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Morph (X-Men: The Animated Series)

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Morph
X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men '97 character
Promotional art of Morph from X-Men '97
First appearance
  • "Night of the Sentinels (Part 1)"
  • (October 31, 1992)
Based on
Adapted byMark Edward Edens
Eric Lewald
Voiced byRon Rubin (X-Men: The Animated Series)
J. P. Karliak (X-Men '97)
In-universe information
SpeciesMutant
GenderNon-binary
AffiliationX-Men
Powers and abilitiesShapeshifting

Morph is a fictional superhero appearing in the American animated superhero series X-Men: The Animated Series—which aired on Fox Kids from 1992 to 1997—and its revival X-Men '97, which has been streaming on Disney+ since March 2024. Introduced as a member of the X-Men, Morph sacrificed themselves[a] to protect Wolverine from a Sentinel in the show's premiere. The second season premiere revealed Mister Sinister found Morph, resurrecting and experimenting on them, turning them into his minion. By the season finale, the X-Men free them from Sinister's control, and take them to Muir Island to recuperate. They briefly rejoin the X-Men in season four, but realizing they are still suffering from mental trauma, Morph decides to leave once more. Following the original show's conclusion, Morph permanently rejoined the X-Men in X-Men '97, becoming a core cast member. X-Men '97 sees Morph dealing with the trauma of Sinister's experimentations and figuring out their identity; their place on the X-Men and being non-binary. In the first season, Morph's romantic feelings for Wolverine are also made apparent.

Morph was loosely based on Marvel Comics' Changeling; a minor character created by Roy Thomas and Werner Roth who joined the X-Men and sacrificed himself in the 1960s. During The Animated Series' development, the showrunners wanted an X-Man to die in the premiere to set the cartoon's serious tone. Initially, this position was to be filled by Thunderbird, but upon realizing the racist implications of killing-off their only Native American character, he was replaced with Changeling; one of the few X-Men that died heroically in the comics. Due to DC Comics' Beast Boy then using the codename Changeling, the character's name was changed to Morph for the cartoon.

Morph's death was supposed to be permanent, but due to their popularity with audiences, they were resurrected and brought back in season 2. Coming up with storylines for Morph proved difficult for the writers, as Changeling's limited appearances in the comics meant no storylines involving the character existed they could adapt. X-Men '97 features Morph trying to move past their trauma and discover their identity as core aspects of their character arc. The character is also depicted as non-binary, which is a decision that crew members of the original series described as aligning with their vision of the character.

Despite their minimal appearances in The Animated Series, Morph became a fan favorite among viewers. Many discussions regarding the character have focused on their death in the premiere as unprecedented for a children's program of the time. Critics responded positively to Morph's storylines following their resurrection—as Mister Sinister's brainwashed thrall—and the depiction of their mental trauma from these events. The progression of their character in X-Men '97, particularly their depiction as non-binary, has also achieved praise from critics, with Morph's romantic feelings for Wolverine also receiving attention.

Appearances

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In X-Men: The Animated Series

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Morph was introduced in the premiere as one of the X-Men's members, using their shapeshifting abilities to act as comic relief, and having a close relationship with teammate Wolverine, who described Morph as the only one that could make him laugh.[1] In the second part of the show's premiere,[2] Morph gets killed while the X-Men are on a mission, sacrificing themselves to save Wolverine from a Sentinel's laser blast.[1][3]

In the second-season premiere,[2] it was revealed that shortly after their death at the hands of the Sentinels, Morph's body was recovered by Mister Sinister, who revived and brainwashed them by placing mind control implant in their brain.[4] Following their resurrection and due to Sinister's influence,[5] Morph antagonizes the X-Men, blaming them for their death and abandoning them,[1] using their shapeshifting abilities to wreak havoc.[6] At the end of the season, thanks to Professor X's psychic assistance, Morph is able to break free from Sinister's mind control, turning a laser that was meant to kill Cyclops on Sinister instead.[5] Following these events, Morph was taken back to the X-Mansion, where they had the implant removed from their brain. Due to the trauma they had experienced, Morph was taken to Muir Island and get therapy by Moira MacTaggert, which limited their appearances throughout the remained of the series.[1]

Morph briefly rejoined the X-Men in a season 4 episode, having a significant role.[1] Despite Moira's belief they need more time to recover, Morph goes back to the X-Mansion, where shortly after their arrival, they and Wolverine go to investigate a factory robbery; unbeknownst to them it manufactures Sentinels.[7] After returning to the mansion, the team is attacked by Sentinels, causing Morph to freeze up and inadvertently let Professor X be captured.[7] Hoping to make up for their mistake, Morph flies to the location of Professor X, helping their teammates, and destroying Master Mold. Despite overcoming their fears, realizing they're not ready to permanently rejoin them, Morph leaves the X-Men once more.[7]

