Warning: contains spoilers for X-Men #13!
The latest X-Men event, "X of Swords," has rewritten Apocalypse's entire origin story. Apocalypse is one of the most famous X-Men villains of all, a powerful mutant who hails from ancient Egypt and is dedicated to a philosophy of "Survival of the Fittest." He traditionally embodies an insanely brutal form of Social Darwinism, believing only the strong should survive and flourish, while the weak should be killed.
That's the traditional portrayal of Apocalypse, but it's long been clear Jonathan Hickman has a very different vision of the character, with Apocalypse insisting everything he has done is for the good of the mutant race. In fact, Hickman has frequently suggested Apocalypse was one of Earth's first superheroes, protecting the Earth from threats like the Brood and demonic invasions from the horrific world of Amenth. It's quite difficult to reconcile this portrayal with the Apocalypse who served as a major X-Men foe in the 1980s and 1990s - and, as such, it's long been clear a major retcon was on its way. That retcon has finally been unveiled in this week's X-Men #13.
In order to understand Apocalypse's new origin story, you first have to understand that the Hickman era of X-Men comics has already rewritten the history of the mutant race. Mutants have usually been portrayed as the next "step" in human evolution, with an explosion in mutant numbers in recent years. Writers Jonathan Hickman and Tini Howard have instead suggested there were always mutants; they're the basis of countless legends of devils and werewolves, angels and demons. They were just fewer in number, and in those ancient days Apocalypse was one of their leaders. He created the first mutant community, one that foreshadows the establishment of Krakoa in the present day. Indeed, it's even possible Apocalypse's first mutant nation was based on Okkara, the island destined to be splintered into Krakoa and Arakko. Apocalypse ruled alongside his wife, Genesis, and his children - the First Horsemen.
But tragedy came in the form of a demonic invasion threatening the entire planet. "The broken lands ran red with mutant blood," Apocalypse remembers in X-Men #13. But the mutants eventually fought the demons of Amenth to a standstill, and arranged a parley. It held only until Genesis' sister, Isca the Unbeaten - a mutant whose power means she cannot be defeated in battle - switched sides. In the end, Genesis and Apocalypse came up with a heartbreaking plan.
Genesis would lead the First Horsemen, and the mutant race's mightiest warriors, through the breach between the worlds; it would be sealed behind them, and they would stand guard there, on Arakko, which had been tossed into Amenth with them. Apocalypse - apparently the weakest of the family, not strong enough to survive on Amenth - would remain on Earth. His sacred mission would be to test the world, to judge it, to ensure it became strong enough to survive when his family fell and the forces of Amenth were unleashed once again. Only the fittest would survive, because only the fittest could hold back the darkness.
It's a fascinating retcon, a skillfully woven tale that advances the story of "X of Swords" while attempting to clear up the contradictory portrayals of Apocalypse. It mostly succeeds, although it hits significant problems when it comes to stories like the epic "Age of Apocalypse" or The Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix, which showed just what a world ruled by Apocalypse would look like. Still, no retcon is ever going to be seamless when it applies to a comic book franchise that has been running since 1963. This, at least, helps modern X-Men readers to understand Apocalypse as he now is - the Apocalypse whose story is ongoing in "X of Swords."
X-Men #13, by Jonathan Hickman, Mahmud Asrar, and Sunny Gho is available now.