X-Men '97: Every Horseman of Apocalypse Explained

3 hours ago 8

Published Jul 2, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for X-Men '97 season 2 episodes 1-3Apocalypse is one of the greatest villains in the entire Marvel Universe and one of the X-Men's most dangerous foes. The world's First Mutant, En Sabah Nur's reign has lasted for eons, including in the canon of X-Men '97 and the original X-Men animated series. However, Apocalypse has never ruled alone.

Although En Sabah Nur possesses immense power in his own right, one of his greatest strengths has always been his Horsemen, elite mutant and/or enhanced warriors compelled to serve him as the embodiments of War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death. Inspired by the original comics, all-new Horsemen have just been introduced in X-Men '97 season 2 (and even more are likely on the way).

Between familiar faces from the past and brand-new animated debuts in the future, here's every confirmed member of Apocalypse's Horsemen in the X-Men animated series canon explained (including X-Men '97 season 2 and its premiere episodes).

Apocalypse's Horsemen Of The Present (The 90s)

The horsemen of the apocalypse in X-Men the Animated Series

Inspired by the comics, the original X-Men: The Animated Series established Apocalypse's Horsemen as the manifestation of his core "survival of the fittest" ideals. Recruiting and forcibly compelling carefully chosen mutants, Apocalypse has turned scores of warriors into his Four Horsemen since his rise in the days of Ancient Egypt.

In the present-day 90s, Apocalypse famously turned Warren Worthington III's Angel into Archangel, complete with a dark new body with metal wings, becoming his Horseman of Death. However, Archangel eventually broke free of Apocalypse's control thanks to the efforts of the X-Men, and particularly Rogue, who absorbed the corruption. Seeking to bring down his old master, X-Men '97 season 2's premiere episodes have seen Archangel joining Cable and X-Force to bring Apocalypse and his remaining servants down.

The animated series also introduced Abraham Kieros as War, Autumn Rolfson as Famine, and Plague as Pestilence. There was also Fabian Cortez, whose body was repurposed for Apocalypse himself. While Caliban was also meant to become a host body for Apocalypse, he actually served as both Pestilence and Death at different times in the original comics continuity.

Apocalypse holding Gambit's card in X-Men 97

Looking ahead, there's also the question of Gambit, who lost his life fighting the Wild Sentinels in Genosha as seen in X-Men '97's first season. In X-Men '97 season 1's post-credits, it was teased that Apocalypse has plans to both resurrect and corrupt Gambit, presumably as a new Death, as a parallel to the comics. Combined with Kieros being murdered by X-Force in the second episode of X-Men '97 season 2, it follows that Apocalypse is actively searching for a new roster of Horsemen in the present day.

Apocalypse's Final Horsemen Of The Future

As seen in the very first episode of X-Men '97 season 2, one of the biggest surprises is the introduction of Apocalypse's Final Horsemen. In the distant future of 3960 AD, En Sabah Nur was at the height of his power, having conquered the vast majority of the world. In the comics, the Final Horsemen were Apocalypse's contingency when all else failed. As such, it makes sense that they're active in this distant future where Apocalypse's rule is nearly absolute. Taken from various points in history, Apocalypse specifically chose each of his Final Horsemen with great care.

First is Ichisumi as Pestilence. Originating from the Edo period of Japan, Ichisumi possesses deadly control over insects, allowing her to overwhelm enemies through massive swarms. Decimus Furius is the Horseman of War, a mutant hailing from ancient Rome whose appearance saw him worshiped as the legendary Minotaur of legend. Possessing incredible strength as an "Omega-level monster", Decimus could also instill a rage-filled desire for war when he struck his victims.

Marvel · Mutant Profile Which X-Men Character Are You? “Mutation: it is the key to our evolution.”

🐺 Wolverine The Loner

🧠 Professor X The Visionary

🧲 Magneto The Survivor

ACTIVATE CEREBRO →

Humans discover your mutant abilities. What do you do?

ADisappear. Go off the grid before anyone can come after me — I don’t owe them an explanation BReach out calmly and try to have a dialogue — fear comes from misunderstanding, and I can help bridge that gap CMake a show of strength — they need to understand that mutants will not be hunted or controlled, ever

Anti-mutant protesters surround a school full of young mutants. What’s your first move?

AGet between the kids and the mob. If anyone raises a hand, they answer to me BAddress the crowd telepathically or publicly — show them the children are just scared kids, not threats CEvacuate the children to safety, then make the protesters deeply regret their choices

A team of mutants needs a leader for a dangerous mission. What role do you naturally fall into?

AI work alone, but I’ll take point — someone’s gotta make sure nobody gets killed BI coordinate the team, play to each person’s strengths, and keep morale steady CI lead from the front — my vision, my plan, my responsibility if it fails

A powerful mutant threatens innocent humans. How do you respond?

APut them down fast — talk later. Innocent people don’t have time for a debate BTry to reach them mentally — understand why they’re doing this and find a peaceful resolution COffer them a place at my side — their power is wasted on chaos when it could serve a greater cause

A human politician offers to champion mutant rights — but has a shady past. What do you do?

