The latest episode of X-Men 97 Season 2 brings back a familiar face from the original animated series. Graydon Creed, the anti-mutant politician and half-brother to Nightcrawler and Rogue, makes his return in Episode 7, titled “Strange Land, Savage Heart.” The episode aired on Disney+ on July 29, 2026.
This marks the seventh of nine episodes in the season, which premiered on July 1, 2026, with a three-episode debut. The season continues to release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays.
Episode Opens With Genosha Flashback and Colossus Tragedy
The episode begins with a flashback to the devastating attack on Genosha from Season 1. Viewers see Colossus (voiced by Robert Cait) trying desperately to save his sister Illyana Rasputin (Courtenay Taylor) from the Sentinel attack. Illyana is caught in the blast and dies, leaving her brother grief-stricken.
This loss becomes the driving force behind Colossus turning his back on Professor Xavier’s dream of peaceful coexistence. He joins the Acolytes of Magneto, a group of mutant extremists who believe survival requires harder choices.
Graydon Creed Announces Presidential Run
The action shifts to the present day, where Graydon Creed (voiced by Ben Pronsky) stands on a stage delivering a presidential campaign speech. Creed, the human son of Sabretooth and Mystique, has long been a prominent anti-mutant figure and founder of the hate group Friends of Humanity.
His rally is crashed by the Acolytes, who storm the stage and kidnap him. Exodus (Bo Poraj), the leader of the group, broadcasts a message demanding the release of all mutants detained by the government team X-Factor in exchange for Creed’s life.
X-Men Travel to Savage Land for Rescue Mission
Despite objections from X-Factor director Val Cooper, Professor Charles Xavier sends a team to the Savage Land to rescue Creed. The team includes Beast, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Polaris, and Bishop.
The X-Men’s jet is hit by missiles and radiation that disables their powers. Bishop absorbs some of the energy but cannot release it, creating a life-threatening buildup inside him. Polaris saves him with a parachute, and the two land separately from the rest of the team.
The remaining X-Men are found by Colossus and the Acolytes. Instead of fighting, Nightcrawler asks Colossus to show them the Acolytes’ home and explain their way of life.
Family Drama Takes Center Stage
The episode focuses heavily on the complicated family relationships between the characters. Nightcrawler and Graydon Creed share Mystique as their mother. Rogue, who was raised by Mystique, also considers them family.
Nightcrawler believes there is still humanity left in his half-brother despite Creed’s long history of anti-mutant hatred. Creed, however, remains defiant and scornful toward Nightcrawler’s attempts at reconciliation.
When asked why he hates mutants, Creed responds: “Because you were born”. This moment highlights the deep-seated prejudice that defines his character.
The Trial of Graydon Creed
Nightcrawler convinces Colossus to hold a trial for Creed’s crimes. If Nightcrawler wins, Creed goes free. If he loses, Nightcrawler must join the Acolytes and Creed will be executed.
Exodus prosecutes the case, detailing Creed’s many crimes including founding the Friends of Humanity and creating the Legacy Virus that killed mutants.
For the defense, Nightcrawler interviews Creed, who reveals that Mystique abandoned him as a baby and his father Sabretooth also rejected him. Nightcrawler argues that Creed’s hatred stems from abandonment and that redemption is possible.
Exodus Killed, Nightcrawler Shows Mercy
The trial takes a violent turn when Exodus attempts to execute Creed. During the confrontation, Graydon Creed shoots Exodus from behind, seemingly killing him.
Nightcrawler then teleports Creed to a snowy, isolated landscape. He has a short conversation with his half-brother about forgiveness before leaving him there. X-Factor later takes Creed into custody.
Colossus Returns to Xavier’s Dream
The ideological debate between Nightcrawler’s compassion and Exodus’s extremism ultimately wins over Colossus. He chooses to return to the Xavier Institute, establishing a promising dynamic between Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine.
This marks a significant character turn for Colossus, who had abandoned Xavier’s dream after his sister’s death on Genosha.
Episode Sets Up Finale With Apocalypse Tease
The episode concludes with a discovery that shifts the direction of the season. Cable and his X-Force team locate a hidden lair beneath the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.
They find what appears to be the remains of Apocalypse, but evidence suggests the villain has simply moved to a new form. A playing card belonging to Gambit is found near the skeletal remains, indicating that Gambit has been transformed into one of Apocalypse’s Horsemen.
The episode title for Episode 8, “The Dead Man’s Hand,” further hints at the fate of Gambit and his master. The season is building toward a confrontation with Apocalypse in the final two episodes.
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Voice Cast and Production Details
The voice cast for Season 2 includes returning talent and new additions. Adrian Hough voices Nightcrawler, Lenore Zann returns as Rogue, and George Buza as Beast. Ray Chase voices Cyclops, Cal Dodd returns as Wolverine, and Alison Sealy-Smith continues as Storm.
New voices this season include Carolina Ravassa as Polaris, Bo Poraj as Exodus, Ben Pronsky as Graydon Creed, and Robert Cait as Colossus.
The episode runs approximately 28 minutes and has received positive reviews, with an 8.2 rating on IMDb. Critics praise the episode for balancing action, emotion, and the core themes of the X-Men.
X-Men 97 Season 2 consists of nine episodes, with the finale scheduled for August 12, 2026. New episodes continue to stream weekly on Wednesdays exclusively on Disney+.
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