The opening episodes of X-Men '97 season 2 on Disney Plus find the mutant team scattered and dealing with significant changes, most notably Wolverine's absence of adamantium claws. Instead, he now sports bone claws that are less durable than their metallic counterparts, though they do regenerate quickly. This significant alteration is a direct consequence of Magneto's actions at the close of season 1.
During the season 1 finale, Magneto unleashed a global blackout to halt a Sentinel offensive, an act Wolverine perceived as a declaration of war. In a confrontation, Wolverine managed to stab Magneto. In retaliation, Magneto utilized his magnetic powers to forcibly extract the adamantium from Wolverine's bones, an event that nearly proved fatal.
This plot point is a direct adaptation from the X-Men comics, specifically "Fatal Attractions," a storyline from X-Men volume 2, issue #25, published in 1993. In the comic, Magneto also retaliated by tearing the adamantium from Wolverine's skeleton after being stabbed. The comic event was notable for its graphic depiction and had lasting consequences, with Wolverine not regaining his adamantium for six years.
During this period in the comics, Wolverine was depicted as weaker, but the lack of adamantium also presented unexpected advantages. It made him more effective in combat against Magneto, as the adamantium bonding had previously made him vulnerable to Magneto's powers. Furthermore, the absence of the adamantium coating was revealed to have enhanced Wolverine's natural mutant abilities, including his healing factor and sensory powers, leading to a more feral disposition. X-Men '97 appears to be leaning into this feral aspect, reflected in Wolverine's altered costume.
The duration for which X-Men '97 will continue to feature Wolverine's bone claws remains to be seen. However, a sustained exploration of this change could offer opportunities to delve into its impact on the character and whether other adversaries might exploit his newfound vulnerability.