Category: Features

The season finale of X-Men ’97 was so chock-full of goodness that fans could be forgiven if they overlooked a thing or two. With all the cameos from heroes across the Marvel Universe to the introduction of Apocalypse and the post-credit tease of Gambit’s resurrection, the episode was quite simply one of the best examples of what Marvel Studios can–and should–be capable of. However, with a Mr. Fantastic here and a Sauron there, some fans seem to have completely missed the appearance of a major X-Men character.

Following an emotional good-bye between Scott, Jean and Cable, the appearance of a young Nathan in the future to which his parents where whisked away was certainly an attention grabber. The reunion gives Cyclops and Marvel Girl the opportunity to spend at least some time raising the son they’d lost…but the scene also introduced a daughter they didn’t know they had… because they hadn’t…not yet, at least.

When Scott and Jean arrived in the year 3960, they were met by a hooded woman who introduced herself as Mother Askani. From there, Nathan’s appearance took all the attention but it’s all but a sure thing that Mother Askani’s identity will become a significant part of whatever goes on in Season 2. If showrunner Beau DeMayo is staying relatively close to the comics–and there’s plenty of evidence to suggest he is–then Mother Askani will be revealed to be Rachel Summers, the daughter of Scott and Jean.

Though she remains hooded and her face partially hidden, Rachel’s trademark face markings are clear. What’s more, the markings on her chin and the long, white braid are consistent with the appearance of the alt-Earth version of the character who first appeared in 1993’s Cable #6.

As the founder of Clan Askani, Rachel became known as Mother Askani. The clan believed that a Messiah, known as Dayspring or Askani’son, must be saved from the past to protect the future and overthrow Apocalypse. That messiah is, of course, Nathan Summers, who was alive and well under Rachel’s watch in the season finale.

This isn’t Rachel’s first appearance in the animated universe as she showed up in X-Men: The Animated Series when the show adapted Days of Future Past. However, given the timey-wimey nonsense that comes with Marvel’s mutants, this Rachel is probably not that Rachel and she’s probably not the daughter of that Scott and that Jean. In that sense, saving the full reveal of the true identity of Mother Askani for Season 2 was a wise move as it gives Scott, Jean (and the emotional fans) time to process one reunion before moving on to a potentially more awkward one.

The attack on Genosha in Episode 5 of X-Men ’97 took the lives of an as yet unrevealed number of mutants. Despite Cable’s attempt to warn his mother, Madelyne Pryor joined key players such as Magneto and Gambit as casualties of the Wild Sentinel’s devastating attack. While mutants and fans alike are still mourning the dead and recovering from the massacre, the question of who orchestrated it remains.

Though the Genoshan genocide seen in “Remember It” was partially inspired by a similar event seen in Grant Morrison‘s “E is for Extinction” arc in New X-Men, X-Men ’97 supervising producer Jake Castorena made it clear that the mastermind behind the attack was not Cassandra Nova, who perpetrated the terror in the comics.

A close look at some clues have led to the theory that the Sentinel Android known as Bastion could be behind the attack. There’s plenty of compelling evidence to suggest Bastion as a possibility but continuing to connect the dots has lead us to not only double down on the identity of the perp but also wonder if the voice actor for the villain hasn’t been in front of our eyes all along.

Theo James Is Bastion

Before the first episode of X-Men ’97 debuted on Disney Plus, showrunner Beau DeMayo revealed that Theo James was set to voice a “fan-favorite” character. Through five episodes, the identity of that character has remained a mystery but DeMayo’s insistence that the role would “surprise people” ties nicely into the idea that James will voice Bastion.

Connecting the dots from James voicing a surprising fan-favorite character to Bastion isn’t really all that crazy. With only five episodes left and the big bad behind the attack on Genosha left a mystery, there’s plenty of reason to think it was Bastion. From the picture of him in Forge’s lab to his brief presence at the gala to the use of “Tolerance is Extinction” as the title of the three-part season finale (Bastion was introduced in the comics in an event titled Operation: Zero Tolerance), plenty of markers point in the direction of Bastion.

