Apocalypse (Marvel)
Apocalypse is a male comic supervillain who features in Marvel Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
En Sabah Nur
He was born in a place called Akkaba that was a lone settlement at the edge of Amentet on the farthest outskirts of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. The grey-skinned child was seen as an abomination to the tribesmen who abandoned him at his place of birth. At that time, the nomadic raiders known as the Sandstormers emerged from the desert where the slaughtered the tribe in the area. The people of the storm were led by Baal of the Crimson Sands who had been searching for the child as he knew the Pharaoh Rama-Tut sought the boy. Baal took the child with him and killed those Sandstormers that sought to kill the boy where he took him with his tribe and named him En Sabah Nur. Under the guidance of Baal, the young En Sabah Nur spent the next seventeen years among the Sandstormers where he learnt the ways of combat with him being taught the clans tenets of survival of the fittest. En Sabah Nur was said by Baal written in destiny to be the one that would topple the rule of the Pharaoh Rama-Tut and thus was trained for that role despite facing years of scorn from his fellow tribesmen. Baal later revealed that the Pharaoh was a traveller from a distant land who had crashed in their lands with the Sandstormers rescuing him before he turned on them and instituted himself as the Pharaoh. The Sandstormer leader revealed a fragment of the great vessel that the Pharaoh had crashed in where they found murals that showed En Sabah Nur's birth along with many other secrets that they attempted to decipher. At that point, the Sandstormer encampment came under attack from Rama-Tut's General Ozymandias who was dispatched to find and capture En Sabah Nur on behalf of the Pharaoh. (Rise of Apocalypse v1 #1)
Since man could walk, he was noted to had tested all civilisations where his face was seen wherever there was cruelty and death. In this time, he claimed to had many civilisations flourish after testing them and ultimately they came to fall in the process. During this time, he was associated with many gods where he was worshipped in various guises by the Ancient Egyptians, the Persians, the Aztecs and Indians. (X-Factor v1 #24)
In the mid-12th century, a young warlord En Sabah Nur had heard tales of another immortal by the name of Garbha-Hsien who resided in the lands of Mongolia. Thus, he went alone and journeyed to that land where Nur's name became infamous before his rival where he massacred all that opposed him as he headed towards the Ho-Lo Shan Mountains. He then encountered the other 'forever-walker' Hsien who revealed to the Egyptian an object of his study which was a titanic alien vessel that surprised En Sabah Nur. The warlord decided to claim the craft and its technology for himself with him attacking Garbha-Hsien leaving the man for dead but unaware that he had actually survived the assault. (X-Force v1 #37)
After years of sending assassins and battling the Traveler, Nur severed Traveler's left cybernetic arm and, during the confusion, the Traveler pulled a gun and shot him in the head. After reattaching his techno-organic arm, Traveler was accepted as the new leader of the Riders of the Dark but declined. Traveler turned to Ozymandias and instructed him to remember that there will always be someone smarter and stronger around and that being fit to survive means to have the responsibility to help those who are not. Unknown to the Traveler, his techno-organic infected blood mixed with Nur's as he wiped Nur's blood on Ozymandias. Ozymandias had Nur's dead body brought to the alien Ship, hoping that its technology could heal him, and Traveler arrived, to ambush a caravan of advanced technology. Traveler explained to Ozymandias that the Ship was actually a Celestial transport for a highly advanced alien race, a sentient exploratory device, and entered the ship. Inside, Traveler learned that his blood, mixed with the Techno-Organic Virus, and Nur's resurrected Nur and, infected with the virus, allowed Nur to understand Ship. Nur was transformed and enhanced by Celestial technology, becoming one of the most powerful beings who would ever live, now possessing the ability of total control over the molecular structure of his body. Angry at the revelation, Traveler told Nur that if he was responsible for his immortality, he would make Nur spend eternity far away from there and sent both Ship and its passenger far into space. Over the next few centuries, Ship's sentience slowly evolved, and Nur noticed, but enslaved it, telling Ship that he had created it. After gaining so much power, Nur also began to take long slumbers in Ship and to refuel his powers. (Cable & Deadpool v1 #27)
Long ago, he found the ancient living island of Okkara that was laid siege by the hordes of daemons from the dark world of Amenth. In this time, Apocalypse and his tribe came to the island's aid after its ikons had been slain by the enemy. They managed to turn the tide against the enemy leading to the daemons leader Annihilation being intrigued at the challenge posed by a strong enemy. It was believed that the tribe would have resisted the enemy had not Isca the Unbeaten betrayed them and sided with the Amenthi horde. To stop them, Apocalypse's wife Genesis along with his children the Horsemen decided to take their fight to the enemy. Before departing, Genesis bade her husband to make the world strong to fight off the threat of Amenth. (X-Men v5 #13) The scale of the conflict caused the living island of Okaara to split into twins named Krakoa and Arakko with Apocalypse having to use his might to send the latter through the breach to seal it away forever. (Powers of X v1 #4)
