X-Men: Before the Fall - Heralds of Apocalypse Review/Spoilers

[JB]

Al Ewing Paves the Way for Genesis War with 'X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse'
https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...nkId=222361455

MARVEL.COM: HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE catches readers up with Genesis and Apocalypse, who exiled themselves after the X OF SWORDS tournament. How have they changed since readers saw them last?

AL EWING: It’s not so much how they’ve changed since readers same them last as how they changed before that. Between their parting thousands of years ago and their meeting again in X OF SWORDS, both went through a lot that the other didn’t see. Not to mention that memories change over time as well. So now they’re together again and relearning one another, and we’ll see if they can surmount their differences or at least work through them.

Unfortunately, this couple operate on a grander scale, so the definition of "working through things" might involve a planet-wide war.

MARVEL.COM: This issue opens and closes with fascinating insight into the etymology of Apocalypse’s name and his self-prescribed sense of purpose. What exactly does it mean for Apocalypse to be the "Revelator"? What is he looking to reveal?

AL EWING: Apocalypse has learned from the Krakoan era, as much as he’s helped to teach. His "survival of the fittest" ethos has evolved, and he’s eager to display his new thinking. This isn’t a face turn, because in his own mind, Apocalypse is beyond simple considerations of "heels" and "faces"—so it may not be good news for the people of Arakko, or for the people of Earth.

MARVEL.COM: In both HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE and X-MEN RED (2022) #12, Purity, the White Sword’s weapon, is shown to be an item of great power and importance. What can you reveal about its role in the upcoming conflict?

AL EWING: It’s the best sword there is, but also it’s got a symbolic quality—when it’s finally used will be a big moment.

MARVEL.COM: At the end of HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE, Genesis returns to Arakko, and in X-MEN RED #12, she is not impressed with what she finds. You’ve teased that this will lead to a mutant civil war. How would you best describe what each side is fighting for?

AL EWING: Storm believes that the path Arakko has taken, from terraforming and settling Mars onwards, is the right path. Genesis doesn’t. As far as she’s concerned, Arakko took a serious wrong turn as soon as they were out from under her thumb, and for their own good, she needs to be back in charge. And since one of the things she thinks they were wrong about was not conquering Earth, we should probably hope Storm wins.

MARVEL.COM: Storm is one of the most powerful mutants, both on Krakoa and on Arakko. Throughout X-MEN RED, you have not held back on displaying her Omega level abilities to their fullest extent. As a writer, how do you create scenarios that challenge her level of power? And what challenges might Storm face as the FALL OF X descends on Arakko?

AL EWING: We’ve seen Storm fight Death. We haven’t seen Storm fight Death, Famine, Pestilence and War—at once. That said, her greatest challenge might not be a matter of destruction, but creation.

MARVEL.COM: The Genesis War, which will unfold in X-MEN RED, will undoubtedly bring Storm face-to-face with Genesis. What are you most excited for readers to see about their eventual confrontation?

AL EWING: What they come into battle on. That makes no sense now, but it will.

[pkingdom]

This all really depends on how much you like or at least interested in Apocalypse, at least at this point. I've always been of the mind that this face turn is baffling, and even here he's just kind of pathetic. Doesn't really do anything to stop her, and I'm so sick of "vagueness is coming, and we have to get stronger/do X stupid thing to be ready". Its a writer trope that's been overused even going back to A v X.

Coven Akkaba suck. They have all the makings of a terrible villain group. Silly name, no unique look, style or goal, no interesting powers or members and lose every confrontation they have. But all that being said, I liked what they did here. They didn't even really lie or manipulate Genesis, just told her about Uranos kicking Arrako's ass for a while. Which is enough to convince her that they're weak and suck now.

Sorry Al Ewing, but I disagree with you on one point: 99% of the time when a character is made to be 'above standard good and evil', they're just evil, but a self righteous dick about it too.

[Steroid]

Al Ewing Paves the Way for Genesis War with 'X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse'
https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...nkId=222361455

MARVEL.COM: HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE catches readers up with Genesis and Apocalypse, who exiled themselves after the X OF SWORDS tournament. How have they changed since readers saw them last?

