The X-Men's New Apocalypse is a Priest, Not a Villain
The X-Men reboot from Marvel Comics has asked readers to accept some seriously outlandish ideas, but the strangest of all may be that Apocalypse--the greatest X-Men villain ever--is giving up his villainous, violent ways for good. To do what, you might ask? To become a scholarly priest. Seriously.
That ball was set rolling when the X-Men welcomed their worst villains and mutant killers to their new homeland of Krakoa, offering a fresh start. And to drive home the point, it was Charles Xavier himself who shook hands with Apocalypse, proclaiming a truce. Now that Apocalypse is taking his spot in the new Excalibur comic series, writer Tini Howard is confirming his handshake with Xavier is no deception at all. The X-Men may have a traitor in their midst, but it isn't En Sabah Nur.
Howard offered her description of the changed Apocalypse in an interview with EW, obviously excited about the stories he will make possible in this new mutant age. Because after all, when the mutants have ascended to the dominant species on the planet... what role will Apocalypse play then? Howard offers a tease of what's to come:
He’s always been concerned with the ascension of mutants and it’s not that he feels as though his work is done now. It’s quite the contrary; it’s that his work must change. He was a general when he had to be a general, and now that the fight has changed, his tactics have changed. We’re gonna see an Apocalypse who’s a scholar and is someone who is able to work for the greatness of mutantkind as a thinker, as an artist, as a priest. We’ll see him in these roles we’ve never seen him in before.
I’m very, very proud of what we’re doing and where we’re going with Apocalypse. I’m working very closely with Jonathan on what we think and feel about him and what his journey is. It’s really interesting to give a character like that a journey. Whether it’s a hero’s journey or whether he’s Walter White will be something we’ll see as it goes on. But he’s fighting for his home too.
Fans will be obviously suspicious of Apocalypse knowing either a heroic or Breaking Bad-esque turn may be ahead of him. But for the meantime, readers can get their first look at this new philosophical, priest Apocalypse in Marvel's official preview for Excalibur #1 below. And if you're not sold on the ancient villain turning good, you're not alone... Gambit isn't buying his act, either.
- EXCALIBUR #1
- Release Date: October 30th, 2019
- Written by: Tini Howard
- Art by: Marcus To
- Cover Art by: Mahmud A. Asrar
- A NEW DAWN IS FORGED! The Otherworld is rocked by war! It is a new era for mutantkind as a new Captain Britain holds the amulet, fighting for the Kingdom of Avalon with her Excalibur at her side - Rogue, Gambit, Rictor, Jubilee...and Apocalypse.
Excalibur #1 will be available at your local comic book shop on October 30th, 2019, or direct from Marvel Comics.
Source: EW