By 1013 A.D., he had encountered the time travelling fallen Pharaoh Rama-Tut once more who offered Apocalypse an entreaty to be his advisor on coming events. He warned him of the threats in the future leading to En Sabah Nur striking a village in Scandinavia to fight the Asgardian named Thor. The Celestial evolutionary caretaker managed to effortlessly defeat the young god who fled the scene but Apocalypse decided to target a person that Rama-Tut said would kill him in the future. This led to him attacking London with his Horsemen of Apocalypse seeking to kill Folkbern Logan who was the ancestor of the man that would kill En Sabah Nur. This plan was thwarted by Thor who had enchanted his axe allowing it to pierce Apocalypse's Celestial armor forcing the caretaker to escape. (Uncanny Avengers v1 #6) Egypt was later attacked by a group of Vikings with them encountering Apocalypse and his Clan Akkaba. This led to them praying to Thor who arrived in response and he battled the Mutant. During their fight, another Thor arrived who had been temporarily displaced from the future with the pair working together to fight Apocalypse. It was also discovered that Loki had been responsible for tricking the Vikings into journeying to Egypt in order to get his brother to fight with Apocalypse. (Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor v1 #1)
In 1144 A.D., En Sabah Nur sought to elevate more Mutants with potential into becoming his servants. During this time, he took notice of a French knight named Bennet du Paris who served during the Crusades. Apocalypse came to leak information about an ancient Tower of Power in Akkaba that contained a mysterious secret. Paris who was unaware of his nature as a Mutant was drawn to seek it out and spent a year travelling through the desert where he was guided by En Sabah Nur's servant Sahreed. Bennet du Paris managed to reach the citadel of Apocalypse and survived the trials by utilising his dormant powers. He was then transformed in the process and became empowered as Apocalypse's servant Exodus where he was intended to serve as a bridge to the future. En Sabah Nur then commanded Exodus to slay his former comrade the Black Knight Eobar Garrington and Sersi. At first obeying the orders, Exodus then turned against Apocalypse and stated that he would not serve a false god. For his defiance, Apocalypse defeated Exodus who was then sealed away in a crypt where he remained trapped there for many years. (Black Knight: Exodus v1 #1)
Entering hibernation, he remained in his sarcophagus until it as shipped to Victorian England in the year 1859. In that time, he came to be awoken from centuries of hibernation in an underground chamber by the Marauders where he ordered them to take him to their leader, Dr. Nathaniel Essex. Nur offered to transform Essex into a long-lived superhuman being himself, to give him the time to further his research, but at a cost: his servitude. Left with the choice of continuing his work or his wife shunning him, Dr. Essex allied himself with Nur. Dr. Essex explained to Nur that he was the first born in, what Dr. Essex believed, would be a great mutation in the human race. After taking Nur to the Hellfire Club, Nur demonstrated his power before the men and explained that Dr. Essex's theories of mutation were more near than he believed. After defeating the time-travelers Cyclops and Phoenix, Nur left them to Dr. Essex, as test subjects. (Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix v1 #1) After the death of his wife and her shunning him, Dr. Essex agreed to Nur's offer and was ordered to create a plague to destroy the weak of the world, as Nur's first prelate, Pestilence. Apocalypse painfully transformed Dr. Essex into an ageless being of extraordinary pallor with telekinesis in his alien Ship, asking him to shed his past name and choose another. With his new abilities and dispassionate outlook, Dr. Essex took the new name, 'Sinister' after the last words his wife Rebecca Essex's spoke to him. (Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix v1 #2) Nur had plans to assassinate Britain's Queen and Prime Minister, and almost succeeded, but was defeated by the time-traveling X-Men who began to shift back to their own time. Returning to Nur's Ship, Nur demanded to know why the plague was not complete and Mr. Sinister stated that he manipulated the plague, so that it would affect only Nur himself, but his immune system quickly adapted to it. (Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix v1 #3) Nur asked why, and Mr. Sinister replied that cruelty for no purpose was ignorance and ignorance was the greatest enemy of science. As Nur began to return to his hibernation, he stated that Sinister's defiance was a sign of his strength, but it would not be tolerated again. Nur warned Sinister to never forget who had the true power and, when he returned, it would be the dawn of the Age of Apocalypse and Sinister would be his servant. (Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix v1 #4)
Apocalypse
