Who Are The Final Horsemen In ‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2, Explained

‘X-Men ’97‘ has officially launched its second season, bringing Apocalypse back with a fierce determination. The premiere event plunges the team into turmoil, scattering them across time while a familiar comic book menace reemerges in animated form for the first time.

This menace is embodied by the Final Horsemen, a group of villains that many casual fans may not recognize. Their introduction in ‘X-Men ’97’ represents a significant nod for the animated series, and knowing who they are adds substantial weight to the peril confronting the disbanded X-Men.

The three-episode premiere event sees the X-Men dispersed throughout time, with Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Wolverine, and Morph trapped in a dystopian future ruled by the tyrannical Apocalypse. In Episode 1, titled Days of Past Future, Apocalypse chooses Cyclops and Jean’s teenage son Nathan, a powerful telepath, to serve as his new host body, sending his Four Horsemen to capture him.

This isn’t the first time ‘X-Men ’97’ has delved into this concept. The original Horsemen were introduced in the first season, where the X-Man Angel was captured and transformed into Archangel, the new Death. Season 2, however, presents an entirely different lineup with much darker origins.

The Final Horsemen first appeared in 2010’s ‘Uncanny X-Force’ number 2, crafted by Rick Remender with illustrations by Jerome Opena, making their animated debut a true deep cut for longtime readers. In that comic storyline, the Final Horsemen were established as a contingency plan in case Apocalypse was ever completely destroyed or removed from the timeline, ensuring his legacy would endure.

According to Marvel lore, the Final Horsemen include Pestilence, played by Ichisumi, War, portrayed by Decimus Furius, Famine, represented by Jeb Lee, and Death, enacted by Sanjar Javeed. Each character hails from a vastly different period in human history, which only amplifies their unsettling loyalty to Apocalypse.

At the helm of this new group in ‘X-Men ’97’ is a mysterious character capable of transforming into sand, a figure comic fans will instantly recognize. This character is Ozymandias, first introduced in 1996’s ‘Uncanny X-Men’ number 332 by Scott Lobdell and Joe Madureira.

Originally an ancient Egyptian warlord, Ozymandias aimed to prevent the young En Sabah Nur from gaining power, but was turned into living stone once Nur became Apocalypse, forcing him into eternal servitude.

In the comics, Ozymandias serves as a liaison between Apocalypse and the Horsemen, acting as a field general and messenger.

This role makes him an ideal guide for viewers encountering the Final Horsemen for the first time, as he effectively connects Apocalypse’s ancient ambitions with his modern agents of destruction. His powers, based on stone and sand, also give him a visually striking presence that distinguishes him from the rest of the group.

Pestilence stands out as the only woman among the Final Horsemen, characterized by a tragic inferiority complex stemming from her past. Ichisumi grows up in 19th century Japan, where her samurai father considers her a disappointment. Despite her role as a geisha, she becomes increasingly envious of the more beautiful women around her.

In the source comics, her long-suppressed rage eventually triggers her mutant power, unleashing swarms of yume beetles from her mouth that kill hundreds of women nearby. This horrifying origin aligns perfectly with the grim, morally complex tone that ‘X-Men ’97’ has embraced since its inception.

Famine, on the other hand, emerges from one of the darkest periods in American history. Born Jeb Lee, Famine is a Confederate spy who masquerades as a drummer in the Union Army, facing a grim fate when his neighbors discover his uniform and label him a traitor.

Once his powers manifest, Famine’s emaciation effect drains any source of energy upon contact, leeching the bioenergy from living beings and severely weakening both them and their abilities. This quietly brutal power set makes him a genuine threat to the time-displaced X-Men in ‘X-Men ’97.’

War boasts arguably the most mythic backstory of the group. Initially known as Decimus Furius, War is orphaned as a young man in ancient Rome and is on the brink of dying on the streets when his mutant power activates, transforming him into a giant, horned man-bull. Decimus Furius, resembling a Minotaur, is discovered by Apocalypse and Ozymandias, who appoint him to his role.

Death completes the quartet with an equally tragic narrative. Sanjar Javeed is the illegitimate son of the historical Persian emperor Shapur II. Although Shapur was adored by his people, Sanjar harbored resentment for his father’s refusal to publicly acknowledge him. Utilizing his mutant ailment aura, Sanjar can spread terminal illnesses to anyone nearby, depending on the metal he touches.

Fans on social media have already expressed excitement at seeing this obscure comic team brought to life, with one popular thread exclaiming ‘oh baby’ upon viewing the new clip. This highlights how deeply ‘X-Men ’97’ is willing to explore Marvel’s animation and comics history to elevate the stakes for its heroes.

With Nathan Summers as their target and Apocalypse orchestrating events from centuries away, the Final Horsemen present ‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2 with a genuinely fresh and unpredictable threat right from the start. Which member of the Final Horsemen do you think will pose the toughest challenge for the scattered X-Men as the season unfolds?