Age of Apocalypse Part 20
Universe X Issue 2
Written by Scott Lobdell & Terry Kavanagh
Art by Carlos Pacheco & Terry Dodson
Inks by Cam Smith & Rob Riggs
Lettered by Starkings & Comicraft
This chapter opens with couple named Marta and Rafe sharing a private moment; and discussion about the current state of their world. Namely Mikhail, the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse’s arrival; and offer his offer to upgrade humans to be equals to mutants. Their conversation takes place amongst a crowd of humans moving to transports that will lead them up to Mikhail’s spaceship looking transport. We do not get a definite conclusion to their conversation as we are given more exposition that it has been a week since the end of our last issue.
Cut To:
Inside the transport within one of the laboratories is a prone figure of Tony Stark being tortured, to see if he is compatible for the human upgrade process. Due to his own unique techno-organs Mikhail believed that Tony is a prime candidate for the first of the human council member to be upgraded.
Above him in their own stasis pods; are the rest of the council members and humans that were brought into the ship when it first arrived. Although they can not move the others can see and hear everything that goes on.
They witness as a needle is sent into Tony’s chest just a few centimeters from the techno-heart that he has in his body. Tony screams in pain as it slides into him.
Elsewhere:
The bridge of Mikhail's transport, the enhanced human Matt Murdock looks over his captive mutant, Empath. Empath is responsible for the humans complacency; as he is influencing them on an emotional level. Murdock is our point of exposition as to the upgrade process. Explaining that he is the first human to survive the upgrade process out of thousands that had perished during the testing phase.
Cut To:
The shattered husk of Big Ben, the latest Representatives of the Human High Council are meeting to discuss the future of the humans. How best to repair the rift between Pro and Anti-mutant parties. We are introduced to the three representatives Thunderbolt Ross, Moira and Bolivar Trask.
Ross’ opinion of the matter is the pro mutant party are traitors to the human way of life and should be treated as such. As he voices this opinion Mikhail the fourth horseman of the apocalypse walks into the meeting.
Mikhail’s presence is to discuss that state of mutant and human affairs in all of Europe. He of course see’s himself as ruler of all of Europe and voices a very angry and impatient speech. Which is full of more force than his prior speech in issue 1.
Back in the upgrade Lab:
Tony Stark’s body is being ravaged by the Upgrade machine and the implants that are being placed within his body are being attacked by the “primitive” tech that Tony already has installed. The effect of which creates a feedback loop within the Machine and the entire ship which temporarily shuts down several systems within the ship. Namely the cell blocks that all the humans are in. Along with this, the effect makes Tony have a heart attack.
Thankfully the prison system shuts down as well and releases the Resistance Leaders. Who are able to get Donald Blake out of a stasis pod. Donald quickly runs to Tony with a hypodermic needle full of adrenaline to jump start Tony’s heart. Very similar to the scene in Pulp Fiction.
Now with Tony revived, the Resistance group make their way through the ship to any place that they can get weapons and strategize. Conveniently they come across the armory that just happens to be storing their own weapons and tech. After they have suited up they discuss the next plan of action.
The group makes plans to split up. Von Doom and Blake will head back to the remainder of the high council and report their findings. Gwen and Tony will take out the Mikhail’s transport. While Sue and Ben will get the Human Fleet moving again.
Cut To:
Two speeder bikes come blasting out of the transport ship with four of our Heroes.
Meanwhile:
A human revolt below the transport is being lead by the man once called Bullseye. The humans make a great push against the mutants but their forces aren’t much of a match for the empowered mutants. Then suddenly a blaster bolt slams into one of the mutant enforcer vehicles by the speeder bike containing Ben and Sue.
Back on the Transport:
Tony Stark and Gwen Stacy attack the Bridge to take over the ship. After knocking out the crew, because good guys don’t kill. Stark makes his way to the controls and asks Gwen to keep an eye out the door to deter any possible parties.
However, his request is cut short when it is revealed that the Hulk was actually right behind Gwen and knocked her out. The Hulk is standing in the doorway looking ominous as he holds a silenced Gwen in his arms.
Cut To:
Human high council meeting is in full swing debate. Arguments continue with Mikhail; as Donald Blake enters the room. Donald confronts Mikhail, and reports to the council of the upgrade program really killing humans.
At this Mikhail has had enough and summons his personal police squad. A squad composed of upgraded humans. One of which is the human woman from the beginning of the story, Marta. Mikhail orders the upgrades to kill the council members. At first the upgrades refuse, and as one has a gun trained on Moira ; Mikhail takes control of their systems and forces him to fire. Thus shooting Moir dead.
From outside a shot is fired and takes out the enforcer and we see Von Doom in a hover vehicle.
Cut to:
The streets below Mikhail’s transport is running rampant with Chaos. Human and mutant machines are fighting in the street. We see Rafe and his child attempting to feel the chaos.
Meanwhile:
Back on the floating transport:
Empath is rolling with pain and fear as he is feeling all the emotions of the suffering humans down below. Murdock “see’s “ this and tells the young man to stop tearing himself apart. As Murdock uses a poor attempt to comfort the young mutant. His hand brushes along Empaths and causes him to feel all the pain and anguish .
This deeply affects Murdock and causes him to fall to his knees and ask for forgiveness from any higher being out there. This touch also causes empath to stop his influence over the populace.
Cut To :
The streets below Citizens are no longer under the influence of Empath and join the other humans in rebelling against Mikhail’s army. Rafe and his child are caught between the opposing forces and Rafe is shot and left for dead.
Thankfully Ben Grimm just happens to be in the right place at the right time and saves the infant child from a similar fate. While escaping from the enforcers Ben makes his way across roof tops to get to his airship.
Finally:
This issue has dragged on long enough. Donald blake mentally snaps and attacks Mikhail pushing them both out the window of big ben. Tony finds out the apocalypse has sent out his attack force. Which causes the hulk to again join their side. Ben Grimm manages to get on board but not before he is shot.
The entire fleet take off in the hopes of finding someplace better to live.
THOUGHTS ON THE STORY
First half of book is well developed but second half feels rushed. The Story seemed to have been laid out and concevied by one writer then half way through was handed over to another to finish. This story really doesn't affect the overall story in the Age of Apocalypse, a reader could skip this story all together and it would hurt the overall plot.
ART:
There are two comparable artists on the book and in first read through I hadn’t notice the change at the split in the book . Now that i’ve absorbed it more i can clear see a difference between the artist
.
Score 6.5 out of 10
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