My Five Favorite Age of Apocalypse Characters

I don’t remember how I first heard about what would become the Age of Apocalypse, but I remember being devastated.

I was a 13-year-old X-Men devotee in 1995, a time when the Internet was just having its formative yawns and certainly nothing like message boards or news sites for comics existed (that I knew of). We got the latest on what was going on with our books monthly via Wizard or Previews (if we wanted advance notification at all; a lot of times you just picked up your books off the shelf when they got there with no idea what to expect).

Whether it was the lead news story in Wizard (I distinctly remember the Adam Kubert art from Wolverine #75 of Jubilee waving goodbye) or some other way I can’t fathom, I learned there were rumors the entire X-Men line of comics (which at the time included Uncanny X-Men, X-Men, X-Factor, Excalibur, Wolverine, Cable, Generation X and my beloved X-Force as well as X-Men Unlimited) would be discontinued. No explanation beyond that, just rumblings being heard that soon the X-Men were going bye bye.

Today, after having worked at Wizard for a few years myself (with a few guys who were there in 1995), I can pretty safely say they were in on what’s to come and were playing the game perfectly as far as generating buzz. Today the pragmatist in me would also realize there was no way Marvel would jettison a franchise making as much as the X-Men because it would be bad business. As barely a teenager, my reaction was merely panic with a hint of confusion that Generation X was getting cancelled after like three issues.

A few weeks later, I called the Mighty Marvel Hotline (or whatever the 900 number Marvel had back in the day was called) and got the full down low that the X-Men would be embarking on a new epic called the Age of Apocalypse, with ever book being replaced by a new one (Astonishing X-Men, Amazing X-Men, Factor X, X-Calibre, Weapon X, X-Man, Generation Next and Gambit & The Externals to correspond with my earlier list). Again, bare minimum details, as the plot was being held tight and there was no indication on duration. I was intrigued, but also still pretty terrified I was losing my X-Men.

Of course we only ended up “losing” the X-Men for a few months and got an all-time classic story—maybe the best alternate reality story ever—out of it in Age of Apocalypse, the epic tale of what would have happened had Charles Xavier been killed before founding the X-Men, in particular Apocalypse taking over North America and Magneto forming his own X-Men as the planet’s last hope.

What I liked best about Age of Apocalypse and what made it such a great What If? was that it was very much a butterfly effect story rather than one with a wholesale and easy change. It wasn’t just “everybody is a vampire” (though there have been good yarns in that vein as well), it was “if Professor X is dead, it affects Magneto like this, which affects Quicksilver like this, which affects Storm like this…” and on down the line until the writers and artist pulling the strings got to explore an entire universe of familiar characters and what they would become under different circumstances, all tracing back to one tipped domino. There was a meticulous logic amidst the big crazy action and 90’s art of AoA that I really dug.

Nearly 20 years later, we’re two issues into an Age of Apocalypse ongoing series, something I certainly never expected to see but thus far love. The story has progressed cataclysmically since 1995, with the bulk of the characters spotlighted in the original saga dead, others transformed into villains or civilians, and new players introduced to keep things moving. Writer David Lapham makes it feel like two decades have indeed passed in this world; we didn’t get to see them, but little by little we’re learning. Roberto De La Torre and Lee Loughridge are the perfect complement on art because their style is so gritty and distinct that you would never mistake this for the Marvel Universe you know.

Like the original AoA, it’s a story not about a character or even a team, but an entire world; it’s ambitious and it’s impressive.

Though the bulk of them are dead or missing in the current book, I decided to get amped by re-examining my five favorite Age of Apocalypse characters and what makes them so.

