Everything just changed for the X-Men, so it’s only fair that their founder Charles Xavier undergoes a transformation of his own. Not only does the former Professor X have a new codename, he also has a life-or-death mission that will decide the fate of mutantkind.
X-Men Reinvents Professor X as ‘The Messenger’
But Why Is He Working with Apocalypse?
In World of Revelation #1‘s ‘The Message,’ Al Ewing, Agustin Alessio and Travis Lanham depict a quest across Mars. A mysterious mutant called only ‘The Messenger’ receives a psychic message from Earth, containing information crucial to defeating the villainous Revelation. To deliver this message, the Messenger travels across the mutant territories of Mars (renamed Arakko) to find an unlikely ally.
Of course, the Messenger is revealed to be Xavier at the story’s end, but fans can be forgiven for not realizing it sooner. Despite it being ten years since Xavier left Earth, he’s in better shape than ever, physically fighting off Arakki mutants who get in his way with a combo of martial arts and what’s revealed to be aggressive telepathic attacks. As the Messenger, Xavier wears a hooded coat and a gas mask with a blue visor.
Eventually, the Messenger arrives at Apocalypse’s palace, where the two debate what they should do about Revelation, aka Doug Ramsey – Xavier’s former student on the New Mutants. While Apocalypse chose Doug as his heir in the X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse series, Apocalypse isn’t happy with what Doug has accomplished as Revelation.
The story is part of X-Men‘s new Age of Revelation event, which had leapt forward ten years to reveal that the formerly heroic Revelation has descended into villainy, unleashing a plague on humanity while establishing his own mutant nation, built on the back of his hypnotic corruption of his fellow mutants. While a few heroes fight on as rebels, it’s likely to take the combined efforts of Xavier and Apocalypse to even potentially bring Revelation down.
Xavier’s New Codename Is the Perfect Choice
While ‘Professor X’ has long been Xavier’s mutant codename, it’s more of an abbreviation than a true mutant name. Calling Xavier ‘the Messenger’ is an interesting choice, echoing both his mission on Mars and his attempt to spread the dream of human/mutant coexistence. Xavier has given his life to that message, even as – in the Age of Revelation – his former student has descecrated everything he believes in.
Xavier’s role was never to achieve his dream in his lifetime, but to spread the belief it was possible. In this sense, calling Xavier ‘the Messenger’ is the same as calling him ‘Professor’ – either way, he’s a person who professes faith in a concept or ideal. However, while a Professor can spread ideas from a classroom, a messenger must travel wherever the message is needed. In this case, that’s to the doorstep of Apocalypse.
X-Men’s New Event Is Leading to Apocalypse vs Revelation
Age of Revelation is a clear tribute to 1995’s Age of Apocalypse, so it’s only right that it seems like the event will come down to Apocalypse vs Revelation. However, even if he attacks Revelation, Apocalypse is no hero, and his main problem with Doug’s devastation of America is that he hasn’t gone far enough. Even if Apocalypse brings down Revelation, it won’t reverse ten years of suffering and corruption.
Fans have begun to suspect that the similarities between Age of Revelation and Age of Apocalypse are a misdirect, intended to make readers think that the event will be easily cleaned up like it never happened. The dominant theory is that, ahead of the X-Men’s appearance in future MCU movies, Marvel is splitting its canon universe, and that Age of Revelation will end by giving the X-Men their own dedicated reality.
If that’s the case, then Apocalypse vs Revelation may not lead to the ‘defeat’ of either villain, but the rupturing of reality, with Xavier playing an essential part in changing the entire future of mutantkind and his beloved X-Men.
World of Revelation #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- Movie(s)
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X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- First Film
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X-Men (2000)
- TV Show(s)
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X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)
- Character(s)
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Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
- Video Game(s)
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X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
- Comic Release Date
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213035,212968
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
