Marvel fans are still buzzing from the explosive three-episode premiere of X-Men '97 Season 2, and the surprises keep coming. The latest episode, "The Rise of Apocalypse Part 2," dropped a major Easter egg that connects the animated series to the live-action Moon Knight—and it's a character fans have been waiting four years to see again.
During the episode, as Apocalypse raises an army of resurrected statues, eagle-eyed viewers spotted a familiar figure among them: Khonshu, the Egyptian moon god who granted Marc Spector his powers in the 2022 Disney+ series Moon Knight. This marks Khonshu's first appearance in any Marvel project since that show ended, and it's a thrilling nod to the interconnected nature of the Marvel multiverse.
The cameo isn't just a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment. It suggests that X-Men '97 is weaving threads from across the MCU into its narrative, much like it did earlier this season with the return of Kang the Conqueror via his Rama-Tut variant and the appearance of the Celestial Eson. This layered storytelling has made the series one of the highest-rated animated shows in history, and fans are loving every twist.
For those who need a refresher: Khonshu is the ancient deity who chose Marc Spector as his avatar, tasking him with protecting the travelers of the night. In Moon Knight, the character was voiced by F. Murray Abraham and later by Carlos Alazraqui. His return in X-Men '97 opens up exciting possibilities for future crossovers, especially with Marvel Heroes With the Power to Take Down Doctor Doom potentially on the horizon.
Season 2 of X-Men '97 consists of nine episodes, with the first four now streaming on Disney+. New episodes drop every Wednesday, leading up to the season finale on August 12. The remaining episode titles have been revealed: Episode 5 is "Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs," Episode 6 is "Danger.exe," Episode 7 is "Strange Land, Savage Heart," Episode 8 is "The Dead Man's Hand," and the finale is "Survival of the Fittest."
This isn't the only Marvel animated series making waves. Marvel Rivals' Mystery of Thebes Trailer Unleashes Apocalypse, Jubilee, and The Hood also dropped recently, further expanding the animated universe. Meanwhile, fans are eagerly awaiting the live-action side, with Tom Holland's Spider-Man: Brand New Day hitting theaters in December and leading into Avengers: Doomsday.
For now, X-Men '97 continues to prove that Marvel's animated offerings are just as essential as its blockbuster films. The return of Khonshu is a testament to the show's commitment to honoring the entire Marvel mythos, and it's a treat for fans who have been following the MCU since its earliest days.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on X-Men '97 and all things Marvel. And if you haven't caught up yet, the first four episodes of Season 2 are streaming now on Disney+.
