6 Cartoons Marvel Should Revive After X-Men ’97

Highlights

• X-Men ’97
  brings back the magic of 90s Marvel animation for a new generation of viewers and retains the original show’s essence.
• Marvel should consider reviving unique animation projects like
  The Super Hero Squad Show
  and
  The Incredible Hulk
  for modern audiences.
• Spider-Man Unlimited
  ,
  X-Men Evolution
  , and other classic Marvel cartoons deserve a resurgence to continue their captivating storytelling.

X-Men ’97 is a hit with fans of 90s Marvel animation. The show retains what made the original so memorable, with its mutant action and allegory for human rights struggles, while also updating the cast for a new generation of viewers.

Why should Marvel stop there, though? The company has had a history of unique animation projects that would be worthy of a reboot. Some left the door open for further stories, while others ended before their time. True believers will be eager to revisit these characters and worlds once more.

6 The Super Hero Squad Show (2009 – 2011)

IMDB Rating: 6.1/10

• Seasons: 2
• Episodes: 52
• Network: Cartoon Network

Marvel movies are known for not only their action and spectacle but also their generous smattering of humor. The Super Hero Squad Show has embraced this lighter side of the Marvel universe and brings these characters to young audiences.

The show is actually based on a toy line by Hasbro that depicted Marvel heroes and villains in a cartoonish art style. It follows familiar faces in Super Hero City, whose Mayor happens to be the late Stan Lee. It ran for two seasons, culminating in the show’s version of The Infinity Gauntlet arc. Adding another season could incorporate elements from the more recent MCU films, as well as throw in some multiverse shenanigans.

5 The Incredible Hulk (1996 – 1997)

IMDB Rating: 6.7/10

• Seasons: 2
• Episodes: 21
• Network: UPN

Bruce Banner is a complex and tragic character, cursed with transforming into a destructive monster known as Hulk whenever he gets angry. With the character having turned more into comic relief in recent MCU Media, reviving the cartoon The Incredible Hulk could be a chance to bring some pathos back to him.

The Incredible Hulk is a tale of star-crossed lovers, inner demons, and the blurry line between monster and man. It sees Banner struggle to find a cure for his affliction. All the while, the Hulk clashes with other dangerous foes, and is relentlessly pursued by General Thunderbolt Ross, the father of Betty Ross, the woman he loves.

4 Spider-Man Unlimited (1999 – 2001)

IMDB Rating: 6.3/10

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 13
• Network: Fox Kids

Spider-Man Unlimited was a Spider-Man 2099 cartoon in every way but name only. It sees the web head travel to the cyberpunk-infused Counter-Earth to rescue the astronaut John Jameson, who joins a resistance against the tyrannical High Evolutionary. Spidey is also equipped with a new nanotech suit, courtesy of Reed Richards of The Fantastic Four.

Spider-Man Unlimited lasted only one season, which ended with a symbiote infestation ravaging Spider-Man’s interim home city. The groundwork for a second season was established by the writers at the time it was canceled. A revival could see this version of Spider-Man finally return home.

3 X-Men Evolution (2000 – 2003)

IMDB Rating: 7.8/10

• Seasons: 4
• Episodes: 52
• Network: Kids’ WB

The X-Men of the 90s may be fondly remembered by many. However, for a generation of kids, X-Men: Evolution was their team of mutants. It put many popular X-Men in the shoes of High School students, forcing them to navigate life as both mutants and teenagers. It also introduced original characters such as Storm’s nephew, Spyke, and Wolverine’s clone, X-23.

The final season saw both X-Men and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants join forces to fight the omnipotent mutant Apocalypse. In the series finale, Professor X tells both the X-Men and the Brotherhood of the visions of their future he gleaned from Apocalypse’s mind. This leaves plenty of storytelling potential for a future revival.

2 Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994 – 1998)

IMDB Rating: 8.4/10

• Seasons: 5
• Episodes: 65
• Network: Fox Kids

The 90s are considered by many to be the golden age of Marvel cartoons, including not just X-Men, but also Spider-Man: The Animated Series. This cartoon followed Spider-Man on his epic adventures while throwing in some character drama on par with any soap opera.

The final episodes saw Spider-Man teaming up with other versions of himself to combat a Spider-Man that has merged with the Carnage symbiote, as well as meeting Stan Lee in the real world. The very last moments teased that Spider-Man would finally be reunited with his love interest, Mary Jane Watson, who had fallen into an interdimensional rift in a fight with the Green Goblin. If that big cameo in X-Men ’97 is any indication, fans could finally see how that happens.

1 The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008 – 2009)

IMDB Rating: 8.4/10

• Seasons: 2
• Episodes: 26
• Networks: Kids’ WB, Disney XD

Probably the only Spider-Man cartoon considered on par with the 90s animated series would be Spectacular Spider-Man. It pulled in elements from many incarnations of the hero, including the original Ultimate Spider-Man comics run with its Peter Parker/Eddie Brock dynamic. It also highlights some of the lesser-known villains in Spider-Man’s rogues gallery.

Unfortunately, the show ended on a bitter note. With Norman Osborne’s father believed to be dead, Gwen Stacy and Peter agreed that she had to stay in her relationship with Harry Osborne, leaving Peter alone. With Spectacular Spider-Man having appeared in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, maybe this version’s story isn’t over just yet.