In the first season of ‘X-Men ’97’, the mutant universe is established as much larger than a single superhero team, and season 2 wastes no time proving that.
The series follows the legendary X-Men on various timelines. However, it also features two other mutant factions that offer unique perspectives and approaches to the struggle for mutant survival.
‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2 Hints At The Perfect Direction For MCU’s X-Men
The new season starts with the X-Men split up in time, one in the far future and the other in Ancient Egypt. While both teams struggle with the rising tide of Apocalypse, two other mutant groups come into the spotlight. The first one is X-Force, which is led by Cable. Unlike the traditional X-Men, this team isn’t afraid to use lethal force when necessary.
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They’re not afraid to go the extra mile, and that can lead to some tension, particularly with heroes like Jubilee and Sunspot, who wonder if the victory is worth compromising their values. The second big addition is the government-backed mutant team, X-Factor.
They claim to be protectors, but it isn’t quite that simple. They are willing to detain innocent mutants, even children, which raises questions of power, control, and the consequences of good intentions. The two teams demonstrate the extent to which there are many different philosophies in Marvel’s mutant community.
MCU Could Learn From This Bigger Mutant Playground
The biggest strength of ‘X-Men ’97’ is that it makes the Marvel universe feel lived-in. And season 2 does just that. Instead of lumping all the mutants together, the series celebrates the notion that there could be multiple teams operating at the same time, with very different objectives.
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That’s something that could work for the live-action MCU when the X-Men are established after the Multiverse Saga. Rather than being one team, Marvel Studios has the chance to create a connected mutant universe with various teams, different leaderships, and different missions.
The MCU has already proven that fans can keep up with multiple superhero teams. The same approach could be used for the X-Men. It would make for more interesting stories and allow more of the fan favorites to be seen without being overloaded in any one film.
Based on the success of ‘X-Men ’97’, Marvel’s future isn’t only about the return of the X-Men, but also about how large and varied the mutant universe can be. It’s a future many long-time fans have been waiting for.
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