5. HAVOK
Alex Summers’ jealousy of his older brother, Cyclops, has vacillated between gag and non-defining character trait in the traditional X-Men mythos, but in the Age of Apocalypse, it has exploded into being all that drives him in a crazy family soap opera that gives Dynasty a run for its money. Everything bubbling beneath the surface of Marvel Universe Havok erupts over into a truly loathsome villain who would mow down anything and anybody to take his brother out of the picture. Both men are adopted sons of Sinister, but while that upbringing has taken a toll on Scott, he still has a core of good waiting to be mined; not the case with Havok, who knows only hate, loathing and rage. His anger doesn’t even seem to have a focus at the degree it has progressed to; he just wants to hurt people, particularly his brother. Did Professor X have that much of a calming influence on Alex? Is this what he becomes without the love of Polaris or friendship of the other X-Men? I enjoyed trying to unravel all this, but more just liked watching Havok be a heel.

4. GAMBIT
Remy Lebeau in the Age of Apocalypse is Gambit dialed up to 11. He seemed on his way to becoming the guy we’re familiar with as an X-Man with Magneto’s friendship and Rogue’s love, but when the two of them hooked up, it sent him down the path of the ne’er-do-well he was heading on in our would without the X-Men. When we meet up with the guy, he’s running a thieves crew that includes his girlfriend Lila Cheney, Sunspot, Strong Guy and Jubilee and has the capacity to pull off intergalactic heists. Still, what I dig about AoA Gambit most is that despite the slimy exterior, when Magneto comes to him for a favor, he gives him hell about it, but still agrees to do it because it’s the right thing. More than that, I enjoy that in this darkest time, Remy Lebeau has become motivated by love more than ever, be it his unrequited feelings for Rogue or the ones for Lila he gets the opportunity to prove at the expense of reality itself (oops). In the Age of Apocalypse, where everything has gone to crap, Gambit reacts by becoming even more of a romantic.

3. SABRETOOTH
One of the big early shockers of Age of Apocalypse is that Sabretooth is a good guy. Again, though, it’s not as simple as just that because there is an explanation: Sabes started out as a Horseman of Apocalypse but couldn’t hack it so he got kicked to the curb and Magneto saved his life. The gist is that Victor Creed is still a homicidal jerk at his base, but the combination of there being a dude bigger and badder than him coupled with a good man actually believing in him is enough to bring him over to the side of angels (I tend to think it was more the former than the latter, since Professor X and others tried to give him a shot in the normal continuity; Sabretooth just needed to really get his ass kicked to scare him straight). Seeing him in the traditional Wolverine role as buddy to Wild Child, mentor to Blink, etc. was interesting and emphasized that this was a harsher world because here freaking Sabretooth was the gruff wise man/wacky uncle of the X-Men. The character obviously caught some love because he transitioned over into Exiles for years and even now is one of the few surviving original cast members in the AoA ongoing.

2. QUICKSILVER
With his father as the world’s top good guy and an actual positive role model, Pietro Maximoff turns out pretty ok in the Age of Apocalypse, one of the few characters who seem much better off with Charles Xavier out of the picture. All of Quicksilver’s untapped leadership potential gets realized as he’s not desperate to either gain the approval of or rebel against his dad, but rather just enjoys working with him and believes in his vision of a better world. In the Marvel Universe, it often seems like Pietro is just meandering from one vendetta to the next with the occasional ill-fated romance or family blow-up to break up the journey, but in the Age of Apocalypse he’s laser-focused on being a hero, not to mention darn good at it. The arrogance and impatience can still be glimpsed in his weaker moments, but he shuts it down for the greater good. He’s also got a sweet romance with Storm, something you’d never ever predict in normal continuity, but that works here with two good-hearted, driven workaholics who have found their match. After years of reading about angsty Quicksilver, it was cool to see him as one of the few bright spots in this gloomy story.

1. BLINK
I think it’s fair to say no Age of Apocalypse character has gotten more mileage than Blink. A Joe Madureira-redesigned version of the teenage teleporter who only made a handful of appearances in the mainstream reality before perishing against the Phalanx, Clarice Ferguson quickly emerged as a breakout AoA star. Partly this can be attributed to her being fairly new and thus captivating to an audience seeking just that, but I also think a lot had to do with taking the traditional X-Men trope of the spunky young girl who serves as unofficial team mascot ala Kitty Pryde or Jubilee and turning it on its ear. Held up against an old warhorse like Magneto or even a concerned mother hen like Rogue, not to mention the more aggressive versions of folks like Iceman, Storm or Banshee, Blink was indeed a bit more bubbly and optimistic, but she was still a teenager growing up essentially in hell, forced to learn survival when she should have been enjoying her best years. That Blink is fun enough that we can relate to her and maybe would want to have her as a buddy yet lethal enough to keep all her limbs and cut down Apocalypse’s goons with precision and confidence is a winning combo. Blink ended up anchoring Exiles for nearly 100 issues and proved so popular that the all-but-forgotten Marvel Universe version has even made a recent comeback.

