X-Men '97 Showrunner Reveals Man of Steel Reference in Season 1 Finale

X-Men ‘97 showrunner Beau DeMayo is a self-confessed Zack Snyder fan, especially his works for the 2013 Man of Steel. Hence, it’s no surprise that some of the episodes of X-Men '97 were inspired by the Superman reboot, alongside several pop culture references. So, though it has been weeks since the animated series' first season ended, DeMayo recently revealed that one scene from the epic finale, Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3, was inspired by Man of Steel.

The scene in question was the fight between Rogue and Bastion in X-Men ‘97 Episode 10. Rogue was full of emotions when she attacked Bastion the moment he landed on Asteroid M. “His name is Gambit. Remember it,” she said as she punched the villain with all her might, remembering the demise of her fellow mutant during the attack on Genosha, which Bastion orchestrated.

And as DeMayo seemed to rewatch Man of Steel, he shared on X that he was subconsciously influenced by Superman’s scene attacking Zod to defend his mom, Martha, when writing Rogue’s scene with Bastion. For the show creator, that sequence was driven by emotion, not the plot.  

“I was likely subconsciously influenced by this when writing the X-Men ‘97 finale beat of Rogue punching Bastion,” he captioned his post with a clip of Superman and Zod’s fight. “That’s not Superman hammering Zod. It’s Clark, a son furiously defending the woman who raised and protected him. The action is driven by emotion not plot.”

 

The Man of Steel References in X-Men ‘97

Rogue and Bastion’s fight isn’t the only Man of Steel reference seen in X-Men ‘97. In fact, two more sequences are inspired by Snyder’s movie. In Episode 8, Tolerance is Extinction – Part 1, Bastion’s origin story was revealed, and DC fans quickly noticed its similarities with the DC Extended Universe film.

The moment the young Bastion discovered his connection to machines while in class was similar to the scene where the young Clark Kent learned of his Kryptonian superpowers. From the ticking of the clock to an agitated child running to his mom for comfort, everything was the same. DeMayo even joked in a post on X that the name of Bastion’s mother was Martha.

Also, in Episode 6, Lifedeath – Part 2, Storm took the skies and gradually transformed after regaining her powers following a realization that the loss of her powers was rooted in her own lie, believing being human could be tempting. As fans asked if it was a nod to Superman’s first flight in Man of Steel, DeMayo confirmed it was.

 

DC and superhero fans alike have praised DeMayo for his perfect depiction of Man of Steel in X-Men ’97. Though he’s no longer part of Marvel Studios after his surprising firing in March before the animated series’ premiere, he has written much of X-Men ‘97 Season 2. So, there may be more Man of Steel and other pop culture references fans are about to see.

All X-Men ‘97 Season 1 episodes are available on Disney+. There are no words yet on when X-Men '97 Season 2 will be released.