Warning! Spoilers ahead for X-Men of Apocalypse #1!
X-Men’s most powerful mutant, Nate Grey, was just reunited with his mentor Forge, in a dramatic Marvel Comics moment 30 years in the making. Nate Grey debuted in 1995’s Age of Apocalypse, and one of the dramatic highlights of that event was the death of that timeline’s version of Forge. Now, Marvel has officially brought Forge and Nate back together.
X-Men of Apocalypse #1 is written by Jeph Loeb, with art by Simone Di Meo. It serves as a direct link to Nate’s earliest days as a mutant hero, when he suffered the devastating loss of his father-figure Forge.
Now, the two have been given an emotional reunion, but there are still many questions about what’s to come for the pair.
Nate Grey Reunites With Forge, 30 Years After His Mentor’s Heartbreaking Death
X-Men of Apocalypse #1, Written By Jeph Loeb; Art By Simone Di Meo; Available Now From Marvel Comics
“You are him. How? I saw you die!,” Nate Grey says after probing Forge’s mind, which seems to prove who he says he is: the Age of Apocalypse incarnation of the hero, the one who raised Nate and died trying to protect him. Nate, at least, is convinced enough to embrace Forge, and join his “X-Men of Apocalypse” team.
Which would make it all the more devastating if there is some trick at play here. Nate is arguably Marvel’s most powerful psychic; deceiving him during a direct mental link would be a huge accomplishment. This suggests Forge is legitimate. However, Forge’s evasive response to Nate’s question of “how” does ring some potential alarm bells.
“I am and will always be there for you,” Forge says. It is a line that feels heartfelt in the moment, especially as a choked-up Nate Grey hugs Forge right after. That said, if there does turn out to be something sinister to Forge that he’s hiding, it could retroactively take on a darker meaning.
Forge’s Return Just Gave Nate Grey What He Wanted, But Is It A Good Thing?
X-Man #3, Written By Jeph Loeb; Art By Steve Skroce; Published In 1995 As Part Of Age Of Apocalypse
X-Men of Apocalypse writer Jeph Loeb was responsible for introducing Nate Grey to the Marvel Universe, and for killing off Forge in 1995’s X-Man #3. So, there is no one more fitting to bring Nate back into X-Men lore after a protracted absence. The fact that Loeb also gets to add to the Nate/Forge storyline decades later is an added bonus.
Nate was created by Mr. Sinister, and it was the villain who killed Forge in X-Man #3’s memorable, heartbreaking climax. It’s not outrageous to consider the possibility that Sinister might appear in X-Men of Apocalypse before it is over, perhaps even as the instigator behind the wayward team’s mission to try to “save” their timeline.
However X-Men of Apocalypse plays out, the first issue has delivered a milestone moment for Nate Grey and Forge, thirty full years after their relationship played such a crucial role in Age of Apocalypse. X-Men’s most powerful mutant just got what he wanted; now the question is whether it’s a good or bad thing for the Marvel Universe.
X-Men of Apocalypse #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- Movie(s)
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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
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X-Men (2000)
- TV Show(s)
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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)
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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)
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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
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213035,212968