Morph makes a final appearance in the series' finale, impersonating Professor X,[1] who had been attacked and was dying.[8] During these events, Morph permanently rejoins the X-Men.[9]

In X-Men '97

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Season 1

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By the start of the series, Morph has permanently rejoined the X-Men.[10] In the premiere's end it is revealed that Professor Xavier left his estate to Magneto, who becomes the X-Men's new leader.[11] Some time after Magneto assumes leadership, it is revealed that Sinister had at some unidentified point switched Jean with a clone; Madelyne Pryor. Under Sinister's influence, Madelyne becomes the Goblin Queen and uses her psychic powers to attack the X-Men, giving Morph visions of Sinister attacking them.[12] Despite still being afraid of him, Morph helps lead the X-Men to Sinister's lab where they fight Madelyne.[13] During the fight, Madelyne hypnotizes Morph, causing them to fight against their teammates,[13] until the team manages to break Sinister's hold over her.[14]

Sometime later, the mutant nation of Genosha is attacked by Sentinels, leading to the death of Gambit and massacre of numerous other mutants.[15] Following these events, Morph and the X-Men find Bolivar Trask about to commit suicide by jumping off a building, who reveals Sinister forced him to participate in the Genosha genocide.[16] After Rogue lets Trask fall to his death, to Morph's shock, he transforms into a Prime Sentinel—a human/Sentinel hybrid—and attacks the team.[16]

Realizing that Bastion was the true mastermind behind the creation of the Prime Sentinels and attack on Genosha,[17] the X-Men split into two teams, with Blue Team going after Magneto on Asteroid M,[18] to force his to reverse the effects of electromagnetic pulse wave he unleashed on Earth that shut down all electronic devices.[17] While on Asteroid M, Magneto used his powers to remove the adamantium from Wolverine's skeleton, severely injuring him in the process.[18]

Simultaneously, Storm leads Morph and the rest of Gold Team to Bastion's compound in an attempt to foil his plans.[18] While Bastion initially gains the upper hand on Gold Team, Jean taps into her Phoenix abilities and overpowers both Bastion and Sinister, severing the former's hold over the Prime Sentinels.[19] Going to Asteroid M, Bastion is able to overpower Blue Team, but Gold Team arrives and the X-Men manage to defeat him.[19] However, when American missiles strike the asteroid, it starts pummeling towards Earth.[19]

While Jean, Storm, Rogue, and Magneto are using their combined powers to halt Asteroid M's descent, Morph stays by comatose Wolverine's side.[20] Unsure of their fate, Morph takes on Jean's form to confesses their love toward him.[20] The X-Men are able to use their powers and return Asteroid M to space, but it suddenly vanishes along with most of the team.[19] While some of the X-Men are sent to either Ancient Egypt in 3000 BC or 3060 AD, Morph's whereabouts—along with Wolverine and Storm—remain unknown by the first season finale.[21]

Development

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Creation and progression in X-Men: The Animated Series

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According to executive story editors Eric and Julia Lewald,[22] during the development of X-Men: The Animated Series, the crew wanted an X-Men member to die in the pilot, in order to show that "there were stakes to their struggle".[23] Series director and producer Larry Houston similarly described how early in the show's development, they wanted to kill off a character to "do something different [and] unique" from other animated programmes of the period, and to show that "there are ramifications for things going on in [X-Men: The Animated Series]".[24] Head writer Mark Edward Edens also stated that the show's writers "really wanted to kill somebody", describing it as "what animation writers always dream of";[22] concerning the decision to kill off a character early on, Edens further clarified that the crew "want[ed] there to be real danger and nothing is more real than that [killing a character off]", which also helps "ramp up the emotions".[22]

Initially, this position was to be filled by John Proudstar / Thunderbird, who had joined the X-Men in Giant-Size X-Men (1975) but died shortly thereafter in Uncanny X-Men #95 (1975).[25] However, before the pilot's second draft,[22] it was decided that killing off their only Native American character would have negative implications, so it was decided to replace him with another character.[23] According to the Lewalds, they specifically looked for a "minor character" that "had actually died helping the X-Men".[23] Searching through the comics for any X-Men members that had died, Eric Lewald describes how there were "only like, three or four" such characters, with Changeling being one of the few.[22] Upon discovering Changeling, they opted to use them as the X-Men member that dies.[23] It has been noted that the show's interpretation of the character was loosely based on their comic book counterpart,[26] with Variety writer Jordan Moreau even describing them as "an original character, based partly on the comic-book hero Changeling".[3]

