10 X-Men Characters X-Men '97 Finally Did Justice To

Fortunately, X-Men '97 has given its roster the sort of attention and interpretations they deserve, helping them fulfill their full potential. Many of these characters have appeared in the various X-Men films released over the past few decades, yet they haven't made much of an impact, especially compared to how important they are in the comics.

In contrast, X-Men '97 has ensured its heroes and villains are presented in a way that makes audiences care and captures the best traits of these iconic figures. So, without further ado, here are ten characters that X-Men '97 has finally done justice, and the series wouldn't be the same without them.

Forge

Despite not being one of the most well-known X-Men, Forge is still a critical member of the group, something X-Men '97 does a great job of showing. In season 2 alone, he was responsible for helping his fellow mutants escape being trapped in another timeline, and his dynamic with Storm in season 1 really brought out his personality.

Having been overlooked in the Fox movies, it only feels right that he's involved in X-Men '97's big battles and gets plenty of opportunities to shine. Even though he clearly isn't the focal point of the show, the animated hit understands the importance of having him around, and hopefully he'll get some more key arcs as the seasons progress.

Storm

Storm's case is very different to Forge's, as she has actually had plenty of mainstream representation in recent years, particularly in live-action movies. However, despite being a key player, it still feels like we haven't seen the real Storm since X-Men: The Animated Series, making it so refreshing to see the hero at her best in X-Men '97.

Here, Marvel seems to remember she is one of the strongest characters the studio has to offer, and she is frequently in the limelight. Additionally, Storm was given a very personal arc in season 1, overcoming her fears to emerge as a reliable hero who is more powerful than ever before.

It is always a treat to watch her interact with her fellow X-Men, and although she hasn't been as prominent in season 2, Storm remains a highlight of the series and will undoubtedly play a major role going forward, helping the ongoing project stand out as one of the greatest X-Men shows of all time.

Psylocke

Between her telepathy, telekinesis, and her highly-trained combat skills, Psylocke is easily one of the most well-rounded fighters in the X-Men, yet only recently has she stopped feeling obscure. Surprisingly, she has been in some major projects, but X-Men '97 does a much better job of ensuring she isn't relegated to a forgettable side character.

In "A Force to Be Reckoned With," we got to see how valuable she is at apprehending dangerous foes, and her involvement in X-Force will only make her more crucial to the plot as things continue. Without Psylocke, it's clear the war against Apocalypse would be much more difficult, a point her brief appearances have emphasized in the animated show.

Even more excitingly, it feels like the best of her is still to come, and by the time her role in X-Men '97 is done, it may be her best appearance in any Marvel project, excluding the comics.

Bishop

Bishop has become a real MVP in Marvel's hit series, which will make anyone who wasn't familiar with him before a real fan favorite. His ability to absorb and redirect energy is one of the coolest powers in the entire X-Men, but it's far from his only useful trait, as X-Men '97 has shown he's a great leader with a smart mind.

Alongside Forge, he developed technology that allowed him to travel through different points in time, even tracking which parts of the timeline his allies were stuck in. Bishop is also extremely pragmatic, making sensible decisions even to the dismay of others, while proving more than handy in numerous fights.

Without him, the fate of the X-Men could've been hard work, and hopefully his exceptional involvement in X-Men '97 has earned him an Avengers: Doomsday role — one that should far exceed his other live-action appearances.

Gambit

As one of the more prominent members of the X-Men, it is rather surprising that Gambit hasn't had more of an impact since the 90s animated series, but X-Men '97 made sure to do him justice. His charisma and kind heart were on full display in season 1, with his relationship with Rogue being a major highlight of the story.

More significantly though, "Remember It" reminded Marvel fans that at his core, Gambit is a true hero, as he sacrificed himself in a blaze of glory to stop the Sentinels. This episode remains X-Men '97's peak so far, and it was easily one of the best bits of TV all year in 2024.

Even after his death, Gambit continues to make an impact, as his absence can be felt, which continues to influence Rogue. The fact he may return as a Horseman of Apocalypse in X-Men '97 season 2 is also heartbreaking yet extremely intriguing, as it will add new layers to an already excellent character.

