X-Men of Apocalypse #1 Is a Fun but Predictable Romp (Review)

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Thirty years ago, the X-Men comic series launched “The Age of Apocalypse,” a story known for its incredibly dark take on Earth. It was a huge hit, and Marvel has been trying to recreate that success ever since, both by revisiting that alternate world and by attempting to create new, equally popular stories. We’re seeing both approaches now. The X-Men comics are currently exploring a new alternate universe in “Age of Revelation.” At the same time, X-Men of Apocalypse #1 – which began with X-Men of Apocalypse Alpha #1 two months ago – brings beloved characters from the original Age of Apocalypse universe (along with Forge) into the main Marvel universe (known as 616) on a mission to ensure their world becomes the primary one. It’s an enjoyable comic, but it doesn’t offer anything truly groundbreaking.

If you enjoyed the original “Age of Apocalypse” comics, you’ll likely enjoy this one too. Having Jeph Loeb – who previously worked on X-Man during that era – write this was a smart move. He understands the characters well and uses them consistently. While the story feels a bit unusual, it won’t bother readers unfamiliar with the original X-Man series. The plot revolves around the Age of Apocalypse X-Men recruiting Nate Grey and then battling their mainstream counterparts to achieve their goals – something that didn’t happen in the original X-Man comics, but most readers won’t notice.

As someone who grew up loving the X-Men in the ’90s, I really enjoyed this issue! It was awesome seeing Wolverine with his bone claws again. The story doesn’t get bogged down in old continuity, thankfully – it uses it more for cool atmosphere. We find out what the Age of Apocalypse X-Men are up to in the main X-Men universe, but honestly, it was pretty easy to guess. I won’t ruin it for anyone, especially if you’re reading this, you probably already know why they’re here, just not how they plan to do things. But honestly, even though it borrows a lot from other X-Men stories, it still all makes sense. So, it’s predictable, but in a good way!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Loeb has a good grasp on the characters Predictable, but in a good way
The ’90s set-dressing was fun to come back to Not enough Blink
The art is very good Di Meo’s style is too “pin-up-y” to give good action scenes

Simone Di Meo’s Art Is Good but Not Great

Simone Di Meo was an inspired pick for this project. Although his artistic style differs from the original artists who worked on the ‘Age of Apocalypse’ books, his distinct and stylized approach actually complements their 90s aesthetic. Choosing an artist with a bold style suits the story’s retro feel – it feels like something that would have come out of Marvel in the 90s. Di Meo excels at creating striking covers and handling scenes with a lot of conversation. He’s particularly good at portraying characters and drawing figures, which is perfect for a story so focused on dialogue.

Di Meo’s artwork isn’t particularly dynamic when it comes to action sequences. While his scenes look visually appealing, they lack the sense of motion that some artists achieve. This isn’t a major flaw, but it doesn’t elevate the book either. Overall, the art is good, and Di Meo was still a suitable choice for this project, even if his strengths don’t lie in drawing action.

The current X-Men comics feel stuck in the past. For over a year, they’ve been relying on familiar storylines instead of trying anything new, and this year’s focus on “Ages” of different events is another example of that. While the recent “Age of Revelation” didn’t quite hit the mark, X-Men of Apocalypse is doing a pretty good job of picking things up. It’s not a revolutionary take on the “Age of Apocalypse” storyline, and it’s somewhat predictable with a few lackluster action sequences. Still, it’s an enjoyable read, and sometimes that’s what matters most. It’s not flawless, but it’s a fun adventure.

X-Men of Apocalypse #1 is on sale now.

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2025-11-19 17:40