Every Cameo In X-Men '97 Ranked

Summary X-Men '97 features a wide array of cameos that pay homage to the animated series and Marvel's comic book history.

The attention to detail in X-Men '97 has led to high praise and the development of a second season before the first even aired.

Numerous characters from X-Men and beyond make cameo appearances, revealing important developments in X-Men '97.

X-Men '97 features an enormous swathe of cameos throughout season 1, which honor both the animated legacy and Marvel's comic book history. Reviving the classic 1990s X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men '97 recommences the narrative just months after the original concluded in 1997. With numerous characters appearing from X-Men and beyond, several important developments have been revealed by these X-Men '97 cameos.

X-Men '97 has proven itself to be an absolute triumph, boasting higher praise than several movies in the MCU timeline. In fact, X-Men '97 season 2 was in development before the first season even aired. Much of this success is thanks to the incredible attention to detail, maintaining the original series' deft world-building and litany of delightful cameos.

Related Every X-Men '97 Episode Ranked Worst To Best While it is safe to say that some X-Men '97 episodes rank better than others, one thing is for certain: the whole series was a Marvel masterclass.

29 Multiple Man Appears In Genosha

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 5 "Remember It"

Multiple Man, AKA Jamie Madrox, has a brief but memorable cameo in X-Men '97's "Remember It." Multiple Man appears in the market in Genosha, using his body duplication powers. Madrox previously appeared in X-Men: The Animated Series in season 3, episode 11 “Cold Comfort," in which he served as a member of X-Factor. While not the greatest cameo, it was enjoyable to see the character in his distinctive outfit and playfully using his powers.

28 Dazzler Appears In Genosha

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 5 "Remember It"

Dazzler also appears in the Genoshan markey in X-Me ‘97’s “Remember It.” This version is depicted with shorter brown hair and uses her light-show powers to the delight of mutant children around her. Dazzler, AKA Alison Blaire, appeared previously with her classic long blonde hair in X-Men: TAS season 3, episode 14 “The Dark Phoenix, Part I: Dazzled." Though brief, Dazzler’s cameo in X-Men ’97 was a fun piece of fan-service, depicting the classic and beloved mutant.

27 Archangel Flies Over Genosha

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 5 "Remember It"

Another cameo from X-Men ’97 “Remember It” is Warren Worthington III, who glides over the Hellfire Gala moments before the Sentinels attack. Warren, originally known as Angel before he was transformed into Archangel, had several classic appearances in X-Men: TAS, most notably in season 1, episode 9 “The Cure” and episode 10 “Come the Apocalypse,” in which Apocalypse corrupts him. He later appears in season 3, episode 9 “Obsession.” As a central member of the original X-Men with a turbulent history, seeing this character among fellow mutants in his Archangel form was satisfying.

26 Psylocke & Alpha Flight Ready For Battle

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 10 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3"

As the Prime Sentinels wreak havoc upon the planet, Psylocke and the Canadian mutant hero team Alpha Flight can be seen preparing for battle. Psylocke had previously appeared in X-Men: TAS season 4, episode 19, "Beyond Good and Evil, Part 2: Promise of Apocalypse," while Alpha Flight had a memorable appearance in season 2, episode 5 “Repo Man.” Though this was a very short cameo, these mutants have an important history in X-Men: TAS, making this cameo much more pleasing.

25 William Stryker Appears On A News Broadcast

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 8 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1"

William Stryker is a military officer with an anti-mutant agenda, who appears in a new interview on the television behind Jubilee and Sunspot in X-Men ’97 episode 8 “Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1.” Though Stryker did not appear in X-Men: TAS, he appeared throughout Fox’s X-Men timeline, serving as the primary antagonist in X2: X-Men United. This cameo appearance works well because it plays on the viewers’ familiarity with the movie franchise in fleshing out mutant politics in the animated series.

