Who is Mother Askani in X-Men ’97? The truth behind season 2’s most important, most mysterious character
X-Men ‘97 season 2 is now streaming on Disney+, with the first three episodes available. The season continues the time-travel storyline from season 1, with the X-Men team split across two distinct eras: Ancient Egypt and the 40th Century. Significantly, both periods intersect with crucial moments in the life of Apocalypse, the world’s first mutant and the season’s primary antagonist.
In the 40th Century, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Wolverine, and Morph have allied with a group of rebels to resist Apocalypse’s influence. The villain is actively assembling a new squad of Horsemen—his characteristic quartet of enhanced mutant operatives created through brainwashing and power augmentation. These new Horsemen appear unfamiliar to long-time X-Men fans, suggesting they represent original creations or lesser-known comic characters.
A notable change affects Wolverine, who has lost his adamantium claws and now relies on his original bone claws. While visually striking, these bone claws are considerably weaker and more fragile than his metal counterparts, though they regenerate rapidly. This handicap becomes significant as Wolverine engages killer robots in the apocalyptic future.
Adding to the season’s mysteries, a character named Mother Askani emerges as important to the narrative, though her exact role and significance remain unrevealed. The season emphasizes how Apocalypse’s influence spans multiple timelines and eras, with the scattered X-Men navigating these temporal complexities.