Marvel may have uncovered their next hit with a mid-credits scene in X-Men ’97. So far, Marvel Animation had resisted any effort to craft spinoffs based on the Disney+ streaming success. However, the reaction to the brief scene suggests both casual superhero fans and die-hards would welcome more material along those lines.
The scene in question was hidden within the closing credits of the X-Men ’97 episode “Rise of Apocalypse – Part 2.” This scene stood out in stark contrast from the episode, which centered around a team of X-Men stranded in ancient Egypt. By contrast, the mid-credits scene featured Wolverine in 1997 — the present day of the Marvel animated series.
Wolverine is joined on a rooftop by Captain America and Black Widow. Steve Rogers gives Logan a file labeled “Weapon X” and warns him about handling whatever he’s planned alone. Natasha Romanoff adds that secrets like this do not become hidden by accident. Logan reassures them both he has a crew in mind. Indeed, Logan says he’s “getting the old band back together.”
This seems to be a set-up for the next X-Men ’97 episode, “Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs.” It is also a tribute to Uncanny X-Men #268, a classic Chris Claremont and Jim Lee story that teamed Wolverine, Captain America, and Black Widow on a spy mission. And beyond all of that, it is also a nod to the shared universe of Marvel’s 1990s animated series. This is a potential gold mine for Disney + and Marvel Animation.
Marvel should build on X-Men ’97’s shared animated universe
The Marvel Animated Universe of the 1990s was not as extensive as the DCAU of the same time. There were only a few official crossovers, with some X-Men, Iron Man, and Fantastic Four voice actors recreating their roles in Spider-Man: The Animated Series. However, there were many silent cameos, like the X-Men appearing in the background of a rooftop party in one Fantastic Four episode. Guest star appearances by heroes like Daredevil and Thor who didn’t have their own shows were more common.
Even before the Black Widow and Captain America cameo, X-Men ’97 continued this tradition of teasing a larger Marvel universe. Both Baron Zemo and Doctor Doom were among the world leaders who met with the villain Bastion. The first season finale also featured cameos by Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, and Flash Thompson from Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
There’s already intense fan demand for a revival of Spider-Man: The Animated Series in the same vein as X-Men ’97. However, the series’ use of Captain America and Black Widow suggests there could also be room for an Avengers show. Ultimately, this shared setting is too rich not to be further explored in new animated series.
Originally reported by Matt Morrison for SuperHeroHype.