AL EWING: It’s not so much how they’ve changed since readers same them last as how they changed before that. Between their parting thousands of years ago and their meeting again in X OF SWORDS, both went through a lot that the other didn’t see. Not to mention that memories change over time as well. So now they’re together again and relearning one another, and we’ll see if they can surmount their differences or at least work through them.

Unfortunately, this couple operate on a grander scale, so the definition of "working through things" might involve a planet-wide war.

MARVEL.COM: This issue opens and closes with fascinating insight into the etymology of Apocalypse’s name and his self-prescribed sense of purpose. What exactly does it mean for Apocalypse to be the "Revelator"? What is he looking to reveal?

AL EWING: Apocalypse has learned from the Krakoan era, as much as he’s helped to teach. His "survival of the fittest" ethos has evolved, and he’s eager to display his new thinking. This isn’t a face turn, because in his own mind, Apocalypse is beyond simple considerations of "heels" and "faces"—so it may not be good news for the people of Arakko, or for the people of Earth.

MARVEL.COM: In both HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE and X-MEN RED (2022) #12, Purity, the White Sword’s weapon, is shown to be an item of great power and importance. What can you reveal about its role in the upcoming conflict?

AL EWING: It’s the best sword there is, but also it’s got a symbolic quality—when it’s finally used will be a big moment.

MARVEL.COM: At the end of HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE, Genesis returns to Arakko, and in X-MEN RED #12, she is not impressed with what she finds. You’ve teased that this will lead to a mutant civil war. How would you best describe what each side is fighting for?

AL EWING: Storm believes that the path Arakko has taken, from terraforming and settling Mars onwards, is the right path. Genesis doesn’t. As far as she’s concerned, Arakko took a serious wrong turn as soon as they were out from under her thumb, and for their own good, she needs to be back in charge. And since one of the things she thinks they were wrong about was not conquering Earth, we should probably hope Storm wins.

MARVEL.COM: Storm is one of the most powerful mutants, both on Krakoa and on Arakko. Throughout X-MEN RED, you have not held back on displaying her Omega level abilities to their fullest extent. As a writer, how do you create scenarios that challenge her level of power? And what challenges might Storm face as the FALL OF X descends on Arakko?

AL EWING: We’ve seen Storm fight Death. We haven’t seen Storm fight Death, Famine, Pestilence and War—at once. That said, her greatest challenge might not be a matter of destruction, but creation.

MARVEL.COM: The Genesis War, which will unfold in X-MEN RED, will undoubtedly bring Storm face-to-face with Genesis. What are you most excited for readers to see about their eventual confrontation?

AL EWING: What they come into battle on. That makes no sense now, but it will.

And just when I didn't think I could be more hyped for this arc. Bring it on AL!!!

[Cyclone_Ablaze]

Al Ewing Paves the Way for Genesis War with 'X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse'
https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...nkId=222361455


MARVEL.COM: Storm is one of the most powerful mutants, both on Krakoa and on Arakko. Throughout X-MEN RED, you have not held back on displaying her Omega level abilities to their fullest extent. As a writer, how do you create scenarios that challenge her level of power? And what challenges might Storm face as the FALL OF X descends on Arakko?

AL EWING: We’ve seen Storm fight Death. We haven’t seen Storm fight Death, Famine, Pestilence and War—at once. That said, her greatest challenge might not be a matter of destruction, but creation.

OH! Are we about to get a 1v4 fight? C'mon Storm teach these Genesis Brats a True Meaning of an ASS-whooping. LOL Death should know.

MARVEL.COM: At the end of HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE, Genesis returns to Arakko, and in X-MEN RED #12, she is not impressed with what she finds. You’ve teased that this will lead to a mutant civil war. How would you best describe what each side is fighting for?

AL EWING: Storm believes that the path Arakko has taken, from terraforming and settling Mars onwards, is the right path. Genesis doesn’t. As far as she’s concerned, Arakko took a serious wrong turn as soon as they were out from under her thumb, and for their own good, she needs to be back in charge. And since one of the things she thinks they were wrong about was not conquering Earth, we should probably hope Storm wins.

LOL Omg so it's not enough that she wants to take over Planet Arakko, but she STILL wants to control Earth Too??? GIRL!!! Genesis needs to go sit down somewhere or someone needs to put her down.

