This grand beginning of the Age of Apocalypse packs an amazing punch. Taking place after the death of Xavier, you get to take a long look at how his death has effected Magneto. How Magneto has taken over the recruiting and training of the X-Men for the most formidable mutant they will every fight to protect both humans and mutants alike from the Armageddon to come. You even get to enjoy Scarlet Witch being quite sane and good-hearted as opposed to what you normally see.

Apocalypse grand scheme seems quite cheesy to start, if his intentions are as they seem throughout this issue. I even found myself with a new respect for Sabretooth and his change of heart as a villain. Of course it doesn’t last that long and the respect was back out the window in no time. I didn’t quite know who one of the players was in this issue, but I assume that will be revealed in the next issue.

The heroes and villains are well matched in the battle that takes place. It really brings me back to the scene where Magneto and Xavier are playing chess together in X-Men 2. He really does know how to use his forces well, a wise and strong leader. It makes the fighting sequence quite enjoyable. I guess there is some disappointment in Apocalypse unleashing his “best” people for the job and then they get beat by a bunch of people who are used to fighting computer simulations; no matter how strong they are or how powerful their ability. That doesn’t mean I would mark this issue up to a victory by any means.

I give this a 9/10 for how well it fills in how the new X-Men form and the dawning of the Age of Apocalypse.