Tag Archives: x-men: heir of apocalypse

X-Men: Heir Of Apocalypse #4 presents a Revelation

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X-Men: Heir Of Apocalypse #4

The survivors of Apocalypse’s deadly trials confront the final test as their past, present and future converge. When the dust settles, only one will remain to safeguard mutantkind’s destiny by any means possible. Only one will become…the HEIR OF APOCALYPSE. X-Men: Heir Of Apocalypse #4 wraps things up with one contestant chosen.

It’s taken me four issues to figure out what X-Men: Heir Of Apocalypse reminds me of. It’s Willy Wonka. Apocalypse’s chosen are the children. En Sabah Nur is Wonka. And the battleground is the chocolate factory. Not sure what that makes Archangel. Whoever survives the temptations and death traps, will get the key to the chocolate factory… I mean Earth.

Steve Foxe wraps things up as the possible heirs have been narrowed down to Cable, Forge, Dani Moonstar, and Cypher. Who will lead and guide Earth’s mutants as Apocalypse steps aside in a way? By the end of the comic we find the answer to that as one of those four go through a transformation kicking off a new character who should shake things up.

Foxe presents an interesting finale to the comic. It provides more motivation for those four as we see them interacting with their ringmaster who confronts each about whether they’re worthy. Many are present just so others don’t win, or so they can oppose Apocalypse’s grand scheme. But, it narrows down to two, each presenting interesting directions.

The comic overall has a rather classic feel to it. The mini-series does as a whole. It reminds me more of early 2000 X-Men when stories like “The Twelve” was hitting shelves. That’s in tone, pacing, and look of the comic. It’s rather retro in an interesting way.

Part of that is due to the art of Netho Diaz whose style has a bit of that throwback to it. With ink by Sean Parsons, color by Alex Sinclair, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the tone of the writing and especially the visuals would feel right at home with the X-Men of the early 2000s. It’s a look that hasn’t been too common lately with X-Men comics and definitely hits the nostalgia button.

X-Men: Heir Of Apocalypse #4 is a nice finale to the mini-series and it’ll have ramifications for a while. While some of it was predictable due to other series, the ending wasn’t totally clear. It sets things up nicely for what’s to come promising a lot of drama and a new player for the X-Men to contend with.

Story: Steve Foxe Art: Netho Diaz
Ink: Sean Parsons Color: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #4

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X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #4

(W) Steve Foxe (A) Netho Diaz (CA) Dotun Akande
Rated T+
In Shops: Jul 31, 2024
SRP: $3.99

The survivors of Apocalypse’s deadly trials confront the final test as their past, present and future converge. When the dust settles, only one will remain to safeguard mutantkind’s destiny by any means possible. Only one will become…the HEIR OF APOCALYPSE.

X-Men: Heir of the Apocalypse #4

Preview: X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #3

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X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #3

(W) Steve Foxe (A) Netho Diaz (CA) Dotun Akande
Rated T+
In Shops: Jul 10, 2024
SRP: $3.99

Warren Worthington III long ago – and at great cost – made peace with the seed of Death that Apocalypse planted within him. But as the contest to choose an heir rages on, ARCHANGEL takes the fight to Apocalypse himself, to make sure no one else suffers at the hands of En Sabah Nur!

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #3

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is full of shocks

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X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2

Cable, Exodus, Mirage, Wolverine, and more – Apocalypse saw great potential in twelve hand-picked mutants. But when a thirteenth contender crashes the tournament, endangering the lives of thousands in the process, will any survive to carry on in Apocalypse’s footsteps? Not if Mister Sinister has anything to say about it! X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is n action-packed issue full of surprises as the group battles Genocide!

The debut issue of X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse was an interesting one that was a bit of mystery as to what was going on but also delivering a lot of background. Writer Steve Foxe packed the issue to catch readers up, provide motivation, challenges, and some action as well. The issue ended with Apocalypse’s son, Genocide attacking and forcing the contestants to do battle.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is focused on the battle with Genocide as Steve Foxe adds a little more motivation for some characters but primarily focuses on the battle. We get a sense of who stands out as likely candidates to be the heir of Apocalypse and lead the mutant nation on Earth.

