Alternate versions of Apocalypse

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In addition to his mainstream incarnation, Apocalypse has had been depicted in other fictional universes.

Contents

[edit] Age of Apocalypse

Age of Apocalypse - The Chosen (1995).  Art by Ian Churchill.
Age of Apocalypse - The Chosen (1995). Art by Ian Churchill.

In the alternate timeline (Earth-295), Apocalypse arose ten years before he was awoken by Cable; having witnessed the accidental death of Charles Xavier, he decided to set his offensive against humanity; he takes over North America; New York City is renamed 'Apocalypse Island' and the Statue of Liberty is replaced by a gigantic statue of his visage. Apocalypse sets up widespread human concentration camps in his conquered areas, with genetic experiments headed by his four horsemen, along with Sugar Man and the Dark Beast, torturing millions to death in the process. However, Apocalypse's empire is slowly falling apart; Apocalypse has to deal with Magneto and his X-Men as well as the Human High Council, while his Horsemen are each involved in their personal plots, forcing Apocalypse to rely on assassins and minions instead.

After obtaining the M'Kraan Crystal (as well as Magneto's own son), Apocalypse planed to drop bombs all across North America. Those who rose from the ashes of this final battle would be deemed worthy to exist in his world. Apocalypse had learned of another reality, which he planned to travel across and conquer, including other realities, using the M'Kraan Crystal. In the end, when it seem Apocalypse is victorious, he suffers an attack from Nate Grey and Magneto, and ends up ultimately ripped apart and killed by Magneto himself.

This version of Apocalypse displayed vaguely similar abilities to his 616 counterpart. His power was stated to be rivaled by Nate Grey.

[edit] Askani

Main article: Askani

In (Earth-4935), Apocalypse had ascended to power and gained control of the entire planet up till the 39th century. He had set up a brutal aristocratic system and mutants were the ruling class, although was frequently opposed by the order of the Askani. This version of Apocalypse was forced to transfer his consciousness and power into host bodies, although most could not withstand his power, in effect eventually burning them out, which has made it necessary to transfer his consciousness into a succession of hosts, abandoning each one when it grew too meager. Seeking out a host body that could sustain him for all eternity, he captured the infant clone of Nathan Christopher; recognizing the youth's potential, Apocalypse raised the boy and named him Stryfe. But, to Apocalypse's surprise, the bonding procedure failed; the boy was a clone, and thus, unsuitable for as a host. Separated from any useful host, Apocalypse finally perished. [1] Though Apocalypse would later be revealed to be very much alive [2].

It should be noted that the Legacy virus, a deadly plague that ripped through the mutant population in the 20th century, was based on a virus created by Apocalypse in the distant future, which was intended to kill the remaining non-mutants.

[edit] Cable/Deadpool

In Cable/Deadpool #15, an alternate version of Apocalypse appears on Earth-570 where he has overthrown the world with the aid of his Four Horsemen: Archangel (Death), Spider-Man (Pestilence), the Blob (Famine) and Cable himself (War).

[edit] Guardians of the Galaxy

In the Guardians of the Galaxy timeline (Earth-691), Apocalypse attempted to enslave the mutants of Magneto, and went toe-to-toe with the master of magnetism in a fight that ended both their lives.

[edit] House of M

When the Scarlet Witch re-visioned the subjective history of the world during the so-called House of M, Apocalypse is placed as one of Magneto's lieutenants. Apocalypse is disintegrated by the voice of the Inhuman leader Black Bolt, during his mission to kill the African resistance-leader Black Panther.

[edit] Marvel CyberComics

Apocalypse with clones of the X-Men.  Comic Panel from CyberComic X-Men: Ravages of Apocalypse
Apocalypse with clones of the X-Men. Comic Panel from CyberComic X-Men: Ravages of Apocalypse

Apocalypse appeared in the X-Men: The Ravages of Apocalypse (1996 one-shot) promotional CyberComic story tied into the X-Men: The Ravages of Apocalypse videogame.

