Warning: this article contains potential spoilers for future X-Men '97 storylines!
IGN just debuted a new clip from Episode 6 of X-Men ‘97. While the latest chapter of the series looks to be returning the focus to Storm and Forge (it is called “Lifedeath Part 2,” after all), this clip proves that the show is simultaneously expanding its scope beyond Earth and into the depths of the Marvel cosmos. Along the way, we’re getting our first look at a new villain with potentially huge ramifications for the series.
First, check out the clip below for a look at Deathbird and the Shi’ar Imperial Guard waging war on Ronan and the Kree:
While it’s fun seeing cosmic heavy-hitters like Deathbird and Ronan in action, the real significance comes with the introduction of Vulcan, the character dressed in red and black tights. That’s because this character also happens to be the long-lost brother of Cyclops. This quick cameo is one that promises to stir up even more drama for the X-Men’s already deeply troubled field leader. Let’s break down what you need to know about Vulcan and his connection to Cyclops.
The Summers family tree might just be the most convoluted in the entire Marvel Universe, and Vulcan is a big reason why. Traditionally, Scott Summers is depicted as having one brother, Alex (aka, Havok). But in 2006’s X-Men: Deadly Genesis, Marvel finally made good on the earlier tease that there are more than two Summers brothers in existence.
Deadly Genesis introduces Gabriel Summers. When Scott’s parents were abducted by the Shi’ar, his mother Katherine was still pregnant with Gabriel. The Shi’ar scientists kill Katherine and place the fetus in an incubator, causing Gabriel to rapidly reach adolescence. He becomes a slave of the villain Erik the Red until he escapes and makes his way back to Earth. He briefly becomes a member of Professor Xavier’s second team of X-Men, at least until that team is seemingly killed by Krakoa and Xavier wipes all memory of Gabriel’s existence from Scott’s mind.
Capable of manipulating and projecting energy on a massive scale, Vulcan is far more powerful than either of his brothers. His tragic upbringing also makes him far more unstable. He survives his run-in with Krakoa and returns to take revenge on the X-Men. Later, Vulcan travels to space and usurps the Shi’ar Imperial throne. He’s an incredibly dangerous and chaotic force in the Marvel Universe, to put it mildly. Fortunately, these days Vulcan has largely mellowed out and repaired his relationship with his family.
We doubt X-Men ‘97 will get into all of this tragic back-story in Episode 6, but there’s little doubt that the Vulcan cameo is meant as a tease of big things to come for the character. Sooner or later, Cyclops will uncover the existence of his long-lost younger brother and be forced to reckon with another skeleton in the Summers family closet.
At this stage, Vulcan appears to be an amnesiac, given that he’s serving as a member of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard despite the tragedy the Shi’ar inflicted upon his family. At some point (perhaps in Season 2?), X-Men ‘97 will likely tackle its own adaptation of Deadly Genesis and reveal the connection between Vulcan and Cyclops. Presumably, that includes the revelation that Vulcan was once an X-Man himself and Xavier wiped Cyclops’ memories. Just as in the comics, Xavier’s legacy may become profoundly tarnished as a result.
It’s worth pointing out that Cyclops is still in the process of discovering the truth about his family in the X-Men ‘97 universe. In the original X-Men: The Animated Series, Cyclops eventually learned that the space pirate Corsair is his father. However, he doesn’t yet know that Havok is his brother, though the series hinted at that revelation when the two men found they were immune to each other’s powers. Expect a lot more Summers family drama in the future, even as Cyclops continues to deal with the fallout of the Jean Grey/Madelyne Pryor situation.
It’s even possible that X-Men ‘97 will adapt the 2006 Uncanny X-Men storyline “The Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire.” In that story, Vulcan sets his sights on the Shi’ar throne, and a group of X-men fight unsuccessfully to stop him. With Xavier currently living among the Shi’ar in the animated series, this may be the best way to bring him back into play and force him to acknowledge one of the greatest sins of his past.
How do you think Vulcan will factor into X-Men ‘97? Is this a tease we’ll see pay off in Season 1, or is the series playing a longer game? Let us know your theories in the comments below.
For more on X-Men '97, read up on our biggest burning questions after Episode 5 and learn how the series brings real consequences to this animated universe.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
Continue reading...
