Marvel may have revealed its next hit with a post-credits scene. X-Men ’97. So far, Marvel Animation has resisted any attempts to create spin-offs based on Disney+ streaming success. However, the reaction to the short scene suggests that both casual superhero fans and hardcore fans will be happy to see more material in this direction.
The scene in question was hidden in the closing credits of the X-Men ’97 episode “Apocalypse Rising – Part 2”. The scene was a stark contrast to the episode, which featured the X-Men team stranded in Ancient Egypt. In contrast, the post-credits scene showed Wolverine in 1997 – in the present day of the Marvel animated series.
(Photo credit: Disney+)
Wolverine is joined on the roof by Captain America and Black Widow. Steve Rogers gives Logan a file labeled “Weapon X” and warns him not to do everything he planned alone. Natasha Romanoff adds that such secrets are not hidden by accident. Logan assures them both that he has a team in mind. Indeed, Logan says he’s “bringing back the old band.”
This appears to be the setup for the next ’97 X-Men episode, “Weapon X, Lies and DVDs.” It’s also an homage to Uncanny X-Men #268, the classic story by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee that saw Wolverine, Captain America and Black Widow team up on a spy mission. Besides all this, it’s also a nod to the shared universe of Marvel’s 1990s animated series. This is a potential goldmine for Disney+ and Marvel Animation.
Marvel should build on the shared animated universe of X-Men ’97
The Marvel Animated Universe of the 1990s was not as expansive as the DCAU of the same era. There have only been a few official crossovers, with some of the voice actors from the X-Men, Iron Man and the Fantastic Four reprising their roles in Spider-Man: The Animated Series. However, there were many silent cameos, such as the X-Men appearing in the background of a rooftop party in one episode of Fantastic Four. Guest star appearances from heroes like Daredevil and Thor, who didn’t have their own shows, were more common.
(Photo credit: Disney+)
Even before Black Widow and Captain America’s cameos, X-Men ’97 continued the tradition of teasing the larger Marvel Universe. Both Baron Zemo and Doctor Doom were among the world leaders who met with the villain Bastion. The season one finale also featured cameos from Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson and Flash Thompson from Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
(Photo credit: Disney+)
Fans are already actively calling for a revival of Spider-Man: The Animated Series in the same vein as X-Men ’97. However, the show’s use of Captain America and Black Widow suggests there may be room for an Avengers show as well. Ultimately, this overall setting is too rich not to be explored in new animated series.