Age of Apocalypse Overrated?

[Loganalpha75]

So I am considering buying all of the AoA issues or an Omnibus. Some time and money and I want to know if it is worth it. Any thoughts?

[norwichchris]

In my opinion yes it is the story is one of the best X-Men stories ever told full of plot twists and dark takes on characters. Think of it as an alternate way to look at what different path classic characters could have taken if they had not met Xavier, it also affects all marvel characters as well.

It also explains the reason why the X-Men exist in the first place.

[Jindianajonz]

Strong recommend. AoA is easily the most impressive crossover the X-line has ever seen. It's peak 90s, while at the same time avoiding the common pitfalls of the 90s: it was cohesive with smart handoffs between the titles, had a strong storyline that wasn't subservient to the art, each title had a purpose in the grand scheme of the narrative, etc.

What's even more amazing is that this crossover spanned, by my count, 34 core issues (4 issues each of 8 main titles and the bookends Alpha and Omega)- it was absolutely massive. Even the non-core titles (X-Universe and X-Men Chronicles) are solid, if weaker by comparison, and if you really want to go completionist, be sure to hunt down the Age of Apocalypse: The Chosen one shot, which provides 3 pages of easily skipable story and data files of Apocalypse's musings on the characters of this world (Side question: Aside from this and Stryfe's Strike File, did any other crossovers get books like this?)

What's funny about this crossover is that it seems tailored to existing fans of the books- after all, how can a dark twist on characters work for somebody who isn't familiar with the originals? But somehow, AoA manages- it was the series that really got me hooked on comics when it came out in the 90s, and it was my girlfriends introduction to the X-World a few years ago.

[AntiBody]

It's a tremendous story, one of the best ever told in X-Men history. It was groundbreaking for its time and still holds up well. I just got the omnibus and the companion omnibus recently and I can't wait to dig in again!

[Loganalpha75]

Well that's three positive responses in a row. I just bought the entire run in floppies on ebay. Looking forward to reading them.

[Loganalpha75]

I just read the first 10 prelude issues. Mostly the Legion Quest storyline. Good Stuff. Now reading the main event.

[das_boot]

I loved this crossover. Weirdly, I’ve just re-read some of it again on Unlimited and I have to be honest— I forgot that Generation X had only had 4 issues by the point in time. The Generation Next mini had the same number of issues, and for a newborn title to be paused after only four issues, and then sojourn in to this? Outstanding writing that highlighted the differences between the 616 Gen X kids and the AOA ones.

[norwichchris]

I really miss the 90s comics to be honest they were the best for me loved spiderman-Xmen and wolverine was much cooler. The art was almost always fantastic and storylines often struck a chord with me and it was genuinely good with the AOA and the second best Onslaught saga being the best of the entire decade.