“X-Men 97” brings mutant heroes to Disney+

Word Balloons #1208: The mutant Sunspot is introduced to the team in debut episode

The sequel to the popular “X-Men: The Animated Series” went live on Disney+ this week. 

According to a news release from Disney, " X-Men ’97” revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before and forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future. 

The first two episodes are on Disney+ now after a March 20 release. New episodes drop on Wednesdays of the 10-episode season.  

One new mutant introduced in the series is known in the comics as Sunspot. 

The Brazilian mutant Roberto da Costa was an original member of the New Mutants in the comic books. Sunspot can transform into black solar energy; in this form he can absorb and channel solar power. He first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel No. 4: “The New Mutants" (1982).

In the comics, da Costa is a tremendous athlete and the son of a wealthy businessman; despite this, as an Afro-Brazilian, he faces prejudice from classmates and others. One such incident causes his powers to activate, eventually leading him to Charles Xavier and the class of “New Mutants” at the X-school. 

The events transpire somewhat differently in the “X-Men ‘97” continuity, but the character appears to be much the same. 

Sunspot has appeared in Marvel animated and live-action productions before. In 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” he was played by Adan Canto. In the “New Mutants” film of 2020, he was played by Henry Zaga. In the animated “X-Men: Evolution,” Sunspot was seen as a New Mutant recruit. 

Gui Agustini is the voice for Sunspot in “X-Men ‘97.” 

The voice cast includes Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, JP Karliak as Morph, Lenore Zann as Rogue, George Buza as Beast, AJ LoCascio as Gambit, Holly Chou as Jubilee, Isaac Robinson-Smith as Bishop, Matthew Waterson as Magneto and Adrian Hough as Nightcrawler, according to a news release from Disney. 

A prequel comic book miniseries exploring what the team has been up to since the 1990s series begins next week. 

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.