Yep, we said it! The Age of Apocalypse is the best X-Men storyline so far.
"X-Men: Age of Apocalypse" is a comic book event that was published by Marvel Comics in 1995 and 1996. It was created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Joe Madureira and was one of the most popular and influential comic book events of the 1990s. The event spanned across multiple X-Men and other Marvel titles that lasted for multiple months.
Why is it the best X-men event? Well, honestly because of our age. We're that age where 90's X-Men were everywhere and everything to comic book fans. Depending on your age, at this point in your comic book fandom you might not have experienced any other X-men comic events before. Maybe the Fatal Attractions event. But this felt bigger. There were new characters introduced. There were characters deaths. And many titles changed names throughout the event.
So yeah, it's all subjective. As always, not everyone will agree and that's okay! But for us, this is the best X-Men story so far. Here's more about the event below.
**SPOILERS BELOW!**
The story of "Age of Apocalypse" takes place in an alternate timeline where Professor Charles Xavier, the founder of the X-Men, is killed before he can form the team. Without Xavier's guidance his former ally Apocalypse rises to power and enslaves humanity. The remaining mutants must band together to overthrow Apocalypse and restore the original timeline.
One of the most interesting aspects of "Age of Apocalypse" is that it completely re-imagines the X-Men universe. Many of the characters have different origins and abilities, and the world is a much darker and more dystopian place than the some readers were familiar with. This made the event a great opportunity for the creative team to explore new stories and ideas that would not have been possible in the main continuity.
The event introduced new characters like Holocaust and Sinister, who went on to become important figures in the franchise. It also marked the return of fan-favorite characters like Bishop and Cable who had not been seen in the X-Men comics for a long time.
The event explores the themes of power and responsibility, as the X-Men must confront the consequences of their actions. With the world on the brink of destruction, the X-Men struggle with the weight of their choices, and the reader is left to question what the true cost of victory is.
The event was so popular that it spawned multiple spin-off series and one-shots, including "X-Men: Alpha," "X-Men: Omega," and "X-Men Chronicles." These series explored different aspects of the "Age of Apocalypse" timeline and provided additional context for the main event.
It even had an impact on the X-Men animated series. The event was adapted into a two-part episode of the show, which aired in 1996. The episode was well-received by fans and it introduced elements of the event to a wider audience.
The event also had a lasting impact on the X-Men comics and the franchise as a whole. Many of the characters and concepts that were introduced in "Age of Apocalypse" went on to become important parts of the X-Men comics. The event also had an impact on the relationship between Charles Xavier and Magneto, and it has been referenced in later X-Men comics.
This event spread across multiple titles. A multi-title crossover that included the X-Men titles of course, but it also included other Marvel titles such as Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and Iron Man.
Overall, "Age of Apocalypse" is a must-read for any X-Men fan. It's an epic and thrilling event that explores the darker side of the X-Men universe and it has left a lasting impact on the franchise. With its great storytelling, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes, it's no wonder that it's still considered one of the best comic book events of all time.