X-Men '97 Season 2: Over 20 Easter Eggs, References, & Marvel Cameos In Episode 7

Published Jul 29, 2026, 7:10 PM EDT Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention. Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for X-Men '97 season 2, episode 7 X-Men '97 season 2 continues to raise the stakes with episode 7, as Professor Xavier launches his new international company and another team of mutants returns with new leadership and an aggressive agenda. Additionally, the brand-new episode is filled with great comic book references and ties to the original series, Easter eggs, homages, and plenty of surprise appearances. Like previous episodes of X-Men '97 season 2, this latest chapter is packed with Easter eggs and fun connections. While there have been direct recreations of iconic comic book covers, other scenes feature iconic quotes and references, and even riffs on classic moments originally seen on the page. Keeping that in mind, here are over 20 of the biggest Easter eggs, references, cameos, and ties you may have missed in X-Men '97 season 2, episode 7. Grant Morrison Comic Book Cover As seen on the Disney+ app itself, the newly added cover image for X-Men '97 season 2 is a direct recreation of New X-Men #114, the beginning of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's iconic run, which also saw the launch of the matching jacket uniforms. These are the same uniforms that X-Men '97's team is now wearing with the launch of Professor X's new company, X-Corp. Polaris Joins The Roster The opening credits sequence for X-Men '97 season 2, episode 7 now includes a name card for Polaris, as she's just rejoined the X-Men after being dismissed from X-Factor in the previous episode (X-Men '97 season 2, episode 6). Baby Nightcrawler The opening credits also feature past moments from the original X-Men animated series and X-Men '97 season 1. This notably includes Mystique abandoning Nightcrawler as a baby, attacks from the Friends of Humanity, Valerie Cooper captured by Bastion and the T-O Virus, and Graydon Creed facing Apocalypse from the original series. Colossus & Magik In a flashback to the devastation of Genosha, it's revealed that Magik was killed by the Wild Sentinel right in front of her brother, Colossus, motivating him to join the Acolytes of Magneto in the aftermath. This mirrors the original comics when Colossus similarly joined their ranks after Illyana's death. In the original X-Men animated series, Illyana was just a child. However, X-Men '97 season 1 did see Morph transform into Magik, complete with her powers and impressive sword. Sure enough, Magik does have her powers and apparent connection to Limbo before her demise, as seen in X-Men '97 season 2, episode 7. Graydon Creed Running For President Graydon Creed is shown running for president in X-Men '97 season 2, episode 7, the son of Mystique and Sabretooth and leader of the anti-mutant group known as the Friends of Humanity. In the comics, Graydon was shot and killed by Mystique at a similar presidential rally, though it seems Grayson gets to live a while longer in the animated series continuity. Additionally, Graydon's origins have been somewhat altered as well. While he was abandoned by Mystique both on the page and screen, the comics saw Creed being forced to live on his own. Instead, this new episode reveals that Sabretooth initially attempted to raise Graydon himself, only to punish and reject his son when Graydon never displayed any mutant powers of his own. Exodus & Acolytes of Magneto The Acolytes of Magneto return in X-Men '97 season 2, episode 7 to take Graydon Creed hostage. Originally led by Fabian Cortez in the comics and in the original animated series, the group is now being led by Exodus, while also featuring a wide roster from multiple generations of the Acolytes from the comics. Marvel · Mutant Profile Which X-Men Character Are You? “Mutation: it is the key to our evolution.” 🐺 Wolverine The Loner 🧠 Professor X The Visionary 🧲 Magneto The Survivor ACTIVATE CEREBRO → 01 Humans discover your mutant abilities. What do you do? ADisappear. Go off the grid before anyone can come after me — I don’t owe them an explanation BReach out calmly and try to have a dialogue — fear comes from misunderstanding, and I can help bridge that gap CMake a show of strength — they need to understand that mutants will not be hunted or controlled, ever NEXT → 02 Anti-mutant protesters surround a school full of young mutants. What’s your first move? AGet between the kids and the mob. If anyone raises a hand, they answer to me BAddress the crowd telepathically or publicly — show them the children are just scared kids, not threats CEvacuate the children to safety, then make the protesters deeply regret their choices NEXT → 03 A team of mutants needs a leader for a dangerous mission. What role do you naturally fall into? AI work alone, but I’ll take point — someone’s gotta make sure nobody gets killed BI coordinate the team, play to each person’s strengths, and keep morale steady CI lead from the front — my vision, my plan, my responsibility if it fails NEXT → 04 A powerful mutant threatens innocent humans. How do you respond? APut them down fast — talk later. Innocent people don’t have time for a debate BTry to reach them mentally — understand why they’re doing this and find a peaceful resolution COffer them a place at my side — their power is wasted on chaos when it could serve a greater cause NEXT → 05 A human politician offers to champion mutant rights — but has a shady past. What do you do? AGive them a chance — people can change, and this alliance could mean real progress for coexistence BI don’t trust politicians. Watch them closely, and the second they betray us, I’ll be right there CUse them — let them think they’re in charge while I control the narrative from behind the scenes NEXT → 06 What’s your biggest flaw? AI push people away — I’d rather be alone than risk losing someone I care about BI’m too idealistic — I keep believing in people even when the evidence says I shouldn’t CMy anger — once I commit to a path, I’ll burn everything down before I admit I was wrong NEXT → 07 Sentinels are hunting mutants in your city. What’s your move? AHunt the hunters — tear them apart before they find anyone else BCoordinate an underground network to hide and protect every mutant in the area CSeize control of the Sentinels — turn the weapons of oppression into instruments of liberation NEXT → 08 What do you believe about coexistence between humans and mutants? ACoexistence is a fantasy. Humans will always fear what they can’t control — mutants must secure their own future BI don’t care about the big picture — I protect the people I care about, and everyone else can sort themselves out CIt’s possible and worth fighting for — the dream of a world where humans and mutants live in peace is everything REVEAL MY MUTANT IDENTITY → Cerebro Scan Complete Your X-Men Identity 🐺 Wolverine (Logan) “I’m the best there is at what I do. But what I do best isn’t very nice.” You’re the fierce loner who acts first and philosophises later — but beneath that adamantium-plated exterior beats a heart that cares far more than you’d ever admit. You’ve been burned enough times to distrust the world, so you keep people at arm’s length, yet you’d throw yourself into any fight to protect the ones who slip past your defences. You don’t need a cause or a manifesto — you just need someone worth fighting for. Like Logan, your greatest strength isn’t your claws or your healing factor; it’s the stubborn refusal to let the people you love face danger alone.Fierce Protective Resilient Untamed 🧠 Professor X (Charles Xavier) “Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.” You’re the visionary who sees the best in everyone — even when the world gives you every reason not to. Your greatest power isn’t telepathy; it’s an unshakeable belief that understanding and compassion can bridge any divide. You lead not through force but through hope, building bridges where others build walls. Some call you naive, but you know that real strength lies in extending a hand to your enemy. Like Charles Xavier, you carry the weight of a dream that most consider impossible, and you refuse to let it die.Visionary Empathetic Diplomatic Hopeful 🧲 Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr) “Peace was never an option.” You’re the survivor who learned the hardest lesson life has to offer: the world will not protect you, so you must protect yourself. Your conviction is unbreakable and your patience is terrifying — you’ll wait years to set the right plan in motion. You don’t hate humanity; you simply refuse to let your people be victims ever again. Every action you take, no matter how ruthless, is driven by a profound love for those who share your struggle. Like Erik Lehnsherr, you are both revolutionary and tragic — a leader forged in pain who will bend the world before it bends you.Resolute Strategic Ruthless Unyielding ↻ PLAY AGAIN Beyond Exodus and Colossus, the roster of Acolytes in X-Men '97 season 2 features other key mutants seen on the page including: Chrome, Delgado, Frenzy, Vought, Kath, Mellencamp, Senyaka, Random, Tempo, Spoor, Kamal, Gargouille, Projector, Vindaloo, Barnacle, Burner, and likely more via blink-and-you-miss-it background shots. Savage Land & Mister Sinister’s Experiments With the Acolytes having made the Savage Land their base of operations, the X-Men return to the prehistoric realm located in Antarctica to retrieve Graydon Creed. However, they soon discover that the Acolytes are making use of Mister Sinister's technology left behind and features in the original animated series, including the inhibitor tower, which can prevent mutants from using their abilities. Psalm 103:10-11 Quoting scripture to his captured half-brother, the verse Kurt recites from the Bible is Psalm 103:10-11: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” It's a fitting reference, especially given Kurt's desire to show his half-brother mercy and a chance for redemption. Nightcrawler’s Swords Defending Graydon from Exodus following Creed's trial, Kurt wields a cutlass sword, just as he did in the first season of X-Men '97 season 1, connecting to Nightcrawler's established love of pirate movies and swashbuckling heroes like Errol Flynn. Graham Greene While Kurt grapples with whether to spare Grayson or kill him to spare mutantkind, Nightcrawler quotes Graham Greene from his novel Brighton Rock: “You cannot conceive, nor can I, the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God.”