Changeling first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #35 (1967),[24][27] by Roy Thomas and Werner Roth, as an adversary of the X-Men and member of Factor Three.[27] In Uncanny X-Men #65 (1970) it was revealed that Changeling, suffering from a terminal illness and wanting to make amends for his past actions,[27] had joined the X-Men under the guise of Professor X, in order to allow the latter to prepare for the Z'nox Invasion.[25] This retcon established that Changeling had died in the form of Professor X in 1968,[25] making him the first X-Men member to die in the line of duty,[27] Unlike other characters from the X-Men franchise, Changeling has remained dead,[25] only making sporadic appearances as a ghost or zombie.[27]

According to Houston, the character's name was changed from Changeling to Morph due to the DC Comics character Beast Boy, who also has shape-shifting abilities.[24] At the time of the show's development, Beast Boy had been a core member of The New Teen Titans under the codename Changeling, resulting in Marvel lawyers demanding that their character's codename being altered; eventually settling on Morph.[24]

Regarding the use of Changeling / Morph as the X-Man that dies in the premiere of The Animated Series, Comic Book Resources writer Ryan Bradley argued that owing to the character's death more than 30 years prior to the show's premiere, using him as the sacrificial X-Men member ensured that he could be killed off "without upsetting the hardcore fans",[25] while fellow Comic Book Resources writer Brandon Zachary recognized that his minor role in the comics made him "more or less a blank slate [for the writers] to play with".[27]

Morph's death in the show's premiere was supposed to be permanent, but due to their popularity with audiences, Fox Kids demanded that the character be brought back.[23][28] Specifically, according to a focus group that had viewed the first season, Morph was described as the younger viewers' favorite character, and they lamented that they had been "killed [...] off early in episode two".[25] Eric and Julia Lewald has stated that due to Morph's death initially being permanent, with their resurrection occurring due to the network's demands, they "may not have been thinking of [them] as much for stories" in comparison to other X-Men characters.[29] They further stated that due to the character's minor role in the comics, with none of the major story arcs featuring Morph, it was difficult to find any stories to adapt that featured them.[29]

Return and evolution in X-Men '97

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J. P. Karliak voices Morph in X-Men '97.

Appearance and personality

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Morph's involvement in the revival series X-Men '97 was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022.[30] At the panel, it was revealed by creator Beau DeMayo that Morph would be depicted as non-binary and use they/them pronouns, as well as sporting an altered appearance.[30] Morph now has light gray skin, a bald head, white eyes, and no nose,[5] based on the appearance of their counterpart from the Exiles universe.[4] At SDDC 2023, it was confirmed that Morph would officially rejoin the X-Men and be part of the show's main cast.[4] DeMayo, a fan of The Animated Series, described Morph's death as "really set[ting] the stakes" and acknowledged the character having a "very interesting relationship with the team because of trauma".[5] DeMayo described the show's depiction of Morph as being a "lighter take on the character" compared to the original series, as well as having an "interesting buddy relationship with Wolverine".[31]

For X-Men '97, J. P. Karliak replaces Ron Rubin as Morph's voice actor.[32] Concerning his performance, Karliak stated that he didn't try to sound too familiar to Rubin; knowing during casting that Morph would be non-binary, he opted to use his own voice, in order to ground the character closer to reality.[32] During voice recording, Karliak would going through multiple variations of his lines—"pure fury, wisecracking, bawling his eyes out, [or] near-deadpan"—with voice director Meredith Layne to figure out which one fit Morph best.[33]

Regarding Morph's position among the X-Men and their role at the beginning of the series, Karliak described the character as trying to figure out their relationship to the rest of their teammates, as well as themselves, following all the trauma they has endured.[32] Karliak acknowledged that Morph as a character that has experienced much trauma, both physical and psychological, which they try to mask with humour.[32] Regarding this, recognizing them as X-Men '97's comic relief, Karliak believes Morph is "burying a lot of things" and that having "[them] say less was actually the smarter way to go for somebody who’s internalizing a lot".[33]