[edit] Marvel Mangaverse

In the Avengers one-shot that ties into the first volume of Marvel Mangaverse (Earth-2301), Apocalypse appears as an enemy of the Avengers. While his appearance is modified to fit into the book's art style, he is still roughly the same character, bent on purging the earth of those he considers unfit. He is defeated and buried under a cliff by the Avengers. In this reality, his four horsemen are Mr. Sinister, White Queen, Juggernaut, and Archangel.

[edit] Mutant X

In the Mutant X universe (Earth-1298), Apocalypse is actually an ally of the X-Men. He is killed by Charles Xavier while protecting the Earth-616 Alex.

[edit] Ultimate Apocalypse

Ultimate Apocalypse from Ultimate X-Men #90.  Art by Salvador Larocca.
Ultimate Apocalypse from Ultimate X-Men #90. Art by Salvador Larocca.

In Ultimate X-Men (Earth-1610), set in the Ultimate Marvel continuity, Apocalypse first appears as an entity worshiped by Sinister. In Sinister's apartment, he spoke to a Lord Apocalypse which was a stuffed effigy, but while Sinister was imprisoned in the Triskelion, Apocalypse appears to Essex and commands him to choke himself. In "Magnetic North", Sinister mentions that "A child is coming. The master will be reborn", referring to Apocalypse. At some point after, Sinister is found dead, suffocated by his own shirt crammed into his throat (presumed a suicide). In the "Epilogue of Sentinels" story arc, Cable says he will be training Xavier to fight something he couldn't defeat in his timeline. When asked what is he going to fight, Cable responses "Don't worry Xavier--you'll find out soon enough." while a gigantic statue of Apocalypse is seen.

Sinister returns to life to herald the coming of Apocalypse. He completes his mission of killing ten mutants, five of which are from the Morlocks, the other being Angel. Sinister then transforms into Apocalypse. The X-Men and the Morlocks appear and fight Apocalypse, but are unable to stop him. Ultimate Apocalypse in this battle displays telekinetic feats, instantaneous healing and immunity to harm, as well as mass manipulation of other mutants, making them fight each other. He may have even gone as far as to strip Wolverine of his abilities. Apocalypse states to the X-Men that "You've seen but a shadow of my abilities". As S.H.I.E.L.D. attacks Apocalypse, his body transforms into a cyborg-like form. Apocalypse could have the ability to alter his body according to what attacks him.

While Apocalypse is able to repel all attacks with ease, Xavier (Onslaught outfit) and Cable (Stryfe outfit) say they're too late, but Cable is confident. Xavier almost immediately reveals who he is to Jean while Apocalypse beats S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

Meanwhile Jean is momentarily shocked about the professor being back, and Jean, Cyclops, Toad, and Iceman are no longer in Apocalypse's control due to Xavier's honed abilities. Cable reveals that he and Bishop were in it together all along and that Professor X is the key to stopping Apocalypse as the Fantastic Four unsuccessfully try to hold off Apocalypse.

Wolverine jumps in at the end of Cable's explanation and tells them all to start fighting. Professor X and Jean share a tender moment on a rocky peak, tells her what to do and then Apocalypse jumps in.

Xavier tries to wipe out Apocalypse psychically, but Cable's plan backfires as Apocalypse is somehow resisting. Apocalypse destroys Xavier's helmet, gives him a bloody nose, and as he is about to kill Cable, Xavier uses his enhanced telekinesis but it is a futile attempt.

As Apocalypse is about to kill Xavier, Jean begs the Phoenix force to help him, and it tells her it knew she would eventually beg for the Phoenix. The Phoenix Force is unleashed and says: I AM FREE! Now you face the wrath of Phoenix!

After battling, Jean destroys Apocalypse, reverting him back into Sinister followed by her making sure no one remembers Apocalypse except the X-Men. Sinister's fate afterwards is unknown. Angel is restored to life and Wolverine's body and healing factor are fully restored, effectively negating the Wolverine Cable out of existence.

