Benjamin Percy on Deadpool & Wolverine’s Big Apocalypse Twist and Callbacks to ’90s X-Men Stories

The intensity of the peril has intensified in the joint venture of Deadpool and Wolverine’s latest comic series. Following their collaboration on the big screen, Marvel introduced a new Deadpool/Wolverine comic penned by Benjamin Percy and illustrated by Joshua Cassara. The series incorporates X-Men adversaries from the past such as Stryfe and the Legacy Virus, but these were merely preludes to an even more formidable danger lurking in plain sight. Although Stryfe has been the main antagonist in Deadpool/Wolverine, recent installments have unveiled that Stryfe has been harboring Apocalypse, who is once again acting malevolently and using Wolverine and Deadpool as his Horsemen to devastate the Earth.

In an interview prior to the release of Deadpool/Wolverine issue #6, ComicBook talked with Benjamin Percy about various aspects of the storyline. Percy shared details on the major Stryfe/Apocalypse revelation, the inspiration drawn from ‘90s X-Men stories for this arc, how Apocalypse is adapting his strategies for world domination differently this time, the future plans for Maverick, and much more. Additionally, we have an exclusive look at the cover and solicitation for Deadpool/Wolverine #9 in September, as well as four pages from Deadpool/Wolverine #7 and one page from Deadpool/Wolverine #8.

Let’s delve into the grand Apocalypse saga first. The link between Apocalypse and Stryfe is an intricate reference that I found quite fascinating. Since our last encounter with Apocalypse in the X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse miniseries, it’s clear he’s been quite active. Can you share how the concept of using Stryfe as a disguise for Apocalypse originated? And are we now dealing with Apocalypse within Stryfe’s physical form instead?

Benjamin Percy: The narrative for this piece deviates from my previous work on Wolverine and X-Force. It’s significantly more eccentric, exaggerated – reminiscent of the X-Men comics I used to devour as a child in the 90s.

This storyline pays tribute, in numerous aspects, to the X-Cutioner’s Song, as it features elements such as the Legacy virus, Apocalypse, and Stryfe.

Originally, Apocalypse aimed to imbue his spirit into Stryfe, an endeavor that never came to fruition. However, we’re continuing this intriguing concept here. Considering a significant part of the narrative revolves around infection, control of minds, and possession, Apocalypse’s potential occupation of Stryfe aligns perfectly thematically.


In Issue #6, we catch a glimpse of Apocalypse’s strategy and how he adjusted it for success. To put it his way, he was “carving with explosives,” so he’s now playing the patient game. Is it possible that we are witnessing a change in Apocalypse’s behavior, given that he is assembling an undead army, has colossal monsters, and seems to be recruiting Horsemen such as Deadpool and Wolverine?

This ten-part narrative is designed to stay engaging and exciting, which means each character will encounter obstacles and may need to adjust their strategies. Included in this is Apocalypse as well.

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How might Maverick’s unique position as a mediator between Deadpool, Wolverine, and Stryfe/Apocalypse unfold further as the situations intensify and the danger grows more severe?

As a cinephile, I’ve always had a soft spot for Maverick, a character I’ve strategically interwoven across my cinematic tales over the years. He’s a self-serving maverick, a mercenary with no allegiance other than to himself. His loyalties are as fickle as the wind and his bank balance, ready to switch sides whenever the opportunity (and the paycheck) presents itself. In this installment, he finds himself aligned with O*N*E, an anti-mutant organization that secured his release from federal prison under the condition of working against his own kind. Given Maverick’s unpredictable nature, it’s only a matter of time before his allegiance is put to the test, and we’re left guessing where he’ll ultimately stand in this escalating conflict.



Given that Apocalypse is in play, there’s a possibility for additional X-Men characters to join the story. We currently have Maverick, who is associated with the X-Men, but considering Stryfe and Apocalypse as the primary antagonists, it seems plausible that Cable might want to get involved. Could we expect a turning point where more characters will enter the scene, or is this mainly shaping up to be a Deadpool and Wolverine narrative?

Hang tight! Our aim was to ensure this tale remains just as fresh and engaging as possible. While new mutants may surface, we’ll manage their introductions thoughtfully, avoiding overreliance on current storylines. This way, the madness of our epic story will feel equally compelling ten years from now as it does today.

To summarize, could you provide some insight on where the plot might be going next, and if so, are there any significant twists or revelations that have been kept secret for the enthusiasts to discover?

Joshua Cassara and Robert Gill consistently surpass expectations by visualizing impossible situations, such as future apocalyptic landscapes, colossal monster battles, hordes of zombies, spirit exchanges, daring heist sequences, and so forth. Their artwork, a daily delight in my email, is nothing short of visionary. As we delve deeper into the series, prepare for an increase in intensity and extreme scenarios ahead!

DEADPOOL/WOLVERINE #9

  • Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
  • Art by ROBERT GILL
  • Cover by JOSHUA CASSARA
  • THE HORSEMEN OF APOCALYPSE!
  • The shocking reveal of the summer pays off as WOLVERINE and DEADPOOL serve as HORSEMEN of the mutant APOCALYPSE! If you missed this revelation, time to catch up here with issue #9!
  • On Sale 9/17

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2025-06-13 20:43