[Devaishwarya]

Al Ewing Paves the Way for Genesis War with 'X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse'
https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...nkId=222361455

MARVEL.COM: HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE catches readers up with Genesis and Apocalypse, who exiled themselves after the X OF SWORDS tournament. How have they changed since readers saw them last?

AL EWING: It’s not so much how they’ve changed since readers same them last as how they changed before that. Between their parting thousands of years ago and their meeting again in X OF SWORDS, both went through a lot that the other didn’t see. Not to mention that memories change over time as well. So now they’re together again and relearning one another, and we’ll see if they can surmount their differences or at least work through them.

Unfortunately, this couple operate on a grander scale, so the definition of "working through things" might involve a planet-wide war.

MARVEL.COM: This issue opens and closes with fascinating insight into the etymology of Apocalypse’s name and his self-prescribed sense of purpose. What exactly does it mean for Apocalypse to be the "Revelator"? What is he looking to reveal?

AL EWING: Apocalypse has learned from the Krakoan era, as much as he’s helped to teach. His "survival of the fittest" ethos has evolved, and he’s eager to display his new thinking. This isn’t a face turn, because in his own mind, Apocalypse is beyond simple considerations of "heels" and "faces"—so it may not be good news for the people of Arakko, or for the people of Earth.

MARVEL.COM: In both HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE and X-MEN RED (2022) #12, Purity, the White Sword’s weapon, is shown to be an item of great power and importance. What can you reveal about its role in the upcoming conflict?

AL EWING: It’s the best sword there is, but also it’s got a symbolic quality—when it’s finally used will be a big moment.

MARVEL.COM: At the end of HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE, Genesis returns to Arakko, and in X-MEN RED #12, she is not impressed with what she finds. You’ve teased that this will lead to a mutant civil war. How would you best describe what each side is fighting for?

AL EWING: Storm believes that the path Arakko has taken, from terraforming and settling Mars onwards, is the right path. Genesis doesn’t. As far as she’s concerned, Arakko took a serious wrong turn as soon as they were out from under her thumb, and for their own good, she needs to be back in charge. And since one of the things she thinks they were wrong about was not conquering Earth, we should probably hope Storm wins.

MARVEL.COM: Storm is one of the most powerful mutants, both on Krakoa and on Arakko. Throughout X-MEN RED, you have not held back on displaying her Omega level abilities to their fullest extent. As a writer, how do you create scenarios that challenge her level of power? And what challenges might Storm face as the FALL OF X descends on Arakko?

AL EWING: We’ve seen Storm fight Death. We haven’t seen Storm fight Death, Famine, Pestilence and War—at once. That said, her greatest challenge might not be a matter of destruction, but creation.

MARVEL.COM: The Genesis War, which will unfold in X-MEN RED, will undoubtedly bring Storm face-to-face with Genesis. What are you most excited for readers to see about their eventual confrontation?

AL EWING: What they come into battle on. That makes no sense now, but it will.

Thank you Sibz.

Now I want to start The Church of Ewing: Praise His Holy name!

[jwatson]

Well let me be the worse of us up in here. Because THIS, This was a god damn love story. The whole time i was reading i was getting emotional, whatever their motives, they were honest, they were best friends, they were people who truly chose to be with each other and respected each other free will until it was revealed that Genesis withheld her decision made with Amenth, which to me was the first point in which their relationship was truly shaken. She took Apoc free will in that moment, whether what we think they did was wrong or right it was presented as though they accepted each other's choices and even challenged each other on things, but ultimately made a choice to be together and admittedly it could change tomorrow or be forever but in that sense it felt pure. Then to have that revealed and Apoc still of his own will choose to love her and her him i can understand how others could be like " that makes no sense or Apoc should never" but it felt like he got his free will back and that is what it was. This was really a good issue for me. Powerful. I also enjoyed learning his mutant power is simply to have complete control of every atom of his body, which perfectly explains everything he is capable of in my mind, from melding with celestial technology, size manipulation, everything, but yet really simplify. Kudos.

[OG Storm]

Thank you Sibz.

Now I want to start The Church of Ewing: Praise His Holy name!

Amen and let the cult sing

[Taurean Sun]

Al Ewing Paves the Way for Genesis War with 'X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse'
https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...nkId=222361455

MARVEL.COM: HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE catches readers up with Genesis and Apocalypse, who exiled themselves after the X OF SWORDS tournament. How have they changed since readers saw them last?

