Of all the titles in the vast Age of Revelation, Amazing X-Men has been the only title that felt like required reading. Amidst all the sprawling titles, this is the one comic that has always felt like it has had a purpose, an identity, and a razor-sharp focus. Age of Revelation is a story largely about two men: Cyclops and Revelation. But in Amazing X-Men #3, Jed MacKay and artist Mahmud Asrar add in some additional players in the finale issue before the Age of Revelation Finale at year’s end.
Amazing X-Men begins with the X-Men on their way to Philadelphia, the seat of Revelation’s power. On the way, they hear from Psylocke, once their teammate and now one of Revelation’s Seraphim, about his true plans for the world, one that turned Psylocke and even Revelation’s own wife against him: Revelation plans to manipulate the very environment of the Earth and to become one with it and all the people of it. Essentially, Ego the Living Planet, or a Dominion. It’s a rapid escalation in scale and adds to the dire situation the X-Men find themselves in. It’s no longer purely a battle against a tyrant; now it is a battle for the fate of the world.
In Philadelphia, the X-Men meet up with their contact there, Wiz Kid. It’s a welcome return to the page for the little-used technopathic mutant, who was first introduced in X-Factor by Louise and Walt Simonson. Beast urges the team to rest for the night, and what ensues is one of the quietest yet most interesting scenes of the entire event.
Beast is a character who has been through the wringer these past 25 years. Turned into a much darker figure than he was, Beast was seemingly killed off, with an identical clone of Beast, but with only memories limited to his days in the Silver Age and with the Avengers and Defenders, taking his place. The Beast of the X-Men Factory in the pages of the regular X-Men title is a sensitive, peaceful soul, fearful of becoming the monster that he has heard so much about. Often the moral heart of the X-Men, it’s a return to the classic Beast of yore, and a welcome return.
Since the start of the Age of Revelation, however, there is something just a little off about the Beast we see. Brought to the future alongside Cyclops, Beast in the Age of Revelation is quiet, shrewd, discerning, and quite ruthless. He is quick to fight and involve himself in action, and he swiftly takes out a Seraphim of Revelation earlier in the issue. His interest in 3K and the X-Virus goes beyond scientific worry and almost into admiration. His lack of familiarity with Jen Starkey and Animalia is also unusual, as the two had become quite close in X-Men. There’s been a creeping sense that perhaps Beast isn’t quite what he seems. Could this not be the Beast of the X-Men Factory, but rather, the Beast who we have known for so many decades and who was last seen on Krakoa, presumed dead?
It’s an immensely interesting possibility, and while this issue confirms nothing, Beast’s conversation with Jen potentially feeds into this idea. Beast quizzes her as to what his “future counterpart” and hers were like together. He speaks formally, but slowly unwinds and warms to her. The dynamic is gentle and quiet, but there’s a sense of both mystery and true connection there. It opens up a very intriguing possibility, and it makes Beast the character to watch when the Finale arrives, not just Cyclops and Revelation.
The next morning, the X-Men prepare for their big mission to take out Revelation once and for all. As they prepare, Cyclops has an interesting conversation with Wiz Kid, where, much to his surprise, Wiz Kid claims ignorance of the R-LDS condition that afflicted Magneto, with Wiz Kid insisting that he doesn’t remember anything like that, just Magneto putting on a show at times by using a hovering chair. The moment is quick, but a deliberate discrepancy in Cyclops’ and Wiz Kid’s versions of events, leading to another brand new mystery. R-LDS has supposedly been killing Magneto since X-Men with MacKay and Ryan Stegman began. But now there is a contradiction to it, leading to questions on whether Magneto has been lying, whether Wiz Kid is lying, or if this is really the X-Men’s future after all.
Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson are the artist and colourist for Amazing X-Men, and the duo have turned in quality work in these three issues. Asrar’s style, with Wilson’s more solid, muted colours, works beautifully and renders the Age of Revelation in warm yet eerie tones, like something out of a Halloween movie. Action is well depicted, and the adaptation of Stegman’s designs outstrips the originator. This is a duo who will be missed.
Amazing X-Men #3 slows down the action a little and lets the X-Men breathe right before the sure-to-be exciting Finale issue. In the process, Jed MacKay expertly weaves in more mysteries and unexpected twists. Asrar and Wilson’s excellent art brings it all to life and ultimately brings the event’s best mini-series to a close. Now, onto the Finale.
‘Amazing X-Men’ #3 Review: The Final Battle for Earth Begins in Age of Revelation
Amazing X-Men#3 slows down the action a little and lets the X-Men breathe right before the sure-to-be exciting Finale issue. In the process, Jed MacKay expertly weaves in more mysteries and unexpected twists.
