One of the most astonishing character developments of the rebooted Krakoan Age was the longtime adapting Celestial technology into his repertoire.
For most of Marvel's publication history Apocalypse was a horrifying villain, but he quickly became a beloved hero in the Krakoan Age, and Marvel recently announced that Apocalypse and his Okkaran family are finally returning in a one-shot comic leading up to the calamitous Fall of X event. X-Men: Before the Fall - Heralds of Apocalypse #1 is written by Al Ewing with art by Luca Pizzari.
Apocalypse & His Family Are Coming Back To Krakoa
Apocalypse was long believed to be the first mutant ever, though recent revelations of the ancient Threshold civilization make it clear he was the firstborn mutant of the second generation of mutantkind on Earth. En Sabah Nur's Darwinian philosophy of "survival of the fittest" has been the foundation for most of his history with the X-Men, although the most important thing is that he was a vicious villain for decades. He's perhaps best known as the ultimate villain in the hellish reality warp depicted in Age of Apocalypse. However, once the Krakoan nation began allowing in former villainous mutants onto their island, En Sabah Nur bent his knee to the Quiet Council in many ways, itting his supremacist plan was not the way to ensure mutant survival. Apocalypse then became a major part of Tini Howard's Excalibur book, formed a close relationship with the X-Man Rictor, and was a central figure in the X of Swords event, where it was revealed that his wife, Genesis, and his children, his First Horsemen, were still alive in the demonic realm of Amenth.
Centuries ago, Apocalypse and his family lived in a mutant nation on the living island Okkara. Later the island was split into two - Krakoa and Arakko - by the Twilight Sword and the demons of Amenth invaded. Eventually Arrako, along with Apocalypse's family, was sent to the realm of Amenth in order to save the Earth. The X of Swords event saw Apocalypse dramatically reunited with his family, not just his wife Genesis but also his four Horsemen children Death, Pestilence, Famine, and War. Apocalypse sacrificed his life on Earth to travel to Amenth with his family as part of Saturnyne's deal, and the villain-turned-hero has not been heard from since. Marvel's announcement of Heralds of Apocalypse promises answers for what he has been up to:
"Apocalypse and his family have battled for survival in the harsh land of Amenth. Do they rule over this twisted world or do its demonic inhabitants rule them? And how has Apocalypse felt about the choices the Quiet Council has made in his absence?"
The title, Heralds of Apocalypse, could be a reference to Galactus' many heralds, although it is interesting that Apocalypse may not be using the term "Horsemen" anymore, perhaps because he has given up on his "Apocalypse" of Earth. This exciting one-shot will lead directly into this summer's Hellfire Gala, which is itself the opening salvo of the X-Men event Fall of X. This event will introduce a new status quo for Krakoa as "Mutantkind’s next evolution is on the horizon."
Apocalypse's New Heralds Were His First Horsemen
The great X-Men hero Apocalypse became a surprise fan favorite character in the Krakoan Age - with many disappointed at his departure from Earth-616 following X of Swords - so the return of En Sabah Nur will be an exciting story for many before the tumultuous Fall of X begins.
X-Men: Before the Fall - Heralds of Apocalypse #1 from Marvel Comics debuts June 2023.