If we accept it’s Bastion, the idea of James voicing him is the easy part. James likely didn’t sign on to voice a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo character and there just aren’t that many major characters left to come into play in this season. While the idea of him voicing Captain America gained some traction online after Cap’s shield was seen in a recent sneak peek, it’s preposterous. James is as British as tea and strumpets and though he’s grown into a bloody brilliant actor, his American accent is a bit rubbish, innit? While he’d be chuffed to bits to voice Cap, he is not.

James‘ career renaissance has been impressive. He recently led Netflix’s The Gentleman for which he received high praise. However, it was his role as the bad guy in White Lotus: Sicily that showed his range. We won’t have long to wait to find out if we connected the dots well or not but the idea of James as the voice of Bastion is just too good to pass up.

Episode 5 of X-Men ’97 will certainly live in infamy. A devastating epsiode that Beau DeMayo intended to serve as the 9/11 of the series, “Remember It” saw a Wild Sentinel attack Genosha and kill an as yet unquantified number of mutants. Among those presumed dead are Gambit, Sebastian Shaw and Magneto, whose work had Genosha on the brink of becoming recognized as a legitimate mutant nation. The season opened with Magneto pledging to lead the X-Men and, against his instincts, try to do so in the way his friend Charles Xavier would have. And now, just as Charles was taken off the board by the humans he longed to live with harmoniously, so was Magneto…mabye?

Of course, at this point it’s still unclear who was behind the attack on Genosha, though we have our theories. Additionally, it’s truly hard to believe that Beau DeMayo and Jake Castorena would kill off the Master of Magnetism at the half way point of Season 1 of the revival. With two more seasons of X-Men ’97 already on the way, it seems as though there should be plenty left for Magneto to do, especially with Charles likely to return at some point. The good news is that there are plenty of ways that Magneto could have survived the attack. Even if he died, there are plenty of comic-based ways he could find his way back to the land of the living. While there’s plenty of uncertainty there, one thing cannot be argued: however and whenever he returns, he’s going to be pissed.

Magneto Was Right

Following Episode 5, Marvel Studios released a series of images on social media including one including a phrase that was seen in the episode and acheived memehood among comic book readers long ago: “Magneto Was Right.”

“Magneto Was Right” is a phrase and sentiment within the Marvel Comics universe that encapsulates the ideology of the mutant villain Magneto, suggesting that his extreme methods and views on human-mutant relations may have some validity. Magneto, a Holocaust survivor, believes that mutants are superior to humans and that they should assert their dominance over them to ensure their survival. While his methods often involve violence and aggression, Magneto’s perspective is rooted in the oppression and persecution that mutants face in a world that fears and discriminates against them.

The phrase “Magneto Was Right” reflects a nuanced exploration of morality and ethics within the context of the X-Men comics. That exploration has been front and center throughout the first five episodes of X-Men ’97. It acknowledges that Magneto’s actions, while extreme and often villainous, are sometimes motivated by a desire to protect mutantkind from the dangers posed by humanity’s prejudice and hatred. However, it also serves as a reminder of the complex and morally ambiguous nature of Magneto’s character, as well as the ongoing debate within the X-Men universe about how best to achieve equality and justice for mutants. Magneto was on the precipice of achieving those things when Genosha was attacked. He tried it Charles’ way and it cost him everything. However and whenever he returns, he’s going to put Charles’ way behind him.

The Man From Room X

Should Magneto have survived, he’s certainly plotting his vengeance. However, his death would elevate him from leader to martyr and publicly undoing it would greatly reduce its impact. Fortunely, there’s an app for that.

Introduced in Grant Morrison‘s New X-Men Annual 2001, Xorn was a fascinating new mutant from China who was imprisoned by his government. Born with a star in his head that granted him impressive powers, Xorn was freed from prison by the X-Men and then joined their ranks, eventually taking over as a teacher. Over time, his peaceful demeanor faded and he began to champion Magneto’s ideals and, in what was at the time a major suprise twist, was revealed as Magneto, who was believed to have been killed…during the same Genoshan massacre just adapted by X-Men ’97.

