New revelations from merchandise for Marvel’s upcoming X-Men ’97 animated series may have revealed significant plot twists from the comics. Despite the lengthy development of X-Men ’97, the characters are already making their mark in various marketing platforms.
The X-Men ’97 series, which has been in development for a long time, has already released a well-received line of Marvel Legends figures. The first wave included updated versions of popular characters like Wolverine, Magneto, and Storm, marking their debut in Hasbro’s 6" line of action figures. Despite the series not set for release until 2024, a new wave of Marvel Legends has been announced, potentially revealing significant plot points for the upcoming show.
Warning, potential spoilers for X-Men ’97 to follow.
X-Men ’97’s Goblin Queen figure teases Madelyne Pryor and Cyclops’ marriage
Madelyne Pryor's addition to X-Men ’97 is quite unexpected. Originally conceived as a regular woman by writer Chris Claremont, she was intended to be Cyclops' true love, whom he would settle down with after Jean Grey's passing. However, their relationship was not destined to last.
Hasbro's new Madelyne Pryor figure suggests a possible X-Men ’97 storyline exploring Cable's origin.
The character of Madelyne has been retroactively established as a clone created by Mister Sinister, who is set to be a major threat in X-Men ’97. With the revelation that she was created to torment Cyclops, Madelyne has evolved into a nightmarish presence in the Marvel Universe. She has been influenced by demonic forces, leading her to become the Goblin Queen, as evidenced by her updated costume. Currently, she reigns as the ruler of Limbo.
Perhaps even more surprising is that the figure includes a baby accessory. In the comics, Madelyne and Scott have a son who they sent to the future to protect him from a techno-organic virus. This baby grows up to become Cable, a character who appeared in the original X-Men series. If X-Men ’97 delves into Cable's origin, could it mean that Scott and Madelyne's marriage is also considered canon in the cartoon?
The X-Cutioner makes his way to the animated X-Men
X-Cutioner is a surprisingly deep cut. Seeing a figure of him in this wave is a surprise, considering the comic take on X-Cutioner hasn’t gotten his own figure yet.
Hasbro introduces The X-Cutioner, a character reminiscent of the Punisher but targeting mutants specifically.
The action figure features notable alterations, such as a belt adorned with the emblem of the Friends of Humanity, the anti-mutant extremist group headed by Graydon Creed, Sabretooth’s brother. In the comics, the X-Cutioner operates independently, positioning himself as the judge and executioner for mutants who have evaded legal consequences for their actions.
Is X-Men ’97 going to feature X-Cutioner’s Song?
X-Cutioner has appeared in numerous stories over the years, but has never truly emerged as a prominent figure. Some may argue that his name is more well-known than the character himself, largely due to the '90s story, X-Cutioner's Song.
As perplexing as it may seem, X-Cutioner is not actually featured in the X-Cutioner’s Song storyline; in fact, he makes his debut in the comics several issues after the event concluded. However, considering X-Men: The Animated Series' tendency to blend plot elements, it is possible that he may play a role in an animated adaptation.
Marvel ComicsX-Cutioner’s Song delved into Cable and Stryfe’s backstory but did not actually center around the X-Cutioner
What is the reason for adapting X-Cutioner’s song in the first place? The story heavily focuses on Cable and his clone, Stryfe, as well as the Madelyne Pryor figure, which implies a focus on Cable’s origin. Adding X-Cutioner to the story for recognition isn’t far-fetched, and can help build hype and sell toys based on a rarely-seen character. X-Cutioner’s Song also provides a potential answer to the show’s biggest question: where is Professor Xavier in X-Men ’97? With the revelation that Magneto is leading the X-Men in his absence, the series could potentially start with Xavier fighting for his life after Stryfe's attempted assassination.
That’s all we have for now on X-Men ’97 and its latest wave of Marvel Legends figures, but stay tuned to Dexerto for more X-Men and comic book news.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of the X-Men, I am thrilled about the upcoming X-Men '97 animated series and the exciting plot twists revealed through leaked Marvel Legends figures. The inclusion of Madelyne Pryor and the Goblin Queen figure hints at a potential exploration of Cable's origin, which is a fascinating storyline from the comics. The addition of the X-Cutioner, a deep cut character, is also intriguing and suggests that the series may blend plot elements from different storylines, including the iconic X-Cutioner's Song.
The potential adaptation of X-Cutioner's Song is particularly exciting as it delves into Cable and Stryfe's backstory and could provide answers to the whereabouts of Professor Xavier in X-Men '97. The series has already generated a lot of anticipation among fans, and these leaked plot twists only add to the excitement. I can't wait to see how the X-Men '97 series unfolds and how it reimagines these classic characters and storylines for a new generation of fans.