Dawn of X, the line wide X-Men relaunch spinning out of Jonathan Hickman's House of X and Powers of X miniseries, has seen many longtime villains join ranks with the Children of the Atom to lead the mutant nation-state of Krakoa into a brave, new world.
Among the most surprising enemies-turned-allies is Apocalypse, the immortal villain that has plagued the X-Men for years, most notably serving as the centerpiece for the alternate reality Age of Apocalypse. The powerful, ancient mutant will be a key figure in the upcoming Excalibur relaunch by Tini Howard and Marcus To, working alongside a team including Captain Britain and Rogue. According to Howard, Apocalypse's inclusion is part of his evolving role bringing his fellow mutants as the apex race of the Marvel Universe.
"He’s always been concerned with the ascension of mutants and it’s not that he feels as though his work is done now. It’s quite the contrary; it’s that his work must change," explained Howard in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "He was a general when he had to be a general, and now that the fight has changed, his tactics have changed. We’re gonna see an Apocalypse who’s a scholar and is someone who is able to work for the greatness of mutantkind as a thinker, as an artist, as a priest. We’ll see him in these roles we’ve never seen him in before."
While initially distrusted by many of the X-Men, En Sabah Nur will have to prove himself through his actions as the team moves to advance Krakoa's agenda and defend the fledgling nation from new threats.
Excalibur #1 is written by Tini Howard and illustrated by Marcus To. It is scheduled to go on sale October 30.