‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2 Gets Release Window as First Look at Apocalypse Debuts

Marvel Animation made a big splash at this year’s New York Comic-Con, finally giving fans their first look at X-Men ’97 Season 2.

The reveal confirmed that the next chapter in the hit animated revival will arrive in Summer 2026. The sneak peek teased the introduction of the “Age of Apocalypse,” one of the most famous storylines in the X-Men comics.

The crowd at NYCC erupted when the preview played, as X-Men ’97 has quickly become one of Marvel’s most celebrated animated projects. Although no exact release date has been announced, the studio confirmed that production is on track.

First look at Apocalypse in ‘X-MEN 97’ Season 2. pic.twitter.com/5QcH6pKx2L

Work on Season 2 actually began back in 2022, with directors Jake Castorena and Chase Conley returning to lead the project. By 2024, writer Beau DeMayo had completed the scripts for the new season and even begun planning ideas for a third one.

However, things took a sharp turn when DeMayo was fired by Marvel Studios before the show’s premiere. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel launched an internal investigation that led to his removal over what the studio described as “egregious findings.”

After his exit, DeMayo was allowed to continue posting about the show online, but he didn’t take part in the red carpet events or promotional appearances, something the outlet noted was unusual for someone who had played such a large creative role. Despite the shake-up, Marvel’s Head of Animation Brad Winderbaum assured fans that DeMayo’s departure would not affect the show’s quality or its production schedule, confirming that work on Season 3 was already underway.

Months later, DeMayo spoke publicly about changes made to his scripts. In a post shared in September 2024, he claimed that Marvel removed a planned tenth episode and reworked the rest of the season.

In his version, the storyline would have teased the arrival of Onslaught and ended with a dramatic “Age of Apocalypse” twist. He said the finale was meant to show Gambit freeing Bishop from prison and escaping from an evil Cyclops, a sequence inspired by the intense ending of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

DeMayo criticized the creative decision, saying the executives “think they know better than the comics,” and added that “Marvel loves shooting themselves in the foot.”

Meanwhile, actor Ross Marquand, who appears in the upcoming season, described it as “very, very dark,” hinting that fans should brace themselves for plenty of shocking character deaths and emotional moments.

With the arrival of Apocalypse confirmed, X-Men ’97 Season 2 looks set to deliver one of the most ambitious storylines in Marvel Animation’s history.

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