X-Men: The Animated Series premiered way back in 1992 and ran for a total of 76 episodes. The show was a hit and delivered a near-perfect take on the mutant team that still resonates with comic book fans today.
We're not exactly shocked that Marvel Studios is revisiting this animated reality in the upcoming Disney+ series X-Men '97, with most of the original cast back to pick up where the classic series left off.
Now, we have some new Marvel Legends action figures which offer our best look yet at Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, the heroic Magneto (who looks set to lead the X-Men in Professor X's absence), and the evil Goblin Queen and The X-Cutioner.
Each figure was also accompanied by a brief character description:
Cyclops - The consistent and determined leader of the X-Men, Cyclops has the mutant ability to emit powerful red beams of energy from his eyes.
Jean Grey - Jean Grey is a powerful telepath and telekinetic mutant who has faced cosmic entities and world-shattering events in stride. Endlessly empathetic, she serves as the heart of the X-Men.
Nightcrawler - Despite his good heart and gentle nature, swashbuckling teleporter Nightcrawler is often demonized for his physical mutations, including his indigo fur and a prehensile tail.
Magneto - With Professor Charles Xavier gone, Magneto — the self-proclaimed Master of Magnetism — reinvents himself as he tries to carry forward his oldest friend’s dream.
Goblin Queen - A Jean Grey doppelgänger who shakes the X-Men to their core, Goblin Queen becomes a fierce enemy of the X-Men after her mind is corrupted by Mister Sinister.
The X-Cutioner - A mercenary and weapons specialist with high-tech, homemade tactical gear, Carl Denti — A.K.A. The X-Cutioner – is determined to make mutants pay for their perceived wrongdoings toward humankind.
The X-Men will eventually be rebooted for live-action, of course, and X-Men '97 seems like a great way to familiarise many fans with the team before they join the MCU. After all, Fox's movies are quickly becoming a distant memory and, outside of a few exceptions, are best off forgotten.
You can take a closer look at this new wave of X-Men '97 figures, including the heroic Magneto and Mister Sinister's villainous allies, in the Instagram posts below.