24 Silver Samurai Reacts To Magnetos EMP

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 8 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1" & Episode 10 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3"

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Silver Samuraii has two brief cameos in X-Men ’97, both times reacting to the EMPs that first blacked-out the Earth and subsequently restored its power. Silver Samurai previously starred in X-Men: TAS season 4, episode 15 “Lotus and Steel,” in which he faced Wolverine in Japan. Silver Samurai’s cameo serves to demonstrate the far-reaching extent of Magneto’s EMP while also recalling his original appearance in the franchise.

23 Vulcan Works With The Imperial Guard

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 6 "Lifedeath - Part 2"

Vulcan made his on-screen debut in X-Men '97, appearing in episode 6 "Lifedeath - Part 2" as a member of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. Vulcan, who is Scott Summer's brother, fights alongside the famed warriors when Deathbird and her supporters strike the intergalactic empire. This cameo is especially pleasing as it mirrors a previous X-Men: TAS scene, in which Cyclops meets his brother Havok, but is unaware of his true identity.

22 Iron Man And Captain America Launch The Magneto Protocols

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 10 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3"

Iron Man and Captain America appear in the X-Men '97 finale, discussing the ramifications of the Magneto Protocols, which President Kelly soon enacts. The iconic pair subsequently fight off a series of Prime Sentinels that attack the military base. Captain America previously starred alongside Wolverine in X-Men: TAS "Old Soldiers," while Iron Man fronted his own animated series in the same continuity. After Captain America's previous cameo in X-Men '97, audiences were primed for more Avengers, making these scenes in the finale a thrilling development.

21 Rachel Summers Repairs The Golden Gate Bridge

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 8 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1"

Rachel Summers is a highly consequential X-Men character who made her debut in the animated realm in X-Men '97. Appearing in the flash-forward to Bastion's post-apocalyptic future in episode 8. Rachel appears using her formidable powers to repair the Golden Gate Bridge. Rachel Summers is a very important character in the comics, serving as the Jean Grey replacement in the primary X-Men team for some years and even bonding with the Phoenix Force. This cameo tantalizingly teases her future narrative.

20 Polaris Repairs The Earth's Magnetic Poles

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 8 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1"

Polaris also appears in Bastion's vision of a world in which mutants are enslaved to humanity, seemingly repairing damage done to the Earth's magnetic poles. Polaris, AKA Lorna Dane, previously appeared in X-Men: TAS season 3, episode 11 "Cold Comfort," where she is in a romantic relationship with Iceman and works with X-Factor. While somewhat fun, this depiction did not demonstrate her awesome abilities effectively. X-Men '97, on the other hand, does - making this an especially pleasing cameo.

19 Baron Zemo Consults Bastion

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 8 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1"

Baron Zemo has a brief cameo in X-Men '97's "Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1," appearing on a computer screen as BAstion explains his Prime Sentinel experiments to Valerie Cooper. Baron Zemo didn't appear in X-Men: TAS but featured in The Avengers: United They Stand, which exists in the same continuity as X-Men '97, and is known for his MCU appearances. Though not traditionally affiliated with the X-Men, Baron Zemo's connection with Bastion demonstrates how insidious and pervasive Bastion is, making Zemo's cameo even more consequential.

18 Pixie Plays In The Genosha Market

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 5 "Remember It"

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Pixie has a delightful cameo in X-Men '97's "Remember It," which serves to contrast the mutant haven against the harrowing events that will soon follow. Pixie appears in the Genoshan market playing with Glob and Leech, teleporting and chasing each other. Pixie is one of the few mutants to survive the Sentinel attack in X-Men '97, reappearing at the end visibly heartbroken, bolstering the episode's tragic narrative.

17 Doctor Strange Operates In The Blackout

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 10 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3"

Doctor Strange maintains his history of reacting to X-Men events in the X-Men '97 finale, "Tolerance is Extinction - Part 3." Doctor Strange previously appeared in X-Men: TAS, sensing the Dark Phoenix's power in season 3, episode 15 "The Dark Phoenix, Part III: The Dark Phoenix." In X-Men '97 he is depicted operating in a hospital by candlelight, using his mystical powers until the world's electricity is restored. Though only momentary, this cameo celebrates and remembers the show's history and legacy.

