Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for X-Men '97 episodes 1 & 2

Summary

• MCU references include Stark Industries logo, VistaCorp, & WHiH World News in X-Men '97.
• Roberto Da Costa is saved by the X-Men, a future mutant hero named Sunspot from the comics.
• X-Men '97 features Easter eggs like Madripoor, Genosha, iconic character profiles in the end credits, and various Morph transformation cameos.

Marvel Studios' MCU.

Picking up only a few short months from where the original X-Men animated series left off, the X-Men are doing their best to uphold the dream and vision of the late Professor Charles Xavier. To that end, there's still much work to be done in the way of fostering peaceful coexistence between humanity and mutants. Featuring some exciting twists and surprise reveals after only the first two episodes, here are all the exciting Easter eggs and references to be found in X-Men '97 episodes 1-2.

15 MCU References In X-Men '97's Times Square

The opening scene of X-Men '97 episode 1 features a brief shot of Times Square in New York. Loosing closely, the iconic location features a few references to the MCU with which the animated X-Men universe seems to share. This includes the Stark Industries logo as well as VistaCorp, the company Scott Lang worked for and exposed before he became Ant-Man in the MCU.

14 WHiH World News: The MCU's Primary News Outlet

It also seems as though the animated X-Men universe also has its own version of WHiH World News. WHiH is the primary news outlet featured in multiple MCU movies and shows dating back as early as the very first Iron Man in 2008. In recent years, it was most prominently featured in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

13 Roberto Da Costa (Sunspot)

The new X-Men '97 series opens with the mutant heroes saving Roberto Da Costa from the mutant-hating gang known as the Friends of Humanity. In the comics, Roberto is known as Sunspot due to his impressive solar powers. However, Roberto has yet to embrace his future as a mutant hero, preferring instead to stay under the radar and keep his abilities hidden (though that may soon change as the series continues).

12 The Daily Bugle (Spider-Man And Hellfire Gala References)

Following the X-Men's victory at the Friends of Humanity hideout, a newspaper from the Daily Bugle is seen blowing in the wind, the classic paper from the Spider-Man franchise. To that end, one headline asks whether Spider-Man himself might be a mutant while another references the annual Hellfire Gala which is held in the original comics. This is an especially fun nod seeing as how the X-Men and Spider-Man animated series are set in the same continuity.

11 Goldballs Is An Actual Mutant

When questioning Roberto about his powers in the Danger Room, Jubilee asks if he can shoot gold balls from his body. This is in fact a reference to an actual mutant in the comics named Goldballs who can do exactly that. Real name Fabio Medina, Goldballs was created in 2013 and was originally more of a joke character who quickly became a beloved mutant in the Marvel Universe. To that end, Goldballs would later become a major player during the X-Men's Krakoan age, ing other mutants known as The Five who helped ensure the resurrection of any mutant after death.

10 X-Men '97 References Madripoor

During Cyclops and Jean's discussion about Bolivar Trask and the Sentinels with the President of the United States, a reference is made to Madripoor. Known for its criminal underworld and black market dealings, the island in Southeast Asia is a classic Marvel Universe location as seen on the page. However, it also exists in the MCU and was explored in episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

9 Portrait Of Xavier's Original X-Men

Dwelling on Xavier's death and what the future holds, Jean reminds Cyclops about their shared past as Xavier's first students. They were also the first X-Men alongside Beast, Ice Man, and Angel. Together, they were the original five mutant heroes from the very first comics, a classic roster that was also referenced in the original X-Men animated series.

8 Storm Identified As An Omega-Level Mutant

After the X-Men tracks down Trask and his remaining Sentinels, the salvaged mutant-killing robots identify Storm as an "Omega-Level Mutant". This is Ororo's mutant status in the comics as well, meaning that she is a mutant whose dominant power is of the highest and upper limits of that power's specific classification. In other words, no one can control the weather as powerfully as Storm can.

7 X-Men '97's End Credits And Classic Character Profiles

X-Men '97's end credits feature rotating character models along with their power profiles. As such, this mirrors the end credits from the original animated series. It's a very fun and purely nostalgic nod, one that makes this new Marvel show feel just like a continuation of the original series.

6 Previously On X-Men

In the same vein, the beginning of X-Men '97 features an episode recap of the first episode. Additionally, it begins with the classic line "Previously, on X-Men" just like the original series. Naturally, "Previously On" was a staple of most serialized cartoons during the 90s offering quick snippets of what had come before, helping viewers to not be lost if they missed last week's episode. While it's still done and audibly heard with some show recaps in the modern day, it's certainly rarer.