'X-Men '97' Episode 9 teases Onslaught as Season 2's potential main villain, leaving fans eager for more
Contains spoilers and speculations for 'X-Men '97'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'X-Men '97' just aired Episode 9 titled, 'Tolerance Is Extinction, Pt. 2' on Disney+ on Wednesday, May 8 and it might have teased a new villain for Season 2.
As 'X-Men ‘97' nears the end of its first season, Marvel Animation is already working on Season 2. What's next for the show? Who could be a bigger villain than the living Sentinel Bastion?
The show got fans excited because it continued the story from where 'X-Men: The Animated Series' left off. Professor Xavier was in space for treatment, leaving Magneto in charge of the X-Men.
Magneto tried to follow Xavier's ideals, but things got complicated when a group of Sentinels attacked Genosha. Xavier rushed back, and Magneto had to use a big electromagnetic pulse to stop the Sentinels.
During the final moments of Episode 9, Magneto rips the adamantium out of Wolverine's body. This might lead to Onslaught appearing in Season 2, a huge threat to the X-Men and the whole Marvel Universe.
A look at Onslaught's comic book origins
In 'X-Men' issue #25, known as 'Fatal Attractions' from 1993, Professor X witnessed Magneto grievously injuring Wolverine. In response, Professor X used his powers to put Magneto in a coma.
However, this act unintentionally fuses Magneto's anger with Xavier's suppressed dark thoughts, giving rise to the villain Onslaught within Xavier's mind.
Onslaught emerged as a formidable threat, planning to merge all minds into one collective consciousness. To achieve this, he abducted powerful psychics Nate Grey and Franklin Richards. The Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four teamed up to confront Onslaught.
Though Xavier was freed when Thor and Hulk damaged Onslaught's armor, a time rift seemingly swallowed the Avengers and Fantastic Four.
After Onslaught's attack, Xavier turned himself into Operation: Zero Tolerance. This led to the X-Men facing Prime Sentinels while a new group, the Thunderbolts, emerged.
Unknown to many, the Thunderbolts were actually the Masters of Evil led by Baron Zemo. Franklin Richards eventually rescued the Avengers and Fantastic Four from another dimension. Later, he confronted Onslaught again during a crisis caused by Scarlet Witch's actions, which tore open a rift to 'Counter-Earth'.
Is 'X-Men '97' Season 1 Finale setting up Onslaught's birth?
Could the back half of 'X-Men '97' be setting the stage for Onslaught's birth, particularly with the recent episode, 'Tolerance is Extinction - Part 2'? Xavier returns to find his mansion destroyed and his students in peril, while Magneto's violent actions mirror past behavior that could fuel Onslaught's creation.
This development would mark a significant shift for the X-Men, who have been adjusting to life without Xavier's guidance. The prospect of fighting him could bring emotional turmoil. Additionally, with Baron Zemo appearing in 'Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1', the X-Men might encounter the Thunderbolts.
Former 'X-Men '97' showrunner Beau DeMayo hinted at a connection to Uncanny X-Men #304, a part of the Fatal Attractions storyline where Colossus joins Magneto's Acolytes.
DeMayo's tweet suggests that 'X-Men '97' could partially adapt Fatal Attractions, potentially leading to the birth of Onslaught.
Onslaught could be the strongest villain the X-Men have faced if he appears in Season 2
Facing numerous tough enemies in the past, the animated 'X-Men' could encounter their greatest challenge yet if Onslaught emerges in 'X-Men '97' Season 2. His history in Marvel Comics shows why he's such a serious threat.
With Nathaniel Grey's help, Onslaught takes over Professor X's body and mind, initially aiming to make mutants dominant and then seeking to merge humanity into one mind. He ruthlessly attacks anyone in his path, making him seem unbeatable.
Despite this, the 'X-Men', along with the 'Avengers' and the 'Fantastic Four', manage to defeat Onslaught multiple times, though not without difficulty.
He possesses a range of powers inherited from Professor X and Magneto, including telekinesis, magnetokinesis, and astral manipulation, allowing him to control matter and absorb other mutants' abilities. If Onslaught does appear in 'X-Men '97', the team will face their toughest battle yet.
'X-Men '97' trailer
9 episodes of 'X-Men '97' are now exclusively streaming on Disney+