Joe Madureira Returns to Help Usher in the New Era of 'Age of Apocalypse'

The AGE OF APOCALYPSE (1995), the revolutionary '90s X-Men crossover, is reborn this September in X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE (2025), a six-part event series by legendary scribe Jeph Loeb, a writer behind the original event, and Eisner nominated artist Simone Di Meo.

Today, Marvel Comics is thrilled to announce that Joe Madureira, another superstar creator who brought AGE OF APOCALYPSE to life, will draw a variant cover for each issue. Madureira transformed the look of the X-Books throughout the '90s with his distinct and innovative art style. Now, this highly influential artist returns to the franchise for the first time in decades with glorious depictions of the very characters he defined—the iconic X-Men of the Age of Apocalypse!

X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE ALPHA #1
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art and Cover by SIMONE DI MEO
Variant Cover by JOE MADUREIRA
On Sale 9/3

THE X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE CRASH INTO THE MAIN MARVEL UNIVERSE! A dystopian future created when Charles Xavier was killed in a tragic time-travel accident, AGE OF APOCALYPSE is home to a wartorn group of X-Men led by Magneto. In order to free their Earth from Apocalypse's cruel reign, they were willing to sacrifice their very existence—or so they thought! The main timeline was restored, Apocalypse was defeated, but their world lived on!

Taking place in the direct aftermath of the original crossover’s explosive finale, X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE reignites the mission of this iconic reality's X-Men as they journey here to ensure their universe’s survival. This desperate mission will take them into the main Marvel Universe, where they will come into conflict with their classic counterparts, forever impacting both team's destinies!

Mirroring the first AGE OF APOCALYPSE saga, X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE will kick off in X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE ALPHA #1, continue through X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE #1-4 starting in November, and conclude in X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE OMEGA #1.

"I am beyond excited to be dipping back into this corner of the X-Men universe," Madureira said. "I was literally a kid when I drew the ASTONISHING X-MEN—it feels like several lifetimes ago, and I want to bring something new to these characters on my covers. Hopefully, I can do justice to Simone [Di Meo]'s incredible, explosive pages!”

"I met Joe Mad during the original 1995 AGE OF APOCALYPSE," Loeb shared. “His style and storytelling brought a revolutionary look that is still influential today. When Marvel and I first started talking about this project there was no way we couldn't ask Joe to do his distinctive, incredible covers (pencils, inks, colors) to the book. We were so thrilled when he said 'Yes!' I should point out that despite our friendship/partnership and overlooking his role in designing these characters, his real reason for joining was he's a huge fan of Simone Di Meo! Uncanny!"

Check out Joe Madureira’s variant cover for X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE ALPHA #1 and be on the lookout for the rest to be revealed in the months ahead!

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