Five episodes into X-Men ‘97, the reboot is continuously making waves on Disney+ with its classic touch and maintaining the ‘90s animated series’ original tone. However, aside from these features, the show has also successfully delved into its characters’ stories, like Morph and his history with Mister Sinister. Episode 3, Fire Made Flesh, features Kevin Sydney back in the fold, leading the fight against the supervillain who has tormented him in the past. As this brings back the mutant’s horrific experience at the hands of Mister Sinister, Morph’s voice actor, JP Karliak, talks about his role’s past trauma and how the revival has addressed it well.
In a talk with Comicbook’s Phase Zero podcast, Karliak discussed how X-Men ‘97 managed to address the emotional baggage Morph had from Mister Sinister that originated in the original X-Men: The Animated Series. The recent Episode 3 gave Morph a chance for revenge after Madelyn Pryor kidnapped baby Nathan to take to Mister Sinister to experiment on. And though he wasn’t able to defeat the evil scientist, with the latter going into hiding, he got a sense of closure that the child was saved, and his scheme was stopped.
“That freak out is just classic, as far as how to approach it,” he said. “I don't think it's much of a stretch for a lot of queer folks to rehash some of the trauma of the past. Sometimes, it just comes up in unexpected ways and in unexpected waves.”
The comedian praised the episode for its horror homages, like Dante Alighieri’s classic Inferno. But if there was one thing that he truly loved, it was Morph’s shower scene, where he was visited by the ghost of Mister Sinister that brought him back to the horrors of his past and charged the fight.
“That episode is such a brilliant horror movie nod,” he continued. “It's that whole shower scene.”
What is Morph’s relationship to Mister Sinister?
The feud between Morph and Mister Sinister began in X-Men: The Animated Series. Mister Sinister kidnapped Morph when the X-men thought the latter was already dead while on a mission, not knowing he was only left behind. Though Logan hated leaving him, knowing he considered Morph one of his best friends, they were forced to do so.
From there, Morph’s greatest nightmare began. Mister Sinister started experimenting on Morph’s mind, created two personalities, and sent his evil version back to sabotage the X-Men. The scientist took control of the original Morph. And though he broke free, he brought with him the effect of Mister Sinister’s experiments on him, not to mention the trauma he had gone through.
How many X-Men ‘97 episodes are left?
X-Men '97 features a total of 10 episodes that will run until May 15—that is, if its original schedule will be followed. As half of the first season’s episodes have already been released as of April 10, there are five more left. Here’s when they will be available on Disney+.
Episode 6 Lifedeath - PT 2: April 17
Episode 7 Bright Eyes: April 24
Episode 8 Tolerance is Extinction - PT 1: May 1
Episode 9 Tolerance is Extinction - PT 2: May 8
Episode 10 Tolerance is Extinction - PT 3: May 15
X-Men: The Animated Series gave justice to Morph’s storyline, making his arc regarded as one of the best in the show. By the looks of it, X-Men ‘97 will continue this success, and with five episodes set to release, fans may see more of this favorite character.
