REVIEW: 'X-Men' #19 - The Rise Of Revelation

When people talk about the X-Men, Doug Ramsey rarely comes up. Among the many powerful and flashy mutants, he tends to fly under the radar. His mutation, an intuitive understanding of all languages, isn’t exactly showy, and he doesn’t transform or shoot lasers. But Doug’s role has been quietly pivotal, most notably in helping create the Krakoan language and serving as the voice of the living island itself. That’s why it was so intriguing when he fell under Apocalypse’s mentorship during last year’s Heir of Apocalypse event. Doug survived and was changed. Now, he returns not just as himself, but as Revelation.

This issue does a great job bringing readers up to speed, even if they missed last year’s mini-event. Doug is now living in relative isolation with his wife, Bei the Blood Moon, a formidable Arakkii mutant whose power is so alien that even Doug’s linguistic gifts can’t fully decipher her and Warlock, his longtime technarch companion. Together, they’ve been quietly exploring what it means for Doug to follow Apocalypse’s philosophy of “survival of the fittest.” But Doug, ever the logical one, questions the failures of Apocalypse’s past and aims to forge a new path. One based not on disciples, but perhaps on family.

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Their introspection doesn’t last long as a group of armed agents in unmarked uniforms suddenly surrounds their home. Earlier, Bei reminded Doug that as an Arakkii, her culture and philosophy were different from his, as she quickly leaps into action to defend him. Her instincts are to fight first, not ponder. As she dispatches the intruders outside, one slips in and incapacitates Warlock, putting a gun to Doug’s head.

This is the moment I’d been waiting for: what had Apocalypse really done to Doug? What did being Revelation mean? The answer lands with eerie calm as Doug simply commands the agent from Z.E.R.O. to turn the gun on himself, his eyes, and the textbook changing to emphasize his power and influence. And I have to admit, I was nervous he’d force the man to pull the trigger. Instead, what follows may be even more harrowing. Bei unleashes her mutant ability—the Doom Note—a devastating sonic blast capable of leveling mountains. She fires it straight through the building, obliterating the man holding Doug hostage, leaving only his foot as remains. It’s brutal, jarring, and effective.

Bei then tells Doug something important: as Revelation, as the heir to Apocalypse, he now carries real power. People, including himself, need to start treating him like it. It's a sharp reminder that the road ahead will be darker, more dangerous, and that Doug’s new role isn’t just symbolic—it’s transformative.

This was a fantastic issue. It sets the stage for a story that won’t just challenge Cyclops and the current X-Men team but may shake the foundations of mutantkind itself. Doug has always been an unlikely player in the grander schemes of mutant politics, which makes his rise as Revelation all the more compelling. With MacKay at the helm, I’m genuinely excited to see where this goes and what trials await our favorite mutants in the chapters to come.

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About X-Men #19

Release Date: July 02, 2025

Written by: Jed MacKay

Art by: Netho Diaz

Cover by: Ryan Stegman

Page Count: 26

Synopsis: Doug Ramsey, the heir to Apocalypse known as REVELATION, has a mission: to carry on the great work. But in trying to create the Great Work of a new world, the first steps are the hardest to plot. And will he be given an opportunity before this dream is strangled in its cradle?