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‘X-Men ’97’ Makes Marvel History Once Again With New Season 2 Episode
Marvel's animated series X-Men '97 has set another record with its latest instalment, as Season 2, Episode 4, "Rise of Apocalypse Part II", scored a near-perfect 9.5 from fans on IMDb. This makes it the second-highest-rated episode of the entire show, underlining the strong critical and fan reception the revived series continues to enjoy following its return from a two-year hiatus.
The new episode's rating sits just behind Season 1, Episode 5, "Remember It", which holds a 9.7. On the critics' side, the show's momentum has been remarkable: after Season 1 earned a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 achieved a flawless 100%. The article frames this within a busy period for Marvel fans, noting the release of the first official concept art for Avengers: Doomsday, which controversially brings back Fox's X-Men cast — including James Marsden as Cyclops, Patrick Stewart as Professor X and Ian McKellen as Magneto — despite their previous on-screen send-offs.
In short
- X-Men '97 Season 2, Episode 4 scored 9.5 on IMDb.
- It is now the show's second-highest-rated episode overall.
- Season 2 holds a perfect 100% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Explained simply
X-Men '97 is an animated television series based on Marvel's X-Men superheroes. The original show aired in the 1990s and became a significant part of popular culture; the current version is a revival that returned after a lengthy absence, drawing both fans of the original and new viewers.
The revival has received strong responses from audiences and professional critics. Animated superhero shows often struggle to gain mainstream attention and critical credibility, so this series' success marks a notable moment for the format. The show's popularity also reflects broader interest in the X-Men characters at a time when they are being integrated more prominently into Marvel's wider film and television plans.
The X-Men hold particular importance within Marvel's overall universe. For many years, the film and television rights to these characters were held separately from Marvel's other famous superheroes, but recent changes have brought them under unified control, creating new opportunities for storytelling and crossovers.