Apocalypse was responsible for forming the Alliance of Evil where he employed the team of Mutants to serve as his operatives. He was responsible for them blackmailing the Mutant Michael Nowlan and designed a machine to feed his addiction as well as reverse it to use his powers. His plans were thwarted by X-Factor with Nowlan dying in the process though Apocalypse believed it to be the result of his human weakness. (X-Factor v1 #6)
For the final member in his Biblically-inspired quartet, Apocalypse chose carefully and well. In his previous recruits, he sought out those angry at the world. In his fourth Horseman, Apocalypse chose someone who had held the world in his hands, and had lost it all. To this mutant, a man driven to attempt suicide, Apocalypse would tempt him with but a piece of his former life, in exchange for his soul. (X-Factor v1 #18) His pawns gathered and paused for his word, Apocalypse desired another set of players in his chess game of death and destruction. Although he had only encountered them briefly, Apocalypse had become interested in X-Factor and had studied them, monitored their actions and researched their origins and motives. On the eve of his Horsemen's attack on humanity, Apocalypse summoned the band of mutant heroes and welcomed them to his cloaked ship, which floated invisibly, high above Manhattan. Like a melodramatic villain from movie serials, Apocalypse explained his scheme to unleash his Horsemen upon the human world, and offered for X-Factor the opportunity to join him. Their dream of peace between humans and mutants, he told them, did nothing to force mutants to evolve and become strong. (X-Factor v1 #24)
As certain members of X-Factor would soon learn, Apocalypse was not alone in using them for their own ends. Since his betrayal of Apocalypse in the mid 19th century, Mister Sinister had plotted and schemed on his own. The goal of his experiments with genetics over the years was twofold. First, he wished to help unlock the genetic potential of mutants. Secondly, he searched for the optimum pairing for a union of unlimited power. This offspring, Sinister hoped, would be powerful enough to do what he could not: destroy Apocalypse. Over the past few years, Sinister had decided on the two mutants whom he felt could produce such an offspring, Cyclops and Jean Grey. His choice now made, Sinister allowed nothing to deviate him from his course, even the apparent death of Jean Grey, later revealed to be the Phoenix Force, on the Earth’s moon. Nevertheless, through a series of schemes and machinations that would have made Machiavelli proud, Sinister obtained the child of Cyclops and, more or less, Jean Grey: Nathan Christopher Charles Summers. (Uncanny X-Men v1 #201)
The entire saga of Sinister’s plan seemed to have come to a close during the conflict known as Inferno, where demonic creatures from the dimension of Limbo attempted to open a rift between the worlds and spread chaos. Nathan Christopher’s mother, Madelyne Pryor-Summers, in actuality a clone of Jean Grey, sided with the demonic forces and, by the end of the conflict, lost her life. Having learned of Sinister’s involvement, the combined forces of the X-Men and X-Factor tracked down Mister Sinister, confronted him and, apparently, killed him. Cyclops and Jean Grey recovered their lost infant and believed that, at last, their nightmare was over. Little did they know that the entire ordeal would gain the notice of their other great foe, Apocalypse. (X-Factor v1 #39)
Ultimately, he came to decide to eliminate the young Nathan Christopher Summers but absorbing his life essence for himself. It was then that X-Factor along with the Inhuman Royal Family worked together to storm the citadel to confront Apocalypse. (X-Factor v1 #67)
At his temple in Bani Maza, Apocalypse came to be attacked by a mysterious time traveller named Stryfe who critically wounded En Sabah Nur but the immortal Mutant managed to escape through a teleportation device. He then arrived at the headquarters of the X-Men where he proposed an alliance as they had a mutual enemy that they could only defeat by working together. (X-Force v1 #17)
From his stronghold, he came to awaken from his hibernation having healed and regenerated his body. Taking stock of recent events, he came to note that this marked near the end of the Age of Wonders during the rise of Onslaught. This was only emphasised by the presence of Uatu the Watcher. (Uncanny X-Men v1 #335)
He decided to intervene in the conflict when Onslaught had absorbed Franklin Richards and thus gained his all powerful reality alteration abilities. Appearing before Cable and the Invisible Woman, he offered his aid against a mutual enemy where he looked to separate Franklin from Onslaught. This he deemed could only be done so on the astral plane with Apocalypse and Cable travelling to that realm. Despite their attempts, they were noticed by Onslaught who unleashed psionic constructs of various people against them. In the chaos of the fighting, Apocalypse sought to use this as an opportunity to eliminate Franklin Richards who posed a potential threat to En Sabah Nur in the future. However, he was stopped when the Invisible Woman had secretly accompanied them where they prevented Apocalypse from murdering her son. The fight between the now former allies led to all three being expelled back into the real world with Franklin remaining trapped on Onslaught's hands. Apocalypse was then greeted by Uatu where he expressed nothing but disgust at the heroes weakness though the Watcher highlighted their nobility to risk all to save their loved ones. (Cable v1 #35)
