The latest episode of X-Men '97, titled “Strange Land, Savage Heart,” delivered a shocking cliffhanger that may leave fans wondering about the ultimate fate of Apocalypse.
In the episode's final moments, Cable and his X-Force team located Apocalypse's hidden lair beneath the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Their discovery was a dead, shriveled body inside Apocalypse's iconic armor, accompanied by a single playing card. This card, belonging to Gambit, is a significant clue, as Gambit was transformed into one of Apocalypse's Horsemen in the previous episode.
This unexpected turn raises questions about Apocalypse's mortality. While the character is known for his immense power and near-immortality, his death and subsequent returns have a long precedent in Marvel comic history. One of his most notable demises occurred in the alternate timeline known as “The Age of Apocalypse,” where Magneto tore him in half. However, in the main Marvel universe, Apocalypse has a history of returning after apparent deaths.
Apocalypse's resilience was first demonstrated in the pages of X-Factor in 1991. The original X-Factor team, comprising the first five X-Men, battled Apocalypse in 1986. Five years later, they managed to defeat him again, with Cyclops piercing his armor with an energy blast.
Further complicating Apocalypse's history is his conflict with Cable. In the 2000 storyline “Ages of Apocalypse,” Apocalypse merged with Cyclops's body. While Cyclops attempted a self-sacrifice to defeat him, Jean Grey intervened. Cable ultimately vanquished Apocalypse's spirit using his psimitar, a tool for channeling psionic energy.
The key to Apocalypse's ability to return often lies in his unique physiology and external power sources. Born a mutant, much of his godlike power stems from Celestial technology. This allows him to manipulate his molecular structure and resurrect himself. He has also been known to extend his lifespan by inhabiting other bodies, a tactic seen in stories like “Apocalypse: The Twelve,” where he attempted to possess Cable, and later succeeded in possessing Cyclops after his body withered.
The withered state of the body found in X-Men '97's finale bears a resemblance to the descriptions of Apocalypse's deteriorating form in “Apocalypse: The Twelve.” This parallel suggests that Apocalypse may not be dead but has instead transferred to a new host. The presence of Gambit's playing card could indicate that he is the new vessel, though it is also possible that Gambit somehow overpowered and killed Apocalypse outright, although the off-screen resolution of the season's main antagonist would be an unusual narrative choice. The rapid twists in X-Men '97 make either scenario plausible.
X-Men '97 is currently streaming on Disney Plus.