I’ve had a rocky relationship with X-Men of Apocalypse, which is wild considering writing icon Jeph Loeb is penning the series with superstar artist Simone Di Meo. It’s a combo that mixes the old with the new, as Loeb has been around the block delivering legendary books, while Simone’s newer style is flashy and one of a kind. But issue #1 was clunky and overly explained everything, while issue #2 featured excellent matchups and action. It makes it hard to know what you’ll get, and why I dived into X-Men of Apocalypse #3 nervously, and what I found punished me greatly.
The basic premise of X-Men of Apocalypse #3 is an easy sell. Mutants from the Age of Apocalypse are traveling to key times in X-Men history to save their universe. In this issue, we go to the time Rogue was in her Savage Land costume, befriending Magneto. Also, there is Wolverine and Storm, and the Age of Apocalypse crew splits up to take on both. The added melodrama of Gambit from the Age of Apocalypse running into Rogue and Magneto, married in his timeline, is a delicious idea.
Sadly, this issue feels the need to over-explain everything via captions for the first half. It’s unfortunate, since Di Meo’s art is electric and exciting, and it plays with light and dynamic angles so very well. Wolverine looks feral, Magneto is poised, striking poses, and even Ka-zar pops in for a striking entrance. With all the captions, the fighting is a little stuffier this issue and less well thought out, but that’s not the art’s fault. Seeing Forge from Age of Apocalypse grab Wolverine for a panel, only for him to be struck by lightning in another, makes for unexciting fight scenes. Given the size and epic power vs. power matchups of the last issue, this issue feels like everyone is just standing around waiting to stop fighting.
The fighting feels small this issue.
Credit: Marvel
This issue also feels it necessary to make everything that happened pointless by the end. While it’s obvious they can’t mess with the timeline, it’s frustrating that the main activity of the issue is erased because of Nate Grey. It’s also your standard hero fighting hero due to a misunderstanding, which is resolved fairly quickly, even with tons of posturing and buildup. The only saving grace is what this issue means for Gambit’s next move, and a clever idea involving the Petrified Man. Will Gambit and Rogue shippers be happy? Maybe, but since it’ll all likely not matter in the end, or be erased to preserve the timeline, will the journey be with the conclusion?
X-Men of Apocalypse #3 struggles to find its footing, caught between big ideas and over-execution. Loeb delivers a premise packed with emotional and nostalgic potential, especially with Gambit, Rogue, and Magneto crossing paths, but the heavy use of captions slows everything down. Simone Di Meo’s art brings energy and style to every page, yet the fights feel oddly restrained and lack the punch of the previous issue. By the end, the story undercuts its own stakes, leaving readers questioning whether any of it truly matters. There are glimmers of intrigue, especially around Gambit, but they are not enough to overcome an issue that feels both over-explained and underwhelming.
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