X-Men '97 Season 2 Promo Art Reveals New Teams and Apocalypse Redesign

Key facts

• Promotional art for X-Men '97 Season 2 has been released.
• New teams include X-Force (Cable, Archangel, Psylocke, Sunspot, Jubilee), X-Corp (Beast, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Polaris), and X-Factor (Havok, Polaris, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane, Multiple Man, Val Cooper).
• An Ancient Egypt Team features Beast, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Bishop, and Magneto.
• New characters joining the lineup are Archangel, Strong Guy, Havok, Wolfsbane, and Multiple Man.
• Apocalypse's updated design has been revealed in the promo art.
• The season finale of X-Men '97 ended with characters scattered across time and space.
• Season 2 is expected to continue from the cliffhanger ending.

New Teams Emerge from the Ashes of Season 1

Marvel has unveiled official promotional art for the second season of X-Men '97, offering the first concrete look at the show's direction after the chaotic season finale. The artwork groups the surviving mutants into distinct teams, each with a name drawn from classic comic book lore. Cable leads a squad dubbed X-Force, comprising Archangel, Psylocke, Sunspot, and Jubilee. Another team, called X-Corp, features Beast, Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Polaris. A third grouping, labeled X-Factor, introduces four new characters to the animated series: Havok, Polaris, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane, and Multiple Man, alongside returning figure Val Cooper. Additionally, an Ancient Egypt Team brings together Beast, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Bishop, and Magneto, suggesting a time-travel or historical storyline. The art also confirms the return of Apocalypse, the iconic villain last seen in the original X-Men: The Animated Series, now with an updated design.

Archangel and Apocalypse Lead the New Character Reveals

Among the most notable additions is Archangel, a fan-favorite character who transforms from the angelic Warren Worthington III into a deadly, metal-winged warrior. His inclusion in X-Force marks his first appearance in the X-Men '97 continuity. Apocalypse's redesign is another major reveal. The ancient mutant, known for his philosophy of survival of the fittest, was last seen in the 1990s series. The new promo art gives him a more menacing, modernized look while retaining his signature blue armor and imposing stature. The art also highlights returning characters like Wolverine, Morph, Storm, Forge, and Professor X, who appear in various groupings. The promotional materials suggest a complex narrative weaving multiple timelines and factions.

Season 1 Cliffhanger Sets the Stage for a Fractured Timeline

The first season of X-Men '97 ended on a massive cliffhanger, with the team scattered across time and space after a confrontation with the villainous Bastion. The finale saw characters like Bishop and Cable manipulating temporal forces, leaving the X-Men divided and uncertain of their fates. The new team compositions in Season 2 directly address this fragmentation. X-Force appears to operate as a paramilitary strike team, while X-Corp suggests a corporate or scientific angle. X-Factor, traditionally a government-sponsored mutant team, may explore political themes. The Ancient Egypt Team hints at a historical adventure, possibly involving Apocalypse's origins or the discovery of mutant artifacts. The variety of teams indicates that Season 2 will juggle multiple storylines, each focusing on different character dynamics.

Newcomers Expand the Animated Universe

Season 2 introduces several characters who were absent from the original 1990s series. Strong Guy, a mutant with superhuman strength that grows with kinetic energy absorption, joins X-Factor. Havok, Cyclops's brother who controls plasma energy, also debuts. Wolfsbane, a shapeshifter who can transform into a wolf, and Multiple Man, who can create duplicates of himself, round out the new additions. These characters were popular in the comic books but rarely appeared in animation. Their inclusion signals Marvel's intent to deepen the X-Men lore and attract longtime fans. The promotional art also confirms that Polaris, Magneto's daughter who appeared briefly in Season 1, will have a larger role, appearing in both X-Corp and X-Factor. Val Cooper, a human government liaison, returns as part of X-Factor, suggesting a continued focus on mutant-human relations.

What Comes Next: Release Date and Story Speculation

Marvel has not yet announced a release date for X-Men '97 Season 2, but the release of promotional art suggests production is well underway. The show is expected to continue on Disney+, following the successful first season that revived the beloved 1990s series. The multiple teams and time-displaced characters raise questions about how the narrative will converge. Apocalypse's presence hints at a major threat that could unite the scattered X-Men. The inclusion of X-Factor and X-Corp also opens the door for political and corporate conflicts, expanding the show's thematic range. Fans are eagerly awaiting more details, including a trailer and official synopsis. The promotional art has already generated significant buzz on social media, with many praising the return of classic characters and the promise of new stories.

A Bold Expansion of the X-Men Mythos

The second season of X-Men '97 appears poised to build on the foundation of its predecessor while introducing fresh elements. By splitting the cast into multiple teams, the show can explore different genres—from time-travel adventures to corporate intrigue—without losing its core identity. The return of Apocalypse as a central figure suggests a high-stakes conflict that could redefine the mutant world. The inclusion of lesser-known characters like Strong Guy and Multiple Man also demonstrates a commitment to comic book authenticity. As the series moves forward, it faces the challenge of balancing its large ensemble while delivering satisfying arcs for each character. If the promotional art is any indication, Season 2 will be a visually stunning and narratively ambitious continuation of the X-Men saga.

The bottom line

• X-Men '97 Season 2 will feature multiple teams: X-Force, X-Corp, X-Factor, and an Ancient Egypt Team.
• New characters include Archangel, Havok, Strong Guy, Wolfsbane, and Multiple Man.
• Apocalypse returns with a redesigned appearance, last seen in the original 1990s series.
• The season picks up from a cliffhanger that scattered the X-Men across time and space.
• The show expands its scope with time-travel, corporate, and historical storylines.
• No release date has been announced, but promotional art signals active production.