X-MEN '97 Addresses A Decades-Long [SPOILER]: THE ANIMATED SERIES Cliffhanger And Features More Marvel Cameos

X-MEN '97 Addresses A Decades-Long [SPOILER]: THE ANIMATED SERIES Cliffhanger And Features More Marvel Cameos

The season finale of X-Men '97 featured more major Marvel cameos, but by far the biggest came when the revival addressed a decades-long Spider-Man: The Animated Series cliffhanger. Read on for details...

By JoshWilding - May 15, 2024 10:05 AM EST
Filed Under: X-Men '97
Source: Toonado.com

This article was originally published on Toonado.com - head there now for all the latest on X-Men '97!

When it comes to cameos, X-Men '97 has gone all out and delivered heaps of fan-pleasing surprise appearances. However, everything we've seen up until now arguably pales in comparison to the first few minutes of "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3." 

After Professor X forces Magneto to undo the damage he's inflicted on the Earth (you can read our full recap here), Silver Samurai is once again shown watching over his home before we head to the White House and see Captain America alongside the Invincible Iron Man. 

In Hell's Kitchen, Daredevil is stopping looters and, later, gets a helping hand from Cloak and Dagger when the Prime Sentinels are back on the loose. 

Doctor Strange is shown using his magic to perform surgery in a New York hospital and, in Wakanda, King T'Chaka/Black Panther and his Dora Milaje also step up to fend off Bastion's army (with the King later making a case for why the "Magento Protocols" shouldn't be used).

In terms of mutant cameos, we see Omega Red and his fellow Russian heroes - Crimson Dynamo is among them - and Psylocke alongside the members of Alpha Flight. Morph, meanwhile, transforms into the Fantastic Four's Mister Fantastic during the final battle.

By far the biggest surprise is saved for last when we see Spider-Man: The Animated Series' Peter Parker...alongside Mary Jane Watson!

That series ended on a major cliffhanger in 1998 after the "Secret Wars" and "Spider Wars" storyline concluded with Madame Web taking Peter Parker to find Mary Jane after she was left stranded in another reality, lost to the man who loves her. 

We never got to see that reunion - or whether Spidey ever actually found her - but X-Men '97 showrunner Beau DeMayo has confirmed that this scene was meant to confirm Madame Web made good on her promise. There's currently nothing to suggest Marvel Studios plans to revive Spider-Man: The Animated Series, but the show's ending being addressed in this way is sure to please fans. 

Most of the cameos listed above aren't speaking parts, so it will be interesting to see whether that changes in season 2. See DeMayo's confirmation and screenshots of the biggest surprises below.

Screenshot-2024-05-15-at-09-34-47-copy
Screenshot-2024-05-15-at-09-37-50-copy
Screenshot-2024-05-15-at-09-37-22-copy
Screenshot-2024-05-15-at-09-40-52-copy
Screenshot-2024-05-15-at-09-41-10-copy
Screenshot-2024-05-15-at-09-40-09-copy

X-Men '97 revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.

All episodes of X-Men '97 are now streaming on Disney+. 

BLUE EYE SAMURAI And X-MEN '97 Lead The Pack In This Year's Emmy Race For Best Animated Series
Related:

BLUE EYE SAMURAI And X-MEN '97 Lead The Pack In This Year's Emmy Race For Best Animated Series

SPIDER-MAN 4: Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige Reveals Whether Jon Watts Will Return As Director
Recommended For You:

SPIDER-MAN 4: Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige Reveals Whether Jon Watts Will Return As Director

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 5/15/2024, 10:46 AM
This show is so good i feel inclined to give more money to Ukraine.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/15/2024, 10:59 AM
@Malatrova15 - blasphemy, you are for Israel now
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 5/15/2024, 11:16 AM
@Malatrova15 -
User Comment Image
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 5/15/2024, 11:32 AM
@vectorsigma - i mean..Israel is kinda cool you know.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/15/2024, 10:47 AM
Once again, hats off to DeMayo tho, for real.
This last episode, especially the finale with the cliffhanger and all, was one of THE MOST X-Men-ish thing ever, from one nerd to another, i tip my hat to him, man truly knows his shit and i dunno if everyone will realize that, but the way he's mixing different stories from different eras tied with comics' continuity? Phew, lad...

It was easy for figured out some things, like if you kill Gambo and then strip Logan's adamantium? Heh, you are opening the door for Apocalyse. :D

But then he legit surprised me by pulling Rise of Apocalypse but not just that, Mother Askani as well, that itself was more than enough but no, he confirmed everything to me by showing kid Cable as well...heh, yeah, Adventures and futher adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix it is i guess! :P

Mister Sinister? We're coming for you bitch!
Cable? Get ready, lil bro!
Apocalypse? We'll attack you from across all time and space, mugga!
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/15/2024, 10:49 AM
This episode also makes super clear how the Avengers candle hold a candle to the X-Men, surely everyone realized that, right? :)

Glad my Peter found his MJ...finally! Fixing A Lifelong Mistake!
Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 10:52 AM
@Doomsday8888 - undetermined. Avengers in their full might (Carol, thor, hulk, etc) would give the xmen a hard time. It's honestly due to time travel heroes like cable and ace in the pocket appearances by phoenix that the xmen get out of trouble lol
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/15/2024, 10:59 AM
@Vigor
Nah man, X-Men are really OP to the point it's not even funny and sometimes it backfires cause certain stories don't even make sense.
Tbh 1 single X-Man could solo the entire Marvel Universe but when you have the whole damn squad with so many heavy hitter aka Omega Mutants...sheesh...