Later on, Apocalypse attempted to detonate a nuclear bomb in the underground Deviant city of Lemuria in order to further mutate its inhabitants. He then used a mind controlled gigantic Karkas against San Francisco leading to a conflict with the Eternals. During this battle, he came to be confronted by Ikaris who became the Prime Eternal but despite his power Apocalypse defeat his foe. Despite that, his plans came to be thwarted and he was forced to retreat from the battel. (New Eternals: Apocalypse Now v1 #1)
He then approached the Hulk with the intention of making him into one of his Horseman. Apocalypse came to convince the gamma mutate to undergo the transformation to become War. (Incredible Hulk v2 #456)
Apocalypse later sought to test the Deviants and detonated a nuclear bomb in their underground city of Lemuria thus causing them to further mutate. He then had a now gigantic Karkas be involved in an attack against San Francisco with this resulting in the Eternals battling the creature. In the midst of the fighting, the Prime Eternal Ikaris confronted Apocalypse who defeated his foe but his plans were ultimately thwarted by the Eternals. (New Eternals: Apocalypse Now v1 #1)
Though slain, his blood was recovered by Ozymandias who took it to a hidden stronghold to resurrect his master. (Cable & Deadpool v1 #27)
Genesis
Clan Akkaba decided to resurrect their leader by performing a ceremony and a sacrifice whereby he was cloned in the form of a young boy. (Uncanny X-Force v1 #1) The child became a target of the newly created X-Force who sought to eliminate threats before they manifested. Thus, the Final Horsemen were summoned where they were tasked with protecting their young master as he was indoctrinated in the teachings of Apocalypse. (Uncanny X-Force v1 #2) Despite such defences, the Ship was infiltrated by X-Force who argued amongst themselves on whether to take the young clone away or kill him with it ultimately decided to take him back home to train him instead of allowing him to become Apocalypse. However, Fantomex used this opportunity to fire a gunshot at the boy's head thus killing the clone. (Uncanny X-Force v1 #4)
In an effort to create an immortal body, he conduced an experiment on a test subject but an accident erupted that caused the machine to send Apocalypse elsewhere in the universe. Once there, his body began to face degeneration as his form was dying and his Mutant powers were leaving him as he was becoming more Human. (X-Men: Black - Magneto v1 #1)
He gradually began to devolve into a more ape-like primitive with him struggling to retain his intelligence as his powers began to abandon him. Whilst travelling, he came under attack from similar such primitives that stole the Finch from him where he desperately sought to retrieve it but they were all captured by a group of humanoids led by D'Oerek that were all garbed in clothing resembling the Celestials. (X-Men: Black - Mystique v1 #1) D'Oerek and his kin began to conduct experiments on the captured primitives that included En Sabah Nur who was desperate to survive. He came to attack his humanoids that were studying him but they overpowered him and subjected him to their own experiments. During the process, En Sabah Nur managed to grab onto D'Oerek and used the last of his Mutant power to transfer his intelligence and intellect into the humanoid thus rewriting his body to become a new host for Apocalypse. (X-Men: Black - Juggernaut v1 #1)
House of X
Six months later, Professor Xavier came to send out a telepathic message to everyone on Earth where he declared the foundation of the new Mutant nation of Krakoa. (House of X v1 #6) Part of this included offering amnesty to all Mutants and a place on the living island. (Powers of X v1 #5) Two days, the Mutant nation came to be officially recognised by the United Nations leading to Apocalypse travelling there along with many former enemies of the X-Men. Upon arriving, he congratulated them in their endeavour and revealed the hidden past history of the living island. He then agreed to take up residence there and submit himself to all the laws of Krakoa. (House of X v1 #5) This led to him being given a seat on the ruling Quiet Council of Krakoa that came to head the newly formed country. (House of X v1 #6)
He then went to meet the Summoner in order to learn the fate of his Horsemen that were stranded in Arrako after it fell into the dark world of Amenth. (X-Men v5 #12) An expedition was launched to make contact with Arrako as Banshee and Unus the Untouchable were dispatched alongside the Summoner for the journey through the External Gate. After sometime, the Summoner returned with an injured unconscious Banshee at his side. He warned that they were ambushed by the enemy before they could reach Arrako and that Unus had been taken. Apocalypse then went to the Quiet Council where he proposed a relief mission with the others voting against this action as they did not want to draw their nation to war. However, the deadlock was broken by Krakoa himself who refused to have the External Gate destroyed despite the Council desiring to close the doorway. Though unable to destroy the gate, the Quiet Council refused to sanction any rescue mission with Apocalypse instead looking to gather volunteers. Travelling to Otherworld, they found a great horde looking to lay siege to the Starlight Citadel and as its head were Apocalypse's children that were his four Horsemen. Re-uniting with them, he was overjoyed at seeing his offspring but then War and the Summoner betrayed him as they left Apocalypse with terrible injuries as they attacked him. It was then revealed that Arrako had sided with the daemons of Amenth with them being a conquering force looking to lay claim to Otherworld. (X of Swords: Creation v1 #1)
