Alt 295, Part 09: X-Universe

Grade: B

The Age of Apocalypse focuses on mutant domination of the world under Apocalypse's rule, but what happened to the rest of Marvel's heroes? We learn in Weapon X that the humans centralized their strength in Europe under the Human High Council. In this two part series, we learn that they have their own band of heroes that include Gwen Stacy, Clint Barton (Hawkeye), Tony Stark (Iron Man), Don Blake (Thor), Ben Grimm (Thing), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Victor Von Doom (Dr. Doom), Bruce Banner (Hulk), and Thunderbolt Ross.

Mikhail Rasputin arrives in Europe offering peace with the humans. He is the fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, and he has a much more sinister plan in mind. It involves amplifying and using Empath's mutant power to manipulate the emotions of the humans. Matt Murdock (Daredevil) is part of Mikhail's entourage as an altered human tragically in service of Apocalypse.

[3 Stars] X-Universe #1 - "Last Stand" Members of the Human Resistance attempt to save as many people from Wakanda from Mauraders. The Mauraders are normal humans in service of Apocalypse and include Arcade, Dirigible (Kingpin), Owl, Red (Norman Osborne). In Europe, the fourth Horseman Mikhail arrives with an unexpected peace offering.

[3 Stars] X-Universe #2 - "Dying Breath" Not all the members of the Human High Council trust Mikhail's good intentions for peace with Apocalypse. They send in a team to investigate.