The Age of Revelation is finally upon us. In this bonus-sized issue, Jed MacKay, artist Ryan Stegman, and guest colorist Edgar Delgado introduce us to the world as it becomes. The start of a 3-month-long, condensed event that features a suspension of the current X-Men books and a 17-comic launch of mini-series and one-shots that will launch the X-Men 10 years into the future. The event is a celebration of the Age of Apocalypse, 30 years ago, and promises to lead into the mysterious next era of X-Men: The Shadows of Tomorrow, beginning in January.
Age of Revelation Overture #1 thus sets the tone for the world as it has become, fleshing it out on a broad level for the other writers to begin their own stories. And it sets up the main plot of Jed MacKay’s Amazing X-Men and World of Revelation books, where we follow the remnants of the X-Men. A helpful map of the Revelation Territories is provided, the names of locations foreshadowing future characters and appearances.
The issue begins with a village in this new future, visited by a Chorister of Revelation. Very quickly, MacKay demonstrates the hierarchy of this new world. It is heavily forested, with urban villages visited by Revelation’s Seraphim, elite members of his force. It is a surprise to see Psylocke, a member of the X-Men in the present day, now a leading Seraphim of Revelation. Choristers such as Topaz serve to heighten the powers of other mutants, which is demonstrated very quickly. But things go awry when the Chorister is assassinated by a familiar but surprising face.
We jump then to Cyclops waking up in this brand new world, continuing from where things left off in X-Men #22, where Cyclops’ mind was transported to the future and transplanted into the body of his future self. He looks worse for wear, bearded, muscular, but scarred and haggard. True to the character he is, Cyclops immediately takes charge, assessing his situation and asking for updates. His teammates are both familiar and unfamiliar, with Magneto and Animalia from his current team present, as well as faces such as Schwarzschild among them. MacKay wisely adds to this dynamic by having Beast from the present day be brought with Cyclops, waking up in the body of his future self to join Cyclops. It’s an interesting choice, subverting the Days of Future Past inspiration by having two characters occupy this role rather than just one.
The rest of the issue jumps between Revelation and his forces as they deal with a mole in their ranks, while the remnants of the X-Men catch up with Cyclops and Beast to find out what the present reality is. Revelation is a far cry from the casual, controlled jokester Doug has been for some time; instead, it reveals a ruthless, cold streak that will surprise readers when the identity of the mole is finally revealed. Magneto makes an impassioned plea to Cyclops and Beast to help the X-Men kill Revelation, who has unjustly come to power through the blood of the innocent. This new world might benefit mutants, but it is a bloody dystopia for all who live morally. There’s an odd, questionable moment of dialogue where Cyclops seemingly dismisses the deaths of humans to achieve the result of a mutant paradise. It’s a strange line, perhaps not meant in quite that manner, but one that sticks out like a sore thumb and seems ill-fitted to the character.
That odd moment aside, the issue is a strong one. There’s an intense action sequence that results in some surprising deaths (this whole issue features quite a lot of bloodshed and death). The story is set up around two central questions at this stage: how will Cyclops and Beast respond to this world and to Revelation’s tyranny, and what is Revelation planning that has led one of his most devoted followers to turn against him?
Ryan Stegman returns to the X-Men book after a lengthy absence since issue #17 to pencil this issue. Inks are provided by J.P. Mayer, and Edgar Delgado replaces Marte Gracia and Ser Sifuentes-Sujo as the colourist. Stegman’s art is not seen nearly enough in X-Men, but when it is, it reminds you of how strong an artist he can be. The splash pages are well-drawn, the compositions and panels are well-structured, and the action sequences are drawn with real momentum and energy.
Overall, X-Men: Age of Revelation: Overture #1 is an exciting beginning filled with mystery and promising story angles. The action sequences are kinetic and dynamic, and the issue is well drawn. Aside from a strange choice of dialogue in one scene and the lack of follow-up on some broader world-building, the issue is immersive and full of energy, providing an exciting setting for the story to unfold.
‘X-Men: Age of Revelation: Overture’ #1 Offers Blood, Tyranny, and a New X-Men Future
X-Men: Age of Revelation: Overture #1 is an exciting beginning filled with mystery and promising story angles. The action sequences are kinetic and dynamic, and the issue is well drawn. Aside from a strange choice of dialogue in one scene and the lack of follow-up on some broader world-building, the issue is immersive and full of energy, providing an exciting setting for the story to unfold.