Jubilee

Jubilee's growth throughout X-men '97 has been a joy to watch, having gone from the sidelines to feeling like a main character. As early as season 1, it was clear she was going to be a major focus at some point, having an episode dedicated predominantly to her.

She has acted as a moral compass for the group on various occasions, which has continued into season 2 now that she's a part of X-Force. Regardless of the bleak circumstances she faces, Jubilee remains herself and constantly does the right thing, with her most recent outing involving her saving a bunch of mutants against the odds.

Her relationship with Sunspot gives the audience even more reasons to care about her, but having exploded into the spotlight, it feels like X-Men '97's take on Jubilee will be hard to top in future Marvel projects, since it has expertly captured the essence of what makes her so likable.

Nightcrawler

Ever the voice of reason, Nightcrawler has been a stand-out character so far in X-Men '97, showing why Marvel need to use him more. Physically, he isn't one of the group's strongest characters, yet his ability to teleport mixed with his expert sword skills confirms that Nightcrawler is still a force to be reckoned with.

His true value comes from his heart though, as he often provides comfort to characters in need. Knowing the right thing to say and when to say it makes it impossible not to love Nightcrawler, at least to some degree, while his kinder traits make it all the more compelling when X-Men '97 allows him to let loose.

Whereas he's largely forgettable in the live-action movies, Kurt is a key part of the animated series and adds a lot of charm to the show, making it a much stronger representation of the unique mutant.

Apocalypse

It shouldn't be hard to get Apocalypse right, as he is a terrifying threat with an interesting background capable of going toe-to-toe with the X-Men. Unfortunately, he has often been fumbled in mainstream projects, but X-Men '97 has offered Marvel's Apocalypse redemption by making him the seemingly unbeatable antagonist he is meant to be.

Season 2 has really pulled back the curtain on his history, showing how he came to be and that he was always destined to be a conqueror. The deeper connections to Charles and Magneto make it easy to root against him while still understanding his pain, yet his unprecedented power is the most eye-catching aspect of all.

Over halfway through X-Men '97 season 2, it still looks impossible to defeat him, which is exactly how Apocalypse should be presented. Already, it's easily the scariest on-screen version of this villain we've ever seen, all but guaranteeing that his arc will be truly iconic.

Cable

It's easy to forget just how critical Cable is to X-Men's lore, and while he has had some fun showings from time to time in other projects, X-Men '97 is the perfect example of how to do his story right. He is still presented as a hardened hero from the future — one who isn't afraid to make ruthless calls for the greater good.

However, there is so much more to him in the Disney+ series, which has explored the significance of being Scott and Jean's son. Behind his tough exterior, it's clear he has a lot of love and respect for his parents, having understood why he was given up. Likewise, Cable acquired his family's leadership skills, hence spearheading his own team in X-Men '97.

Rather than simply being presented as an entertaining character from the future, Cable feels like the chosen one during X-Men '97's current storyline, cementing him as an essential figure in taking down Apocalypse.

Cyclops

While it feels unfair to rank X-Men's most central characters, especially since it can change depending on the story, Cyclops is often the group's leader and easily among the top five most important, making his lack of mainstream representation all the more disappointing. Thankfully, he's absolutely perfect in X-Men '97.

There's a soft and compassionate side to him, yet also a wrathful one. His powers are presented as a big deal, and it really feels like he'd throw his life on the line for every one of his fellow mutants, yet Cyclops isn't afraid to challenge Professor X either, despite having a healthy amount of respect for him.

While he's had some turbulence with Jean, the duo's touching relationship is a driving force of the show, and the entire premise would fall apart without them. Alongside Charles, Cyclops will lead the fight against Apocalypse in X-Men 97, solidifying this version as the best interpretation of the character in decades.

Now that he'll also be a part of Avengers: Doomsday, it feels like Cyclops is once again getting the spotlight a hero of his magnitude deserves, but this wouldn't have been possible without X-Men '97.