20 Storylines X-Men ’97 Borrowed From the Comics

The ’90s-era X-Men: The Animated Series ran for five seasons. Along the way, the show loosely adapted several fan-favorite storylines from the comics. In its inaugural season, the follow-up series X-Men ’97 on Disney+ has continued this trend. The show has already packed in a wealth of acknowledgments for many more classic comic arcs. The two-episode pilot wasted no time cramming in nods to many long-recognized and fondly remembered comic stories. But the rest of the season has no shortage of familiar plotlines, either.

The original series brought new life to many timeless classics like “Days of Future Past” and “The Dark Phoenix Saga.” Not to mention then-recent arcs like “The Phalanx Covenant.” However, plenty of important X-Men storylines remained untouched. And others have been created in the lengthy time since the original series ended. Which means X-Men ’97 has over six decades of stories to draw upon. And the series has already referenced plenty in varying ways. Some episodes merely draw elements from past stories, while others are closer to outright adaptations.

20 Bishop Officially Joins the X-Men

The Time-Travelling Mutant Meets His Heroes

Future freedom fighter Bishop was a recurring character in the original X-Men: The Animated Series. But come X-Men ’97, Bishop’s a full-fledged X-Man — replete with his own spot on the new show’s opening sequence. The character first appeared in the original two-part “Days of Future Past” arc. Bishop went on to appear in further episodes throughout the show’s run. He participates in the team’s first X-Men ’97 adventure in the pilot episode, “To Me, My X-Men.” The team saves a newly introduced Roberto da Costa from the anti-mutant hate group Friends of Humanity.

Bishop was created by John Byrne and Whilce Portacio. The character became an X-Man in comic history shortly after his introduction in 1991’s Uncanny X-Men #282. 80 years in the future, the Xavier Security Enforcement Officer uncovers a time-traveling threat to the X-Men. Bishop believes that threat is coming from his former commander, Trevor Fitzroy. Following Fitzroy to the present day, Bishop teams up with his past heroes to defeat his one-time superior. While the character returned to the future in X-Men ’97, fans still hope to see more of Bishop in the next season.

19 Storm is an Omega-Level Mutant

Ororo Has Long Been One of the Most Powerful X-Men

In the X-Men ’97 pilot episode, the team is facing off against a junkyard full of Bolivar Trask’s old Sentinels. The team is holding their own when Storm makes a dramatic entrance. One of the giant mutant hunters refers to her as “an Omega-level threat.” She backs up the towering robot’s claim by calling forth her weather powers, disabling or destroying all remaining Sentinels. It’s the first reference to the concept of Omega-Level mutants in X-Men: The Animated Series canon.

In comics continuity, the term was first mentioned in the comics by a Sentinel from the future known as Nimrod. It was later popularized and an official list was created for 2019’s House of X #1, by Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz. The label is associated only with the Marvel Universe’s most powerful mutants. Among them are Bobby Drake (Iceman), Magneto and Jean Grey. Storm was identified as “a mutant with Omega-level potential” nearly a decade earlier. The single-page highlight feature by Mike Carey and Terry Dodson ran in the Origins of Marvel Comics: X-Men compendium.

18 Charles Xavier Leaves Earth with Lilandra

The Shi’ar Empress Saves the X-Men’s Founder

As X-Men ’97 begins, the world believes Charles Xavier is dead. His apparent death came at the hands of anti-mutant government agent Henry Peter Gyrich. The assassination attempt happened during the X-Men: The Animated Series finale. In actuality, though, Charles survived but was gravely injured. He was subsequently taken by Shi’ar Empress Lilandra to her home world to nurse him back to health.

In 1985’s Uncanny X-Men #200, by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr., Charles suffers a heart attack during Magneto’s trial before a global tribunal. With Magneto present, Lilandra transports Charles to the Shi’ar home world for life-saving treatment. Charles would remain off-planet for an extended time in both animated and comic continuity. During his absence, the X-Men leader also forms a relationship with Lilandra, leaving the team to carry on without him.

17 Magneto Becomes the X-Men’s Leader

But the Master of Magnetism is No Professor X

With Charles gone, the X-Men needed a new leader. Magneto addresses that issue at the end of X-Men ‘97’s “To Me, My X-Men,” revealing Xavier has left the school to Magneto in his last will and testament. In the following episode, “Mutant Liberation Begins,” Cyclops, Jean, and Wolverine are none too happy with Charles’ decision. Nevertheless, the X-Men grudgingly accept Magneto as team leader. Rogue, meanwhile, is more accepting of Magneto’s new role — much to Gambit’s dismay.