IGN just debuted a new clip from Episode 6 of X-Men ‘97. While the latest chapter of the series looks to be returning the focus to Storm and Forge (it is called “Lifedeath Part 2,” after all), this clip proves that the show is simultaneously expanding its scope beyond Earth and into the depths of the Marvel cosmos. Along the way, we’re getting our first look at a new villain with potentially huge ramifications for the series.
First, check out the clip below for a look at Deathbird and the Shi’ar Imperial Guard waging war on Ronan and the Kree:
While it’s fun seeing cosmic heavy-hitters like Deathbird and Ronan in action, the real significance comes with the introduction of Vulcan, the character dressed in red and black tights. That’s because this character also happens to be the long-lost brother of Cyclops. This quick cameo is one that promises to stir up even more drama for the X-Men’s already deeply troubled field leader. Let’s break down what you need to know about Vulcan and his connection to Cyclops.
Who Is Vulcan, aka, Gabriel Summers?
The Summers family tree might just be the most convoluted in the entire Marvel Universe, and Vulcan is a big reason why. Traditionally, Scott Summers is depicted as having one brother, Alex (aka, Havok). But in 2006’s X-Men: Deadly Genesis, Marvel finally made good on the earlier tease that there are more than two Summers brothers in existence.
Deadly Genesis introduces Gabriel Summers. When Scott’s parents were abducted by the Shi’ar, his mother Katherine was still pregnant with Gabriel. The Shi’ar scientists kill Katherine and place the fetus in an incubator, causing Gabriel to rapidly reach adolescence. He becomes a slave of the villain Erik the Red until he escapes and makes his way back to Earth. He briefly becomes a member of Professor Xavier’s second team of X-Men, at least until that team is seemingly killed by Krakoa and Xavier wipes all memory of Gabriel’s existence from Scott’s mind.
Capable of manipulating and projecting energy on a massive scale, Vulcan is far more powerful than either of his brothers. His tragic upbringing also makes him far more unstable. He survives his run-in with Krakoa and returns to take revenge on the X-Men. Later, Vulcan travels to space and usurps the Shi’ar Imperial throne. He’s an incredibly dangerous and chaotic force in the Marvel Universe, to put it mildly. Fortunately, these days Vulcan has largely mellowed out and repaired his relationship with his family.
How Vulcan Will Transform X-Men ‘97
We doubt X-Men ‘97 will get into all of this tragic back-story in Episode 6, but there’s little doubt that the Vulcan cameo is meant as a tease of big things to come for the character. Sooner or later, Cyclops will uncover the existence of his long-lost younger brother and be forced to reckon with another skeleton in the Summers family closet.
At this stage, Vulcan appears to be an amnesiac, given that he’s serving as a member of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard despite the tragedy the Shi’ar inflicted upon his family. At some point (perhaps in Season 2?), X-Men ‘97 will likely tackle its own adaptation of Deadly Genesis and reveal the connection between Vulcan and Cyclops. Presumably, that includes the revelation that Vulcan was once an X-Man himself and Xavier wiped Cyclops’ memories. Just as in the comics, Xavier’s legacy may become profoundly tarnished as a result.
It’s worth pointing out that Cyclops is still in the process of discovering the truth about his family in the X-Men ‘97 universe. In the original X-Men: The Animated Series, Cyclops eventually learned that the space pirate Corsair is his father. However, he doesn’t yet know that Havok is his brother, though the series hinted at that revelation when the two men found they were immune to each other’s powers. Expect a lot more Summers family drama in the future, even as Cyclops continues to deal with the fallout of the Jean Grey/Madelyne Pryor situation.
It’s even possible that X-Men ‘97 will adapt the 2006 Uncanny X-Men storyline “The Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire.” In that story, Vulcan sets his sights on the Shi’ar throne, and a group of X-men fight unsuccessfully to stop him. With Xavier currently living among the Shi’ar in the animated series, this may be the best way to bring him back into play and force him to acknowledge one of the greatest sins of his past.
How do you think Vulcan will factor into X-Men ‘97? Is this a tease we’ll see pay off in Season 1, or is the series playing a longer game? Let us know your theories in the comments below.
For more on X-Men '97, read up on our biggest burning questions after Episode 5 and learn how the series brings real consequences to this animated universe.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
Continue reading...