Within the healing gardens, Apocalypse had to be restrained whilst Healer used his powers to repair the injuries to his body. Upon making a recovery, he went to Egypt in order to recover his ancient sword from the Temple of the Horsemen. (X-Men v5 #13) Gathering with the others, they the swords were used to transport them to Otherworld where they were greeted by Saturnyne who had quarters arranged for the Krakoans. Whilst there, each had a card that gave a glimpse to their future with Apocalypse's being the Lovers card showing him and his lost wife Genesis. This angered Apocalypse who confronted Saturnyne about her games but she brushed it aside and had him accompany her to her next meeting. This was with the leader of Arrako who was Annihilation with Apocalypse recognising the warriors mask but upon removing it he was shocked to find that the bearer was none other than Genesis herself. (X of Swords: Stasis v1 #1)
The final round of the Contest of Swords was between Apocalypse and his wife Genesis. Initially, he was despondent on having to face the Helm of Annihilation worn by her but she decided to take it off as she was resolved to kill him. Despite scoring a number of wounds on him, Genesis came to be defeated and disarmed of her blade with her potentially facing defeat. Apocalypse was not willing to kill his wife and instead wanted her to surrender but the Helm of Annihilation took possession of her body with it refusing to submit. (X-Men v5 #15) Instead, the Helm of Annihilation commanded Genesis to bring forth the demonic hordes of Amenth against Otherworld to slaughter all before their path. Apocalypse continued to battle her but Annihilation's forces threatened to conquer the Starlight Citadel and all before them. (Excalibur v4 #15) This was until X-Men reinforcements from Krakoa arrived on the scene where they also tricked the Vescora into attacking their foe. In the midst of the fighting, Apocalypse continued to fight with Annihilation and ripped the helm from his wife's face and donned it on himself. Annihilation then attempted to dominate his mind as it had done to Genesis long ago but Apocalypse was not looking to win their fight but rather for the helm to lose the tournament. Thus, with his willpower, he surrendered Arakko's side in the tournament which led to Annihilation effectively losing the Contest of Swords. Saturnyne accepted the defeat and took the Helm of Annihilation which she reshaped into a spear in order to dull its corruptive influence. She then put an end to the hostilities between Amenth and Krakoa where both sides were requested to send one of their own to live out amongst their enemy. Genesis requested that Apocalypse live alongside her whilst Apocalypse wanted the entirety of Arakko to live on Krakoa. Apocalypse then joined his wife and family as they departed for Amenth but stated that they would be seen again. (X of Swords: Destruction v1 #1)
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Apocalypse was a blue-skinned humanoid though his features did not mark him human. (X-Factor v1 #6) He came to be known as the mythical Eternal Pharaoh. (Black Knight: Exodus v1 #1) He had many names ever since man learnt to walk where his face was worshipped wherever there was cruelty and death. In Ancient Egypt, he was called Set the god of death, storm and famine whilst in Persia he was Sauru the Prince of Demons and Lord of Anarchy as well as Tyranny. Meanwhile, the Aztecs called him Huitzilopochtli the god of war and bloody sacrifice whereas in India he was four-armed Kali-Ma. (X-Factor v1 #24)
Apocalypse was known to strike his followers that had displeased or disobeyed him. He stated that even his patience had its limits. (X-Factor v1 #6)
It was said that he did not give his admiration lightly to others. (Cable v1 #35)
He believed in a philosophy that the strong ruled and the weak had to be winnowed. (X-Factor v1 #6) Peace to him was pipe dream sought after by tired old men. In fact, he believed that any peace between humans and Mutants did nothing to force the latter to grow and evolve thus becoming stronger in the process. As such, peace had no part in his plan for the world and he rejected the concept. Since man first could walk, he had tested the civilisations of man where these had flourished and ultimately fell to his plans for them. He had always brought growth, judgment and destruction with this being a process he brought time and time again. (X-Factor v1 #24)
Apocalypse had said that he could not respect weakness from someone at a time when strength was needed from them. (Cable v1 #35)
As his physical form was finite, he sought an immortal host body free of weakness or fault that could allow him to live forever with his vast powers. (X-Men: Black - Magneto v1 #1)
Apocalypse noted that his very being was an anathema to the existence of Nathan Christopher Summers. In fact, he noted that the child could result in his undoing and at one point he considered suborning him to his cause but ultimately sought to eliminate him. (X-Factor v1 #67)
He once came to seek out power to turn against the Celestials. (Incredible Hulk v2 #456)
