Major X-Men Storyline Announced (But Please, No Mention of This 9-Year-Old Cinematic Disaster)

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Marvel Comics is introducing readers to a whole new kind of Apocalypse this summer.

Per an ominous promo from Marvel Comics, this summer will see the beginning of a brand-new harrowing epic in the form of X-Men of Apocalypse. Written by all-star scribe Jeph Loeb and illustrated by acclaimed artist Simone Di Meo, X-Men of Apocalypse is slated to begin this September. While little is known about the event as of now, the promo features a quote that references the end of the original Age of Apocalypse event and implies the return of alternate variants of characters like Magneto and Rogue.

Marvel Comics' original Age of Apocalypse event began in the pages of 1994's X-Men: Alpha #1 by writers Scott Lobdell and Mark Waid and artists Roger Cruz and Steve Epting. The event introduced readers to the twisted future reality of Earth-295, also known as the Age of Apocalypse. This timeline was brought about by the early demise of Charles Xavier at the hands of his own son, Legion. Without Xavier, the ancient mutant villain Apocalypse reigned supreme over nearly the entire globe, with only a small handful of heroes left to oppose his brutal regime.

In the decades since its introduction, the Age of Apocalypse has continued to play a key role in numerous storylines, even those taking place outside the bounds of its own reality. While the Age of Apocalypse has been glimpsed by everyone from the Hulk to the students of Strange Academy, its native denizens have stepped out into the Multiverse almost just as frequently. In 2024, Logan/Weapon X from the AoA helped lead the charge against a Multiversal iteration of Onslaught, who faced off against an entire army of dimensionally displaced Wolverines throughout the pages of Weapon X-Men.

In 2016, the Age of Apocalypse loosely made its way to the silver screen in the form of X-Men: Apocalypse. Directed by Bryan Singer from a screenplay by Simon Kinberg, X-Men: Apocalypse was the sixth main installment in 20th Century Fox's X-Men feature film series, and marked the return of fan-favorite stars such as James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence as Professor Charles Xavier, Magneto, and Mystique, respectively. The film also marked the debut of Oscar Isaac as En Sabah Nur, better known as Apocalypse. Upon its release, X-Men: Apocalypse was met with largely middling reviews from critics. Despite the lackluster response, X-Men: Apocalypse still managed to bring in over $543 million at the box office against a budget of only $178 million.

Marvel Comics' X-Men of Apocalypse is set to arrive this September.

Source: Marvel Comics