My Five Favorite Subway Sandwiches

“I think I’m going to Subway.”

“You’re going to take the Subway?”

“No, I’m going to the Subway sandwich emporium.”

A conversation between Ben Morse and Rickey Purdin on Monday, November 7, 2011. Ben ended up going to Qdoba after all.

When last we left my saga with the Subway sandwich chain (Eat Fresh), the relationship was anything but healthy. I went on at length ruminating about the pangs of loss I felt from a childhood filled with bread cut from the top that gave way to an adult life consumed by rolls sliced in the traditional fashion. I had forsaken Subway, preferring to find my heroes (double meaning) across the counters of non-chain delis and the like.

But things change.

Primarily, I remained working in New York City on a regular basis where I realized that there are more Subways than there are trashcans, foot long sandwiches cost five dollars, and most delis charge like $30 for a pickle.

Also, I am told Subway is relatively healthy (by everybody except Dave Paggi and Ryan Penagos, who are food snobs).

So my love affair with Subway resumed, and I must say, while the passionate romance of my younger years may have subsided, a sensible and mutually beneficial adult relationship has taken its place.

To celebrate this renewed union, my five favorite Subways subs of yesteryear and today(year).

HONORABLE MENTION: Old School Steak & Cheese
The only sub that could lure occasionally me away from the Meatball when I was a kid (keep reading) was the Steak & Cheese. However, I remember the halcyon days where the steak was practically shredded as opposed to the cubes or uniformly sliced strips they use now; a sad loss.

Cold Cut Combo
The Cold Cut Combo is where I go once in a blue moon when I really want to let my hair down and go wild. That turkey-based bologna is the key brother; I don’t think it’s on any other sandwich and it’s probably illegal in some countries. Don’t order a Cold Cut Combo unless you’re ready for an experience.

Subway Club
In the summer of 2004, I helped work pre-camp at my beloved Camp Frank A. Day up in East Brookfield, Massachusetts, which basically meant I spent my days mowing grass, repairing cabins, setting up docks and doing other manly tasks, then found myself more or less alone in a spooky cabin in the middle of the woods as soon as the sun went down. It was a 20 minute drive to civilization and the nearest non-mess hall food, so when I grabbed dinner, I needed to make it count. Enter the Subway Club, a mountainous concoction containing turkey, roast beef and ham that when supplemented with veggies and mayo could keep your belly full and your mind keen (I also got one of the local girls who worked the counter to give me her Subway visor). I haven’t had a Club in years, but it got me through some tough nights in the (relative) wilderness.

Meatball Marinara
A sentimental favorite, the Meatball sub from Subway (we didn’t use fancy terms like “Marinara” back in the 90’s) was a staple of my childhood. After basketball games on Saturday mornings (I was terrible at basketball and gave it up the minute I was old enough to wrestle, but my dad, bless him, held out hope during those early years), my father would take me by either Burger King or Subway to combat the physical fitness I had just taken part in, and if it was the latter, I always got a Meatball sandwich. It doesn’t rank higher at the moment because my two favorite components of the sub were the top cut bread which I’m complained about being gone already and coating it in American cheese that would melt right on. Time and lactose intolerance have robbed me of these simple pleasures, but I’ll still fire up a cheese-less Marinara now and again for old time’s sake.