AL EWING: It’s not so much how they’ve changed since readers same them last as how they changed before that. Between their parting thousands of years ago and their meeting again in X OF SWORDS, both went through a lot that the other didn’t see. Not to mention that memories change over time as well. So now they’re together again and relearning one another, and we’ll see if they can surmount their differences or at least work through them.

Unfortunately, this couple operate on a grander scale, so the definition of "working through things" might involve a planet-wide war.

MARVEL.COM: This issue opens and closes with fascinating insight into the etymology of Apocalypse’s name and his self-prescribed sense of purpose. What exactly does it mean for Apocalypse to be the "Revelator"? What is he looking to reveal?

AL EWING: Apocalypse has learned from the Krakoan era, as much as he’s helped to teach. His "survival of the fittest" ethos has evolved, and he’s eager to display his new thinking. This isn’t a face turn, because in his own mind, Apocalypse is beyond simple considerations of "heels" and "faces"—so it may not be good news for the people of Arakko, or for the people of Earth.

MARVEL.COM: In both HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE and X-MEN RED (2022) #12, Purity, the White Sword’s weapon, is shown to be an item of great power and importance. What can you reveal about its role in the upcoming conflict?

AL EWING: It’s the best sword there is, but also it’s got a symbolic quality—when it’s finally used will be a big moment.

MARVEL.COM: At the end of HERALDS OF APOCALYPSE, Genesis returns to Arakko, and in X-MEN RED #12, she is not impressed with what she finds. You’ve teased that this will lead to a mutant civil war. How would you best describe what each side is fighting for?

AL EWING: Storm believes that the path Arakko has taken, from terraforming and settling Mars onwards, is the right path. Genesis doesn’t. As far as she’s concerned, Arakko took a serious wrong turn as soon as they were out from under her thumb, and for their own good, she needs to be back in charge. And since one of the things she thinks they were wrong about was not conquering Earth, we should probably hope Storm wins.

MARVEL.COM: Storm is one of the most powerful mutants, both on Krakoa and on Arakko. Throughout X-MEN RED, you have not held back on displaying her Omega level abilities to their fullest extent. As a writer, how do you create scenarios that challenge her level of power? And what challenges might Storm face as the FALL OF X descends on Arakko?

AL EWING: We’ve seen Storm fight Death. We haven’t seen Storm fight Death, Famine, Pestilence and War—at once. That said, her greatest challenge might not be a matter of destruction, but creation.

MARVEL.COM: The Genesis War, which will unfold in X-MEN RED, will undoubtedly bring Storm face-to-face with Genesis. What are you most excited for readers to see about their eventual confrontation?

AL EWING: What they come into battle on. That makes no sense now, but it will.

See that line about her greatest challenge being creation not destruction I feel will tie into mutant magic. Idk why but I feel like ewing will use her mystical ancestry as a way to legitimately back up the mutant magic system and define it based on those terms. Because the primordial gods of storms bloodline are kinda nuts in of themselves.

It could also simply mean a new path one that blends hers and genesis's together. But I feel very strongly about my former point being true.

[Saithor]

This all really depends on how much you like or at least interested in Apocalypse, at least at this point. I've always been of the mind that this face turn is baffling, and even here he's just kind of pathetic. Doesn't really do anything to stop her, and I'm so sick of "vagueness is coming, and we have to get stronger/do X stupid thing to be ready". Its a writer trope that's been overused even going back to A v X.

Coven Akkaba suck. They have all the makings of a terrible villain group. Silly name, no unique look, style or goal, no interesting powers or members and lose every confrontation they have. But all that being said, I liked what they did here. They didn't even really lie or manipulate Genesis, just told her about Uranos kicking Arrako's ass for a while. Which is enough to convince her that they're weak and suck now.

Sorry Al Ewing, but I disagree with you on one point: 99% of the time when a character is made to be 'above standard good and evil', they're just evil, but a self righteous dick about it too.

Pretty much. Typically in modern usage it's when you make a character opposed to traditionally morally good actions without making them outright a villain, only a more detached version of said character. Apocalypse at the end of the day could be considered if the Punisher was extremely detached from what he did and considered himself morally superior to all others. Which, credit to Frank, he admits he's a completely horrible person who probably doesn't to deserve much more than his targets to live, which makes him more self-aware than Apocalypse.