Case in point, i can't wait for them to start playing with characters like X-Man and Legion!
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/15/2024, 10:48 AM
So why are the Avengers or other hero teams capable not helping?

Other than this, great S1 finale.
Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 10:53 AM
@vectorsigma - throughout the series it was red tape and political as the reasons. But with that asteroid coming to earth, Tony or vision should have been up there figuring shit out the same way they did in Age of Ultron with the city falling 😄
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/15/2024, 10:56 AM
@Vigor - exactly! I mean they just watched there. And should the president be in the white house? Unless there is a bunker there
GhostDog
GhostDog - 5/15/2024, 10:57 AM
@vectorsigma - In the comics: Editorial siloing.

In the general sense, most "mutant problems" happen off their general radar, and fall into the same situations where Spider-Man gets into a fight and nobody else is around to help out. It seems like in the show the Avengers are an arm of the US govt. They seem very associated with the military industrial complex given Tony and Cap being the situation room with the president.

Also, I think the Avengers are arrogant and selfish when it comes to mutants. It’s been addressed a few times, often by Emma Frost:
User Comment Image

In X books, their portrayal is not very generous by any means.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/15/2024, 11:02 AM
@vectorsigma
It's an age-old argument and has even become an inside joke where...well, basically the mutants live in their own Marvel bubble, inside the MU but apart from it, literally and metaphorically as well.

Heh, it is what it is. :P
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/15/2024, 11:04 AM
@GhostDog - but this is supposed to be a world ending event, broadcasted at that, and any differences every superpowered being has to be put aside, at least to those capable of flying, breathing in space and stopping a big and fast object.

Oh well, comics will be comics. Just puts away some points on a rather superb finale
GhostDog
GhostDog - 5/15/2024, 11:09 AM
@vectorsigma @Vigor

given how closely they seem to be associated with the president, maybe they couldn't intervene in a "mutant issue" with ease or without permission. Seemed like when it comes to anything related to mutants President Kelly is very hypervigilant and/or strict with certain protocols. Kelly didn't adhere to Cap's suggestion too.

I agree that it being world ending event, that trumps "protocol." The crux of the problem is that X-Men really could exist in its own universe. The mutants have so much going on that have a global impact that doesn't seem to even register as news to the non xmen lines. But at the same time I think having them in the same universe creates a really interesting dynamic where people love the super powered people of the avengers but hate the x-men.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/15/2024, 11:10 AM
@Doomsday8888 - no argument there.

It might just take away the coolness of the avengers from the perspective of someone who grew up with the mcu. Unless this is the plan all along, to start making the mutants the main course
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 5/15/2024, 11:14 AM
@vectorsigma
#TeamXMen4Life!
Whether they make us pick a side or not, the comicbook industry itself has shaped me that way, it never sit well with me how the MU treated every other character vs the mutants.

Everyone sides with the underdog after all and when it comes to the mutants? Heh...
User Comment Image
Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 11:16 AM
@GhostDog - to your point, that look cap gave there after the president proceeded with magneto protocol, was telling...

It'd be the second time this season that cap was forced not to do something he felt was the right thing to do. Could demayo be hinting that cap or the avengers may break away from this universe's version of the "Sokovia Accords"?
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 5/15/2024, 11:17 AM
@vectorsigma - Because...
User Comment Image
GhostDog
GhostDog - 5/15/2024, 11:18 AM
@Vigor - everything in this show feels DEBLIRATE so I don't think you are wrong. I think we will see a lot more of the Avengers and other non mutant characters in season 2 given how depleted the x-men will be with most of the team scattered and lost.
Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 11:18 AM
@vectorsigma - "take away the coolness of the avengers from the perspective of someone who grew up with the mcu."

This is a great precursor to the mcu 5 years from now. The xmen and mutant hate is the forefront of the storytelling. The avengers are still there but come together for major world ending events. Just as how midnight sons deal with supernatural and street level deals with Kingpin type foes.

Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 11:19 AM
@Doomsday8888 - @supercat make a gif of Xavier meeting cap on this bridge ! Pull the time displaced cap from Endgame
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/15/2024, 11:29 AM
@Doomsday8888 @GhostDog - i guess the writing team shouldnt have decided to make it broadcasted, just make it a very quick event, the sensors all over the world detecting it, but too late to respond to.

As doomsday said, it is what it is!