Black Forest Ham
My favorite option at the moment off the $5 Foot Long menu. As I have already mentioned several times already, I am lactose intolerant, meaning I need to find sandwiches that can give me that hit of flavor even when devoid of cheese, mustard or mayo (I think I can actually have the latter two, but I don’t, because I’m paranoid). Ham is nice and salty with a kick if done right (and Subway does everything right), so you don’t need to rely on dressing for flavor. Throw some lettuce, cucumbers, pickles and black olives on for added value and nutrition or whatever, toast the bun and singe the meat a bit, and you’ve got an ideal lunch for your hungry comic book web site editor on the go.

Roast Beef
For years, I struggled with the fact that I love to eat hamburgers and would gladly have them for lunch, but for the most part they are too heavy/filling for me to go back to work after having, and thus I relegated them to dinners and special occasions. Imagine my joy at experiencing the revelation about 20 years after most do that a roast beef sandwich is essentially a hamburger you can eat without resulting fullness-induced lethargy! The Subway near the Marvel offices slings a mean Roast Beef foot long, and you can further simulate the burger experience by topping it with lettuce, pickles and ketchup (I don’t like tomatoes on my burgers/roast beef sandwiches, that’s what the ketchup is for) and making sure the bun is nice and toasted. I also get black olives because I love black olives. This is my current go-to when I’ve got enough to splurge outside the $5 menu (during October, it was Anytober, where all foot longs were $5, including the Roast Beef—it was glorious) and thus at the moment it tops the list.

My Five Favorite New Gods

It’s already been revealed that the first major villain of the new Justice League series by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee will be none other than Darkseid, marking his first appearance since being ostensibly killed by Batman back during Final Crisis in 2009. Whether or not this heralds a full-on return for the New Gods in the near future remains to be seen, but I must say, the idea of a reconstituted Fourth (Fifth?) World as part of the re-imagined DC Universe—and perhaps in conjunction with Grant Morrison’s Multiversity project—does intrigue and excite me.

When I was a kid, the New God and their mythology were a curiosity to me. I believe my first exposure to the characters was during Panic in the Sky, where Orion and Lightray were among the heroes going up against Brainiac. That story was among the first big DC ones I read, so a lot of the players in it were unknown quantities to me, from Deathstroke to Agent Liberty to even Captain Marvel, but even amongst that crowd, I could tell that the denizens of New Genesis were a step removed from what little I knew of this universe at large, from their unique visual designs to the hints that they were only a small part of a huge tapestry of story.

I was immersed into the Fourth World piece by piece throughout the 90’s and into the next decade, be it Knockout’s origins in Superboy, Orion and Big Barda joining the JLA, Darkseid in the Great Darkness Saga and reading old stuff like the JLA/JSA crossover with the New Gods or Lashina as Duchess in Suicide Squad. Every story was a piece of a larger puzzle I couldn’t quite see the edges of. I had just stopped collecting around when John Byrne and Walt Simonson did their series and the Genesis crossover, so I missed that info dump; I did pick up Cosmic Odyssey at some point in college, but saw it more as a cool story with great art, not a guidebook to the sprawling world Jack Kirby had created.

When the Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus series came out, I decided by hook or by crook to acquire every volume and finally get to know these this characters and this epic I’d been dancing around for decades in full. I was not let down as Kirby’s stories—pardon this—crackle with all the energy and enthusiasm I’d always heard they did, with the frankly often insane stories measuring up to art the page barely contains. The man truly created a modern day mythology as close to being on par with the ancient Greek tales I read as a kid as I could imagine. The colorful characters, interconnected tree of relationships, bizarre technology and even the purple prose speak to a boundless source—did it again—of creative excellence.

Perhaps nothing featuring the New Gods has ever even come close to those original ahead of their time tales, but of the dozens of featured and background players who make up the Fourth World, here are the ones who have most captured my attention over the years.

Honorable Mention: KANTO
He’s an absurd looking fop who is also the greatest assassin on a nightmare planet with an incredible array of weapons; I didn’t make a secret of it, but I wanted to see Smallville’s take on Kanto so bad.

