The latest installment of X-Men ‘97, "Rise of Apocalypse Part II," is not only providing a significant turning point for the series but also delivering a masterful adaptation of the iconic mutant villain Apocalypse, En Sabah Nur. This season's exploration of his backstory and the circumstances surrounding his transformation far exceed prior interpretations in Marvel film and television.
Apocalypse, created by Louise Simonson and Jackson Guice, first appeared in X-Factor #5 in 1986. His comic book history details a mutant born in Ancient Egypt as En Sabah Nur, who later merged with Celestial technology. His core philosophy is the survival of the fittest, advocating for the evolution of mutants through the destruction of the weak. He famously transformed Angel into his Horseman of Death and became a recurring nemesis for X-Factor and later the X-Men, notably featuring as the main antagonist in the 1995 "Age of Apocalypse" crossover event. While the original X-Men: The Animated Series depicted him, X-Men ‘97 is delving into his personality and motivations with a depth previously unseen.
X-Men ‘97's second season splits the team, sending some to a future ruled by Apocalypse and others, including Magneto, to Ancient Egypt. In Egypt, Magneto attempts to mentor the young En Sabah Nur, hoping to steer him towards Professor Xavier's ideology of human-mutant collaboration. This intervention proves to be a dangerous game, as Nur learns of his future and the X-Men's role in his origin. He discovers the Celestial temple known as Ship, adorned with artwork depicting the X-Men's involvement in his ascension. This revelation turns the narrative into a tragic exploration of fate and intervention.
The series elevates the comic's expository origin story by introducing emotional weight through the time-traveling X-Men. Professor Xavier and Magneto, by attempting to alter Nur's destiny, become unwitting participants in his rise to power. This complex dynamic positions Apocalypse as a more meaningful antagonist to the X-Men's ideals than in previous iterations. Xavier's attempt to mold Nur, a tendency to intervene in the lives of mutants to fit his philosophy, backfires when his incomplete truths push Nur towards the very destiny Xavier sought to prevent. This responsibility for Apocalypse's actions, including his vaporization of Magneto at the end of the episode, adds a layer of tragic irony.
This iteration of Apocalypse serves as a direct foil to Xavier. Both characters aim to reshape the world according to their vision and employ manipulation to achieve their ends. X-Men ‘97 successfully reveals the reasons behind Nur's dark path, showing his abandonment, ostracization, and enslavement by Rama-Tut's troops. This provides a profound understanding of why he rejects Xavier's ideology and embraces the Celestials' call to evolve and never be powerless. The detailed backstory established in X-Men ‘97 will undoubtedly enrich all future appearances of Apocalypse within this continuity, cementing this adaptation as the definitive version to date.