X-Men of Apocalypse #3 Is a Turning Point That Derails the Whole Series (Review)

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2025 marked 30 years since the X-Men’s famous “Age of Apocalypse” storyline, and Marvel attempted to celebrate with two new stories. One was poorly received (“Age of Revelation”), and the other was X-Men of Apocalypse. Written by Jeph Loeb (who also wrote X-Man) with art by Simone Di Meo, this series brought characters from the “Age of Apocalypse” universe to the main X-Men universe (Earth-616). Their goal was to find the M’Kraan Crystal and replace Earth-616 with their own reality. While the series started out as a fairly average comic—not particularly good or bad—issue #3 seems poised to drastically alter the story and throw it off track.

“Age of Apocalypse” is a beloved X-Men story, and this comic has been doing a great job of capturing the feel of the original. While the series has been solid so far, this newest issue takes some unexpected turns that might not land with all readers. However, it’s still a well-made comic, particularly thanks to its dynamic artwork.

Rating: 3.0 out of 5

Pros Cons
Di Meo’s art is spectacular The story takes things in a questionable direction
Loeb is able to keep up the old school style of the book The story feels a little too flashy for its own good

Loeb’s Script Is Serviceable but It’s Falling Back on a Plot That Doesn’t Really Work

This comic is a bit unusual. Jeph Loeb is a well-known writer with some truly excellent stories under his belt, but most of his work is just solid, rather than spectacular. He’s good at building a story, writing dialogue, and collaborating with artists, but he rarely delivers anything truly groundbreaking. X-Men of Apocalypse is a good example – it works well, captures the right mood, and has some fun moments and action. However, it’s ultimately a bit superficial – enjoyable, but lacking real depth.

The current issue has a problem with its direction. Like many recent comics, it relies too heavily on the fan appeal of Rogue’s Savage Land costume, which is mostly about sex appeal and overshadows any actual story from those issues. Here, Rogue isn’t developed as a character; she’s treated as an object of desire for AoA Gambit, reducing her to a plot device. This feels out of place and unnecessarily complicates an already confusing storyline. While some readers might enjoy this turn, it ultimately muddies the book’s plot even further.

Di Meo’s Art Is Impressive and Is the Strongest Part of the Issue

The “Age of Apocalypse” is known for its incredible artwork, featuring some of the most talented artists of the time. Simone Di Meo’s work on “X-Men of Apocalypse” marks his first major interior art for Marvel, and it’s truly impressive. While the story itself is decent, the art is the real standout feature of this issue, making it enjoyable even if you’re not fully invested in the plot.

Di Meo’s art has sometimes been criticized for being overly dark, which overshadowed his detailed linework. However, this issue showcases a stunning improvement in his coloring, making the artwork vibrant and dynamic. He skillfully uses blurring effects during action sequences to create a strong sense of movement, making them visually exciting. If there’s a drawback to his work, it’s that it’s almost too impressive. The art is so captivating that it sometimes distracts from the story, which feels a bit weak in comparison.

The writing is skilled, but the story’s new direction feels off for this series. The portrayal of Rogue in Savage Land also feels a bit forced. While the issue could ultimately work, it doesn’t quite feel right as a story right now. The artwork is definitely the highlight – it’s actually better than the story itself. Overall, it’s not a bad comic, but it’s likely to be divisive and won’t appeal to all readers.

X-Men of Apocalypse #3 is on sale now.

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2026-03-18 17:19