“I could have built Heaven on Earth, if only they’d let me.”

-Xorn

Given the choice to move into Morrison’s New X-Men territory to bring the Genoshan genocide to the series, it’s at least somewhat probable that DeMayo also considered adapting one of the author’s great additions to the X-Men mythology. It’s no sure thing, by any means, as it’s already been made clear that the villain behind the attack on Genosha in X-Men ’97 will not be the same as in the comics, which further serves to prove that the creators of the animated series are more than willing to mix and match. However, they also have the opportunity to pull off a wonderful twist that many fans simply won’t see coming. Xorn is hardly a well-known character and great lengths have been taken to retcon the Magneto reveal. As Jonathan Hickman recently said, “continuity is what people remember, and what sticks,” and Xorn certainly doesn’t “stick” with most casual fans.

With five episodes left in Season 1 of X-Men ’97, it really seems more of a question of when Magneto will return rather than if he will.

About Xorn

Xorn is an enigmatic figure within the Marvel Universe, known for his dual identity and mysterious past. Possessing magnetic powers and wearing a distinctive helmet, he is a complex character whose actions often blur the lines between heroism and villainy. Xorn’s compassionate nature and philosophical outlook set him apart, making him both a visionary leader and a controversial figure among mutants.

Little is known about Xorn’s origins, adding to the intrigue surrounding his character. He has been associated with both the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants, demonstrating his fluid allegiance and rebellious spirit. Whether leading mutant sanctuary efforts or confronting the establishment, Xorn’s actions have left an indelible mark on the mutant community.

Xorn’s motivations are driven by a desire to challenge the status quo and inspire change within the mutant population. His philosophical approach to mutant rights and societal norms often leads him to question authority and lead rebellions against oppressive regimes. Despite the controversy surrounding his methods, Xorn remains committed to his vision of a better future for mutants.

Xorn’s actions are marked by rebellion, manipulation, and confrontation. He leads mutant movements, inspires change, and challenges the established order with his philosophical insights. Xorn’s willingness to question authority and sacrifice himself for his beliefs makes him a symbol of defiance and hope for mutants everywhere.

Xorn possesses powerful magnetic abilities, similar to those of Magneto. With his control over magnetism, he can manipulate magnetic fields to move objects, generate electromagnetic pulses, and even create force fields for defense. Additionally, his distinctive helmet enhances his powers and allows him to focus and amplify his magnetic abilities to a greater extent. However, Xorn’s powers are often shrouded in mystery due to his dual identity and enigmatic past, adding an air of intrigue to his character. Despite the controversy surrounding him, Xorn remains a formidable force within the mutant community, using his magnetic prowess to challenge the status quo and fight for mutant rights.

In one of the most shocking plot twists in Marvel Comics history, the character known as Xorn was revealed to be none other than Magneto himself. This revelation occurred during Grant Morrison’s acclaimed run on the “New X-Men” series. Initially introduced as a mysterious mutant with a star-shaped helmet, Xorn quickly gained prominence as a compassionate and philosophical figure within the mutant community. However, as the series progressed, hints and clues began to emerge, suggesting a deeper connection between Xorn and Magneto.

The climactic reveal occurred during the storyline known as “Planet X,” where it was unveiled that Xorn’s true identity was that of Magneto, who had been believed dead at the time. This revelation sent shockwaves throughout the X-Men fandom, as readers grappled with the implications of Magneto’s return and the deception surrounding Xorn’s identity. The reveal added layers of complexity to both characters, highlighting Magneto’s capacity for manipulation and reinvention, as well as the moral ambiguity inherent in his actions. Ultimately, the revelation of Xorn’s true identity served as a testament to the storytelling prowess of Grant Morrison and remains a memorable moment in X-Men lore.