30 Years Of The X-Men’s Age Of Apocalypse Character Designs
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Epic X-Men crossover The Age of Apocalypse. AOA is a look at the how the Marvel’s mutant world would be if Professor X never formed the X-men, but if Magneto did. Professor X was accidentally killed by his son David aka Legion, when he traveled back in time to kill Magneto. In Legion’s twisted mind, he thought the death of Magneto at that point in time would create peace between the mutants and humans and his dad’s dream would be realized. His monumental mistake caused their world to be transformed into one in which Apocalypse rules.
It’s kinda crazy to think that Marvel would cancel all of its best selling titles, rename them and change the characters all around. This huge risk paid off and we got some of the best comics of the mid 90s. Here is a look at my favorite designs and what makes them so iconic to this very day. These are in no particular ranking or order, but please comment on your favorites and what I got right or wrong!
One the best parts of the AOA is all the different looks, styles, attitudes and allegiances of this world without Xavier. Just because the world is ending, doesn’t mean you can’t have a little style!
Blink
If I had to pick a favorite, Blink would definitely be my number one. In the regular Marvel Universe Blink aka Clarence Ferguson was a shy and timid young mutant. She never reached her potential having died in the Phalanx Covenant event after saving future Generation X members from the alien horror.
AOA Blink a whole different story, her cool almost Robin Hood like attire, with sharp javelins in tow that she uses to teleport herself or others to different locations. She can also teleport parts of objects, even parts of an adversary. Her teleportation powers make a “Blink” noise when she uses them, hence the name. She is a young member of the Astonishing X-Men squad, whose defining moment comes when she stands up to Holocaust (Son of Apocalypse) a much more powerful mutant, after she thought he killed her mentor, Sabretooth. Not only does she hold her own, she gets the best of Holocaust and ends up defeating him with the help of the other X-men.
Blink became extremely popular among comic fans during this event, and a few years later stared in her own mini series. In 2001 she became the lead in the dimension hopping team book the Exiles, which original run lasted 100 issues.
Weapon X/Wolverine
If you are looking for an even more raw and wild Wolverine look no further than the Weapon X of the AOA. This Weapon X is a real loner and not as heroic as his 616 counterpart, he isn’t even on an official X-Men team in this world. After disobeying Magneto’s orders on rescuing Jean, Weapon X goes it alone. He lost his hand while battling Cyclops (taking his eye in the same fight ) but frees Jean from Sinister’s clutches. Logan and Jean decide to leave the X-men and from a partnership and romantic relationship.
The dark blue and black suit with red accents is in some ways a throwback to the uniform he wore in the beginning of his first ongoing series in ‘88. Not as flashy as his yellow and blue suit, this suit fits his personality well in this universe, not to mention his wild man hair. A more feral more violent version of Wolverine is exactly what the Age of Apocalypse was all about.
X-Man/Cable
Is there a more drastic change than there is when X-Man aka Nate Grey takes the place of the of the gruff and older Cable? Most of the characters of the Age of Apocalypse have a darker, more aggressive personality, but this is not the case with X-Man. Sure, he still is made out of the genetic material of his worlds Cyclops and Jean Grey, but this version is not plagued by the techno organic virus that harms his alternative reality counterpart.
X-Man is the chosen one to defeat Apocalypse, he just has to figure out how his powers work first. Young and inexperienced, X-Man is the epitome of cool 90s teenage heroes. With cool hair and neat jacket to go with all that angst, Nate actually outlasts the AOA. Once the event ended, X-Man issue #5 hits the stands and readers come to find that he is in the regular marvel universe. His solo series lasts for 75 issues, no small feat for this alternative reality kid.
Sunfire
Shiro Yoshida was Japan’s ultimate hero, but after being captured by Apocalypse and his forces, he was tested on and transformed. He became the ultimate killer, with his fire abilities bursting out through his very skin, Sunfire was left tortured and deformed.
Eventually, rescued by the X-Men Sunfire vowed to get revenge on Apocalypse for destroying his home and life.
Sunfire’s Age of Apocalypse design is simple, but effective. A more detailed Human Torch with more attitude and vengeful energy that makes him way cooler than the 616 version.
Morph
I’m sure many of you know Morph from the X-Men animated series and recently in X-Men ‘97 he has adopted a similar look to his AOA design. Back in the original marvel universe, Kevin Sidney was known as the Changeling, and died posing as Professor X in the early adventures of the original team.
In this reality, Morph is the comedic relief and is often the source of annoyance to his teammates. There is more to Morph than just a jokester, he really has a big heart and is caring. On one occasion he morphed into Charlie, Rogue’s son to help her find the strength to keep going in a fight with Holocaust.
A very, and I mean very similar version of this Morph ends up costarring alongside side Blink in the Exiles ongoing series in 2001.
Rogue
This version of Rogue is one that did not absorb Ms. Marvel’s powers and memories, However she did in fact absorb the powers of Polaris. Having has a very similar power set as the master of magnetism Magneto, Polaris is hinted to be his daughter.
Rogue in this world is wiser, a leader and a mother. She has grown up a lot and leads the Astonishing X-Men squad. Having a romantic relationship with Magneto whom she has a son with named Charlie, Rogue is practically royalty. She has a sleek body suite with similar features to her 90s Jim Lee design, but this one they added puffy sleeves giving her a regal look. If you haven’t noticed by now I really liked the styles of Joe Madureira, it’s a flash of Manga with a 90s comic twist.
Sinister
Sinister is the ultimate schemer in any universe, and it’s no different in the AOA. Having orchestrated the creation of X-Man after obtaining the genetic material from Jean Grey and Cyclops. X-Man is his ace in the whole, the ultimate weapon to defeat Apocalypse as he makes deals behind the scenes to undermine Apocalypse. Just waiting and lurking for his chance to take Apocalypse’s thrown.
Sinister’s look is almost religious or holy like with his long black hair and goatee. The uniform itself is a variation of the one he wears in the 616 universe with same color scheme, but with an extra flair and more complex cape design.
Apocalypse
I couldn’t do an Age of Apocalypse list without the Big guy himself, now could I? Apocalypse the ruler of the world in the AOA universe was not exempt from a redesign. Out is the dark blue and grey and in is more color of a lighter blue and cherry red accents. His stature is bulkier with a more regal look and long flowing cape that gives it a classier tone.
Apocalypse rules this world with his Four Horsemen and legion of followers. Uneasy alliances, with destruction and death at every corner. He is the definition of evil in this storyline.
These and all the other characters designs were created by extremely talented people that captured the attention and imagination of many young kids in 1995 just like me. If you have never read this storyline, I highly recommend it. Here’s to 30 years of The Age of Apocalypse!
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