Charles’ actions were essentially the same in the comics, as shown in Uncanny X-Men #200. Despite Magneto’s new role, the X-Men continued to function independently. Much as they did under Charles’ leadership. At this point in comic continuity, though, the younger New Mutants also resided at the school. Magneto, therefore, took a more active role as the junior team’s Headmaster. Magneto officially assumed those duties in the subsequent New Mutants #35 by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz.

16 The Trial of Magneto

The X-Men’s One-Time Foe Faces Justice – and Issues a Warning

In X-Men ’97’s “Mutant Liberation Begins,” Magneto surrenders himself to the government’s Dr. Valerie Cooper. Cooper is acting on behalf of the United Nations, arresting Magneto to stand trial for his past crimes against humanity. But the trial is disrupted by the Friends of Humanity and the group’s leader, the X-Cutioner. Magneto neutralizes X-Cutioner’s threat, but not before the villain incapacitates Storm, removing her powers. Angered by Storm’s injuries, Magneto then issued a stern threat to the U.N. council. Magneto demands mutants be allowed to co-exist with humankind peacefully.

Magneto faced a similar trial in the comics. There, his trial took place in Paris before the International Court of Justice. as shown in the eventful Uncanny X-Men #200. This time, his trial faced an attack by the Fenris twins. The duo were seeking to dispense their own fatal form of justice. Again, the Master of Magnetism dispatched the threat. But here, he received timely assistance from Cyclops and Jean’s alternate-reality daughter, Rachel Summers. In both continuities, Magneto’s nullification of the threats wins him the respect and gratitude of the tribunal. The court, in turn, grants him a full pardon for his past actions.

15 Storm Loses Her Powers

The Shot That Crippled Ororo Wasn’t Meant for Her

During Magneto’s trial, Storm’s weather-controlling powers are crippled when she takes a devastating and power-draining blast from the X-Cutioner. The villain’s shot was intended for Magneto himself. Storm now lies powerless on the floor of the United Nations. And heartbreakingly reveals her connection to the Earth’s elemental forces has been severed. The loss of her powers breaks Storm emotionally, and she subsequently leaves the X-Men.

Storm faced the same fate in 1984’s Uncanny X-Men #185, by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr. In that issue, the Commission of Superhuman Activities’ Henry Peter Gyrich is armed with a similar power-draining weapon. Gyrich is seeking to neutralize the recently reformed Rogue. Storm rises to protect her friend and colleague but instead takes a direct hit from Gyrich’s weapon when Forge intervenes. In the comics, Storm would remain powerless for years. Despite having no mutant abilities during this time, Storm elected to stay with the X-Men.

14 The Birth of Nathan Summers/Cable

Cyclops and Jean/Madelyne’s Son Comes Amidst Chaos

A lot is happening in conjunction with Magneto’s trial. The birth of Scott and Jean’s son, Nathan, also occurs during X-Men ‘97’s “Mutant Liberation Begins.” In the episode, the parents-to-be face a struggle to find a doctor willing to deliver a mutant couple’s child. With no time to lose, Rogue absorbs the skills of the hospital’s attending physician and assists in bringing Nathan into the world herself. His birth takes place during Magneto’s confrontation with the U.N. tribunal.

In the comics, Nathan’s arrival was far less eventful, quietly taking place off-panel between the events of Uncanny X-Men #200 and #201. Baby Nathan, the future Cable, made his debut on the latter issue’s very first page, in fact. One notable difference was that Nathan’s mom was already known to be Madelyne Pryor in the comics. At Nathan’s birth in X-Men ’97, though, it wasn’t yet known that Jean was actually her own clone. Her clone didn’t take on the identity of Madelyne until after Nathan was born.

Mr. Sinister’s Jean Grey Clone and Goblin Queen

X-Men ’97 establishes Jean Grey isn’t Nathan’s mom, but everyone first thought she was. Of course, no one realized Jean had a clone, either. At least until the original Jean shows up at the mansion shortly after Nathan’s birth, in the culmination of “Mutant Liberation Begins.” In the follow-up episode “Fire Made Flesh,” Beast confirms Nathan’s mom is Jean’s clone. Sinister then takes control of his creation and unleashes the Goblin Queen, who is later freed from Sinister’s control by Jean. Unable to abide sharing her life with Jean, her clone adopts Madelyne’s identity and heads out alone.

