Of all of the Marvel news to come out of Disney+ Day, the most welcome surprise was the announcement of X-Men '97. The long-rumored revival of the classic X-Men animated series is a reality, bringing back many of the original voice actors to pick up where the series finale left off. This includes the voice actors for iconic characters like Wolverine and the Rogue. One character conspicuously absent is one created for the show, Morph.
Morph debuted in X-Men's premiere episode, "Night of the Sentinels." His shapeshifting powers are introduced to the audience with Morph casually mimicking people he sees channel surfing. An already disoriented Jubilee is disturbed when he turns into her while watching footage of the Sentinel attack that drew the X-Men to her.
Despite his disturbing cackle of a laugh, Morph was portrayed as the X-Men's comic relief, using his powers as a way of bringing levity to the team. Wolverine even said that Morph was the only person that could make him laugh.
Morph's powers had their uses on the X-Men's mission to erase the Mutant Control Agency's files on the mutant population. He was able to confuse the MCA's security personnel by impersonating them, at one point shocking a guard by copying his face and then knocking him out with a gas gun. Unfortunately, his powers were useless against the Sentinels. While attempting to get Wolverine to retreat from battle, he was struck down by a laser blast. The moment of his death wasn't shown directly, but Jean Grey felt it when their psychic connection was severed.
Morph's status as the first X-Man to die in the animated series mirrored the comic book character he was based on. The Changeling also had shapeshifting powers. He died impersonating Professor Xavier, something the X-Men wouldn't learn until well after the fact. He also had an analog in Thunderbird, whose shocking death on an early mission raised the stakes for the New X-Men.
Unlike his comic book inspiration, Morph returned from the dead. After focus groups demanded it, Morph came back in Season 2, initially working as an agent of chaos against the X-Men, whom he blamed for leaving him behind to die. It was revealed that Morph had been resurrected and turned against the team by mad scientist Mister Sinister. Despite Sinister placing mind control implants in his brain, Morph rebelled against him and helped the X-Men, but he was unable to rejoin the team due to his trauma.
After a psychic pep talk from Professor Xavier in the Season 2 finale, "Reunion." Morph was able to overcome Sinister's influence. He turned a laser meant to assassinate Cyclops on Sinister, blowing the villain to bits. Morph finally returned to the X-Mansion and had his implants removed. The damage was extensive enough that he needed therapy from Moira MacTaggert on Muir Island, limiting his appearances through the rest of the show's run.
Morph did get a spotlight episode in Season 4, "Courage," where he showed there was more to his powers than shapeshifting. He was able to singlehandedly wipe out a group of Sentinels, including the gigantic Master Mold, by mimicking the powers of mutants like Omega Red and Angel. That ability gives him an advantage over Mystique, who can only mimic appearances, not powers. Following his spotlight episode, Morph made cameo appearances at Cyclops and Jean's wedding and in the series finale, "Graduation Day," where he impersonated an ailing Professor X.
Morph played an important role in X-Men's narrative, but he's far from the first (or even 10th) character fans think of when they remember the series. His presence in the revival might be minimal at best, given that space will be reserved for characters like Wolverine, Rogue and Gambit. While it's understandable that he won't be front and center, it would be a shame if Morph was completely persona non grata. Fans will find out when the show premieres on Disney+ in 2023.
0 Comments