X-Men ‘97 season 2 episode 7 ending explained: Is Apocalypse really dead?

In the latest episode of X-Men ‘97, “Strange Land, Savage Heart,” the X-Men have another adventure in the Savage Land. While dinosaur action is always fun, the biggest moment of the episode comes in the final scene, when Cable and his X-Force team finally locate Apocalypse’s secret lair hidden under the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. What they discover comes as a huge shock that may come as a surprise to X-Men fans, but there's actually a precedent for it in the comics dating back 35 years.

X-Men ‘97 season 2 episode 7 ending explained

Upon arrival, X-Force is surprised to discover Apocalypse’s shriveled up dead body and a single playing card left nearby. Obviously, the card belongs to Gambit, whom Apocalypse transformed into one of his horsemen at the end of the previous episode.

But as for Apocalypse, is he dead? Can he even die? Isn't his whole thing being immortal? Let's take a closer look…

Can Apocalypse die in X-Men canon?

Like so many comic book characters, Apocalypse has died (or seemingly died) a lot. His most famous death took place in the alternate timeline known as “The Age of Apocalypse.” In that timeline, Professor X dies and Apocalypse becomes the ultimate ruler of Earth, while the X-Men are a resistance force against him led by Magneto. In the end of the “Age of Apocalypse" story, Magneto tears Apocalypse in two, slaying him.

In that timeline, Apocalypse stayed dead, but in the main Marvel universe, every time Apocalypse has been killed, he eventually returns.

The first time Apocalypse came back was in 1991 in the pages of X-Factor. In X-Men ‘97, X-Factor is a government sponsored team of mutants led by Havok, but in the comic books, this was the second version of X-Factor. The first iteration of the team featured the five original X-Men: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman, and Angel, who formed their own superhero group separate from the current roster of X-Men at the time. They first battled Apocalypse in X-Factor issue number 5 from June 1986. Five years later, during issue number 68 in 1991, Cyclops defeated Apocalypse by piercing his armor with a massive energy blast.

Apocalypse has also been killed by his arch-nemesis, Cable. In the 2000 story “Ages of Apocalypse,” Apocalypse merges with Cyclops’s body and the two battle for control. Cyclops tries to sacrifice himself to kill Apocalypse, too, but Jean Grey manages to save Scott. Cable then slays the spirit of Apocalypse with his psimitar (a tool used to focus psionic energy).

But just like all the other times, Apocalypse doesn't stay dead. While Apocalypse was born a mutant, much of his power comes from Celestial technology left on Earth. This helped him to become a godlike being with seemingly limitless power. As such, he can rearrange his molecular structure and resurrect himself.

Apocalypse is also known for taking on hosts to prolong his lifespan, like he did with Cyclops in “Ages of Apocalypse.” That story was preceded by “Apocalypse: The Twelve,” where Apocalypse was trying to inhabit Cable’s body. Jean stops Apocalypse and reveals his rotting body beneath the armor before Apocalypse inhabits Cyclops’ body.

While not exactly the same as a skeleton inside Apocalypse’s armor like at the end of “Strange Land, Savage Heart” in X-Men ‘97, the withering body featured in “Apocalypse: The Twelve” looks somewhat similar. This suggests that rather than Apocalypse actually being dead, he’s just found a new host. It may even be Gambit, given the fact that we see the card left behind.

The card could also mean that Gambit overpowered Apocalypse and killed him outright, though it seems unlikely that the show's writers would resolve season 2's main plotline offscreen. That said, X-Men ‘97 has a lot of twists that happen very quickly, so it's certainly possible.

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X-Men '97 is streaming on Disney Plus.