A much more protracted version of these events began with Madelyne’s first appearance in 1983’s Uncanny X-Men #168 by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith. With Jean still believed to be dead, Madelyne became Scott Summers’ new love interest. Oddly enough, Jean returned in 1985’s Avengers #263 by Roger Stern and John Buscema. Madelyne went into full Goblin Queen mode with the X-Men’s “Inferno” event, beginning in 1988’s Uncanny X-Men #240 by Claremont and Marc Silvestri. Madelyne has occasionally returned as the Goblin Queen in subsequent storylines.

12 The Destruction of Genosha

The Sentinels’ Destroy a Mutant Paradise

The jam-packed X-Men ’97 episode “Remember It” features the unexpected and tragic destruction of the mutant nation of Genosha. The attack is carried out by Bolivar Trask’s Master Mold and the Sentinels. The episode also highlights the gut-wrenching but heroic death of Gambit. His trademark phrase, “The name is Gambit — remember it” serves as his final words before sacrificing himself to destroy Master Mold. The episode also advances Cable’s story. Specifically, Nathan travels back to warn of the tragedy, meeting his mother, Madelyne, for the first time. Madelyne, sadly, was also killed in the massacre.

The nature of Genosha’s destruction was far different in comic continuity. The results, however, were no less atrocious. In 2001’s New X-Men #115 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Charles Xavier’s genocidal twin, Cassandra Nova, gains control of an advanced breed of Sentinels. She uses the machines to conduct a catastrophic attack on the nation, killing some 16 million of its citizens. The events of “Remember It” also evoke the more recent Hellfire Gala massacre. In the comics event, the forces of the anti-mutant conglomerate Orchis destroy the mutant nation of Krakoa. Countless deaths occurred, and Orchis delivered a mortal blow to mutantkind. That story unfolded in X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1.

11 Lifedeath

A Powerless Ororo Bonds with Forge – and Learns a Horrible Secret

In the show’s “Lifedeath – Part 1” episode, Forge looks after Storm as she deals with the loss of her powers. He also promises her the means of restoring them. The two begin to bond until Forge reveals he designed the technology to eliminate Storm’s powers, leaving Storm feeling angry and betrayed. Stunned by the revelation, she, in turn, leaves Forge. Storm later encounters the demon known as The Adversary, who forces her back to Forge’s ranch after the demon has poisoned him.

The comic story “Lifedeath” unfolded in 1984’s Uncanny X-Men #186 by Chris Claremont and Barry Windsor-Smith. Events happened in largely the same manner, minus any appearance by The Adversary. Curiously, The Adversary isn’t introduced into comics canon until two issues later. When “Lifedeath” was first published, fan discussion immediately ensued about whether Forge’s attempt to stop Gyrich from shooting Rogue caused Storm to be struck instead, as much as Storm’s own attempt to save her. The possibility isn’t addressed in the story.

10 Lifedeath – Part 2

Storm’s Powers Are Restored – But How?

Like the comic arc, X-Men ‘97’s “Lifedeath” has a follow-up — but most similarities end there. The arc’s second and final chapter features the return of Storm’s powers. The remedy is by way of a desert plant discovered by Forge. With her powers restored, Storm saves Forge and defeats The Adversary. The second part also furthers Charles Xavier’s story. Charles decides to break off his relationship with Lilandra so that he may return to Earth in the wake of Genosha’s destruction.

Storm’s powers did not return so quickly in the comics, however. In “Lifedeath II” (actually titled “Lifedeath: From the Heart of Darkness” on the splash page), Storm is still adjusting to her new life. But she finally comes to terms with losing her powers after returning to Africa. The second installment was published one year after the first, in Uncanny X-Men #198, also by Claremont and Windsor-Smith. Making amends for his past mistake, Forge restores Storm’s powers with an experimental weapon of his design years later. She was able to command the weather once more come 1987’s Uncanny X-Men #226, by Claremont and Marc Silvestri.

9 The Golden Age of Genosha

The Nation Was Also a Mutant Paradise

Before the Genoshan massacre, “Remember It” portrayed the country as a near-perfect mutant utopia. Its status quo differs from the oppression shown early on in X-Men: The Animated Series. The main city is a modern marvel and mutant children happily play out in the open. Statues honoring Charles Xavier and Magneto loom large at the city’s entrance. In the episode, Gambit, Rogue and Magneto travel to the mutant nation to celebrate its admission into the United Nations. The Genoshan government, in turn, asks Magneto to lead them, but he only agrees if Rogue joins him. This revelation uncovers a past connection between the two.

The country’s history is similar to that in comics continuity. The prosperous but apartheid-like nation was first introduced in 1988’s Uncanny X-Men #235 by Chris Claremont and Rick Leonardi. Its government was overthrown in the 1990’s “X-Tinction Agenda” crossover event. Subsequent leadership was far more mutant-friendly. Magneto later became the nation’s ruler, achieving his goal of establishing a sovereign nation for mutants. That happened in 1999’s X-Men (2nd Series) #87 by Fabian Nicieza and Alan Davis.