5. THE FOREVER PEOPLE
Super hippies! Everybody knows I’m generally a fan of teen heroes as a rule, but I applaud that the Fourth World doesn’t just have the boilerplate young good guys, but beatniks who have stayed true to that attitude for going on 30 years or so now. It’s such a great mix of kooky personalities too, with the expected true blue hero in Mark Moonrider and pretty girl in Beautiful Dreamer, but then a mellower big dude than usual with Big Bear, a brain with an edge with Vykin and then Serifan, who is a cowboy. They also predate the Planeteers, who stole their Infinity-Man gimmick with Captain Planet.

4. GRANNY GOODNESS
A scary old lady who runs Apokolips’ torture camps and who can be played for laughs or taken deathly serious. Even though the visual and the demeanor of Granny Goodness are ridiculous, everybody outside of Darkseid himself is still terrified of her. She’s an inspired bit of eccentricity from Kirby, who took the archetype that made the least sense in the given role and then dialed it to eleven. She was a ridiculous caricature voiced by Ed Asner on Justice League and an eerie old crone on Smallville and both interpretations had equal validity—versatility.

3. BIG BARDA
At first glance, Big Barda is such a weird study in contrasts. Her name, her attire and her ferocity as a warrior paint her as one type of character; her physical beauty beneath all that armor—I love that moment in the original Mister Miracle series where she takes off her headdress and Oberon is blown away—as well as her deep feelings for and heartfelt romance with Scott Free paint a different picture. I dig that Barda is a beyond strong female character who kicks major ass and can still have a tender side without sacrificing any of the things that make her so. In a lot of ways, I like Barda better than Wonder Woman as she is a similar figure who possesses a confidence in where she stands and what she fights for I feel Diana has struggled to maintain from era to era. Barda was—and could be again—a fantastic member of the Justice League as she had the respect of everybody, male and female, but the affection of only those who took the time to get to know her, and she was fine with whatever because, again, she knows where she stands, and that’s what counts.

2. DARKSEID
How can you not love Darkseid? To start, he looks like an utter bad ass despite the fact he basically wears a skirt. More than that, he is very much a bad guy, but not so much a villain, as his motivation goes far beyond greed, conquest or even simply wanting to do wrong—though all those things play a role—and goes into a unique realm of not wanting, but needing fill the void existence has left him with power, domination and knowledge. I think deep down Darkseid knows nothing he does and no achievement he notches will truly satisfy him, but he loves the quest perhaps more than he could ever love the goal. Darkseid has endured more than any other Fourth World character because he has a weight to him that carries with him wherever he goes. He seems to be that rare character that cannot be tainted by a bad story or weak concept; Darkseid still seems like the ultimate threat every time he shows up no matter how he was previously dispatched. Heck, when Darkseid showed up in Young Justice surrounded by parody there was still a tangible element of danger. He’s the embodiment of evil and you’re damn sure you never want to see him win, but you can’t help but be transfixed by whatever he’s up to.

1. MISTER MIRACLE
Scott Free has a great look; he’s the epitome Jack Kirby’s knack for taking a design that should by all accounts be too busy, but pulls together disparate elements and colors to work in unexpected harmony. He’s got the totally unique and neat “super power” of being the greatest escape artist anywhere and his adventures are more akin to puzzles than slugfests, which makes for a nice change of pace. He’s set apart even more by being one of those happily married super heroes who demonstrates a guy can be in a healthy, committed relationship and still also pull off the role of charming swashbuckler. Above and beyond all that, though, what I love most about Mister Miracle is that he is the embodiment of taking whatever life throws at you and making the best of it to the extreme. The Pact that sits at the core of the Fourth World concept in which Highfather exchanged his son—Scott—with Darkseid’s son—Orion—utterly screwed this guy over, forcing the boy who should have been the heir apparent to paradise to basically reside in hell for doing nothing wrong and knowing his suffering maintained peace between two worlds. Rather than wallow in this miserable situation, Scott Free trains to escape it, and once he does, goes on to not only become a hero, but forgive the father who abandoned him and champion the world once lost to him. Mister Miracle’s story is one of escaping despair and the prison of terrible circumstances to embrace freedom in every way, not just enjoying it but continuing to forever fight for it; great character all around.