Stepping into the realm of comic book critique, I must say that I’ve had the pleasure of revisiting an iconic X-Men universe – the Age of Apocalypse. The latest installment, titled “X-Men of Apocalypse Alpha” #1, marks a return to this fan-adored alternate timeline, with veteran writer Jeph Loeb, who penned the original “Age of Apocalypse” series under his belt. This era was, in many ways, the culmination of the ’90s golden age for the X-Men, a journey that started with 1991’s “X-Men” (Vol. 2) #1.
Over the years, Marvel has endeavored to recapture the magic of this seminal storyline, with varying degrees of success. As I delve into “X-Men of Apocalypse Alpha” #1, it’s clear that the creators have their work cut out for them, given the high expectations and nostalgia surrounding this universe. Despite a few hiccups here and there, this issue manages to pique reader interest effectively. It’s not a flawless piece, but it falls short of some later works by Jeph Loeb in terms of quality.
Artist Simone Di Meo deserves particular praise for his contributions, as his work plays a crucial role in keeping the story engaging and visually appealing.
As an ardent fan, I must confess that the return of “The Age of Apocalypse” has left me with mixed feelings. While many fans might view it as untouchable perfection, this inaugural issue seems to deviate somewhat from that standard. Jeph Loeb’s later works have had their share of ups and downs, and some of those inconsistencies seem to be present here.
One immediate issue I noticed is the disregard for the established timeline of the “Age of Apocalypse” universe. The 2005 miniseries, the aftermath as portrayed in “The Dark Angel Saga,” and the subsequent series post-“The Dark Angel Saga” – all considered some of the finest X-Men tales of the past decade – appear to be non-canonical. This new take on the “Age of Apocalypse” universe can be a bit perplexing, especially when the story begins with a battle against a character who should have perished in previous events.
However, if you’re new to these sequel stories, you might not find this confusing at all. For long-time fans like myself, it’s an adjustment, but I remain hopeful that the series will eventually align more closely with our beloved original “Age of Apocalypse” timeline.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
| Does fan-favorite characters justice | Falls short of high bar set by the original series |
| Recaptures nostalgic X-Men artwork | Relation to X-Men canon can be confusing |
| Storyline is fun with a cool team |
In a fresh, conversational tone:
Loeb does an admirable job across the board with this issue. However, as a continuity enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a bit frustrated that the rules for an alternate universe aren’t being strictly adhered to. Nevertheless, the narrative itself is engaging. Loeb skillfully portrays the unique personalities of Sabretooth and Blink, making them seem like they were plucked straight from 1995. The plot also develops quite intriguingly.
Loeb manages to recreate the same atmosphere that X-Men Alpha #1 had, even though we’re now more familiar with this universe than we were when we first visited it. It still feels like a whole new realm. Loeb has chosen an exciting team for their journey to the 616 universe – Gambit, Forge, Morph, Wild Child, Sabretooth, and Blink. Each character has their own compelling reason for being there, and the possibility that at least two of them could be traitors adds an extra layer of intrigue.
It’s not easy to get enthusiastic about X-Men events in 2025, but I must admit, so far, I’m tentatively hopeful about this one.
A notable aspect that stands out for X-Men enthusiasts about “The Age of Apocalypse” is its captivating art, and “X-Men of Apocalypse Alpha #1” follows suit. While Simone Di Meo’s artwork doesn’t replicate the original artists’ style, it certainly exudes vibrancy and quality. However, a persistent issue I’ve encountered with Di Meo’s work, particularly on “Batman and Robin”, is the lighting. When his art is colored heavily, it becomes challenging to discern details or understand what’s happening at times. Fortunately, in this issue, Di Meo seems to have addressed this concern, as there are only a few panels that are excessively dark.
In Di Meo’s portrayal, both the acting and attention to detail are spot-on. I truly relish his portrayals of Sabretooth and Blink; their friendship is palpable in the scenes they share, and he masterfully embodies the characters. His Magneto exudes the power and majesty fitting for the character. One of my favorite moments in the entire comic is the interaction between Rogue and Gambit, as the artwork truly encapsulates the scene’s emotion. While his action penciling may not be the most fluid, it still presents an exciting image of an action sequence. I must say that Di Meo seemed to have given his best effort in this issue, a level of dedication he doesn’t always achieve, which significantly enhanced the comic.
The X-Men comics have been following a predictable pattern recently, but a new story reminiscent of “Age of Apocalypse” titled “Age of Revelation” is on its way in the next few months, which might make “X-Men of Apocalypse Alpha” #1 seem unnecessary. However, this comic manages to justify its existence with an engaging plot that piques my interest. Loeb captures the vintage feel of the original “Age of Apocalypse” series, even incorporating the original caption styles, and Di Meo delivers striking visuals that are characteristic of an “Age of Apocalypse” comic. Although it follows a typical alternate universe format, this comic’s success hinges on Loeb effectively maintaining the secrets hidden within its pages. While there is potential for things to go awry, this issue shows promise.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
X-Men of Apocalypse Alpha #1 is out now.
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2025-09-10 15:12