jesus, does anyone not die in the age of apocalypse? banshee, scarlet witch, all of generation x, the entire city of chicago, all of europe…holy shit do a lot of people die in this comic book aimed at readers age 8-15!

of course, it all starts with professor xavier’s son legion going back in time to kill magneto. he misses, killing his father instead and creating a “grandfather paradox” (which is bullshit, but does sound cool). the result of the paradox? apocalypse takes over most of the planet, killing millions of humans and billions of dogs (i assume).

this was, and still is, my favorite summer comic book event. because it took place in an alternate timeline, the writers were free to do pretty much whatever they wanted. crazy, one eyed cyclops? sure. batshit insane colossus and hot leather clad kitty pryde? you got it. a villian literally named “holocaust”? throw it in.

eventually things are returned to normal, but not before everyone bombs everyone else, killing everything. now that’s how you end a comic book!