After a wait of two years and three months, X-Men '97 returns with a second season on Disney+ that immediately reminds viewers why the series became one of Marvel's rare consensus hits. Based on the first four episodes provided for review, the animated series wastes no time throwing its heroes — and its audience — into a sprawling, emotionally charged adventure that is as visually dazzling as it is narratively ambitious.
Multiple Timelines, Unified Story
Picking up after the dramatic events of the first season finale, the new episodes split the X-Men across multiple timelines, creating a structure that could easily have become unwieldy. Instead, the series thrives on the complexity. Each storyline feels purposeful, with the different threads gradually revealing how deeply interconnected they are.
One arc transports Cyclops and Jean Grey into a bleak future shaped by Apocalypse's dominance, forcing them to confront difficult questions about their son Nathan's destiny. Elsewhere, back in the familiar 1990s setting, Jubilee and Sunspot step into larger roles as younger mutants attempt to navigate a world suddenly missing the X-Men's guiding presence.
Ancient Egypt Arc Stands Out
The season's standout storyline unfolds in Ancient Egypt. There, Professor X and Magneto find themselves alongside a younger En Sabah Nur — the man who will one day become Apocalypse. Voiced with remarkable depth by Adetokumboh M'Cormack, this version of the iconic villain is far more layered than audiences might expect. His struggle against the tyrannical Pharaoh Rama-Tut adds both emotional weight and fresh perspective to a character often defined solely by his ruthlessness.
Thematically, the season interrogates questions of fate, power and survival. Can the future be changed? Is destiny inevitable? And what sacrifices might be required to alter it?
Animation and Visuals
Just as impressive is the animation. Whether depicting cosmic-scale battles, mutant powers or the distinct visual identities of different eras, every frame feels vibrant. From just the first four episodes, X-Men '97 delivers a confident, exhilarating return. The long wait was worth it.