Foxe shocks in the issue though by seemingly killing some of the characters, surprises for the series but also headscratchers as to where things go from here for them. It does add a sense of danger to what’s to come and lives are now on the line. There’s some odd choices in dialogue and spending some time on one character’s invitation from Apocalypse when they are ones that look slain, but overall the comic is packed with action and excitement. It keeps the classic style the first issue established.

Netho Diaz‘s art too is classic in a way. With ink by JP Mayer and Sean Parsons, color by Alex Sinclair, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the issue looks great in the battle. There are some issues though with some of the poses feeling rather odd and not natural. That’s most evident in the final panel that involves a confrontation. It just feels rather odd visually. But, Diaz has a flair for the dramatic and there’s a great use of closing in on his subjects to emphasize the moment by using something as simple as an eye and reaction to what’s seen.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2 is an interesting issue that feels like one long fight but it removes some players from the board. It continues its throwback style in both story and look. Overall, like the first issue, the second feels like there’s going to be some long-term ramifications after this series wraps up.

Story: Steve Foxe Art: Netho Diaz
Ink: JP Mayer, Sean Parsons Color: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2

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X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2

(W) Steve Foxe (A) Netho Diaz (CA) Dotun Akande
Rated T+
In Shops: Jun 26, 2024
SRP: $3.99

Cable, Exodus, Mirage, Wolverine, and more – Apocalypse saw great potential in twelve hand-picked mutants. But when a thirteenth contender crashes the tournament, endangering the lives of thousands in the process, will any survive to carry on in Apocalypse’s footsteps? Not if MISTER SINISTER has anything to say about it!

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #2

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1 teases future potential

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X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1

For centuries, Apocalypse tested the mutants of Earth to guarantee that only the strong would survive. Now, as he takes his throne on Arakko, another must rise in his place and ensure the mutants of Earth do not grow weak in his absence! Twelve mutants chosen from the X-Men’s greatest heroes – and villains – will compete for the honor, but only one can become…the HEIR OF APOCALYPSE! X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1 feels like a bit of a throwback in some ways but may be key in what’s to come.

In X-Men #35, not only did we see the end of Krakoa as we know it, but also Apocalypse throwing a hissy fit for not getting his way. It felt odd and a little jarring. X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1 feels like a much better direction, delivering an Apocalypse who is cooler headed and looking at the long game. He’s focused on Arakko and wants to find an heir to take his place to guide mutantdom for what comes next.

Writer Steve Foxe gathers an eclectic group of mutants to play Apocalypse’s game. Taking on a familiar formula, the issue flashes around showing Apocalypse recruiting the various individuals, some accepting and some declining. Interspersed is their current mission of getting through the initial traps laid out for them while pondering what’s to come next.

It’s all an interesting idea and each character shows potential if they were to win. We get an idea for a few as to why they’re taking part in the game but overall the motivation feels a bit thin for a lot of them. Still, the first issue focuses in on a few and delivers far than enough that you wonder if we’re being teased with the most likely winners.

Foxe’s style overall feels like a bit of a throwback taking us to miniseries that happened in the 00s, especially those with Apocalypse. Many of those saw concepts that were better than the execution but moved the story along. This feels like it’ll have some major ramifications when the X-Men line of comics kicks off again in July.

The art by Netho Diaz is pretty solid. There’s some amazing depictions of characters with a lot of detail for as much is packed in. Diaz’s style adds to the throwback vibe of it echoing a modern classic look I’d expect from X-Men comics. Diaz is a talent and could be the real draw as the series continues. JP Mayer‘s ink, Alex Sinclair‘s color, and Clayton Cowles‘ lettering all add to the visual treat that is the comic.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1 is an interesting concept and feels like the logical next step for Apocalypse. It teases some major conflict to come in the future and dark clouds off in the distance. It also has a nice retro vibe, a break from more recent X-Men comics during the Krakoan age which had a voice and look all to their own. It’s an interesting debut that feels like it tees up a lot to come.