8 Rogue and Magneto’s Relationship

Was It Love, or Just Desperation?

X-Men ’97’s “Remember It” also explores the past — and secret — relationship between Magneto and Rogue. Rogue reveals Magneto was the only other person she could touch. Her absorbing powers never allowed physical contact with anyone else without harming them. The two then had a brief relationship. But it was driven primarily by Magneto being the only person Rogue could be intimate with. Rogue nearly rekindles their relationship when Magneto asks her to rule Genosha at his side. Ultimately, though, she opts to stay with the man she truly loves, Gambit.

Magneto and Rogue also forged a bond in the comics, albeit under far different circumstances. Magneto had temporarily lost his powers battling the Priestess Zaladane. Rogue’s, meanwhile, were diminished after passing through the regenerative Siege Perilous. A potential relationship was teased when the two came together in 1991’s Uncanny X-Men #274, by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee. The pair genuinely, if briefly, connected in earnest decades later in 2011’s X-Men: Legacy #249 by Mike Carey and Rafa Sandoval.

7 Bastion and Operation Zero Tolerance

The Human/Sentinel Hybrid with a Deadly Manifesto

X-Men ‘97’s “Bright Eyes” revealed the mastermind behind the Genoshan tragedy. It was none other than the deadly mutant hater named Bastion. The massacre was only part of his centuries-long plan — Operation Zero Tolerance — to enslave, if not eliminate, mutantkind. Bastion himself is revealed to be a powerful new human/Sentinel hybrid. His powers came via a technological infection induced by the time-traveling Nimrod. Bastion, in turn, has succeeded in developing a new breed of Sentinel. His new creations advance the technology developed by the original designer, Bolivar Trask.

In the comics, Bastion’s origins are even more complicated. The character was actually the result of a mashup between Master Mold and an alternate version of Nimrod. The amalgamation resulted from Bastion’s own passing through the Siege Perilous. Operation Zero Tolerance was Bastion’s plan to wipe out mutantkind. And it began with a propaganda campaign to further stoke already-tense human/mutant relations. The storyline was a multi-part crossover event. “Operation Zero Tolerance” began in 1997’s Uncanny X-Men #333, by Scott Lobdell and Pasqual Ferry.

6 Magneto (Nearly) Takes Over the World

Magneto Was Right. Right?

In X-Men ’97’s three-part series finale, “Tolerance is Extinction,” Bastion’s worldwide foot soldiers for his war are his Prime Sentinels. These new Sentinels were once ordinary humans but are now infected with Mr. Sinister’s techno-organic virus. Magneto depowers and stops the Sentinels by creating a global power blackout. But his actions also kill countless people across the world. Charles forcefully controls his mind to prevent Magneto from inflicting further damage. The blackout ends, but the Prime Sentinels come back to life. The X-Men then discover a way to block Bastion’s control of the reanimated machines. With his creations again disabled, the X-Men defeat Bastion.

In the X-Men comics, Magneto nearly upended the world in Marvel’s “Planet X” event, beginning in 2003’s New X-Men #146, by Grant Morrison and Phil Jimenez. Magneto had taken over the island of Manhattan and claimed it as a mutant haven he called New Genosha. He also threatened to create global upheaval by reversing Earth’s magnetic poles. The X-Men not only stopped Magneto, but Wolverine went so far as to kill him via an adamantium-clawed beheading.

5 Magneto Rips the Adamantium from Wolverine’s Body

The Master of Magnetism Nearly Kills Logan

While Wolverine might have gotten the best of Magneto in one comic arc, the opposite is true in X-Men ’97. During “Tolerance is Extinction,” the X-Men try to subdue Magneto and prevent him from worsening his global catastrophe. Wolverine does his part by severely wounding Magneto. But Magneto responds with something even worse: tearing the adamantium out of Wolverine’s body. The trauma to Wolverine leaves him critically injured — even with his much-hailed healing factor.

Magneto’s brutal act against Logan was sampled from 1993’s X-Men (2nd Series) #25 by Fabian Nicieza and Andy Kubert. The story was part of Marvel’s “Fatal Attractions” crossover event. In that arc, the U.N. Security Council enacts global protocols to curtail the threat Magneto poses. Magneto retaliates against the X-Men, leading to the pivotal confrontation between him and Wolverine. Magneto pays the price for his extremely brutal act, though, as Charles Xavier, in turn, erases his mind, leaving Magneto in a coma.

