X-MEN: AGE OF REVELATION OVERTURE / Script by JED MACKAY / Pencils by RYAN STEGMAN / Inks by JP MAYER / Colors by EDGAR DELGADO / Letters by VC’S CLAYTON COWLES / Published by MARVEL COMICS

I have a low tolerance for X-Men on a good day. I will not deny that some fantastic stories have been told with these characters. However, most of the franchise has been treading water for decades. What few writers have been allowed to attempt something original quickly find their efforts muted (no pun intended) as they put whatever they are doing on hold for the sake of the next big crossover.

And right on cue, here’s Age of Revelation. A storyline that seems to have been built by editorial fiat, after someone said “You know what would be really funny? Let’s take the lamest member of the X-Men and make them responsible for the end of the world.” At least, I assume that’s the rational behind Cypher being made the Heir of Apocalypse, changing his name to Revelation, and suddenly deciding he needs to teach the world his peaceful ways by force.

This Overture issue sets the stage, with Cyclops and Beast having their minds dragged from the present and slapped into the bodies of their future selves. This was arranged by Magneto, who is leading what remains of the X-Men in the not too distant future. They are caught up on current events and how most of their team in the modern day is now happily working for Revelation to build another Mutant Utopia on the ruins of what was the eastern United States.

I’ll give Jed Mackay this much credit – dragging two X-Men from the past to lead the resistance of the future is a novel twist. (The future Cyclops and Beast had their minds erased by Revelation.) Because the X-Men know all too well that sending your future soldiers to the past to try to change the screwed-up future DOES NOT WORK. We have a whole host of surly future Mutants who are proof of that. Unfortunately, that’s about the only original idea in play.

A dark future brought about by a would-be Mutant messiah? The only hope being a time-traveler trapped in a world they never made? A brainwashed Wolverine being set up as the ultimate warrior of the villains? All of these ideas have been done before and done far better. The whole story reeks of 90’s nostalgia and desperation.

The same can be said of the artwork. Ryan Stegman is a fairly new talent at Marvel, but his style evokes the grim and gritty X-Men comics of the 90s. It doesn’t look bad and he has a good eye for detail. However, paired with the drab colors chosen by J.P. Mayer, there’s little to catch the eye.

Presumably dyed-in-the-wool X-Fans will find Age of Revelation enjoyable. Personally, I think it’s a prime example of the kind of comics that pushed me away from X-Men for so long. Perhaps the individual tie-ins may hold some interest, but I see little here to inspire much hope for the future.