‘X-Men: The Animated Series’ Changed Marvel History With These 2 Iconic Relationships [Exclusive]

‘X-Men: The Animated Series’ Changed Marvel History With These 2 Iconic Relationships [Exclusive] Jean Grey and Logan looking at each other in X-Men '97 Episode 3Image via Disney+ By  Adam Blevins  &  Maggie Lovitt Published Feb 9, 2026, 7:41 PM EST Sign in to your Collider account Add Us On Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

X-Men ‘97 shattered sky-high expectations two years ago when it debuted to immaculate reviews on its way to becoming the highest-rated Marvel project in history, despite not being set in the MCU. With scores of 99% from critics and 91% from audiences on the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, it’s safe to say that X-Men ‘97 was a hit. This justified Marvel’s decision to greenlight the show for a Season 2 before the Season 1 premiere, and there’s such high demand for more mutants that the studio is already working on Season 3 before the premiere of Season 2.

One aspect of X-Men ‘97 that fans appreciated in particular was the romance. The relationships made the show feel more mature than some other Marvel properties that ran from romance rather than embracing it. While Rogue and Magneto’s relationship stole the spotlight, most fans agree that Rogue’s relationship with Gambit was the show’s beating heart, at least until Gambit’s tragic passing.

Collider’s Maggie Lovitt recently moderated a panel at Big Lick Comic-Con in Roanoke, VA, for Rogue actor Lenore Zann, who brought out Larry Houston, who produces X-Men ‘97. A fan in attendance asked Zann about Rogue’s relationship with Gambit, and Houston also chimed in with an interesting fact that many X-Men fans may not be aware of:

“We invented that relationship to try and create some character drama and interesting subject matter to make the show interesting, and it eventually became so interesting that it migrated back to the comic books as a relationship that the fans enjoyed. But, it was something we created for entertainment for you guys in the cartoon show, the same with the love triangle between Scott, Jean, and Wolverine. That was not in the [comic] books either.”

Houston also recalled a conversation with a former X-Men live-action movie director who told him he had “never read one X-Men comic,” but that he “saw the TV show and that’s how the relationship migrated into the movies and then migrated back to the comic books. It’s all created for entertainment for the fans, and it became canon by accident.” Rogue and Gambit’s relationship is far from the only thing that a movie or show writer had an idea for that was later adapted to a comic book.

What Do We Know About the Next Two Seasons of ‘X-Men ’97′?

Plot details about X-Men ‘97 Season 2 are being kept under wraps, but after the Season 1 ending saw the team left scattered in chaos across time and space, the stakes are sure to be on the rise. The show is expected to premiere sometime this summer, likely in June or July, barring any further delays. The wait between Seasons 2 and 3 is also expected to be smaller than the wait between Seasons 1 and 2. This show can operate more smoothly under the continued leadership of new writer and showrunner Matthew Chauncy after parting ways with Beau DeMayo.

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Stay tuned to Collider for more updates from Big Lick Comic Con and coverage of X-Men ‘97 Seasons 2 and 3, and catch up on the first season on Disney+.

X-Men '97

Like Follow Followed TV-14 Animation Adventure Action Superhero Release Date March 20, 2024 Directors Jake Castorena Writers Beau DeMayo Franchise(s) X-Men

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• George Buza Beast
• Ray Chase Cyclops

Creator(s) Beau DeMayo Powered by Expand Collapse

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• Marvel

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