Gender identity

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Although Morph is depicted as non-binary within X-Men '97, prior to the show's premiere it was announced that they are not identified as such on-screen, due to the series being set in the 1990s when the term "non-binary" wasn't very well known;[34][35] Morph continues to use he/him pronouns within the series.[34] Despite this announcement, Rogue does at one point refer to Morph using the proper pronouns.[33] Regarding Morph's development in the series as a non-binary individual, director Jake Castorena described this approach to the character as "mak[ing] sense", given their shapeshifting abilities.[26] Castorena also described Morph's altered physical appearance in the series as representing their attempt to move past the trauma, and that their "identity is to have multiple identities".[26] Concerning Morph's depiction as non-binary, both Houston and Eric Lewald have stated that this portrayal aligns with their original intentions for the character.[3] Karliak has stated that Morph is "on a gender journey" that will progress as the story advances and the character goes through the "eras of terminology that we’ve lived through already".[33]

Relationship with Wolverine

[edit]
Screenshot from "Fire Made Flesh" depicting Morph looking suggestively at an apparition of Wolverine taking a shower. This scene sparked a discussion regarding Morph's relationship with Wolverine and has often been discussed regarding Morph's romantic feelings for him.

Following the third episode of X-Men '97—"Fire Made Flesh"—it was speculated that Morph's feelings for Wolverine weren't platonic. When Madelyne, as the Goblin Queen under Sinister's influence, causes the X-Men to experience various hallucinations, Morph sees Wolverine naked in the showers and playfully asks if he wants them to join him.[36][37] Wolverine's apparition criticizes Morph's constant joking, "as if I [Wolverine] don't know. As if we all don't know".[38] Comic Book Resources' Andrew Gladman argued that while this could be referring to Morph's trauma from Sinister's experiments, it could also be interpreted as inferring to their romantic feelings for Wolverine.[38]

After the first season's finale, DeMayo confirmed that Morph's feelings for Wolverine are romantic, with them assuming Jean's form both to convince Wolverine that he had something to live for—given Wolverine's romantic feelings for Jean—and also for themselves to confess their feelings to Wolverine.[39] DeMayo clarified that Morph used Jean's form as "a shield",[40] for they are afraid of being honest about their feelings with Wolverine and haven't fully accepted that they are in love with him.[39] According to DeMayo, Morph was always intended to have romantic feelings for Wolverine, as indicated in the show bible.[41]

Karliak has stated that while he does want Morph to get a significant other as X-Men '97 progresses, he is against the character starting a relationship with Wolverine.[33] Regarding this opposition, Karliak finds the trope of a queer individual being in love with a straight person overused, preferring for Morph and Wolverine to remain best friends.[33]

Reception

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X-Men: The Animated Series

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Morph has often been acknowledged for being a "fan-favorite" character from X-Men: The Animated Series, being described as such by Nick Nafpliotis of AIPT Comics,[42] as well as Variety's Jordan Moreau, who recognized that Morph's popularity with audiences is what led to their resurrection; Moreau also described their death in the premiere as a "shocking twist".[3] James Whitbrook of Gizmodo described Morph's death in the series' premiere as helping them achieve popularity.[43] Screen Rant's Shaurya Thapa notes that despite their brief tenure, Morph "emerged as one the most popular characters of X-Men: The Animated Series", primarily for their sense of humor and shapeshifting abilities, which made them popular with audiences.[28] Writing for SlashFilm, Ethan Anderton, who grew up watching the cartoon, states that Morph was a popular character among fellow viewers of the series.[44] Prior to the premiere of the revival series X-Men '97, Robert Curran of Comic Book Resources hoped that Morph would return, stating that it would "be a shame if Morph was completely persona non grata".[1] GameRant writer Joshua Kristian McCoy similarly hoped Morph would have a role in X-Men '97, praising their presence as comic relief and friendship with Wolverine.[45]

Thapa also praised Morph role as Mister Sinister's thrall during the show's second season, arguing that their more morally gray personality helped make them a more layered character, in contrast to their earlier humorous demeanor.[28] Nafpliotis similarly recognized that Morph's death and resurrection under Sinister's control was a "dark" storyline.[42] Concerning their storyline with Sinister, Polygon writer Carli Velocci noted that Morph had a "surprisingly complex arc throughout later seasons" following their resurrection, giving particular praise to their role in season 4, which displays the mental trauma they have experienced after their encounter with the Sentinels; Velocci describes it as a "pretty sensitive portrayal of trauma, especially for a 1990s kids' cartoon".[5] Comic Book Resources's Renaldo Matadeen similarly commended Morph's "mental health arc", especially their dealing with PTSD in season 4, describing it as one that "many fans related to and sympathized with".[46]

X-Men '97

[edit]