Story: Steve Foxe Art: Netho Diaz
Ink: JP Mayer Color: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Lawful #1

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – Kryptonian Age #1 (DC Comics) – Elseworlds returns with a follow up to a classic!

Blood Hunt #3 (Marvel) – The event has been a solid one so far and we’re not sure who has been turned and who hasn’t. We’re expecting more surprises.

Dick Tracy #2 (Mad Cave Studios) – The classic character returns to monthly comics and the debut was a solid one.

Lawful #1 (BOOM! Studios) – Magical meets modern in a walled city with strangely familiar architecture, where two small children with a sense of adventure get a grim reminder of reality…. Greg Pak’s writing? Yeah, we’re checking this out.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo: Saturday Morning Adventures #1 (IDW Publishing) – It’s always fun when these two properties come together and with the Saturday Morning vibe, we’re beyond excited to read the result.

Transformers #9 (Skybound) – The series has been fantastic and Optimus and some of his Autobots are already bringing the battle to the Decepticons who have made contact with Cybertron. It’s another brutal issue!

Ultimate X-Men #4 (Marvel) – It’s a horror comic with an X-Men twist.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1 (Marvel) – Stories involving Apocalypse finding an heir have been hit and miss but we’re guessing this will be a big deal for things to come.

Preview: X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1

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X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1

(W) Steve Foxe (A) Netho Diaz (CA) Dotun Akande
Rated T+
In Shops: Jun 12, 2024
SRP: $4.99

For centuries, Apocalypse tested the mutants of Earth to guarantee that only the strong would survive. Now, as he takes his throne on Arakko, another must rise in his place and ensure the mutants of Earth do not grow weak in his absence! Twelve mutants chosen from the X-Men’s greatest heroes – and villains – will compete for the honor, but only one can become…the HEIR OF APOCALYPSE!

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #1

Deadpool and Wolverine get the spotlight on new variant covers in July

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With Deadpool on the loose, no one is safe from his insane pranks—especially Wolverine! This July, the Stormbreakers celebrate the Merc With A Mouth and The Best There Is in the latest batch of Stormbreakers Variant Covers. Arriving just as Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters, these covers spotlight why Deadpool and Wolverine are the ultimate—and most hilarious—super hero team-up in comic books! 

Every month, Marvel’s Stormbreakers bring their incredible talents to your favorite comic series and characters and flex their skills with exciting themed variant cover collections. The current group of artists includes Elena Casagrande, Nic Klein, Jan Bazaldua, Chris Allen, Martin Coccolo, Lucas Werneck, Federico Vicentini, and C.F. Villa.

Each of these artists embody the raw talent and creative potential to shatter the limits of visual storytelling in comics today! As the next evolution of the groundbreaking Marvel’s Young Guns program, Marvel’s Stormbreakers continues the tradition of spotlighting and elevating these powerful artists to showcase their abilities, artwork and prominence in the world of comic books.

Check out all eight covers now and preorder them at your local comic shop today! 

  • DEADPOOL #4 STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY JAN BAZALDUA – 75960620897500441
  • WOLVERINE: DEEP CUT #1 STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY C.F. VILLA – 75960620994100121
  • AVENGERS #16 STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY MARTIN COCCOLO – 75960620426701631
  • X-MEN: HEIR OF APOCALYPSE #3 STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY NIC KLEIN – 75960620852400321
  • X-MEN: BLOOD HUNT – LAURA KINNEY THE WOLVERINE #1 STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY FEDERICO VICENTINI – 75960620878400131
  • DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: WWIII #3 STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY LUCAS WERNECK – 75960620648300341
  • HELLVERINE #3 STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY ELENA CASAGRANDE – 75960620950700321
  • X-FORCE #1 STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY CHRIS ALLEN – 75960620919400161
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