For the past year, Marvel Comics has been building toward a new post-apocalyptic event. The Age of Revelation sees the former X-Men member Cypher become a would-be world conqueror after becoming the heir of Apocalypse and taking the name Revelation. The opening chapter of the event makes the stakes clear by killing a powerful member of the Mutant community.
Written by Jed MacKay, with art by Ryan Stegman, Age of Revelation Overture #1 centers around the Mutant vigilante Cyclops. He and his teammate Beast are pulled forward into the not-too-distant future by Magneto. The former leader of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants leads what remains of the X-Men and determined that they needed their greatest leader and biggest brain.
(Image Source: Marvel / Ryan Stegman)
Magneto explains that the world took a dark turn after Revelation rejoined the X-Men in their time. Revelation split the team, with his followers taking control of the eastern half of the United States. Once able to understand and speak any language, Revelation is altogether more powerful as the heir of Apocalypse. Accordingly, he can now make people die with a word. However, he more often transforms his enemies into “babels” – minds broken and unable to communicate with others.
Which X-Men character dies first in Age of Revelation?
Before they can discuss a plan, the rebel base is attacked by a brainwashed Wolverine. Now known as Revelation’s “Angel of Death”, Logan is even more savage and uncontrollable than ever. He shows some signs of intelligence, however, as his first target is the Mutant who poses the most danger to him: Magneto.
(Image Source: Marvel / Ryan Stegman)
Magneto’s sudden death truly sets the tone for Age of Revelation. The death of one of the most powerful X-Men conveys just how high the stakes are in this brave new world. That makes a statement, even if this alternate future is unlikely to come to pass and the deaths in this story will not remain permanent.
X-Men: Age of Revelation Overture #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.