Polygon's Velocci described the depiction of Morph as non-binary in X-Men '97 as logical, acknowledging that shapeshifters in fiction often change into various genders.[5] While Gizmodo's Whitbrook was somewhat critical of the decision to make Morph non-binary, the character with "a visible mutation", instead of another more human-presenting character, did praise the inclusion of openly queer character within the cast of the series.[43] Bill Desowitch of IndieWire responded positively to this development, praising the series' "greater celebration of queer diversity".[47] Collider's Cameryn Barnett, while praising Morph's depiction as non-binary, argued the show's first season didn't adequately explore their identity.[48]

Morph's status as non-binary caused some controversy prior to X-Men '97's premiere,[6] being decried as "woke"[43] by some comic-centric websites and YouTube channels, alongside posts on social media.[49] Many X-Men fans defended the decision, arguing that the franchise and mutants have often been used as metaphors for the Civil rights movement and other social issues.[49] Screen Rant's Kai Young described the criticism aimed at Morph being non-binary as "ridiculous", given that various X-Men characters are openly queer, and the X-Men have been used as allegories for LGBT issues.[50] Ethan Moser of Gay Community News also acknowledged that Morph's non-binary status was "true to the X-Men's long-standing allegorical connections to disenfranchised communities, including the queer community".[51]

Andrew Gladman of Comic Book Resources praised the series for highlighting Morph's friendship with Wolverine, lamenting that the original series didn't show it often.[38] Barnett criticized Morph's role during X-Men '97's first season, believing the series didn't properly utilize their past history with Sinister; according to Barnett, as Morph is the only X-Man to have been killed by the Sentinels, they should have been more heavily involved following the Sentinel attack on Genosha.[48]

Merchandise

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As part of the Marvel Legends imprint "VHS/'90s X-Men Animated Series", Hasbro released an action figure of Morph in 2022. The figure came packaged with two separate heads, to portray both their good and evil counterparts.[42] Diamond Select Toys is to release a bust of Morph as part of their line based on the original series in the third quarter of 2024.[52] The figure, designed by Barry Bradfield and sculpted by Michelle Riley, features swappable head sculpts depicting Morph as both good and evil.[52]

Notes

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  1. ^ Morph uses both he/him and they/them pronouns. This article uses they/them pronouns in accordance with X-Men '97.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Curran, Robert (November 16, 2021). "Who Was the X-Men Animated Series' 'Original' Mutant - and Will He Return?". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
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  3. ^ a b c d Moreau, Jordan (March 14, 2024). "X-Men '97 and The Animated Series Creators — Then and Now — Talk Revival, Playing With "Disney Money" and Morph's Nonbinary Backlash". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Schedeen, Jesse (July 24, 2023). "X-Men '97: 5 Things We Learned at Comic-Con 2023". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Velocci, Carli (March 20, 2024). "How Morph went from Marvel cannon fodder to X-Men cartoon canon". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
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  24. ^ a b c d Bonomolo, Cameron (August 9, 2020). "Marvel Lawyers Made X-Men: The Animated Series Change a Character's Name Because of DC Comics". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e f Bradley, Ryan (October 31, 2020). "Why X-Men: The Animated Series Really Resurrected Morph in Season 2". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c Whitbrook, James (March 19, 2024). "X-Men '97's Director Talks Mutant Circuits, Morph, and More". Gizmodo. G/O Media. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  27. ^ a b c d e f Brandon, Zachary (September 4, 2022). "How X-Men '92's Breakout Character Was Brought Back - and Forgotten All Over Again". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  28. ^ a b c Thapa, Shaurya (March 15, 2024). "32 Years Ago, A Dead X-Men Hero Broke An Ultimate Unspoken Rule Of TV". Screen Rant. Val. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Katzman, Gregg (October 31, 2022). "X-Men: The Animated Series' Showrunner & Writer Help Celebrate 30 Years". Comic Book Resources. Va. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Poling, Chandler (July 27, 2022). "Top 5 takeaways from the X-Men '97 panel at SDCC 2022". AIPT Comics. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  31. ^ Flook, Ray (February 16, 2024). "X-Men '97 "Fans" Act Like Morph Being Nonbinary Is Personal Attack". Bleeding Cool. Avatar Press. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c d Stone, Sam (March 21, 2024). "X-Men '97 Actor J.P. Karliak Puts a New Twist on the Ever-Changing Morph". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  33. ^ a b c d e f Patches, Matt (May 15, 2024). "X-Men '97's JP Karliak wants his shapeshifter Morph to find love — just not with Wolverine". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Leishman, Rachel (March 28, 2024). "How X-Men '97 Contextualizes Morph's Gender Identity in the '90s". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  35. ^ Tinocco, Armando (March 24, 2024). "X-Men '97 Morph Voice Actor On Backlash Over Describing Character As Non-Binary: "It Didn't Surprise Me At All"". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 31, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
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