AGive them a chance — people can change, and this alliance could mean real progress for coexistence BI don’t trust politicians. Watch them closely, and the second they betray us, I’ll be right there CUse them — let them think they’re in charge while I control the narrative from behind the scenes

What’s your biggest flaw?

AI push people away — I’d rather be alone than risk losing someone I care about BI’m too idealistic — I keep believing in people even when the evidence says I shouldn’t CMy anger — once I commit to a path, I’ll burn everything down before I admit I was wrong

Sentinels are hunting mutants in your city. What’s your move?

AHunt the hunters — tear them apart before they find anyone else BCoordinate an underground network to hide and protect every mutant in the area CSeize control of the Sentinels — turn the weapons of oppression into instruments of liberation

What do you believe about coexistence between humans and mutants?

ACoexistence is a fantasy. Humans will always fear what they can’t control — mutants must secure their own future BI don’t care about the big picture — I protect the people I care about, and everyone else can sort themselves out CIt’s possible and worth fighting for — the dream of a world where humans and mutants live in peace is everything

REVEAL MY MUTANT IDENTITY →

Cerebro Scan Complete Your X-Men Identity

🐺

Wolverine (Logan)

“I’m the best there is at what I do. But what I do best isn’t very nice.” You’re the fierce loner who acts first and philosophises later — but beneath that adamantium-plated exterior beats a heart that cares far more than you’d ever admit. You’ve been burned enough times to distrust the world, so you keep people at arm’s length, yet you’d throw yourself into any fight to protect the ones who slip past your defences. You don’t need a cause or a manifesto — you just need someone worth fighting for. Like Logan, your greatest strength isn’t your claws or your healing factor; it’s the stubborn refusal to let the people you love face danger alone.

Fierce Protective Resilient Untamed

🧠

Professor X (Charles Xavier)

“Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.” You’re the visionary who sees the best in everyone — even when the world gives you every reason not to. Your greatest power isn’t telepathy; it’s an unshakeable belief that understanding and compassion can bridge any divide. You lead not through force but through hope, building bridges where others build walls. Some call you naive, but you know that real strength lies in extending a hand to your enemy. Like Charles Xavier, you carry the weight of a dream that most consider impossible, and you refuse to let it die.

Visionary Empathetic Diplomatic Hopeful

🧲

Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr)

“Peace was never an option.” You’re the survivor who learned the hardest lesson life has to offer: the world will not protect you, so you must protect yourself. Your conviction is unbreakable and your patience is terrifying — you’ll wait years to set the right plan in motion. You don’t hate humanity; you simply refuse to let your people be victims ever again. Every action you take, no matter how ruthless, is driven by a profound love for those who share your struggle. Like Erik Lehnsherr, you are both revolutionary and tragic — a leader forged in pain who will bend the world before it bends you.

Resolute Strategic Ruthless Unyielding

↻ PLAY AGAIN

Jeb Lee was Famine, a drum-playing Confederate soldier from the American Civil War. Jeb's horrifying mutant power allowed him to transmit various forms of cancer through sound with every beat of his drum. Lastly, there is Sanjar Javeed, serving as the Horseman of Death. Hailing from ancient Persia, Sanjar can induce terminal illnesses almost instantly.

Together, these four represent one of the more impressive comic references featured in X-Men '97 season 2 thus far. Rather than recycling characters seen before, the series embraces Apocalypse's vast history in the comics with the debut of these Final Horsemen, reinforcing just how ancient (and impressively patient) the near-immortal First Mutant truly is.

Other Horsemen In Marvel Comics (And Movies)

Outside the animated X-Men series canon, the Horsemen of Apocalypse have constantly evolved throughout Marvel history as one of the oldest and most consistent villain teams, both on the page and in other media projects like Fox's X-Men: Apocalypse.

In the 2016 film, X-Men: Apocalypse featured an incredibly recognizable lineup of Horsemen. Played by Oscar Isaac, En Sabah Nur had four unnamed Horsemen during his reign in Ancient Egypt. When he was awoken in the 80s, Apocalypse chose Magneto, Storm, Psylocke, and Archangel to his cause as new Horsemen, convincing them all to join his cause (at least initially). Although the movie simplified much of the mythology, it was still a pretty cool roster.

However, comics have naturally gone much further over the years. On the page, several major Marvel mutants and more heroes have found themselves as Horsemen including Wolverine, Sunfire, Polaris, Banshee, Daken, and even Deadpool (depending on the reality). Even the Incredible Hulk was once briefly corrupted as the Horseman of War.

Without a doubt, the constant rotation is a large part of what makes Apocalypse's most important followers so compelling and entertaining. The Horsemen of Apocalypse have never been fixed characters. It all depends on the particular point in time, and often the reality.

With X-Men '97 season 2 introducing both classic and new Horsemen to the animated series continuity, it's going to be very exciting to see how the Horsemen continue to evolve, whether it's in the past, present, or future. While Gambit becoming the new Horseman of Death feels practically inevitable, one has to wonder who else might find themselves an unwitting servant of the First Mutant.

New episodes of X-Men '97 season 2 release Wednesdays on Disney+ from Marvel Studios.