[edit] Professor W's X-Men

In the native reality of Exiles member Nocturne, Apocalypse had a son called Armageddon, who was artificially created through the genetic material of Apocalypse himself and Jean Grey as his ultimate weapon. Ironically, he rejected Apocalypse's methods and instead joined with his worst enemies, the X-Men, and helped them destroy his father.

This loyalty is tested later when Apocalypse erects a Chronal Disrupter in downtown New York. Armageddon proves his worth to the team by going toe-to-toe with his father. The Chronal Disrupter is later destroyed by the Phoenix and Apocalypse vanishes without a trace after it explodes.

[edit] What If...?

In What If...? (vol. 2) #46 - Apocalypse with his Riders of the Storm, attacked the Avengers to claim the Scarlet Witch.

In What If...? (vol. 2) #65 - Archangel didn't overcome Apocalypse's brainwashing; he instead flew away, convinced that he killed his former comrade, Iceman. Apocalypse himself then killed Iceman.

In What If...? (vol. 2) #69 - Set during the X-Cutioner's Song, Apocalypse fails to cure Xavier of the techno virus. The X-Men believe Apocalypse killed him on purpose, and attack. Apocalypse kills them all single-handedly. He then goes to the moon to confront Stryfe, beating the Dark Riders, and another team of X-Men (pretty much X-Force and X-Factor, plus a few X-Men who weren't present at the original slaughter). However, Apocalypse is defeated when he offers Stryfe a truce, and an enraged Stryfe forces the pair of them into the time-stream (the one he and Cable were lost in at the end of the original crossover).

In What If...? (vol. 2) #77 - Legion manages to kill Magneto just as he escapes from the concentration camp he was being held in. Due to Magneto's death, mutants become accepted by the public and the X-Men are mutant celebrities. Apocalypse attacks a press conference in Washington D.C with an army of mutants and the X-Men are easily defeated. Xavier is forced to bring the now married Jean and Scott out of retirement. Xavier confronts Apocalypse directly while Jean and Scott take on his army. After being taunted that his dream was weak, Xavier kills Apocalypse with a psychic blast that kills him as well.

In What If...? (vol. 2) #110 - Angel had remained corrupted after his transformation into Apocalypse's horseman; however, to Apocalypse's shock, he instead slays the strong along with the weak.

In What If...? (vol. 2) #111 - Genesis had transformed Wolverine into War. Ultimately, he is killed by his creation.

In What If? Age of Apocalypse, both Xavier and Magneto were killed by Legion, leaving no-one to form the X-Men. As explained by Uatu the Watcher, the governments of the world respond to the hundreds of deaths caused by Legion's attack by capturing mutants and sending them into concentration camps, causing non-mutant superhumans to flourish. Some mutants, such as Cyclops, escape the camps and flee to the Savage Land. After Apocalypse conquers the world, he gains hundreds of mutant and superhuman followers including the Absorbing Man, Banshee, Cannonball, clones of Spider-Man, the Hulk, Holocaust, Juggernaut, Lady Deathstrike, Namor, the Scarlet Witch, Sebastian Shaw, Storm, and Sunspot. Apocalypse's followers destroy the mutant sanctuary in the Savage Land and only Nate Summers and Sauron escape. They join the Defenders, a group of heroes, who have learned the truth about their reality from the sacrifice of Doctor Strange. They have pledged not to change the past but to overthrow Apocalypse in the present. The majority of the Defenders are killed in the struggle against Apocalypse. However, Apocalypse is finally killed by Nate with the help of the Molecule Man.

In What If? The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe, Apocalypse appears alongside with other X-Men villains, who, like the X-Men, have been tricked by the Punisher into traveling to the moon; Apocalypse and all others present are killed by the Punisher with a nuclear bomb he had stolen from Doctor Doom.

[edit] X-Men: The End

In X-Men: The End: Dreamers and Demons #4, Apocalypse is revealed to be possessing Irene Merryweather's body. Driven out, Apocalypse kills Divinity (with Meltdown still trapped inside him). He threatens Sinister's henchmen, but his body becomes infected by Technarx because of the bullet that hit Irene.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix #1-4
  2. ^ Cable #6