X-Men’s Greatest Threat: Themselves Again

The X-Men’s Latest Issue Sets the Stage for a New War

The latest issue of X-Men #23, published by Marvel Comics, has delivered a major blow to the X-Men’s hopes of stopping the Age of Revelation. This pivotal moment in the story not only highlights the struggles of the present-day mutants but also sets the stage for an even greater conflict that will shape the future of the Marvel Universe.

In X-Men #23, written by Jed MacKay, with art by Tony Daniel, inks by Mark Morales, colors by Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and letters by VC’s Clayton Cowles, the team faces a dire situation. The consciousness of the future Cyclops is sent back in time to replace his past self and assassinate Revelation before the heir to Apocalypse’s reign can begin. However, this attempt to prevent the Age of Revelation ends in failure, which ironically accelerates its rise instead.

The official solicit synopsis for X-Men #23 from Marvel Comics states, "AGE OF REVELATION EPILOGUE! One X-Man of the present has been stranded in the Age of Revelation, fighting against impossible odds in the world of tomorrow. But while they’ve been there, what has their future counterpart been doing in their body in the present?"

Set approximately ten years into the future, the Age of Revelation was introduced through the transformation of Doug Ramsey, also known as Cypher, into the hulking Revelation. He was chosen to carry forward Apocalypse’s legacy for all of mutantkind. After a deadly X-Virus ravaged the world, Revelation established near-total dominance over much of North America.

This era is not just a dark chapter in the X-Men’s history; it is a legitimate future that exists within the Marvel Universe. As explained by Executive Editor and Conductor of X for Marvel Comics Tom Brevoort, "These are all legitimate futures. This isn’t a What If world. These things exist, as far as even the present-day characters are concerned. So, you’ll see a certain amount of reflectivity in what happens."

With the conclusion of the Age of Revelation, readers are now on the verge of entering the Shadows of Tomorrow, which marks the first major Marvel crossover event of the year. This event will begin in the pages of Uncanny X-Men, X-Men, and Wolverine before expanding into seven new titles.

Among these seven new titles, three are limited series:

• Rogue by writer Erica Schultz and artist Luigi Zagaria
• Magik & Colossus by writer Ashley Allen and artist German Peralta
• Cyclops by writer Alex Paknadel and artist Roge Antonio

The other four upcoming titles are set to be ongoing series:

• Inglorious X-Force by writer Tim Seeley and artist Michael Sta. Maria
• Wade Wilson: Deadpool by writer Benjamin Percy and artist Geoff Shaw
• Generation X-23 by writer Jody Houser and artist Jacopo Camigni
• Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant by writer Murewa Ayodele and artist Federica Mancin

Each of these titles will explore different aspects of the Marvel Universe, offering fans a deeper look into the world of mutants and their struggles. With the events of X-Men #23 setting the stage for these new stories, the future of the X-Men looks more uncertain than ever.