Warning! Spoilers ahead for X-Men of Apocalypse #1!
The most powerful mutant in X-Men history is officially on a mission to destroy the mainstream Marvel Universe. Once the breakout star of Marvel’s Age of Apocalypse, Nate Grey has been on the shelf at Marvel for years, but now he’s back, and the psychic poses an existential threat to Marvel’s original timeline.
X-Men of Apocalypse #1 is written by Jeph Loeb, with art by Simone Di Meo. In the first issue, Nate Grey joins other mutants from the Age of Apocalypse reality in an attempt to preserve their home timeline.
The catch? To do so, they believe they have to eliminate competing timelines.
Nate Grey Is Back, And He’s On A Mission To Destory The Marvel Universe
X-Men of Apocalypse #1, Written By Jeph Loeb; Art By Simone Di Meo; Available Now From Marvel Comics
The Age of Apocalypse timeline infamously diverged from the “Age of Xavier,” as X-Men of Apocalypse #1 dubs it, with the death of Professor X. In the original AoA storyline, preventing Xavier’s death wiped out the events of the alternate continuity. Subsequent stories, however, have established that it survived as a branching timeline of the Marvel Multiverse.
According to X-Men of Apocalypse, the eponymous team believes that the two timelines can’t coexist. That in order to preserve their home reality, they have to eliminate the “Age of Xavier,” or the mainstream Marvel Universe. Unfortunately for Marvel’s original continuity, the most powerful telepath in X-Men lore just joined their cause.
X-Men of Apocalypse #1 features an emotional reunion between Nate Grey, the telepath in question, and his former mentor Forge. This creates an immediate reason for him to join the team, and an incentive to help them achieve their goal. That said, it is still a wide-open question how Nate’s arc will play out as the series continues.
Nate Grey Joins The “X-Men Of Apocalypse” As They Confront The Original X-Men, Including His “Parents”
X-Men of Apocalypse #2, Coming January 26, 2026 From Marvel Comics
X-Men of Apocalypse #1 ends with the team, now including Nate Grey, traveling back in time to confront the original X-Men early in their history. The final panel of the issue shows Xavier flanked by Cyclops, Angel, Beast, and Iceman. Conspicuously absent is Jean Grey, a powerful telepath in her own right.
Of course, Jean will later become one of Marvel’s most powerful cosmic characters herself as the Phoenix. A psychic showdown between the two would be a big moment for X-Men of Apocalypse #2. It would also be the most likely opportunity for Nate to realize the error of his ways, and abandon his newfound mission of destruction.
Complicating matters, obviously, is the fact that Nate was made from the genetic material of Scott Summers and Jean Grey. So, this is also a family reunion of sorts, but it doesn’t seem like it is going to be a pleasant one, if X-Men’s most powerful mutant can’t be persuaded to give up on destroying the Marvel Universe.
X-Men of Apocalypse #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- Movie(s)
-
X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- First Film
-
X-Men (2000)
- TV Show(s)
-
X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)
- Video Game(s)
-
X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
- Character(s)
-
Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
- Comic Release Date
-
213035,212968