Age of Apocalypse - Any good?

[DetourAndy]

I have heard mixed reviews about this story arc for X-men, but never actually read it. Is the original age of apocalypse storyline any good? What is it largely about? Also, I am confused about how big the Age of Apocalypse series is? I have seen so many different comics with it as the name, I am not so sure if its a 6 part series or something else entirely? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers,

Andy

[fishtaco]

I have heard mixed reviews about this story arc for X-men, but never actually read it. Is the original age of apocalypse storyline any good? What is it largely about? Also, I am confused about how big the Age of Apocalypse series is? I have seen so many different comics with it as the name, I am not so sure if its a 6 part series or something else entirely? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers,

Andy

The Age of Apocalypse crossover in 1995 was probably the best story of the non-Claremont era. I havent heard of anyone who didnt like it, but Im sure there are some people.

The recent mini series of the Age of Apocalypse was a pile of poo poo. I would have to say that it was even worse than the recent X-Force mini, and that is saying a lot. In fact, it was probably one of the worst X-men mini series ever.

But lets see what others have to say...

[Erik Lehnsherr]

The Age of Apocalypse is one of the greatest comic book stories of all time. Period.

[Alan2099]

The Age of Apocalypse crossover in 1995 was probably the best story of the non-Claremont era. I havent heard of anyone who didnt like it, but Im sure there are some people.

The recent mini series of the Age of Apocalypse was a pile of poo poo. I would have to say that it was even worse than the recent X-Force mini, and that is saying a lot. In fact, it was probably one of the worst X-men mini series ever.

But lets see what others have to say...

I'll back that. Oh, and if you're checking up on the original AOA, don't miss X-Universe. It's commonly overlooked but it's a great story there. It's a two issue limited series that gives you bassically the AOA version of the AVengers, except that none of them really have powers. You even get to see Gwen Stacy and Dr. Doom on the same team.

[aelio]

Add my name to the list of people who say AOA 95 rocked, because it did. You asked what it was about: In a nutshell, Legion travels back in time to kill Mags and accidently kills dear old dad instead, so AOA, represents the present day if Xavier had died before forming the X-men. Without the X-men/X-factor to stop him, Big Bad Blue takes over most of the planet. The X-men are formed...by Magneto...but they are formed too late to stop Pocky. The AOA world is fascinating and depressing. Some of the best writers worked on this as well.

[thik_3rd]

the original is probably my second favorite x-men story.
as for how big it is? i think about 40 issues. the structure was basically (i think) 8 4-issue mini's that told the bigger story, 2 bookends, 2 flashbacks, and a few other odd issues (the chosen, x-universe). they all came out at the same time. since then, the story has been revisited a few times (not counting this years awful mini) and the total is probably mid-40's. i've seen the complete set go on ebay for between $80 - $100, which sounds like a lot, but its roughly just $2 an issue, which would amount to less than cover price. they put out tpb's of it back in the day, but theyre no longer in print. theyre releasing new tpb's this year to coincide with the 10th anniversary. the first one is out, i havent heard anything about the others yet.

[DrDoomX]

AoA is awesome and I am one who is going to pick up all four volumes of this as it comes out...It is an awesome story and makes you realize how important Xavier is. And I mean he is important in a lot of aspects not just the fact that Appocalypse rules. The Brood take over the Shi'ar. Cyclops and Havok are agents of Sinister, Angel owns his own club called Heaven, these aspects are examples at how important Xavier is....and this is one of the reasons this story is great!

[thik_3rd]

yeah, its so important for xavier to be around to stop angel from opening up a club.

[DrDoomX]

yeah, its so important for xavier to be around to stop angel from opening up a club.

That was not the point, have you read it? Its basically showing a more selfish angel is what I mean!

[DetourAndy]

Awesome. Yah, I definately will be picking up the trades as they arrive. I guess I should look into getting volume 1 of the 10th anniversary series (I assume its the exact same story?). Other trades I also need to get is mutant massacre, fall of the mutants, and days of futures past. However, i was told to stay away from x-cutioners song, although that trade did interest me.

[Madrox84]

It's fantastic!

Definately among the best crossover events, i'll be purchasing the trades aswell... As my AoA collection isn't complete, though i have read most of it.

[thik_3rd]

However, i was told to stay away from x-cutioners song, although that trade did interest me.

if it interests you, check it out. i dug it personally.

[The Shadow]

The Age of Apocalypse is one of the greatest comic book stories of all time. Period.

Yep.

It's my favorite X event ever.

[fishtaco]

Awesome. Yah, I definately will be picking up the trades as they arrive. I guess I should look into getting volume 1 of the 10th anniversary series (I assume its the exact same story?). Other trades I also need to get is mutant massacre, fall of the mutants, and days of futures past. However, i was told to stay away from x-cutioners song, although that trade did interest me.

You werent told to stay away from it. You were told that if you want the best of the best of the best of the best, then X-Cutioners Song is what you wont want to read.

X-Cutioners Song is still an awesome crossover.

[Accroître]

The original AOA story line was awesome. I remember waiting in anticipation for the next issue to come out. The creativity that it took to come up with new ideas was phenomenal. The more recent AOA....I was really disappointed. It was like Marvel was trying to recreate something like before, but fell short of the mark.