As the universe-spanning "Secret Wars" event draws closer, Marvel kept their series announcements rolling by introducing "Age of Apocalypse" from Fabian Nicieza and Gerardo Sandoval via IGN.
Though it bears the title of the very popular '90s series, "Age of Apocalypse" features a new version of this universe, thereby disregarding many of the changes David Lapham's ongoing series made from 2012 to 2013.
Nicieza, who wrote "Amazing X-Men" and "Gambit and the X-Ternals" during Marvel's original "Age of Apocalypse" X-event, spoke about returning to the "AoA" universe. "In many ways, the world I am writing is very different than the original, but in other ways it is exactly the same. I feel like I am getting a chance to have my cake and eat it too, regarding the positives of the original story world while still doing something very new."
"...The original world can't really exist as it was within the parameters of how Battleworld is set up in the 'Secret Wars' storyline," he explained. "I'm also pretty sure the original world ceased to exist during the original series. The original world of 'Age of Apocalypse' was intended to be a fractured reality that had to be 'rewoven' back into the normal timeline. So anyway, the 'Secret Wars: Age of Apocalypse' is, in nearly all ways, an even WORSE world than the original -- if you happen to be human or an X-Man!"
Like many of the other "Secret Wars" series, Nicieza's story is "very self-contained, but the actions and the decisions of the characters could have ramifications to the greater Secret Wars story world."
"Age of Apocalypse" is scheduled for release this summer. Read the full solicitation copy below.
AGE OF APOCALYPSE #1
Written By FABIAN NICIEZA
Art and Cover by GERARDO SANDOVAL
His war has been won. The few humans left alive are enslaved, the mutant rebellion crushed. EN SABAH NUR, the APOCALYPSE, rules his BATTLEWORLD kingdom without mercy, but the terrorist X-MEN plan to end his reign. Success means finding one very special mutant named CYPHER and unleashing a weapon that will kill Apocalypse -- and possibly all mutants, too!
AGE OF APOCALYPSE #2
Written By FABIAN NICIEZA
Art and Cover by GERARDO SANDOVAL
The hunt for CYPHER brings MAGNETO's X-MEN into confrontation with CYCLOPS & HAVOK's ELITE MUTANT FORCE! Meanwhile, ANGEL has to protect a "flatscan" named JEAN GREY and DR. NEMESIS plans to sabotage DARK BEAST's quest to become APOCALYPSE's newest HORSEMAN.