Fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the X-Men to the 1990s! Season Two of X-Men ’97 arrives on Disney+ in July, and Marvel Comics is releasing a prequel comic book to go along with it, just like they did last season. X-Men ’97: Season Two #1 features the same creative team – Steve Foxe and Salva Espin – and explores the aftermath of the events from the show. After the X-Men mysteriously disappeared during an event called E-Day, being scattered through time, their friends are left to deal with the consequences. This first issue focuses on that, offering a nostalgic and exciting return to the ’90s.
This first issue delivers everything fans hope for in this series. It brilliantly captures the feel of the X-Men’s popular 1990s era. The creative team of Foxe and Espin have clearly grown since their previous work on X-Men ’92: House of XCII, and this issue is a genuinely enjoyable read. While it won’t revolutionize comics, it’s a fantastic experience.
Rating: 4 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
| Foxe does a fantastic job of capturing the flavor of ’90s X-comics and the show | This book – and the show in general – are exercises in nostalgia and there’s a hollow quality to the story |
| Espin’s art looks more like the show’s art style and it makes the book’s art look like it walked off your TV screen | |
| Takes the story in interesting new directions, using ’90s ideas in different ways |
Foxe Keeps Proving He’s an X-Men Heavyweight
Steve Foxe has been writing X-Men stories for several years, beginning with X-Men ’92: House of XCII. He’s written many mutant-focused books since then, and while he might not be a groundbreaking writer, he clearly understands what makes an X-Men story work. That knowledge is evident in this issue. Foxe really captures the feel of 1990s Marvel comics, especially the X-Men, and it’s fun to see him take the threads left by the television show and build something new with them.
This comic is incredibly well-paced and keeps you engaged from beginning to end. It strikes a great balance between developing characters and delivering exciting action, genuinely capturing the feel of a classic 1990s X-Men comic. Seeing characters like Rusty and Skids was a real treat, and the use of X-Factor was a surprisingly welcome addition. The story also features X-Force and brings back Cable, who plays a significant role. The only real drawback is that the comic replicates the often-aimless storytelling style of 90s comics – introducing plot threads that don’t always go anywhere. While it’s thoroughly enjoyable and well-made, it ultimately feels like it exists solely to build hype for the related show, lacking any deeper meaning or message.
Espin’s Art Keeps Getting Better
I was really impressed when I first saw Espin’s artwork in X-Men ’92: House of XCII – I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s fantastic and worth checking out. His style reminded me of the classic X-Men cartoon, but with a unique flair. It’s a shame he doesn’t get to use this style on the main X-Men comics (Earth-616) more often, because it’s truly special. The writing in this issue is great, but the art really makes it stand out.
Espin could have easily matched the show’s current animation style, but his artwork has a special quality that sets it apart. He didn’t simply copy frames; he perfectly captured the characters’ expressions and movements, making them feel right at home in the cartoon world. His action sequences have the same exciting energy as the show’s fights, and the way he arranges each page creates a dynamic, fast-paced reading experience. Espin’s work is full of life, making the action jump off the page like it’s coming straight from your television.
The first issue of X-Men ’97: Season Two is a standout X-Men comic recently. It benefits from being based on a great series and exploring storylines the show doesn’t cover, but the main reason it works is the fantastic writing partnership of Foxe and Espin. I might be biased because I enjoy their nostalgic ’90s style, but I’d love to see them working on more popular titles. While this issue shares some of the same weaknesses as the current X-Men comics – which feel a bit empty right now – it’s so fun to read that those problems are easily overlooked.
X-Men ’97: Season Two #1 is on sale now.
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2026-06-03 16:42