In his early years, he became smitten with the Princess Nephri who was born of the house royal of Egypt and was in the court of Rama-Tut. She looked to ally with Nur in order to depose the Pharaoh and offered herself to him. (Rise of Apocalypse v1 #3) This was until she saw his true appearance and was mortified at his form where she wanted nothing to do with him. For a time, Nur claimed that he would have given up everything for her but after she rejected him he came to see life as being a brutal place where only the strong could survive. He came to visit her 50 years later where he mocked her on how she had become old whilst he remained as young as the day she had met him. (Rise of Apocalypse v1 #4)
Long ago, he was noted to have had a wife who was known as Genesis. (X-Men v5 #12) She had a sister who was a warrior by the name of Isca the Unbeaten that became his sister-in-law. (X-Men v5 #13)
From his daughter War, he had a grandchild that became the Summoner of Arrako. (X-Men v5 #12)
At some point, he mated with Autumn Rolfson when she was his Horseman Pestilence with her giving birth to a son who came to be called Genocide. (Uncanny X-Force v1 #13)
He was aware of the existence of Uatu who he called an 'old friend' where he was aware that the silent figure was forbidden from interfering by his fellow Watchers. (Uncanny X-Men v1 #335)
Powers and abilities
As a Mutant, he was born with an X-Factor in his genetic structure that gave him more than human powers. Among his own powers was being a shapeshifting and a teleporter. (X-Factor v1 #24) Apocalypse could control his body to the point that he was able to arrange and re-arrange its molecules to suit him. (X-Factor v1 #6)
Even when he was young, he had the ability to alter his size and could grow to become a giant. (Rise of Apocalypse v1 #4)
He had a long lifespan where he was able to life for centuries. (X-Factor v1 #6) It was known that he could absorb the life essence of others into himself. (X-Factor v1 #67)
It was said that whilst his consciousness was infinite, it was his material form that had a finite existence. This was the reason he was forced to move through host bodies in order to survive across the centuries. (X-Men: Black - Magneto v1 #1)
An encounter with Cable long back in the past had led to Apocalypse being infected with the Techno-Organic Virus. (Cable & Deadpool v1 #27)
He was shown as possessing strength that matched the Hulk. (Incredible Hulk v2 #456)
The armor worn by Apocalypse was a source of great power for him as it was created by the Celestials and had the power of amplifying the abilities of the wearer to god-like levels. (Uncanny X-Force v1 #31) It was said to be near invulnerable with the cosmic armor capable of surviving powerful blows to it. Though seemingly incapable of being harmed, certain mystical enchantments could be used to imbue weapons with the power of piercing it. (Uncanny Avengers v1 #6)
Across the ages, En Sabah Nur had survived through a variety of means where sometimes his sentient essence had taken on new host shells whilst in other cases where his body remained intact then the corpse or husk was placed in regenerative chrysalis chambers. It was said that so long as a single drop of his blood remained then Apocalypse could live again. The techno-organic cells in his blood were able to rewrite any organic material they came into contact with thus allowing him to be reborn and be effectively immortal. (Cable & Deadpool v1 #27)
Apocalypse had in his possession a special curved sword called Scarab that was built for him by Isca the Unbeaten as a wedding gift after the birth of his and Genesis's children. It was crafted in four parts from Red-Gold Iron with it being melted and recast from blades of the vanquished Uhari royal vanguard. (X-Men v5 #13)
Under his dictates, he himself had to prove his fitness and had to showcase it for his legions to continue to follow his commands. (Cable & Deadpool v1 #27)
Through Celestial machines, he was able to expedite the evolutionary processes and accomplish other such tasks. One such machine was 'the Finch' that could repair genetic decay but En Sabah Nur modified it to be able to replace all the cells in a body with counterparts. (X-Men: Black - Magneto v1 #1) In another case, he had cocoon pods that he could use to transform a person into a powerful superhuman being even if they were originally an ordinary human. The machines took a century to complete the transformation where the person became a loyal agent of Apocalypse and were referred to as his Harbinger. These creatures were capable to adapt to any attack made against them and evolve a response against their attacker. (Cable v1 #50)
It was shown that he was able to create robotic copies of himself that were indistinguishable from him. (Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure v1 #1) He was able to use multiple versions of these surrogates and send them to battle his enemies. (X-Factor v1 #67) Another time, he created an android assassin he named Mimeyoshi who had the appearance of a Japanese woman but in reality she had a mutable form making her the ultimate clandestine agent. She was both armed and armoured as well as being equipped with a nuclear self-destruct system if she was compromised. (Namor the Sub-Mariner Annual v1 #3)
Ship was noted to float invisibly above the Earth where it was masked from both human sight and mechanical senses. (X-Factor v1 #24)
Notes
- Apocalypse was created by Louise Simonson and Jackson Guice where he was first show in the shadows in X-Factor v1 #5 (June, 1986) before fully appearing in X-Factor v1 #6 (July, 1986).
