28 hidden Weapon X names you may have missed in X-Men ’97: ‘Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs’

By Alex Wiggan

If you’re a fan of X-Men ’97, then you’ll know that every episode of the show is loaded with in-jokes, references, and Easter eggs which relate to X-Men: The Animated Series, the X-Men comics, the wider Marvel Universe, and beyond. In fact, when watching episodes of X-Men ’97, you really have to keep your eyes open and your brain engaged, otherwise you’ll miss all the additional information that is crammed into each story.

One of the most jam-packed episodes of X-Men ’97 is ‘Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs’, which includes lots of hidden details. The episode focuses on Wolverine, Morph, Lady Deathstrike, Sabretooth, and Kane investigating a Weapon X facility, where they uncover a few secrets and encounter the deadly alien creatures known as The Brood.

But the team also encounter a lot more. During one scene in particular, Morph, Lady Deathstrike, and Sabretooth come across a collection of DVDs which contain files on various test subjects within the Weapon X program.

The DVD labels are only shown briefly on screen, but they do offer up a sizeable list of names who all connected to Weapon X. Names which include the Winter Soldier, Silver Fox, and Mastodon, amongst others.

But this is where X-Men ’97 fans are asked to be really laser-focused, because two sets of DVD labels appear on screen. One appears very clearly, as Morph takes a moment to look at the names, but a few seconds before this a few other names can be seen if you look hard enough!

In total, 28 names can be seen clearly/fairly clearly amongst the DVD labels. What to know who they are? Then keep reading…

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All of the names listed on the DVD labels are listed below in alphabetical order. This list includes the names which are shown clearly on screen, as well as the ones that you can just about catch, if you know when to look.

X-23

Name: Laura Kinney
First appearance: X-Men: Evolution 2003

X-23 is a female clone of Wolverine. She possesses an accelerated healing factor, along with heightened senses and of course, Adamantium claws.

Ajax

Name: Francis Freeman
First appearance: Deadpool #14 (1998)

Ajax is a sadistic scientist who experimented on Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool. He possesses enhanced strength and an inability to feel pain.

Agent Zero

Name: Christoph Nord / David North
First appearance: Wolverine #48 (1991)

Formerly known as Maverick, Agent Zero is an elite marksman and operative.

Ant

Unknown

This DVD label entry could refer to a version of Ant-Man, or alternatively it could be a code name for the Ant Hill, a secret military base which houses Sentinels. Alternatively, this could be an in-joke/nod to the non-Marvel Comics super hero known as Ant, aka Hannah Washington, who appears in comics from Arcana Studio/Image.

Aurora

Name: Jeanne-Marie Beaubier
First appearance: X-Men #120 (1979)

Aurora is one of the founding members of Canadian superhero team, Alpha Flight, and is the twin sister of Northstar. Powers include flight, superhuman speed, photo kinesis, and superhuman reflexes.

Copycat

Name: Vanessa Carlysle
First appearance: New Mutants #98 (1991)

Copycat is a shapeshifting mutant and former love interest of Deadpool. Also has the ability to copy any ability from another individual after a period of physical contact.

Cyber

Name: Silas Burr
First appearance: Marvel Comics Presents #85 (1991)

Cyber is a former mentor and deadly adversary of Wolverine. His skin is bonded with Adamantium.

Deadpool

Name: Wade Wilson
First appearance: New Mutants #98 (1991)

Often referred to as Marvel’s ‘Merc with a Mouth’, Deadpool’s super powers include superhuman strength, speed, durability, stamina, agility, and reflexes. Deadpool also has a regenerative healing factor (like Wolverine) and in the comics he regularly breaks the fourth wall.

Fantomex

Name: Charlie Cluster-7
First appearance: New X-Men #128 (2002)

Genetically engineered super-soldier created by the Weapon Plus program. Fantomex possesses misdirection abilities, as well as a living spaceship.

Garrison Kane

Name: Garrison Kane
First appearance: X-Force #2 (1991)

Also known as Weapon X (aka Weapon X II), Garrison Kane is a cyborg created by the Weapon X program. His cybernetic enhancements provide him with a range of abilities, including superhuman strength as well as the ability to create weaponry.

Kestrel

Name: John Wraith
First appearance: Wolverine #48 (1992)

Kestrel aka John Wraith is a former member of Team X. He has the ability to teleport.

Kimura

Name: Kimura
First appearance: NYX #3 (2004)

Kimura possesses immense strength and near-invulnerability. Was initially employed to train and control X-23.

