Inspiration and where X-Men 97 should be headed!

The Disney Plus series, X-Men '97, had its last episode aired just over a week ago, leaving us completely stunned by some of the choices made by the writers throughout the series. But today, we are not here to discuss these surprises; instead, we are here to talk about what was expected and what left us very grateful to see.

When producing a series about well-established superheroes, creators face two choices: use existing material or create new stories. Generally, they choose to use the “source material,” something that makes the writers' job easier and pleases the original fans.

Let's see some examples of this.

The Massacre of Genosha

The destruction of Genosha in the fifth episode of the series is a mix of several different comics, such as "The Mutant Massacre" from 1986, "The Fall of X" which is currently being published, and "E for Extinction" from 2001.

We must admit that the connection with “The Mutant Massacre” is more of a reference than an inspiration, but we still decided to include it due to the emotional impact it presents in the episode. In the original story, the Morlocks are hunted in an attempt to exterminate them within their own homes. The new series references this by showing the only Morlocks known to us being killed in an attempt of extinction while Magneto tries to protect them. The brutality of this scene, with the rawness of the attack and the powerlessness of the Morlocks, highlights the recurring theme of the vulnerability of mutants and the irrational hatred they face.

Our second example already influences the episode much more, and even the rest of the story. In “The Fall of X,” we have the “Hellfire Gala Massacre.” Hellfire Gala is one of the most important events for the X-Men, where they announce the new team members at a high-society ball, along with prominent political figures. Can you see the resemblance? Well, it is during this ball that mutants are attacked by sentinels, and many guests and organizers are killed, just like in the series. The reinterpretation of the Hellfire Gala in the series captures the grandeur and tragedy of the event, with the luxurious party being abruptly transformed into a scene of chaos and carnage.

Lastly, we have "E for Extinction" by Grant Morrison. Here, as in the series, an almost unbeatable sentinel attacks the island of Genosha while Magneto is its leader, completely massacring its population, with about 16 million dead in a single day. This comic almost entirely inspires the episode and is a great read for those interested in X-Men after the series. In the show, we experience the same horror, grief, and brutality presented in the comics; it is not just inspiration but adaptation.

The series manages to convey the despair of the characters, the devastation of the attack, and the profound impact this event has on the mutant community.

Magneto Rips the Adamantium from Logan's Skeleton

This scene is so iconic to X-Men history that it is hard not to recognize it, as it has been recreated several times. In fact, this particular instance is so similar to the original that we couldn't find any significant differences. It seems to have been taken entirely from “Fatal Attractions,” where even its consequences are the same (Professor X's retaliating by erasing Magneto's mind).

In the comics, as in the series, this scene is a crucial turning point, as it shows how far Charles Xavier is willing to go to protect humanity and how much Magneto resents humanity. The fidelity to the original source and the intensity of the scene make it one of the most memorable moments in the series.

The series shows small details that allow us to try to predict what we will see in season 2.

Gambit as the Horseman of Death

Again, this is more of a reference, or better yet, foreshadowing.

In the comics, Gambit becomes one of the most famous Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and the show gives us enough hints to believe that Gambit may return in the second season in one of his most famous roles – as Death itself (well, not really Death).

The hints we have so far are: Gambit dies, the vision Charles Xavier has of him burning the entire earth, and finally, and perhaps the most obvious, Apocalypse taking Gambit's card in the post-credits scene.

In the comics, the arc where Gambit becomes Death is one of the darkest and most interesting, exploring themes of betrayal, redemption, and the personal sacrifices that heroes make. The potential to explore this darker side of Gambit could be an intriguing addition to the series' narrative, especially considering his relationship with Rogue.

En Sabah Nur and Onslaught

Here, we have another hint of the direction the story could take. We have already had several indications that Apocalypse will return for the second season. With the appearance of En Sabah Nur, this becomes practically confirmed. After the events in the season finale, the X-Men find themselves scattered through time, and part of the group goes to Ancient Egypt, Apocalypse's home. There they encounter En Sabah Nur, a past version of him. This probably leads us to the Onslaught plot.

In the comics, En Sabah Nur, who later becomes Apocalypse, is a central and complex figure. He is one of the first mutants and believes in the survival of the fittest, leading to inevitable conflicts with the X-Men. The Onslaught plot, mentioned earlier, is one of the most important arcs and involves the fusion of Magneto's and Professor X's powers, resulting in an almost invincible enemy. Which could be the only way to defeat Apocalypse.

Although they do not have such a concrete connection, due to where we left off at the end of the first season, we still believe in the strong possibility of Onslaught occurring. So, this means that we will likely have the fusion of Magneto and Professor X, along with the Apocalypse plot.

Long-time fans certainly appreciate the references and recreations of iconic scenes from the comics, while new viewers have the opportunity to learn about classic stories in a modern and accessible way. The series proves that the X-Men still have many relevant stories to tell, exploring themes of identity, acceptance, and the fight against oppression, which continue to resonate strongly in today's world.

In short, "X-Men '97" not only celebrates the legacy of Marvel's most famous mutants but also promises to keep the flame alive for future generations of fans. We are eager to see what the next season holds for us, especially with the clues left at the end of this first season.

And you, what did you think? Do you agree with our prediction for Onslaught? Did we miss any references? Please let us know in the comments!