As a longtime fan who grew up watching X-Men: The Animated Series and has been following the world of mutants ever since, I can confidently say that Forge deserves more screen time in X-Men ’97 Season 2. With his rich backstory, unique abilities, and intriguing relationships, Forge is a character who deserves to shine.
In a buzzing anticipation this year, X-Men ’97 was warmly received by critics, and the excitement grew further as Disney+ subscribers eagerly awaited its scheduled airtime in 2024. The highly anticipated return of X-Men: The Animated Series brought to light a multitude of characters from Marvel’s mutant lore, among them Forge, voiced by Gil Birmingham in this series. Although Forge had a significant part to play in Storm’s narrative, I believe he was somewhat underestimated during Season 1. As we look forward to the arrival of X-Men ’97 Season 2, I hope the Native American superhero will be given a more prominent role for several reasons. Let’s begin by discussing his cultural background first.
Superhero Media Deserves More Native American Representation
In November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, and a year ago, my coworker Mick Joest penned an article highlighting nine Native American superheroes that should be showcased in films and television. One of them was Forge, who belongs to the Cheyenne tribe, but it’s important to note that Native Americans deserve much more representation within this genre. The most effective approach would be to develop new characters, and if that’s not possible right away, then increasing opportunities for existing characters to excel is the next best option.
Forge was initially introduced by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr., making his first appearance in The Uncanny X-Men #184 back in 1984. Now, with a history spanning 40 years, Forge may not be as well-known as more recent characters such as Gambit and Cable, but featuring him more prominently in X-Men ’97 Season 2 might spark interest among viewers, potentially increasing his recognition. Additionally, this increased exposure could potentially open doors for Forge to make an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe down the line.
Forge And Storm Make A Great Pairing
In both the original and alternate storylines, Forge made appearances in the animated series titled “X-Men: The Animated Series“. Later, he was introduced into the plot of “X-Men ’97” within a narrative based on the “Lifedeath” storyline. Upon encountering Storm, he offered to restore her powers that had been drained by X-Cutioner. Not long after, a romantic connection developed between them, but it was strained when Storm discovered that Forge was responsible for creating the technology used in mutant inhibitor collars and the weapon wielded by X-Cutioner against her. This revelation undoubtedly fueled her anger towards him.
Initially, it seemed like our paths had diverged, with Storm and Forge dealing with their own challenges – hers being the reawakening of her powers during a fierce battle against The Adversary, while also trying to heal him from a deadly poison. But then, in an unexpected turn, Forge joined forces with Storm once more, helping us X-Men take down Bastion. However, as things stand now, Forge is no longer by Storm’s side (I’ll delve into that later), but the connection they had during Season 1 left me craving for more of their interactions together.
We Need To See Forge Make More Cool Gadgets
Forge is a mutant who has intuitive talent for creating and understanding mechanical devices. So if you need someone to design a gadget that’s necessary to save the day or study a strange machine encountered during a mission, Forge is your guy! In addition to the devices mentioned in the previous section, he also designed his own mechanical arm and leg, and can frequently be seen wielding some kind of elaborate firearm of his own making. Combined with his own natural scientific and mechanical knowledge, it’s safe to say he’s one of the smartest people on Earth.
In addition to his Native American magic, Forge is exceptional with mechanical skills. As The Adversary appeared, he utilized this magic, but it’s his technical prowess that truly stands out. In the upcoming season 2 of X-Men ’97, let’s hope to see him invent more ingenious gadgets for himself or other X-Men – whether they are weapons, means of transportation, or something in between. It’s refreshing to witness an enemy defeated not just by raw power, but through clever invention as well.
Forge May Hold The Key To Retrieving The Time-Displaced X-Men
In the final episode of X-Men ’97 Season 1, many main characters were transported to either ancient Egypt around 3000 B.C. or the distant year 3960 A.D., but the whereabouts of Storm, Wolverine, and Morph are still undisclosed. Bishop, who was last seen carrying baby Nathan Summers to the future in search of a cure for his techno-organic disease, approached Forge half a year after the fight with Bastion and revealed that the X-Men were not deceased, but stuck in time. By the way, I find it intriguing to think about these two working together.
Since Bishop is acquainted with a future version of Forge, it’s likely that he can handle time travel, but if he specifically arranges to meet with current Forge, it suggests he needs Forge’s assistance in locating their teammates. This makes me assume that Forge has the ability to retrieve them from past and future events, possibly by combining Bishop’s time travel tech with his inventive ideas to either enhance time travel or create a tracking device (unless the other X-Men manage to do it themselves during their individual time periods). In any case, I hope this means Forge will have more on-screen appearances in Season 2, as we’d want to keep up with his advancements.
Although the second season of X-Men ’97 hasn’t premiered on Disney+ yet, there’s good news for fans: not only will they get Season 2 soon, but also development for Season 3 is already underway. In the meantime, you might want to check out other excellent shows currently streaming on Disney+ or stay tuned with our guide of upcoming Marvel TV series.
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2024-11-19 13:07