16 Uatu The Watcher Appears In The Stars Over Genosha

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 5 "Remember It"

A subtle cameo with enormous consequences is Uatu the Watcher's appearance in X-Men '97 "Remember It." Uatu is hidden among the stars over Genosha moments before the Sentinel attack. This cameo is a satisfying hint at the upcoming mutant massacre, as the Watchers only appear before events of great importance, hinting that something highly significant is about to occur. Like Doctor Stange, Uatu appeared in X-Men: TAS season 3, episode 15 "The Dark Phoenix, Part III: The Dark Phoenix," sensing the Dark Phoenix's assent. Uatu also appeared in Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer.

15 Daredevil Fights Looters

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 10 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3"

Another famed hero cleaning up the streets during the blackout in the X-Men '97 finale is Daredevil. Fighting looters on the blacked-out New York streets, Daredevil's cameo was a thrilling development from his previous appearances in Marvel's animated universe. Daredevil had two particularly memorable appearances in Spider-Man: The Animated Series (season 3, episodes 6 & 7) and appeared in the Fantastic Four episode "And a Blind Man Shall Lead Them." Though great, these roles lacked the dynamic action and fighting associated with the character, which X-Men '97 delivered perfectly.

14 Cloak And Dagger Fight Together

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 5 "Remember It" & Episode 10 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3"

Cloak and Dagger never appeared in Marvel's animated universe, but they quickly made their mark on the comic books for their compelling backstory and captivating powerset. The duo had a very minor appearance during the celebration on Genosha in X-Men '97's "Remember It," before reappearing in the finale to help maintain peace during the blackout. Depicting the pair for the first time was a thrilling development - and also confirmed their survival.

13 Black Panther Fights The Sentinels

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 10 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3"

Image via Disney+

Black Panther has a highly exciting cameo in the X-Men '97 finale, first consulting with the President regarding the Magneto Protocols before leaping into battle to defeat the Prime Sentinels. Interestingly, this Black Panther is confirmed as T'Chaka rather than T'Challa - who previously featured in Fantastic Four season 2, episode 7 "Prey of the Black Panther." Nevertheless, Black Panther's cameo in X-Men '97 recognizes the character's importance since becoming an essential MCU character.

12 Omega Red Is Freed From His Prison And Fights With Crimson Dynamo

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 10 "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3"

Omega Red was a particularly fearsome foe in X-Men: TAS, fighting the titular mutant team in season 2, episode 4 "Red Dawn" and season 4, episode 2 "A Deal With The Devil." Following these confrontations, he was imprisoned in Russia and was seemingly freed by Magneto's EMP in X-Men '97. This was followed by a thrilling action shot with the Crimson Dynamo and Blackstar as the Prime Sentinels attack in the finale. Though minor characters, these cameos demonstrate the attention to detail in X-Men '97 that has characterized the first season.

11 Moira MacTaggert & Banshee Appear On The Genoshan Council

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 5 "Remember It"

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Moira MacTaggert and Banshee are among the X-Men's most famous and long-standing couples. They appeared together in X-Men: TAS in several episodes, including season 1, episode 9 "The Cure," season 3, episode 15 "The Dark Phoenix, Part II: The Inner Circle," and season 4, episodes 11-12 "Proteus." The pair appear in X-Men '97 episode 5 "Remember It," serving as part of the Genoshan council. This cameo honors their legacy as essential X-Men characters.

10 The Inner Circle Club's Sebastian Shaw And Emma Frost

X-Men '97 Season 1, Episode 5 "Remember It"

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The Inner Circle Club is the animated universe's equivalent of the Hellfire Club, which appeared prominently throughout X-Men: TAS's "The Dark Phoenix Saga." Two members have since made cameos in X-Men '97 episode 5. Emma Frost and Sebastian Shaw appear as members of the Genoshan council, prompting speculation over their heroic status, as both were previously considered villains. Emma Frost's cameo was especially dynamic as it depicted her second mutation, which was absent from X-Men: TAS.