X-Men ’97 just answered a question regarding the original animated series from 1992. This has been a subject of no small debate among Marvel comic readers for over thirty years. However, the new Disney+ series quietly offered an explanation in the middle of a more complicated storyline.
The question first arose during “X-Ternally Yours,” the sixth episode of the second season of X-Men: The Animated Series. The story delved into the background of Gambit and involved the feud between two criminal guilds; the Thieves and the Assassins. Once a decade, both Guilds were required to pay a tithe to being known as the X-Ternal in exchange for power. While Gambit had been cast out from the Thieves Guild, he returned home to help after his brother, the intended Tithe-Bearer for that decade, was abducted by the Assassins.
This story was modified slightly from the X-Men comics of the time. The Thieves and Assassins Guilds still existed and were rivals. However, they drew power from a woman named Candra, who claimed to be a goddess of thieves and assassins. This prompted a debate between fans of the cartoon and comic readers as to whether the X-Ternal was meant to be Candra.
This question was complicated by two issues. First, Candra and the X-Ternal had different physical appearances. Secondly, Candra and the Thief and Assassin Guilds were both introduced in Gambit #1. That comic was released on October 19, 1993. However, “X-Ternally Yours” first aired barely a month later on December 4, 1993. Since the animation and comics operate on different production schedules, it was unclear if this was planned in advance through the Marvel office or a coincidence.
X-Men’s Externals Explained
The key to this mystery lies in how Candra was later revealed to be part of a class of Mutants known as Externals. The Externals were first referenced in 1992’s X-Force #10. Much like the Immortals of the Highlander movies, they gained immortality along with their Mutant powers. They could also only be killed by another External. Otherwise, they would just be reborn. The villain Apocalypse is the most notable of the Externals.
Each of the Externals came to exemplify a certain intangible concept, like Wisdom, Corruption or Fortitude. Candra was said to be the exemplar of Guile, making her the natural patron of Thieves and Assassins. However, there is still no confirmation that she was the inspiration for the X-Ternal of the X-Men Animated Series.
Confirmation came in the X-Men ’97 episode “Rise of Apocalypse – Part 2.” It was here that the pharaoh Rama-Tut was attended by a priestess who resembled the X-Ternal of the original X-Men animated series. While she is not addressed by name in the episode, the closing credits identify this character as Candra.
One final tease comes when Apocalypse rises, as the episode title promised. Rama-Tut reveals himself as Kang the Conqueror and abandons his followers, including Candra. However, as he prepares his time-ship and changes into his armor, Kang assures her that “your destiny starts today.” He then adds that Apocalypse “can only be challenged by a force that is… External.”
