Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for X-Men '97

Summary

• X-Men '97 sets up Onslaught by featuring references to the classic villain, created via a merging of Xavier and Magneto's dark psyches.
• The finale includes multiple references, including Magneto's global EMP, Wolverine's brutal defeat, Xavier wearing Magneto's helmet, and more key elements of potential foreshadowing.
• X-Men '97 may feature the future involvement of Onslaught in new seasons of the animated series.

'97 featured multiple references and elements setting up the classic villain Onslaught for future seasons. A powerful merging of the darkest parts of both Xavier and Magneto's psyches, the new animated Marvel show certainly wanted its audiences to think Onslaught would debut by the series finale before ultimately subverting expectations in some very dynamic ways. However, that doesn't mean the classic Marvel villain won't appear in future seasons.

X-Men '97's three-part finale features non-stop action sequences with multiple impending threats. Ultimately, the X-Men split up into two teams to tackle both Bastion with his new Prime Sentinels as well as a vengeful Magneto who sought dark justice against humanity following his capture and the horrific events of Genosha. Featuring multiple elements serving as key set-up for an even bigger threat, here's every way X-Men '97 sets up Onslaught for future seasons of the popular animated Marvel series.

13 Magneto's Presumed Death After Genosha

Mirroring Marvel Comics' Fatal Attractions

Having been presumed dead during the horrific events of Genosha following X-Men '97 episode 5, Magneto's presumed death is not unlike his presumed death in the comics after the fall of Asteroid M. This was featured in 1993's Fatal Attractions storyline, a major event that led to the birth of Onslaught in the comics with the merging of Xavier and Magneto's dark psyches.

12 Magneto's Global EMP

Fatal Attractions

Having been captured by Bastion rather than being killed on Genosha, Magneto was freed by Val Cooper as seen in X-Men 97's three-part finale. Seeking vengeance, Magento went to the North Pole where he unleashed a massive global EMP, shutting down major electronics and first-world infrastructure across the planet. This also mirrors Fatal Attractions and Magneto's global EMP first seen on the page back in 1993.

11 The Return of Asteroid M

Reversing The Comics

Following his EMP, Magneto brings back Asteroid M which had already fallen in the original X-Men animated series. Making it his stronghold once more, the rise of Asteroid M flips its fall in the original comics. Offering of the X-Men places by his side on Asteroid M, the classic base of operations for the Master of Magnetism also serves as some set-up for Onslaught, not only tied to the events of Fatal Attractions but also becoming the location where Xavier and Magneto have their critical showdown of the minds.

10 Xavier Wearing Magneto's Helmet

Key Foreshadowing

Angered by Xavier's attempts to forcibly enter his mind and control him, Magneto forces his old friend to don his helmet. Branding him a traitor to his own kind, Magneto raises Charles up for all his students to see. To that end, the image of Xavier wearing Magneto's helmet is as dark as it is exciting, undoubtedly foreshadowing the dawn of Onslaught in this animated Marvel universe, existing as the darkest combination of the two powerful mutant leaders.

9 Wolverine's Brutal Adamantium Defeat

Directly Sets Up Onslaught

While distracted by Charles, Wolverine stabs Magneto in the back with his claws, seriously injuring the Master of Magnetism and mirroring the X-Men's confrontation with Magneto in 1993's Fatal Attractions. Likewise, Magneto's brutal response by ripping out the adamantium from Wolverine's bones is mirrored as well, exactly as it was first depicted in the comics. The same goes for Xavier's anger and actions following Wolverine's defeat.

8 X-Men '97's Magneto Protocols

Magneto vs The World

Known as the Magneto Protocols, the original UN defense plan in the comics was a series of satellites constructed to inhibit Magneto's powers. Viewed as an act of war, Magneto unleashed his global EMP in response. X-Men '97's version is different in that the Magneto Protocols are a series of missiles built to destroy Asteroid M and were only used after Magneto's EMP in the animated series. Despite the changes, it still ties in with the events of Fatal Attractions and the origin point of Onslaught.

7 Xavier's Mental Battle With Magneto

Xavier Forcing His Way Into Erik's Mind

Forcing his way into Magneto's mind after Logan's brutal defeat, Fatal Attractions saw Xavier wiping Erik's mind completely. This led to the darkest parts of both his and Magneto's psyches unknowingly merging as one sentient and incredibly powerful villain known as Onslaught. To that end, it certainly seemed as though X-Men '97's Xavier was going to do the same. However, the animated series ended up going in a different direction with a much different resolution (at least for now).

6 Magneto's Temporary Amnesia In X-Men '97

5

Led To The Birth of Onslaught In The Comics

At the onset of X-Men '97's final episode, Magneto's mirrored amnesia just like in the comics' Fatal Attractions seemed to hint that Onslaught was right around the corner. However, Xavier is far more noble in the animated series, working to help Magneto who he was while also helping him face his past darkness and trauma.

Although there was certainly a risk that their minds could have both been broken (and subsequently opening the door for Onslaught), the two old friends found resolution with Magneto helping to save the world before he, Xavier, and all the X-Men were sent both backward and forward in time. However, it's still possible that Xavier's attempt to help Magneto with his darkness could have unintended and future consequences in later seasons with the dawn of Onslaught.

4 Bastion's Upgraded Sentinel Body

Onslaught Has Connections To Sentinels

Using Cable to give himself an upgraded body in X-Men '97's finale, Bastion's Sentinel form looks exactly like his appearance in the comics' Second Coming storyline which was his final battle against the X-Men. However, Bastion was not ed for and may have survived by the show's end. As such, one could easily see Magneto and Xavier's shared residual darkness perhaps finding a home by possessing Bastion, providing a remixed origin for the classic villain in future seasons. After all, Bastion's final form and Onslaught do share some key visual similarities and the duo does have Sentinel connections in the comics.