- In an interview in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Simonson counted on the creation of the character, "When X-Factor was created, it caused a split in the "Mutant World" [and] several seminal characters were pulled out of [writer] Chris Claremont's X-Men." "Apocalypse is the first mutant – a brilliant shape-shifter who is virtually immortal – and sees himself as the father of mutantkind…In his early years, which I covered in the X-Factor Forever miniseries . . . Apocalypse encountered the Celestials and realized there was a time when humanity might be judged unworthy and destroyed. Consequently, he's been using Darwinian principles – survival of the fittest – to kill off the weak and force the survivors to grow stronger, to push humanity to get better and more powerful. He considers himself the Apocalypse of modern man and the father of what humanity will come next – Mutantkind. Where Magneto sees mutants as the next step of evolution and strives to protect all mutants, Apocalypse believes in absolute survival of the fittest – so if the Hulk, for example, is stronger than [the X-Men's] Colossus...well, in Apocalypse's world he would say, 'Bye, bye, comrade.'"
- In an interview on CBR, writer Rick Remender commented that, "It’s not quite a blood line. Apocalypse was the first mutant and thus was chosen by the Celestials to protect and care for the other mutants and to make sure that the humans didn’t wipe them out before they had an opportunity to flourish. That was his cosmically granted charge."
- In Rurouni Kenshin, the character of Kujiranami Hyōgo was modelled on Apocalypse and partly based on the villain.
Alternate Versions
- In Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix v1 #2 (1994), an alternate version of the character was shown to inhabit a possible future timeline of the Askani that was designated as Earth-4935.
- In X-Men v2 #41 (1995), an alternate version of the character was shown to inhabit the Age of Apocalypse that was designated as Earth-295 in the Multiverse.
- In Mutant X v1 #1 (1998), an alternate version of the character was shown to inhabit the world of Mutant X that was designated as Earth-1298.
- In Ultimate X-Men v1 #49 (2004), an alternate version of Apocalypse appeared in the setting of the Ultimate Marvel universe set in the reality designated as Earth-1610 in the Multiverse.
- In Black Panther v4 #7 (2005), an alternate version of the character was shown to inhabit the House of M that was designated as Earth-58163.
- In Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men v1 #2 (2019), an alternate version of the character was shown to inhabit the reality of the Age of X-Man that was designated as Earth-TRN716. This version of En Sabah Nur was the head of a growing religious movement that preached the bonds of emotional attachment and love which were outlawed in this world. He became beloved by many Mutants that were attracted to his attentions where he led a group of followers known as the X-Tracts where he was their Murshid (Teacher) as he led them in being heroes as they led a revolution against the world order.
In other media
Television
- In X-Men, Apocalypse appeared as an antagonist in the animated television series where he was initially voiced by actor John Colicos for the majority of the show whilst actor James Blendick voiced the character in Season 5. He was described as an immortal Mutant who had lived for centuries with many seeking his end but none able to defeat him. Apocalypse sought the survival of the fittest and frequently gathered his four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to bring about his plans for the world.
- In X-Men: Evolution, the character became the primary antagonist in season 4 of the animated television series where he was voiced by actor David Kaye. His backstory was revealed in a series of hieroglyphics that state that he dated back during Egyptian times where he was a gray skinned infant abandoned in the desert. In that time, he was discovered by a bandit lord known as Baal who raised the child as his own and named him En Sabah Nur or the First One. The child was raised by Baal into a fearsome and skilled warrior who had abilities that were 'unnatural' compared to humans. At that time, a traveler from the future known as Rama-Tut came with his future technology and used it to become the ruling Pharaoh of the period. After learning of En Sabah Nur, Rama-Tut commanded that the boy be slain which led to the death of his adoptive father Baal. This left En Sabah Nur in a rage where he overthrew the Pharaoh and took his technology. After studying the Eye of Ages, he attempted to use it to turn all of mankind into Mutants but the machine drained him of his power which allowed his advisors to turn against him where they sealed him in the device and locked it behind three doors in the mountains. In the modern age, the imprisoned Apocalypse managed to get a servant in the form of Mesmero and used him to aid in freeing him with the final doorway opening when he took the powers of a mind controlled Rogue. After being freed, he incapacitated the X-Men and Acolytes before moving to the pyramid at the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Afterwards, he easily defeats Magneto, Xavier and Storm seemingly killing them before starting his plan to evolve mankind after merging with the Eye of Ages technology to appear more cybernetic. Apocalypse also defeated an attempt to use Sentinels to destroy the pyramids and unleashes his Horsemen. Whilst within the Eye, Rogue managed to seal him in the device through the use of Leech's power to depower him temporarily and Wolverine helped send the machine spiraling through time thus defeating him.
- In Wolverine and the X-Men, the character made an appearance in the animated television series where he had a non-speaking role. He first featured as the master of Mister Sinister who he gave an order to acquire the DNA from Jean Grey and Cyclops. In the episode "Foresight, Part 3", the future dominated by the Sentinels was eliminated by the intervention of the X-Men along with the guidance of Charles Xavier whose mind was displaced into the future. However, the change in reality brings about another dark one similar to the Age of Apocalypse where Apocalypse stands at the balcony of his tower with Mister Sinister and a future version of Cyclops.
Films
- In X-Men: Days of the Future's Past film, a post-credit sequence showed the character with a non-speaking role where he was portrayed by Canadian actor Brendan Pedder. He's shown to be a young robed hooded figure with grey skin and blue lips standing on a desert hill where a large crowd were chanting the name "En Sabah Nur" at a distance. The character was seen to be assembling a massive pyramid with the power of telekinesis whilst a group of four individuals on horses stand in the background.
- In X-Men: Apocalypse, Apocalypse as En Sabah Nur featured as the main villain in the live-action film where he was portrayed by actor Oscar Isaac. En Sabah Nur was called the world's first Mutant who had lived for centuries by transferring his essence into a new Mutant host body and gain its powers. As a result, he developed a whole range of superhuman abilities that he had gathered over the years. Due to his power, he as seen as a god by the people of Egypt and referred to by the names of many deities including Ra, Krishna and Yahweh. Under his rule, he created a world whereby only the strong survived and he cleansed the lands of the weak with him being attended to by four Horsemen of Apocalypse that were empowered by him. One day, a ceremony was being made to transfer his essence into a new body of a Mutant that could heal from his wounds. During the transference, the guards staged a revolt with the intention of burying him alive where they shattered the support structures of his pyramid that collapsed around him. En Sabah Nur was saved by one of his Horsemen that gave her life for him but he was asleep and entombed alive for centuries. By the modern day, a cult came to worship with this group being called Ashir En Sabah Nur who managed to uncover his buried tomb. In the 1970's, members of the cult were praying to him when light struck the touchstone and awakened En Sabah Nur who teleported away from the rubble to the surface.
Video games
- In Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge, Apocalypse appeared as a boss level character in Wolverine's first stage in the setting of 1992 video game.
- In X-Men 2: Clone Wars, Apocalypse appeared as a boss antagonist in the setting of the 1995 platform video game. It was revealed that he was responsible for releasing the Phalanx virus from his facility.
- In X-Men: Gamesmaster's Legacy, Apocalypse appeared as a boss character in the setting of the Sega Game Gear video game.
- In X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse, Apocalypse appeared in the setting of the SNES video game.
- In X-Men: Reign of Apocalypse, Apocalypse appeared in the setting of the video game. It was revealed that an alternate timeline that he came to rule the world with the X-Men accidentally arriving on this Earth following a journey to Mojoworld.
- In X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, Apocalypse appeared as the main antagonist and final boss where he was voiced by actor Richard McGonagle.
- In Marvel: Future Fight, Apocalypse appeared as a playable character in the mobile video game.
- In Marvel Contest of Champions, Apocalypse appeared as a playable character in the mobile video game.
- In Marvel Realm of Champions, Apocalypse appeared in the setting of the mobile video game. He ruled the realm of Egyptia that was fouded
Appearances
- X-Factor v1: (1986)
- Uncanny X-Men v1:
- X-Force v1:
- Cable v1:
- Rise of Apocalypse v1:
- Black Knight: Exodus v1:
- Cable & Deadpool v1:
- Uncanny X-Force v1:
- Uncanny Avengers v1:
- Extraordinary X-Men v1:
- X-Men: Gold:
- X-Men: Black - Magneto v1:
- X-Men: Black - Mystique v1:
- X-Men: Black - Juggernaut v1:
- Uncanny X-Men:
- House of X v1:
- Powers of X v1:
- Excalibur:
- X-Men v5:
- X of Swords: Creation v1:
- X of Swords: Stasis v1:
- X of Swords: Destruction v1:
External Links
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