Summary
X-Men ‘97revived the 1990s animated show, acting as a continuation of the series. The show proved to be a faithful continuation of the series, bringing fan-favorite characters like Gambit, Rogue, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler back to TV screens around the world. It reinvigorated the adults who grew up with it, and introduced the old show to new viewers. The first season ofX-Men ‘97set the stage for several stories, with season 2 set to tell one of Wolverine’s darkest periods.
The first season ofX-Men ‘97adapted many storylines from the Marvel Comics series. Fans saw Charles Xavier leave Earth for Lilandra, the introduction of Madelyne Pryor, and even Storm losing her powers. The series also embraced more mature storylines, seeing Rogue and Magneto form a relationship, the destruction of Genosha, and Magneto almost taking over the world. However, one ofX-Men ‘97’s darkest moments sees Wolverine endure a brutal attack.
X-Men ‘97Saw Wolverine Get The Adamantium Ripped From His Body
In episode 9 of season 1, “Tolerance is Extinction - Part 2,“X-Men ‘97embraced Wolverine’s fate in the Fatal Attractions storyline from the comics. After Magneto sets off a worldwide EMP blast that disables electronics and kills thousands, the X-Men take action, traveling to the villain’s Asteroid M. A battle with Magneto ensues, seeing the X-Men taking on one of their greatest enemies, with the stakes growing more dire.
During the fight, Wolverine sees an opportunity to stop Magneto, sneaking up behind him and stabbing the master of magnetism with his adamantium claws. It provides a shocking moment for viewers, seeing blood streaked across Wolverine’s claws as they jut from Magneto’s abdomen. In a moment of furious anger, Magneto retaliates, showing audiences one of the comic book’s most violent acts. He flexes the full might of his powers,pulling every ounce of adamantium that clings to Wolverine’s skeleton out of his body in a brutal moment that leaves Logan in agony.X-Men ‘97lingers on the actfor a moment, leaving it as the ending of the episode. Viewers are left with their mouths agape, in disbelief that they had to wait another week to see what would happen next.
Wolverine’s Recovery Is A Dark Period For The Character
The season one finale ofX-Men ‘97sees Wolverine understandably sidelined, recovering from his wounds while the rest of the X-Men take on Bastion. However, season 2 is now set to tell one of Wolverine’s darkest stories. Even with his healing factor, recovering from Magneto’s attack is no easy road to travel. Wolverine has stated before that he still feels pain, and with an unimaginable injury like the one Magneto inflicted, even his healing is painful.
Wolverine’s recovery sees the character undergo numerous changes. His bone claws prove to be a mutant ability he hadn’t fully understood before, and his healing factor actually receives a boost due to the adamantium being gone from his body, since he is not continually forced to fight off the metal poisoning in his system. However,this also causes him to lose control of his animalistic urges, making Wolverine more feral.He is lighter on his feet, thanks to the reduced weight without a metal-laced skeleton. However, Logan is hindered by his body’s inability to endure the same punishments it once did. Bone claws break, where adamantium ones would not.
Wolverine suffers great mental anguish throughout the experience, as any attack can leave someone with psychological trauma. Still, Logan’s condition sees him turning into a version of himself he doesn’t recognize, as he can no longer control himself.Throughout the healing process, all he wants is to be his old self again. Yet, his story continually steers him toward loss of control and pain.
Does Wolverine Get His Adamantium Back?
There are several attempts at giving Logan his adamantium back thatX-Men ‘97season 2 can explore. Genesis, a clone of Apocalypse who can control metal, attempts to re-bond the adamantium to Wolverine’s skeleton. However, his attempts fail, causing Logan more suffering in the long run. Still, through a devil’s bargain, Wolverine can reacquire his adamantium.
In the Wolverine comics, Apocalypse offers Logan his adamantium back, but it comes at a cost:Wolverine would have to become Death, one of his four horsemen.To complicate the situation further, Sabretooth is also vying for the spot, forcing Wolverine win out over him to earn the job. Logan does prevail, andApocalypse is able to re-bond the metal to his skeleton.However, Apocalypse also takes the adamantium from Sabretooth, whom he leaves for dead, so Logan’s bones become laced with metal from his arch-nemesis.
Once Wolverine becomes Death for Apocalypse, his storyline ventures into even darker territory. He is unable to break free of En Sabah Nur’s control, which forces him to commit heinous acts. Eventually, theX-Men are able to break Wolverinefree from Apocalypse, but with much of the psychological damage already done. WhileX-Men ‘97season 2 will likely follow several impactful stories for each character, Wolverine is undoubtedly set to see one of his darkest storylines unfold for viewers.
