Raul Delapena Setiawan
The fifth episode of X-Men ’97 season two, titled "Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs," serves as a masterclass in fan service, blending high-stakes narrative progression with a dense layer of Marvel lore. As Wolverine reunites with his former Team X comrades—and the ever-versatile Morph—to infiltrate a clandestine Weapon X facility, the episode pauses for a brief, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that has sent the comic book community into a frenzy.
During the infiltration, Morph discovers a library of "digital video discs" (or "DVDs," as he quaintly refers to them) that function as a catalog of the government’s darkest experiments. These spines contain the names of some of the most lethal figures and programs in Marvel history. This article breaks down every name discovered in that cache, providing a comprehensive look at the legacy of the Weapon X program within the X-Men ’97 universe.
Main Facts: The Weapon X Archives
The scene in the facility is pivotal because it establishes that the X-Men ’97 creative team is operating with an expansive knowledge of both the classic X-Men runs and the gritty, hyper-violent spinoffs of the 1990s. By placing these names on physical media within a government base, the showrunners are confirming that these characters, programs, and entities have been cataloged as "assets" or "subjects" by the shadowy architects of mutant experimentation.
This isn’t just set dressing; it is a narrative signal. Each name on those shelves represents a potential threat or a ghost from Wolverine’s past, suggesting that Logan’s journey to confront his trauma is far from over.
Chronology and Character Profiles
To understand the weight of these names, one must look at their history within Marvel Comics. Here is a breakdown of the individuals and entities identified on those DVD spines.
X-23 (Laura Kinney)
Laura Kinney, the genetic clone and daughter of Wolverine, is arguably the most significant name on the list. First introduced in the animated series X-Men: Evolution, she later transitioned into the comics and made a massive splash in live-action through Dafne Keen’s performances in Logan and Deadpool & Wolverine. Her inclusion in the archives is the first concrete confirmation that the legacy of Wolverine’s genetic material exists within the X-Men ’97 timeline.
Fantomex (Charlie Cluster-7)
Debuting in the landmark New X-Men run in 2002, Fantomex is a product of the Weapon Plus program. A suave, French-accented thief with an external nervous system known as E.V.A., he has operated in both the X-Men and the morally ambiguous Uncanny X-Force. His presence on the shelf is a deep-cut nod, as he has yet to make a major appearance in animated media outside of the comics.
Ajax (Francis Freeman)
Francis Freeman, better known as Ajax, is a human mutate whose strength and speed were enhanced by the "Workshop," a brutal offshoot of Weapon X. As the primary antagonist of the 2016 Deadpool film, he is synonymous with the pain inflicted upon Wade Wilson. His status as a primary Weapon X asset highlights the program’s reach beyond just mutant subjects.
Aurora
A member of the Canadian super-team Alpha Flight, Aurora (twin sister to Northstar) possesses super speed and flight. Her history with Weapon X is rooted in her struggle with dissociative identity disorder, as she sought the program’s help to stabilize her fractured psyche—a decision that led to her exploitation.
Silver Fox (Kayla Silverfox)
A pivotal figure in Wolverine’s history, Silver Fox is a First Nations mutant with a healing factor. Her presence in the archives is a callback to her role in the original X-Men: The Animated Series episode "Weapon X, Lies, and Videotape." Her inclusion reminds viewers that Logan’s personal history is inextricably linked to the program’s cruelty.
Technical Data and Covert Programs
Beyond the individual mutants, the "DVDs" also reveal the bureaucratic nature of the Weapon X program.
Weapon XVIII and Weapon VI
The archives confirm that Weapon X is merely one branch of a larger, systemic effort. Weapon XVIII is identified as a program focused on experimenting on criminals and psychopaths to enhance their lethality. Weapon VI, conversely, is the specific clandestine operation responsible for the experimentation that granted Luke Cage his invulnerable skin and superhuman strength.
Psi-Borg (Aldo Ferro)
Aldo Ferro, or "Psi-Borg," is the telepath responsible for the false memories implanted into Logan. After a double-cross by his handlers, he was forced into a cybernetic suit. His name on the shelf serves as a reminder of the psychological horror inflicted upon the X-Men’s most famous member.
Ant
While it sounds like a hero’s name, "Ant" refers to the "Ant-Hill," a secret underground facility constructed by the anti-mutant crusader Bolivar Trask. It was designed to house and maintain his Sentinels, the robotic harbingers of mutant extinction.
Official Responses and Creative Direction
While Marvel Studios and the producers of X-Men ’97 have kept details about future episodes under tight lock and key, the show’s writers have frequently cited the "Chris Claremont era" and the subsequent 90s "X-Force" boom as their primary inspiration.
Industry analysts suggest that the inclusion of these names serves a dual purpose: it rewards long-term readers who have followed the X-Men through decades of comic book history, and it establishes a "shared universe" aesthetic where the X-Men ’97 world feels lived-in and connected to the broader, often darker corners of the Marvel multiverse.
Implications for the Future of ‘X-Men ’97’
The discovery of these files carries massive implications for the remainder of the season.
- The Expansion of the "Weapon" Programs: By acknowledging programs like Weapon VI and XVIII, the show is signaling that the threat of state-sponsored super-soldier programs is systemic. This could lead to a narrative arc where the X-Men must combat not just individual villains, but the entire government infrastructure supporting these labs.
- Character Debuts: The appearance of characters like Fantomex or the confirmed presence of X-23 suggests that the show is positioning itself to introduce these legacy characters into the animated fold. Fans are already speculating that an upcoming episode might feature a direct encounter with one of these "archived" subjects.
- Wolverine’s Personal Reckoning: With the revelation that the facility has a dedicated, cataloged history of his past, Logan is essentially walking into his own history book. This narrative device forces him to confront the reality that he was not the only victim of the program, shifting his perspective from a personal tragedy to a broader war against institutionalized abuse.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Violence
The "Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs" episode does more than just provide a list of names; it establishes a sense of history. In the world of X-Men ’97, the trauma of the past is never truly buried—it is cataloged, stored, and waiting to be accessed. As the series moves forward, these easter eggs will likely serve as the breadcrumbs for the show’s most intense conflicts. Whether these characters emerge as allies, enemies, or cautionary tales remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Weapon X program is far from finished with the X-Men.
Siti Muinah
Azzam Bilal Chamdy
