The Rise of Apocalypse

Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best X-Men-related Trades
Review: Another trade paperback where I have to mention that I don't have this format of the material; I have the original four-issue mini-series.

Both as an essential piece of the X-Men continuity and an individual piece of storytelling that could be read by anyone unfamiliar with the X-mythos, "The Rise Of Apocalypse" is one of the great pieces of literature ever presented in comic book format. Probably more rewarding if you've been long familiar with the entity known as Apocalypse, this could nonetheless serve as the first X-Men story you've ever read, taking place as it does entirely in ancient Egypt, eons before the formation of the X-Men or the births of Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, or even the dawn of Sinister (magnificently told in the "Further Adventures Of Cyclops And Phoenix" trade paperback, possibly THE greatest 4-issue mini-series Marvel has ever published). Taking place at the beginning of the building of the pyramids, the book tells the tale of Apocalypse, aka En Sabah Nur, apparantly the first Homo Superior mutation in world history. Chronicles a period of years, from his very beginnings as a newborn infant left by his tribe to die out in a sandstorm because of their fear of his mutated physical appearance to his dawn as early conqueror and the manifestation of the first hints of his true power potential. It performs a difficult task in arousing sympathy for the character without diminishing the evil of what you know he's going to become. For a few years Marvel had been making the mistake of turning almost all their top-tier villains good; it's good to do that sometimes, and it's good to have characters like Magneto and Doom who can often straddle the line between 'good guy' and 'bad guy' distinctions, but if you turn All your villains into straight-up 'good' characters, you're left with no adversaries higher than Tier 2. This book makes one empathise with En Sabah Nur while superbly foreshadowing the eternal terror and bane on the world he's to become, both making the character even more frightening and adding a previously undreamt-of air of tragedy.

There is not a single appearance by any of the other main 'X-Men' characters, but the tale ingeniously weaves in the Fantastic Four by juxtaposing itself with an FF/Rama-Tut time travel story originally told in the 60s (I believe) and takes place in the exact same time frame without even a hint of contrivance. The FF doesn't have a large role but Rama-Tut is a major player and fills his role perfectly.

An outstanding book, amongst the best X-material in Trade Paperback form out there. Definately among the best things Terry Kavanagh has ever written.

Rating:
Summary: A characterization study of Apocalypse; great book
Review: "Rise of Apocalypse", is a compilation of 4 issues from the original comic book form.The story is about En Sabah Nur o(Apocalypse) origin or a tale from his historic past.It turns out surprisingly, even to non-familiar with Apocalypse's adventures, that this book is an exceptional read. One of the better superhero book in the market.It is essentially a drama genre with some actions, which, as it did, works more as a secondary background story as the book intended it to be. The story is also quite depressing, with the bulk centering on the tale of excessive personal abuses, implicitly touching & moving, a tale of tragedy & very dark.

The summary of the story is about 5 millenia ago in ancient Egypt, En Sabah Nur is born. He is predestined to oust Rama-Tut, the Pharaoh then in ancient Egypt.Rama-Tut(A marvel villain), precisely knew En Sabah Nur shall eventually become the feared Apocalypse because he is a time-traveler from the future, hence, takes every steps to own Nur & be subservient to him. But Baal, the leader of a group of savage nomads called sandstormers & Nur's foster father, outflank and intercepted the child instead by Rama-Tut. Baal raised him as his own son with the objective as their savior (Baal also knew, not only Rama-Tut) against the tyrant Pharaoh. En Sabah Nur grows up with still his distorted-looking facial appearance (a mutant), thus because of this, mostly maltreated & scorned upon (also, his predestined prophecy) by people.

Apocalypse, in regards to character study, becomes the person what and who he is to be due PRIMARILY, to his unusual look or appearance;also matters, his surroundings and his upbringings. His surroundings because, he grew up with the nomads who's ways of life is to fight& kill for savage reasons, and to survive by whatever means necessary.His personalities & his upbringings, he grows up, in my observation, giving adequately teachings & proper wisdoms by his literate foster father.

The most essential answers to why he eventually becomes Apocalypse is, in my opinion he simply could not cope with his outward appearance, because of it more than his inherit prophecy, he constantly suffers abuses & maltreatments more than any humans could take. And Nephri, the supposed princess & the sister of Ozymandias, the erstwhile pharaoh dethroned by the arrival of Rama-Tut, developed instant feelings though subtle for En Sabah Nur. She did not know then Nur's plight. And Nur, simply adores her & loves her. However, in one instance, when Nephri eventually found out his secret, she becomes so horrified of his looks & started to detached from him inch- by -inch. Both physically & emotionally.In one of the last sequences, when Nur still conciously comes to her aid, she paradoxically refused! It seems she is in fact is more terrified of him than her present condition. She uttered "your face... get back! get back !" and Nur replied " why Nephri.. why !", from there and then, En Sabah Nur abruptly detached himself being En Sah Nur because, in his opinion that is essentially the last straw that broke his back. If even Nephri herself could not care for him, when she changes her opinions towards him because how he looks, who else ? Eventually, Nur becomes the mighty Apocalypse.

Terry Kavanagh, the writer and Adam Pollina, the artist whatever accolades their work is given, it is aptly deserving. Although I think, the book could be a notch or two better if at least, two issues longer to pack more details such as more grounded moments like solemn small talks & links of his origin to Apocalypse present capabilities or any of his known entities.All in all, a good buy & to own, and this book is primarily a characterization study or story. People inclined reading ancient Egypt story-related will loves this.

Highly recommended. In the same vein like Origin: Wolverine. Daredevil vol. 1 HC by Kevin Smith, Thor: Gods on Earth, Marvel masterworks, and Villainy to Dr.Doom.

Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal artwork, forgettable story
Review: For some reason, the movie "The Scorpion King" made me think of this book. Maybe it's because both of them contain muscle-bound, anti-heroes overthrowing an oppresive Egyptian Monarchy. There are even some scenes where The Rock, with his top-knot ponytail and overly buff physique sort of resembles Apocalypse without the blue facepaint.

Personally, I liked the artwork in "The Rise of Apocalypse". The lush character design and splash-page layouts tend to grab your attention.

Unfortunately, the story detracts from the experience as much as the artwork enhances it. As the other reviewer said, it's pretty poorly written. Apocalypse, who is (was) supposed to be one of the Marvel Universe's most powerful villians doesn't even get a decent backstory in his own origin. Terry Cavanaugh does a horrible job illustrating Apocalypse's mutant ability and an even worse job explaining the spark that sets off his millenia-old war on humanity.

Still...it's fun to look at. I'd give it 2.5 stars for the artwork alone.

Rating:
Summary: Poor comic book writing
Review: Terry Kavanagh is one writer who does the most uninteresting stories in comics. He gave us the Spider-clone saga and a teenage Iron Man. This story where he supposedly gives us the origin of one of the X-Men's most dangerous foes has now been contradicted by current stories going on in the X-Men comics and must be placed as one of those false lead stoires like those that have shown Wolverine's origins,