own, setting up a huge story that could have ramifications for the cartoon as well.
X-Men ’97 #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!