There was a time not that long ago when X-Men '97 was scheduled for release this year. Plans have since changed, of course, but it explains why so much merchandise for the X-Men: The Animated Series follow-up has started finding its way into stores.
Thanks to Toonado.com, we now have an action-figure set featuring the returning Storm and a slightly overhauled X-Jet. For the most part, the latter doesn't look overly different from what you'll remember, though there are some minor aesthetic changes - such as the larger windows - and a greater level of detail which will help it stand out when combined with 4K animation.
Elsewhere on this new toy packaging, you'll notice which members of the X-Men toys like these are going to be putting the spotlight on.
Despite the fact Sunspot and Magneto are among those set to join the team, Wolverine (who is very much front and centre), Storm, Jubilee, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Rogue, and Gambit are the mutants receiving the lion's share of the spotlight on merchandise. Given the clawed mutant's recognisability, we're not exactly shocked.
Marvel Studios is skipping Comic-Con this weekend so, unfortunately, we're not expecting a new look at X-Men '97 beyond what we see from toys like these for the time being.
As noted, we anticipated the show would premiere on Disney+ this year but work on Marvel Studios' animated offerings appears to have ground to a halt, with the fate of this series, What If...?, Marvel Zombies, and Spider-Man: Freshman Year now a mystery to us.
Work is thought to be progressing on them, so they haven't been cancelled...as far as we're aware. However, with Disney cutting costs and Marvel Studios getting back to quality over quantity, these shows may no longer be a major priority (the ongoing WGA strike halting live-action productions could change things, of course).
Check out Storm, her fellow X-Men, and the X-Jet below.