Once upon a time, it was decreed: the forthcoming Season 2 of “X-Men ’97” shall draw inspiration from the esteemed works of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s celebrated “New X-Men” comics. Behold, the comprehensive breakdown of the second season’s connection to “New X-Men” is unveiled below!
In what fashion does “X-Men ’97” Season 2 entwine with the tapestry woven by Morrison and Quitely in “New X-Men”? The tale of “New X-Men” unfolded as a gentle reawakening of the X-Men saga within the pages of comic books between 2001 and 2004. Every chapter bore the creative mark of Morrison, while Quitely’s hand sketched the visions of the first and fourth arcs, along with fragments of the second. Other artisans who contributed their skills to “New X-Men” included Leinil Francis Yu, Igor Kordey, Ethan Van Sciver, Phil Jimenez, Chris Bachalo, and Marc Silvestri. Noteworthy for breathing new life into the X-lore with the introduction of novel personas and ideas (such as “secondary mutations”), the series also disrupted the longstanding union of Scott Summers and Jean Grey, choosing instead to unite Scott with Emma Frost. While many such newfound elements were warmly embraced, the enigmatic figure of Magneto as depicted in “New X-Men” remains a subject of contention.
“X-Men ’97” has previously drawn upon the tapestry of “New X-Men” for inspiration. For instance, the most chilling episode of Season 1, the Sentinel onslaught on Genosha, mirrors (albeit with nuances) a similar event in the inaugural arc of “New X-Men,” titled “E is for Extinction.” Recent glimpses aired at Disney’s grand D23 affair confirm that the trend of artistic cross-pollination between “X-Men ’97” and “New X-Men” shall persist in Season 2. Specifically, Cyclops, Wolverine, and their comrades shall be clad in attire fashioned after Quitely’s designs. The quandary remains as to when and for what reason the core ensemble of “X-Men ’97” shall adopt their “New X-Men” garb in Season 2. Alas, we must bide our time until the second season unfurls to unravel this mystery!
Might “X-Men ’97” Season 2 be inspired by other contemporary X-Men sagas? Verily, Season 2 shall also intertwine characters and narratives hewn from the 2004-2008 opus of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, known as “Astonishing X-Men.” Notably, it shall introduce Danger, an antagonist birthed from the minds of Whedon and Cassaday during their tenure. As her appellation implies, Danger emerges as a sentient embodiment of the X-Men’s training ground, the Danger Room. To add a dash of intrigue, she has long been cognizant of her existence – a truth shrouded in secrecy by Professor X himself, who deemed it imperative to maintain the students’ readiness through the machinations of the Danger Room, lest acknowledging Danger’s sentience disrupt the delicate balance.
When Danger ultimately breaks free from her confines and fashions a corporeal form, her fervor leads her on a spree of havoc. Her ambition? To bring about the downfall of Charles Xavier, naturally! Yet, the X-Men stand resilient in her path, although Danger’s years spent honing her skills against them afford her a formidable advantage. Presumably, a similar narrative shall unfold in “X-Men ’97” Season 2.
“X-Men ’97” Season 1 currently dances upon the digital stage of Disney+. As for Season 2, its grand entrance is shrouded in mystery, with no appointed time for its unveiling. Let us tread this path of uncertainty together, eager for the revelation that awaits!
