Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks, or you’ve been ignoring this blog, you’ll know that X-Men ’97 has been proving very popular on Disney+. The cartoon show – a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series – is wowing audiences of all ages, and serving up some of the best X-Men stories outside of the original comics.
This week, X-Men ’97 arrives at Episode Seven, which is titled ‘Bright Eyes‘. The episode follows on from ‘To Me, My X-Men‘ (E1), ‘Mutant Liberation Begins‘ (E2), ‘Fire Made Flesh‘ (E3), ‘Motendo/Lifedeath: Part One‘ (4), ‘Remember It‘ (E5), and ‘Lifedeath: Part Two‘ (E6).
As with previous episodes of X-Men ’97, ‘Bright Eyes‘ contains various references and in-jokes related to X-Men: The Animated Series, as well as the wider X-Men universe/comics and beyond. And as with previous weeks, I’ll be taking a look at those references with a run-through of what you might have missed on this week’s instalment.
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The more things changes, the more they stay the same
Since X-Men ‘97 launched, every new episode has included minor alterations to the opening credits (a new scene here, a new character credit there, etc). For this seventh episode, there are no major changes to the opening credits.
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Burning bright
This week’s episode is titled ‘Bright Eyes’. This title is a reference to Gambit’s ruby red eyes, as well as Cable’s very distinctive eyes.
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Family
As the episode opens, the story begins with a funeral for Gambit. In attendance are his teammates, with Nightcrawler conducting the service.
In addition to the X-Men is Gambit’s brother, Bobby, his ex-financé, Bella Donna, and his friend, Pierre. These characters previously appeared in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode, ‘X-Ternally Yours’, which focused on Gambit’s past.
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General Ross
While Gambit’s funeral continues, the focus of the episode switches to Rogue, who is dealing with anger-issues relating to Gambit’s death. This anger causes Rogue to lash out at the US Army, while on a hunt for Henry Gyrich and Bolivar Trask – the chief suspects behind the attack on Genosha.
During this sequence, General Ross is introduced. This is the same General Ross who regularly chases down the Hulk.
Ross is voiced by Michael Patrick McGill. McGill also voices Ross on the animated series, What If?.
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Robert Kelly
Following the introduction of General Ross, the action switches to the X-Mansion where Cyclops is having a brief discussion with President Robert Kelly. Kelly was first introduced in X-Men: The Animated Series as an adversary of the X-Men (and mutants in general), before he had a change of heart after the X-Men saved his life.
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Friendly neighbourhood Rogers
With President Kelly offering little comfort, the X-Men head to Genosha in an attempt to help the survivors of the mutant massacre. When they arrive, the Beast notices various mutants helping each other, which prompts him to deliver the line: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people that are helping.”
This is a famous quote from US television personality, Mr. Rogers. These days, the line is often quoted during times of hardship and difficulty, to highlight the good which can be found when bad situations occur.
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A familiar face
Amongst the helpers is the mutant, Amelia Voght. Amelia has the power to turn her body into mist, and was previously introduced on X-Men: The Animated Series, via the two-part episode, ‘Sanctuary’, where it was explained she was a former love interest of Charles Xavier.
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The First Avenger
Moving back to Rogue, and as her search for Gyrich and Trask continues, she crosses paths with Captain America. Cap previously appeared on X-Men: The Animated Series, in the fifth season episode, ‘Old Soldiers’, where he teamed up with Wolverine for a mission during World War II.
For this week’s episode, Cap is voiced by Josh Keaton. The same Josh Keaton who voiced Peter Parker/Spider-Man on the 2008 cartoon, The Spectacular Spider-Man, and who also voices Steve Rogers/Captain America on the animated series, What If?.
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OZT
During Rogue’s discussion with Captain America, a mysterious acronym is referenced. The acronym is OZT, which reoccurs later in the episode.
These three letters stand for Operation: Zero Tolerance. This troubling name refers to a storyline from the comics, which saw mutants hunted down by Sentinels, and is a nod to the final three episodes of X-Men ‘97 which are titled ‘Tolerance is Extinction – Parts One, Two, and Three’.
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More familiar faces
In addition to General Ross, Captain America, President Kelly etc, this episode is filled with even more familiar faces from X-Men: The Animated Series, including Amphibius, Brainchild, Strong Guy, and Forearm.
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A second mutation
Back on Genosha and while the X-Men continue to help and mourn the fallen mutants, Cyclops and Jean Grey stumble upon a survivor: Emma Frost, aka the psychic mutant, the White Queen. Emma seemingly survived the mutant massacre, when he body transformed into diamond.
As noted in the episode, this is not one of Emma’s primary mutant abilities and is instead a secondary mutation. The concept of second mutations is lifted from the comics, and is an established idea that mutants can develop additional mutations beyond the ones which initially present themselves.
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Welcome to Madripoor
Introduced in this episode is the island of Madripoor. Madripoor was first introduced in the comics way back in 1985, via the pages of The New Mutants issue #32.
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Enter: Bastion
As the story continues to unfold, a new villain enters. This new villain is Bastion, who was previously teased via a photograph in the episode, ‘Motendo/Lifedeath: Part One’.
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The wider Marvel Universe
A quick observation now: While the X-Men are on Madripoor, multiple corporation signs can be seen in the background. These are corporations which exist in the Marvel Universe and include Stark Industries, the Roxxon Corporation, and Hammer Industries.
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Morphin’ time
While on Madripoor, the X-Men square off against a super-powered Bolivar Trask, who has been transformed into a human-Sentinel hybrid. During the fight, Morph transforms into the mutant, Quicksilver.
Quicksilver appeared on X-Men: The Animated Series multiple times, including the episodes ‘Cold Comfort’, ‘Family Ties’, and ‘The Phalanx Covenant – Parts One and Two’.
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Purple people
And as the episode draws to an end, it is revealed that Magneto is still alive and currently being held captive by Bastion. During this sequence, the song ‘The Purple People Eater’ can be heard playing.
Originally released in 1958, ‘The Purple People Eater’ was a novelty track about a mysterious creature. The song featured ambiguous lyrics which never quite made it clear if the creature was purple in colour and ate people, or if it only ate purple-coloured people.
The ambiguous nature of the song reflects the ambiguous nature of Bastion’s introduction. Although it is clear Bastion is a villain, as well as the mastermind behind recent events, the episode keeps his intentions (and even his name) under wraps.
It’s also worth noting that both Magneto and Bastion use the colour purple in their costume designs. Magneto is also an ambiguous character who is sometimes a villain and sometimes a hero.
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