Apocalypse and the X-Tracts #1

Writer: Tim Seely
Artist: Salva Espin
Colors: Israel Silva
Letters: Travis Lanham
Publisher: Marvel Comics

A review by Greg Brothers

This week we wrap up with the last of the Age of X-Man book with the introduction of Apocalypse and the X-Tracts #1. In this world that we now live in Apocalypse is no longer a despot seeking to change the world into his image. Instead he is the leader of a rouge group of mutants who want to teach the world to love again and expose Nate Grey’s loveless world.

En Sabah Nur has decided that the best way to take on Nate Grey is not to hide in the shadows and secretly get his word out. Instead he has decided that it is time to go public with his ideas and to act now against Nate Grey and the X-Men, while continuing to build up his ranks.

One of the best things about this event has been the fresh and unique take on some of the most classic X-Men. While I am sure that all of the creative teams have had fun in their chance to make some crazy chances, it feels as if Seely got to turn the most stuff on its ear. To see En Sabah Nur creating what was the equivalent of a cult that is based love and relationships rather than destruction is intriguing. To drive home the idea of Nur creating a religion the mutants who have helped him to spread his word are called prophets by Nur and have religious doctrines that they repeat to each other.

At this point in the event anyone who has been reading all of the titles knows that Nate Grey is trying to control and manipulate the people here so that his vision of a perfect world continues. While Nur is the enemy of Grey and his world, Seely does an excellent job laying seeds to make the reader believe that maybe Nur’s ideas are not as put as he makes them out to be. It is an important detail that might not be obvious, but it is a space that Seely is able the thread perfectly.

Espins character designs are one point for the feelings that Seely seems to be going with in his narrative. Hippie, spoken word Dazzler is a character that I didn’t know I needed until she showed up here. Espin even made eye-boy a tolerable character which I can say has never happened. The colors are bright and inviting but not overdone. There is a warmth throughout that makes you want to explore the setting as we make our way through the story.

Verdict: Buy!

Seely’s dialogue and story telling are compelling and deep throughout Apocalypse and the X-Tracts #1. There is a depth to the storytelling that provides the feeling that there are many layers of this part of the story that are yet to be revealed. Espins characters are unique and provide a different take on this world then we have seen so far.

Gregory Brothers
greghbrothers@gmail.com
Ohio born and raised. Avid comicbook fan who is always trying to find time to get through my ever growing read pile. When not working on that I Teach, coach youth sports, and cheer on my hometown Cincinnati teams, and Buckeyes. Can also be heard talking comics and pop-culture on The Comics Agenda Podcast.

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