Which 7 X-Men Have Been a Horseman of Apocalypse?

Originally published August 5, 2026. This article answers which X-Men have been a Horseman of Apocalypse, including Gambit, Archangel, and Wolverine.

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As one of the oldest mutants in existence, Apocalypse has terrorized nearly every member of the X-Men. In fact, dozens of mutant heroes have been forced or coerced into becoming a Horseman of Apocalypse. Over the past millennia, Apocalypse has appointed multiple beloved figures to become Death, War, Famine, and Pestilence, the successors to his original children with Genesis. At this point, it might be easier to name who hasn’t been one of Apocalypse’s Four Horsemen.

However, certain mutant heroes stand out in their tenures as Horsemen. Over on the big screen, we’ve seen Magneto, Psylocke, Angel, and Storm become Horsemen in X-Men: Apocalypse. Recently, on the hit TV series X-Men ’97, Apocalypse has resurfaced across time. Season 2 has chronicled his new rise to power and he is undoubtedly gathering mutants to once again serve him. Who could they be?

Ahead of the reveals on television, let’s look back to the comics for hints. There are 7 X-Men heroes whose time as Horsemen made particularly big impacts:

• Gambit
• Wolverine
• Angel
• Polaris
• Psylocke
• Banshee
• Sunfire

Warning: Spoilers ahead for X-Men ’97 season 1!

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Gambit

• Horseman Title: Death
• Horseman Time Period: 2006

Since his death in season 1 of X-Men ’97, fans have been speculating that Gambit will return as a Horseman of Apocalypse. Now that episode 7 has teased a charged up playing card, it’s all but confirmed ahead of episode 8, titled “The Dead Man’s Hand.” In the comics, Gambit willingly crosses over to Apocalypse, under the misguided notion that the villain could be an ally to mutantkind. The Cajun’s powers are significantly enhanced, including increased control of matter manipulation and the ability to trap opponents within his cards. Now that’s a tricky hand to play.

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Wolverine

• Horseman Title: Death
• Horseman Time Period: 1999

Ahead of season 2, there was also speculation that Wolverine might become a Horseman of Apocalypse. After all, there was devastating precedent in the comics when Wolverine sacrificed himself to become Death. The alternative, that Sabretooth would receive Apocalypse’s “gift,” simply wasn’t an option. In becoming Death, Wolverine also regained his lost Adamantium skeleton. For a while, a Skrull impersonated Wolverine and the ensuing reveals were even harder for the X-Men to endure.

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Angel

• Horseman Title: Death
• Horseman Time Period: 1988

As the first X-Man to fall victim to Apocalypse’s treatment, Angel will forever be scarred. He was already in an extremely vulnerable state, having lost functionality in his wings. That’s why Apocalypse’s promise to restore his powers, and even more, was hard to turn down. But that moment of weakness would result in decades of inner turmoil for Archangel. Underneath his transformed skin and new metallic wings, trauma would continue to fester and eat away at Warren.

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Polaris

• Horseman Title: Pestilence
• Horseman Time Period: 2006

Polaris, the Mistress of Magnetism, is no stranger to possession. Early in her career she was also overtaken by Malice. But as a Horseman of Apocalypse, Polaris received an even more chilling transformation. Following Scarlet Witch’s M-Day disaster, Polaris was among the many who lost their mutant powers. That’s when Apocalypse swooped in with his deal. Her Pestilence persona put her into a fully-body medieval torture suit and allowed her to command every single disease that had ever existed.

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Psylocke

• Horseman Title: Death
• Horseman Time Period: 2011

Many X-Men romances are doomed from the start, but few are as darkly bittersweet as Psylocke and Archangel. They served together during the Uncanny X-Force era. Archangel was still struggling with his PTSD from being under Apocalypse’s control and Psylocke thought she could help him endure. Unfortunately, that devotion meant that Betsy would also fall under Death’s dominion. It turns out a broken heart is impressive fuel for a Horseman.

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Banshee

• Horseman Title: Death
• Horseman Time Period: 2013

From a mythological standpoint, this choice makes so much sense. According to Irish folklore, a banshee is harbinger of death. The choice to convert Banshee was seemingly in the mutant’s destiny. As Death, Banshee operated alongside Daken (Wolverine’s son), Grim Reaper, and Sentry. They were the Horsemen created by the Apocalypse Twins, the twisted children of Archangel and Ichisumi, who was also a Pestilence for Apocalypse.

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Sunfire

• Horseman Title: Famine
• Horseman Time Period: 2006

Just like Angel before him, Apocalypse preyed upon an injured Shiro Yoshida. He had just lost his legs in a fight against Lady Deathstrike. So Apocalypse’s offer to restore Sunfire’s former strength was impossible to resist. As Famine, his power of starvation didn’t really connect to his mutant fire abilities but who needs logic when you’re a Horseman of Apocalypse?

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With so many alternate futures, other X-Men have also served as Horsemen, such as Colossus, whose time as War enabled him to liquify his metallic body. Plus, other Marvel heroes like Hulk, Spider-Man, and even Deadpool have been Horsemen of Apocalypse.

What are your predictions for the rest of X-Men ’97? And who do you think should be the next Horsemen of Apocalypse? Join the conversation with other Marvel fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!