We just can’t praise the newly released X-Men ’97 animated series enough! It does an exceptional job of blending old with the new, it put Marvel back in the good graces and cross-hairs of many fans, and it has helped expel the bitter aftertaste left behind by MCU’s recent, lackluster releases. One of the most impressive things about the original series, the 1992 X-Men: The Animated Series (TAS), was its commitment to directly adapting the X-Men comics stories as closely as possible. Fortunately, the new series, X-Men ’97, doesn’t shy away from the same approach.
The first episode introduced Magneto as Charles Xavier’s replacement and the new head of the X-Men. Most of the second episode is dedicated to the X-Men questioning his motives — all but Rogue; apparently, she has a reason to sympathize with Magneto.
However, that same episode ended with Storm losing her powers after being shot with a neutralizer weapon. We won’t spoil the details surrounding the third episode, titled “Fire Made Flesh,” but we’ll reveal that it did introduce another mutant: Forge. Yes, the Forge with whom Storm had a rather turbulent relationship.
However, that relationship wasn’t explored in TAS, which means that Marvel is laying the foundation for some really fantastic storytelling down the line. Now, to avoid upsetting social media keyboard warriors, we’d like to point out that Forge was previously introduced in TAS. But that series had a limited amount of time to explore the extensive cast of characters and their interpersonal relationships. That’s why Forge and Storm’s relationship from the comics never made it to TAS. In fact, Forge always played the role of a minor character with a minimal impact on the story.
However, Forge is anything but a minor character in the X-Men universe, particularly when it comes to Storm’s individual story and the exploration of her character in the Marvel Comics. He’s actually a mutant of Cheyenne Indian descent, and his ability allows him to instinctively know the schematics, function, and operation of any machinery or technological device in his vicinity. But, due to his heritage, he also possesses some magical abilities that were taught to him by the shaman of the Cheyenne.
In the final moments of “Fire Made Flesh,” we see Forge sidling up to Storm at the bar and her testily asking what his deal is. He explains that he’s a friend of Professor Xavier’s and adds that he would like to help her get back what she lost — obviously referring to her lost powers. Based on their shared history in the comics and the new series’ exploration of untold narratives, we can already assume what’s going to happen next.
As per Uncanny X-Men#186 from 1984, titled “Lifedeath,” Forge brings Storm to his futuristic penthouse to recover from the injuries she sustained from the blast that took her powers. The majority of that particular issue is about Storm and Forge getting to know each other while Storm is still processing her trauma of losing her powers. The two begin to bond, especially after Storm learns that Forge has also endured trauma when he lost his right leg in an explosion while serving in Vietnam, and the two share a few more intimate things about each other.
This bond grows into a mutual attraction, but just before the issue’s end, Storm learns of Forge’s complicity in her loss since he built the very same device that’s used to de-power her. In subsequent releases, Storm heads back to Africa and goes on a series of different adventures with and without the X-Men for the next four years until she finally regains her powers in Uncanny X-Men #226 from 1988. In this storyline, Forge and Storm get trapped in an alternate dimension for an entire year and enter a romantic relationship once again.
During their time in the alternate dimension, Forge builds a machine to reverse the neutralizer’s effect on Storm, and the two find a way back to their reality. However, time on Earth was moving slower, so the two were gone for a brief time only. Upon return, the Adversary (Forge’s archnemesis who trapped him and Storm in an alternate dimension) seemingly kills all X-Men, including Storm. That obviously doesn’t happen, but Forge spends years thinking Storm is dead. When the two finally cross paths again, Forge joins the X-Men team for the first time.
Of course, the old flame reignites, and the two enter a romantic relationship once again. At one point, Forge tries to take the next step with Storm and tie the knot, but she doesn’t provide an immediate response to the question. He is seemingly okay with that, but when he asks Jean Grey to give him a small head’s up about the matter, Jean hesitates. This causes Forge to lose his cool and withdraw the proposal. He says some hurtful things, as well.
The two rarely cross paths from then on since Forge joins X-Factor and then Cable’s X-Force. But they collaborate when the mission demand it. The question remains: how much of their history will be adapted into the ongoing X-Men ’97? While many may feel sorry for Storm after losing her powers, this character arc from the comics tells a really powerful story and adds a ton of complexity and humanity to Storm’s character.
She proves to be as valuable a member of the X-Men as any other, despite lacking power, and she even duels Cyclops for the role of team leader and wins. So, while it’s certain that the next few episodes are most likely going to explore at least some aspects of Storm and Forge’s relationship, there’s very little reason for Storm to regain her powers just yet. The introduction of Forge also implies the later introduction of the Adversary, and that opens up more storytelling possibilities.
And with the second season of X-Men ’97 already greenlit, these opportunities are becoming more and more plentiful. We’ll just have to wait to find out.