REVIEW: 'X-Men: Book of Revelation' #1 Shows A Dark Future Through New Eyes
- Keith M.
- a few seconds ago
- 3 min read
If you’ve been following X-Men comics for the last few weeks, you may have noticed the landscape has changed. New titles, new creative teams, and a frightening apocalyptic future are the new normal for our heroes.Â
Welcome to the World of Revelation.
X years ago, Apocalypse set something in motion that not even he could predict. En Sabah Nur chose an heir - the heir to Apocalypse, and among all those present, Doug Ramsey of the New Mutants was victorious in claiming the title. Now, known as Revelation, he is carrying out his judgment on the world to see who amongst them really is the fittest to survive or endure.
The premise of this story is very similar to other alternate timeline and alternate future X-Men storylines, only the players are different. Book of Revelation centers on those mutants closest to Revelation, a group known as Choristers, who have the power to amplify the Mutant abilities of others. The story focuses on a new character, a young Mutant named Elbecca Voss, as she is brought to Revelation's headquarters as a replacement for a Chorister who fell at the hands of the X-Men.
The story follows Elbecca as she learns her role alongside Revelation and the danger that position entails. Not just from those who would resist him or do him harm, but even from those among her ranks. It’s no surprise that someone like Fabian Cortez (another Mutant with the ability to empower others) would be amongst Revelation’s ranks, but also an enemy to young Elbecca or any other mutant who could usurp his place close to power.
Fabian’s disdain for Elbecca is clear. He threatens her and warns of a ghostly voice that calls to her at night, but she has bigger problems. Though Revelation may be Apocalypse’s chosen heir, the ancient mutant is clearly unhappy with how things have turned out. He responds with a threat of war, if not death, by sending his son, Death, from Arakko to deliver the warning. This was a standout moment in the issue, especially since we have seen so little of Arakko since the fall of Krakoa and the creative shift at the X-Office.
In the end, Elbecca learns it is not the outside world she must fear, but the new home she’s found herself in. With none of the other Choristers seemingly willing to guide her and Cortez unsurprisingly willing to backstab her to maintain his place of power, the only hope she has seems to come in the form of the mysterious ghost she was formerly terrified of, who may in fact be a hero from the past.
X-Men: Book of Revelation makes itself an interesting read as it not only gives us the perspective of this world from someone who’s only ever known the Age of Revelation but also puts us close to the titular villain of the story. Diaz does an amazing job of conveying the emotions of each character in the story, particularly through their eyes or gaze, and MacKay sets up amazing tension with the conflict between Choristers, Arakko, and the X-Men. While I can’t say I’m a fan of another alternate timeline story for the X-Men, I am at least a bit intrigued to learn the fate of Elbecca and the mysteries she’s sure to unravel about the Age of Revelation along the way.
About X-Men: Book of Revelation #1
Release Date:Â October 22, 2025
Written by:Â Jed MacKay
Art by: Netho Diaz
Cover by: Netho Diaz
Page Count: 27
Synopsis:Â THE GAME OF POWER COMMENCES! X YEARS LATER, after the assassination of one of his prized Choristers, Revelation welcomes a new mutant to his capital city of Philadelphia. But the capital of the Revelation Territories hides many dangers, not the least of which are her rival Choristers - and Fabian Cortez will allow no one to challenge him for Revelation's favor. But this new mutant has a secret ally - the Ghost of Philadelphia!