Kadara
Kadara - 5/15/2024, 11:22 PM
@Vigor - They sided with the humans. They were right there when the nukes were launched at Astroid M, they picked their side.
Vigor
Vigor - 5/15/2024, 10:51 AM
If a world class sorcerer like Stephen Strange needs to wear a mask during magic surgery, then I don't want to hear a peep out of anyone during the next pandemic
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/15/2024, 10:53 AM
@Vigor - differentiate reality with fiction, lol

A real pandemic wont need masks, we're already dead before people debate its use
mountainman
mountainman - 5/15/2024, 9:29 PM
@Vigor - Surgeons wear masks to prevent droplets from their mouth falling into wounds.

According to science, masks do nothing to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

It’s silly that people still make the correlation that you just did.
Vigor
Vigor - 5/16/2024, 6:55 AM
@mountainman - my comment was an obvious joke. But since you took it there....

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449


I don't know what "science" you're reading
mountainman
mountainman - 5/16/2024, 7:33 AM
@Vigor - Funny enough I’ve read multiple articles from Mayo Clinic on all things COVID before.

I’ve learned that back and forth conversations about topics like these are never fruitful on this site, so I’m not sure how much I’d like to further engage on the topic.

It is interesting though how the “experts” always provide high level non-specific info, the actual studies done were always in lab environments not the real world, how mask mandates didn’t help reducecases or hospitalizations, how the type of mask is important and a vast majority of people did not wear N95s (the ones that actually work), and how when mask mandates were lifted case counts didn’t skyrocket.

Science is also real world observation. Just because an organization says something it doesn’t make it the truth.

There is a boatload of stuff out there demonstrating how masks did absolutely nothing to help with COVID, but this article is a quick read with very clear data and sources:

https://brownstone.org/articles/more-evidence-from-the-uk-that-masks-dont-work/
Vigor
Vigor - 5/16/2024, 8:49 AM
@mountainman - yeah I'm not going to get into it with you. Because you guys want to so desperately believe it that it's like talking to a brick wall. And it's entirely political whether folks want to admit it or not

I've turned a page and I won't argue over partisan topics such as this anymore because it's a true waste of time. It's best just to leave the discussion with - "see you at the polls"
mountainman
mountainman - 5/16/2024, 9:30 AM
@Vigor - You say it’s political, but for me it’s just reality. I never hurt anyone by not wearing a mask. You can vote for whatever terrible candidate that you want to, but it doesn’t change those facts. You can ignore mountains of evidence and just listen to people who are demonstrably wrong all you want. You can vote for terrible candidates and parties all you want. Either way, you have no power over me and my life. Which is how life should be. I don’t tell you how to live yours, you don’t tell me how to live mine.
Vigor
Vigor - 5/16/2024, 10:07 AM
@mountainman - that's a ridiculous statement because we don't live in a chaos government. We have laws and norms and that's what governs and makes up society. Why people chose masks as the hill to die on, literally and figuratively, is beyond me
mountainman
mountainman - 5/16/2024, 11:20 AM
@Vigor - Your understanding isn’t needed. As mentioned before, my actions hurt nobody. So you being upset with that is beyond me. Just mind your business and don’t be a mask Karen.
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 5/15/2024, 10:51 AM
hey Joshie why not just make a single artcile for the episode and call it a recap of the sh1t that went down. STOP THIS 7 arctiles per episode BS you dirty little milker.
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 5/15/2024, 11:19 AM
@harryba11zack - well, if we're counting the articles from toonado AND the articles here that are VIA Toonado, it's more like 14 articles per episode lol
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 5/15/2024, 10:51 AM
With the great handling of cameos here, im afraid there might be some comparisons to be done soon with D&W.

And i dont think that will top this but let's see
DocSpock
DocSpock - 5/15/2024, 10:53 AM

Does it solve the 50 year old question why anyone likes all the sh!tty Japanese Anime & Manga that floated over here over the last 50 years?

FlixMentallo21
FlixMentallo21 - 5/15/2024, 1:01 PM
@DocSpock - *Ugh* Because for the most part, all that Japanese anime and manga is, a few common factors aside, absolutely NOTHING like what the west produces! And because their particular standards of censorship and the like are so different, they’re unafraid to tackle things we in the US would balk at. Sure, in the days where they brought over the likes of the shows that would be ‘Americanized’ as Speed Racer, Astro Boy, Battle of the Planets, and Voltron it was purely in the interest of selling to the kids…but then you have the folks who brought over the shows that would become Star Blazers and Robotech, which actually kept the more serious and serialized storytelling even as they Americanized characters names and such, and then in the late 80s, outfits like Streamline Pictures, AnimEigo, and Central Park Media—along with comic publishers like Dark Horse, Comico, and Viz—proved that there was a viable market for Japanese media in the west that wasn’t (mostly) ‘cleaned up’ for those audiences.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 5/15/2024, 1:51 PM
@FlixMentallo21 -

Well, that is a very detailed explanation. Thank you.

I thought it was Japan's revenge for losing World War II.

FlixMentallo21
FlixMentallo21 - 5/15/2024, 2:27 PM
And look at it this way—Japan’s kaiju movie industry can be traced back to when the original King Kong’s 1952 rerelease worldwide became a big hit, and anime godfathers Hayao Miyazaki and Osamu Tezuka were inspired by the likes of Walt Disney to get into film, especially animation.
1 2

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder