With more than twenty years of new source material to draw from, there are plenty of new arcs to consider adapting for X-Men 97. Not everything has to be from the Chris Claremont years, and now that season one is over, fans, and critics can debate over what worked and did not. I’m glad the series recovered with the next arc being from Grant Morrison’s “E is for Extinction” from the New X-Men. Here, viewers learn Professor X’s evil twin sister Cassandra Nova is getting into the thick of things, and after the lacklustre “Inferno,” (review link) all hell breaks loose in Genosha! A lot of mutants die! Also, when the series is moving into storylines that I’m not as familiar with, I’m open to new interpretations.
That includes the eventual return of Apocalypse and a new team of Horseman for season two. Apparently, I still want answers to two lingering issues. Jean Grey’s connection to The Phoenix was never fully severed, and I’m wondering if that means some kind of return down the road.
Also, I miss Shadowcat aka Kitty Pryde. She’s quite important in the comic book version, and has had the quite the adventure and for some readers, they saw her grow up from being that not so confident teen hero in the X-Men to a Guardian of the Galaxy, and even has a few ninja type skills to boot! Although she didn’t have much to do other than be a damsel in distress in the non-canonical pilot for the animated series, and I still find it strange that there’s still no mention of her. She did appear in X-men: Evolution, set in an alternate universe, but when will she be in X-men 97?
Whether this series wants to address that or not, I’m still hoping! With the past days of Claremont no longer a reference point, what’s presented so far has me considering if I should try to get caught up with everything printed from 98 on up. In this series, I like that Bastion is a figure hard to deal with. He’s not your typical 90s style villain. Whether he’s been stopped for good in the season one finale, I shan’t say. Hopefully the next season’s arcs will consider his villain’s ongoing influence to build on the teased made.
The following is my wish list of story arcs I like to see. It doesn’t take into consideration everything that’s been revealed so far, as this article was written before the release of the season finale, and given non-spoiler edits before being posted:
Quest for Magik
In this redo of the character, it follows the adventures of other mutants who get kidnapped by a demon from hell and it can include Morph to explain why he knows about Illyana whereas the others don’t.
By updating the tale to show how Belasco kidnapped Illyana Rasputin along with other students, we can see why she’s just as much of a threat too. In the comics, there were a few students from Xavier’s school who evaded capture, but in order to leave this dimension, they’ll have to either make a deal with another devil or do something else.
The Wedding of Cyclops & Phoenix
It’s safe to say after the events of episode three, Scott Summers better say something to the real Jean Grey to put certainty back into their relationship. After all those years with the fake version, I’m sure he’ll have doubts. After rewatching the classic episodes, to not explore this tension would do the cartoon a great disservice.
And according to the comic book version, Genosha is being invaded and there’s a mutant-killing Legacy Virus making its rounds….
Days of Future Present
To see a followup to Days of Future Past is almost a given, but as for what this storyline is really about is a touch all over. It really concerns Franklin Richards, son of Sue and Reed from The Fantastic Four, wanting to rewrite history and the X-Men are involved!
If this does get adapted, it’ll be nothing like the books as there are other characters that’ll need some kind of explanation on why they exist. As this work takes place in an alternate universe, just how it’ll play out depends on who else from the Marvel Animated universe gets involved.
Sins of Sinister
This arc is a given when considering the scant references to Mr. Sinister manipulating all the events not only during X-Men 97 but also the original series. This tale would have to rely on even more reveals that clone versions of the X-men exist, and with the fact this genetic scientist has corrupted them, and can bend them to his will, he can remake the world. He won’t stop at just these people, but will implant fake versions of senators and what not.
What’s presented will have to be a departure from the books since certain characters are not around. But it’s one I’d love to see if the writer’s room can successfully adapt.
Apocalypse Wars
To see this tyrant return would be perfect since it lines up with what’s happening so far in the animated series. Should new teams be formed, this first mutant will have a tough time realising his vision! That’s because of Storm being on her own right now, Scott and Magneto may well be butting heads soon, resulting in the division amongst the ranks, and the ripe would be ripe to bring this fan favourite back!
It’ll give the series a reason to bring back Archangel, a character who barely got enough screen time way back when. Even though I know what’s coming in X-Men 97’s finale, I still want something of the original Horseman team back.
X-Men 97 Trailer
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