Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for X-Men ‘97.
The first two episodes ofX-Men ‘97have shaken up the titular superhero group in a major way. Their former archnemesis Magneto (Matthew Waterson) has joined the team, and Cyclops (Ray Chase) became a father — which was upended by the fact that a womanwho looks identical to his wife Jean Grey(Jennifer Hale) is now at the X-Mansion. But the biggest twist concerns Storm (Allison Sealy-Smith). In the second episode, “Mutant Liberation Begins,” the X-Cutioner struck Storm with an energy weapon thatstripped her of her power to control the weather. Storm has left the X-Men to try and carve out a new life for herself, which issetting the stage for one of her most iconic stories from the comics.
A band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they’re challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.
‘Lifedeath’ Sees Storm Falling in Love and Becoming Leader of the X-Men
The seeds forLifedeathare sown inUncanny X-Men #185byChris ClaremontandJohn Romita Jr.When Henry Gyrich — who also served as an antagonist towards the X-Men inX-Men: The Animated Series—targeted Rogue with a power-nullifying weapon,Storm jumped in front of her to take the blast. She also leaves the X-Men to recuperate, and in the process, she meets Forge, a mutant capable of inventing cutting-edge technology.Uncanny X-Men #186by Claremont andBarry Windsor-Smithis whereLifedeathtakes place, as Storm struggles with the loss of her powers and confides in Forge. Although the two strike up a romantic rapport, it’s cut shortwhen Storm learns that Forge invented the neutralizer technology that stripped her of her powers.
Storm makes her way back to the X-Men, just as the team is entering another upheaval. Professor Xavier, suffering from a fatal disease, has left Earth for treatment — but also left Magneto in charge of his school. Cyclops is also struggling with change as his wife Madelyne Pryorgives birth to his son, Nathan, but he doesn’t trust Magneto to handle Xavier’s legacy. Matters boil over inUncanny X-Men #201from Claremont andRick Leonardi, whenStorm challenges Cyclops to a fight for leadership of the X-Men. She manages to beat him, proving that even without her powers she is a formidable force. Storm continues to lead the X-Men, even after she regains her powers, and eventually leads the “Gold” team of X-Men while Cyclops leads the “Blue” team in the ’90s.
How Is ‘X-Men ‘97’ Adapting ‘Lifedeath’?
The broad strokes ofLifedeathhave been tackled in the series finale ofX-Men: The Animated Seriesand the premiere ofX-Men ‘97— mainly, Xavier leaving Earth, Magneto taking over the X-Men, and Storm being depowered. The latest episode, “Fire Made Flesh,” decides to focus on the origins of Madelyne Pryor, but features a final scene where Storm is in a bar. A man approaches her,revealing himself to be Forge, and says he wants to help her get her powers back.
This isn’t the first time Forge has shown up inX-Men: The Animated Series, as he first appeared in Season 1 during the adaptation of the famous “Days of Future Past” storyline. Bishop also mentions that Forge can help save Nathan Summers from the techno-organic virus that Mister Sinister infected him with, which hints that Cable will make a reappearance down the line.
The next episode ofX-Men ‘97also hints at adaptingLifedeath, namely with its title being “Motendo / Lifedeath - Part 1,” while Episode 6 is titled “Lifedeath - Part 2.” These episodes hint at setting the stage for Storm to become the leader that fans know and love from the comics, and continuing to shake up the world ofX-Men ‘97.
X-Men ‘97is available to stream on Disney+, with new episodes premiering every Wednesday.