4 Gambit Charges Wolverine’s Claws

Where Did Logan and the Cajun Do This Before?

During the X-Men’s battle with Master Mold in “To Me, My X-Men,” Gambit gives Wolverine’s deadly claws an even deadlier boost. The Cajun charges them with kinetic energy, enabling Wolverine to destroy the giant Sentinel-making machine with a literal bang. It was a clever trick that wouldn’t initially make sense. After all, like any explosive device, anything Gambit charges usually just blows up. But the pair have an endless, reusable set of lethal weapons thanks to Wolverine’s indestructible claws. Should they ever elect to try that stunt again, that is.

As clever as that trick was, it wasn’t the first time these two characters engaged in such a stunt. A precedent was set in the comics, albeit in another continuity and under wildly different circumstances. Gambit momentarily powered up Wolverine’s claws in 2004’s Ultimate X-Men #50, by Bryan K. Vaughan and Andy Kubert. But this wasn’t during a team-up between allies. This was Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, after all. Gambit was actually fighting the X-Men in an attempt to kidnap Rogue for the Fenris twins. Before his claws were fully charged, Logan retracted them, forestalling any kind of explosive result.

3 The X-Men Play Some Mean Basketball

Who Knew Marvel’s Mutants Were So Good at Hoops?

After saving humanity from countless terrestrial and galactic threats, even the X-Men deserve a little time to relax. In “To Me, My X-Men,” their down time is on the basketball court. Twice, actually — although the fun is cut short both times. First, Cyclops creates tension on the court by sending the team on a mission. And getting into one of his many verbal confrontations with Wolverine. During their next scrimmage, the game is interrupted when Magneto calls the team inside to announce he’s taking over as team leader. Not exactly a buzzer-beater.

It’s far from the first time the team has engaged in a game of hoops. Gambit and Jubilee had some intense two-on-two action against Wolverine and Rogue in 1991’s X-Men (2nd Series) #4, by John Byrne and Jim Lee. Charles Xavier demonstrated surprising prowess at the game in 1984’s Uncanny X-Men #180, by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr. When not on the court, the X-Men have also been known to play a baseball game or two among themselves.

2 The Rise of Apocalypse

Season 2 Promises En Sabah Nur’s Origin

X-Men ’97 Season 2 promises even more exploration of past storylines. During the X-Men’s climatic battle with Bastion in “Tolerance is Extinction,” the team is seemingly killed when Magneto’s Asteroid M is destroyed. But in the season finale’s epilogue, unfolding six months later, Bishop reveals to Forge that the X-Men aren’t dead. Instead, they’re scattered through time — although how Bishop knows this is unclear. Sure enough, Magneto, Charles, Rogue and Beast find themselves millennia in the past. The X-Men immediately encounter a young En Sabah Nur, aka the future Apocalypse, in a season-ending cliffhanger.

Apocalypse’s origins were also explored in the 1996 Rise of Apocalypse comic series by Terry Kavanagh and Adam Pollina. The story began during En Sabah Nur’s early days while Egypt was ruled by the Pharoah Rama-Tut, aka Kang the Conqueror. After Rama-Tut’s armies killed Nur’s tribe, Nur infiltrated Rama-Tut’s camp to seek revenge. But after falling in love and being rejected by the sister of one of Rama-Tut’s generals, Nur’s mutant powers began to manifest, and Rama-Tut fled. There’s no guarantee the animated version will play out the same way, though. Like many other stories referenced by X-Men ’97, the events of the comic series will likely serve only as a guide for a looser animated adaptation.

1 The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix/Askani’son

Season 2 Also Teases More About Cable’s Origins

Meanwhile, following the same battle against Bastion, Cyclops and Jean Grey are cast the other way through time. In the distant future, Scott and Jean meet an elderly woman calling herself Mother Askani. The group she stands in front of is likely the rest of Clan Askani. With nothing else known, Season 1’s second cliffhanger ending could take this development in any direction.

One likely clue as to the story’s content can be found in 1994’s The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix mini-series by Scott Lobdell and Gene Ha. The character of Mother Askani was introduced in that 4-issue series. Mother Askani was revealed to be the future Rachel Summers — pseudo-sister figure to Nathan Summers, aka Cable. Elements of the mini-series addressed some of Cable’s backstory. Interestingly, the series took place in a desolate future ruled by Apocalypse. Therefore, the two storylines teased in X-Men ’97‘s respective epilogs could entwine. Jean and Scott’s story continued in two follow-up mini-series, Askani’son and The Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix.