Joe Madureira Returns To Help Usher In The New Era Of Age Of Apocalypse
by Jay Cochran
June 6, 2025
The Age of Apocalypse, the revolutionary ‘90s X-Men crossover, is reborn this September in X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE, 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!
“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’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!"
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. 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!
X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE ALPHA #1 – 75960621271200111
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art and Cover by SIMONE DI MEO
Variant Cover by JOE MADUREIRA – 75960621271200151
On Sale 9/3
Comments...
Dang, was hoping he was back for sequential work.
Hogun -
2025-05-10 @ 2:28 pm
Thank you Marvel for giving Blink her original design back. I have hated Saladin Ahmad's Janelle Monae redesign and I am sure I am not the only one.
On 5/9/2025 at 6:56 PM, tarot said:Ahhh. So that is why they released aoa Gambit in ML
Almost surprised there wasn't another AOA wave given the ML love of anniversaries
Faust -
2025-05-09 @ 8:31 pm
On 5/9/2025 at 7:51 PM, khorowski said:It really has turned to garbage hasn't it?
I just can't. Marvel comics after Quesada era has been a mostly bucket of mess. DC hasn't been much better. The indie stuff has been nailing it
On 5/9/2025 at 1:01 AM, Faust said:At this point in time nothing short of a total reset of the 616 would get me to go back to this barrel scrapping cackfest
It really has turned to garbage hasn't it?
tarot -
2025-05-09 @ 5:56 pm
Ahhh. So that is why they released aoa Gambit in ML
Faust -
2025-05-09 @ 5:01 am
At this point in time nothing short of a total reset of the 616 would get me to go back to this barrel scrapping cackfest
Lemme guesstheyre going to reveal that Kamala Khan was there the entire time?
Hogun -
2025-05-09 @ 1:14 am
I love AoA. I even told Scott Lobdell I had never been happier to eat my words when I picked up the books. Funnily enough, the Marvel Legends Sugar Man wave got me to overcome my initial perception of it and pick up the books. I would have preferred if the series took place before the events of X-Men Alpha. What more can they do. Last I remember, almost every major character from that reality is either dead or M.I.A.
AndyL -
2025-05-08 @ 9:00 pm
LOL. I love AoA so I'm going to tune in just to see if they can make a good story out of it. There is a chance. It still happens on occasion. Otherwise this is just a testament to what Marvel Comics has become. No new good ideas, no new good characters, no new good writers. So what do you do? Go back to that same well and hopefully some of the good will built up from one of the good stories from the past can drum up some interest. Admittedly I am interested but will not be surprised if it's another Marvel bust. I do like Loeb and he does have a good track record but I agree with @RobertDthat he probably won't ever be what he used to be. But again as I've said before about other older writers, Loeb on his worst day is better than most modern hacks on their most magnificent day.
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