Marvel Legends fans get disappointing X-Men ’97 Wave 3 update

Fans of X-Men ’97 who are anticipating a Wave 3 release of fresh Marvel Legends figures will need to exercise patience as the wait will be extended.

The Marvel Legends X-Men ’97 releases have been met with great enthusiasm from fans. Despite a late-game delay on the series, 12 figures have already hit stores and have been quickly purchased by collectors. The animated design of the line has been a particular favorite among many.

Despite fans’ hopes for a third wave to complete the team, Marvel Legends marketer Dan Yun has confirmed that there will be no release of a Marvel Legends X-Men ’97 Wave 3 in 2024.

“Yun expressed his love for X-Men 97 on his Twitter/X account, stating that his team is also passionate about the franchise. However, he mentioned that there will not be a ‘wave 3’ this year, setting expectations for fans.”

The comments from fans express disappointment as their favorite characters are absent. The initial two releases included a variety of beloved characters, with Wave 1 introducing Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, Storm, Bishop, and Magneto in his original outfit. Wave 2 showcased Cyclops, Jean Grey, Goblin Queen, X-Cutioner, Nightcrawler, and Magneto in his second attire.

Despite the remaining big names, there are still notable absences from the current Legends release. Fans have pointed out that Bishop, Jubilee, Sunspot, The Beast, and Bastion have not been included in recent releases. This presents a challenge for fans who want to complete a team as seen on the show, as these older figures are difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.

Yun mentions that the team is actively developing figures for 2025 and 2026 and does not dismiss the potential for more X-Men ’97 figures in the future. Legends has already released a number of highly anticipated figures in 2024, such as Wolverine in his Astonishing X-Men attire and a deluxe Danny Ketch Ghost Rider figure.

Despite inventory becoming scarce, there are still some figures from the previous two X-Men ’97 waves available on Amazon. If you’re fortunate, you may even find them on the shelves at your local Walmart.