Marrow

Name: Sarah (last name unknown)
First appearance: Cable #15 (1994)

Marrow is a Morlock mutant with the ability to grow and weaponize her bones. Her bones can be fashioned into knives, clubs, or body armour.

Mastodon

Name: Unknown
First appearance: Wolverine #48 (1991)

Former member of Team X, alongside Wolverine, Sabretooth, Silver Fox, Maverick, and Kestrel. Mastodon is also a test subject of Weapon X.

Maverick

Name: Christoph Nord / David North
First appearance: Wolverine #48 (1991)

Here’s where things get a little confusing. Maverick appears on the DVD labels twice: once as Maverick, and once as Agent Zero. Technically these are two different aliases, so maybe the Weapon X Program is keeping tabs on both.

Native

Name: Unknown
First appearance: Wolverine #13 (2004)

Mysterious feral mutant created through the Weapon X program. Possesses enhanced senses, claws, and a healing factor.

Psi-Borg

Name: Aldo Ferro
First appearance: Marvel Comics Presents #79 (1991)

A telepath employed by the Weapon X program to implant false memories into operatives, including Wolverine and Sabretooth.

Sabretooth

Name: Victor Creed
First appearance: Iron Fist #14 (1977)

Savage mutant with enhanced senses, a healing factor, and deadly claws. Also Wolverine’s greatest enemy.

Silver Fox

Name: Silver Fox
First appearance: Wolverine #10 (1989)

Former lover of Wolverine who became involved in Team X and the Weapon X program.

Slayback

Name: Gregory Terraerton
First appearance: X-Force #1 (1991)

Of all the names that appear on the Weapon X DVD labels, this one is the most difficult to read on screen, so it is entirely possible it is not Slayback. However, in the comics Slayback is a cybernetically enhanced mercenary connected to Weapon X, so it seems likely.

Sluggo

Name: Sluggo
First appearance: Weapon X #1 (2002)

Grotesque mutant employed by the Weapon X team. Possesses enormous strength and durability.

Sublime

Name: John Sublime
First appearance: New X-Men #117 (2001)

A sentient bacterial intelligence which secretly manipulates humanity’s hatred for mutants. Involved with the Weapon Plus program.

Weapon H

Name: Clayton Cortez
First appearance: Totally Awesome Hulk #22 (2017)

A hybrid of the Hulk and Wolverine created through genetic experimentation. Weapon H mixes gamma-powered strength with claws and a healing factor.

Please note: This entry on the DVD list is not easy to read and could be Weapon II, rather than Weapon H. Weapon II is an early experiment using animal test subjects.

Weapon VI

Name: Unknown
First appearance: New X-Men #128 (referenced)

A largely unexplored test subject in the Marvel Universe.

Weapon VIII

Name: Unknown
First appearance: New X-Men #128 (referenced)

As above.

Winter Soldier

Name: James Buchanan Barnes/Bucky Barnes
First appearance: Captain America #1 (1941)

Captain America’s former sidekick, Bucky Barnes, who is brainwashed and transformed into the Soviet Union’s deadliest assassin. Expert marksman and assassin, trained in martial arts, with stealth abilities, weapons proficiency and so much more.

Wolverine

Name: James ‘Logan’ Howlett
First appearance: Incredible Hulk #180 (1974)

The most famous X-Man, as well as the most famous subject of the Weapon X program. Wolverine boasts an Adamantium skeleton, retractable claws, heightened senses, and a healing factor.

Worm

Name: Worm
First appearance: Weapon X #1 (2002)

Mutant member of the Weapon X team. Worm has tunnelling abilities, and enhanced durability.

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Also…

In addition to the names on the DVD labels, the following mutants also appear in ‘Secrets, Lies, and DVDs’ in connection to Weapon X.

Maggot

Name: Japheth
First appearance: Uncanny X-Men #345 (1997)

Maggot, aka Japheth, appears in DVD footage watched by Morph, Lady Deathstrike, and Sabretooth.

In the comics, Maggot is a very unusual member of the X-Men, who is known for having a digestive system composed of two slugs. After feeding, the slugs re-enter Maggott’s abdomen and grant him incredible power.

Omega Red

Name: Arkady Gregorivich Rossovich
First appearance: X-Men #4 (1992)

In ‘Secrets, Lies, and DVDs’, Omega Red is being held in stasis at the Weapon X facility.

In the comics, Omega Red is a mutant with abilities that include superhuman strength, stamina, reflexes, and the ability to secrete pheromones, referred to as Death Spores.

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