[Frontier]

This all really depends on how much you like or at least interested in Apocalypse, at least at this point. I've always been of the mind that this face turn is baffling, and even here he's just kind of pathetic. Doesn't really do anything to stop her, and I'm so sick of "vagueness is coming, and we have to get stronger/do X stupid thing to be ready". Its a writer trope that's been overused even going back to A v X.

Coven Akkaba suck. They have all the makings of a terrible villain group. Silly name, no unique look, style or goal, no interesting powers or members and lose every confrontation they have. But all that being said, I liked what they did here. They didn't even really lie or manipulate Genesis, just told her about Uranos kicking Arrako's ass for a while. Which is enough to convince her that they're weak and suck now.

Sorry Al Ewing, but I disagree with you on one point: 99% of the time when a character is made to be 'above standard good and evil', they're just evil, but a self righteous dick about it too.

Honestly post-Krakoa Apocalypse in Excalibur kind of infuriated me so I guess this whole storyline is not for me .

[CGAR]

Now that I think about it Im kind of annoyed that none of the kids would be angry about this unless Apoc didnt tell them

But I guess this also speaks to parent grooming their kids to act and be a certain way.

I like these changes of Apoc because he's not acting like he didnt do those things in the past or that he wouldnt do them again if he felt like it.

Individuals go through ebbs ane flows ups and down maybe this is his chill boy era.

Cant wait to see what Ewing does in this next arc.

Its gonna be cool to see what the different factions are and how Ewing juggles all the characters.

[JB]

Just dropping this interesting point I saw about Genesis' reaction to Tarn's death:
"Tarn is like, the prime example of her philosophy in action. The textbook creation of her politics. So him being dead is a major blow to her platform and worldview."

Also, I kinda need Rictor to pop up in all of this. He has A's magical recipe cookbook after all.

[Wolverine12]

Really good issue, I am enjoying the new :[A]: What I don’t understand is people calling this a face turn. He’s still not a hero, he’s just got a new vision. The guy killed a bunch of Externals to make a door, not a good guy lol. I did have one issue with the book, the art did not fit the story imo. Too cartoony. Yu would’ve been great for this. Excited to see where Ewing goes with this.

[Kingdom X]

Honestly post-Krakoa Apocalypse in Excalibur kind of infuriated me so I guess this whole storyline is not for me .

(Maybe I’m bias), but I don’t find the storyline here as contradictory as the Excalibur Apoc. Here we’re learning that Apocalypse was a different person in the DEEP past and that now after some pretty life changing events there may be echoes of that showing up again. I don’t see this comic as trying to make us think Apoc is suddenly a good person, especially because he still gives Genesis access to Planet Arrakko.

In Excalibur, what frustrated me was that several heroic characters were fawning over Apoc when he hadn’t done ANYTHING to prove he was worthy of trust and was actually actively deceiving them for much of the run.

[Saithor]

(Maybe I’m bias), but I don’t find the storyline here as contradictory as the Apocalypse. Here we’re learning that Apocalypse was a different person in the DEEP past and that now after some pretty life changing events there may be echoes of that showing up again. I don’t see this comic as trying to make us think Apoc is suddenly a good person, especially because he still gives Genesis access to Planet Arrakko.

In Excalibur, what frustrated me was that several heroic characters were fawning over Apoc when he hadn’t done ANYTHING to prove he was worthy of trust and was actually actively deceiving them for much of the run.

Honestly that’s just the flavor of early Krakoa in a nutshell, although for me the iconic image is Wolverine relaxing sharing a beer with Gorgon.

Me: “Wait, outside of him being supreme leader of Hydra not that long ago, didn’t you two met when he fed your friend’s infant’s chopped up corpse to pigs?”

Excalibur-Apocalypse…I think the issue was less his actions, and more that authorial fiat seemed to be on the side of him not being seen remotely villainous. He swiftly became a mentor figure, everything he did was praised, the entire team seemed to trust him intimately, the only doubter was Gambit, who the book seemed to treat as being in the wrong. So that’s probably what people who don’t like him there were perceiving.