Marvel's Tomb of Apocalypse #1 introduces a striking visual overhaul for X-Force member Shatterstar. While Wolverine and Jubilee navigate a hidden facility, Shatterstar and Rictor act as enforcers for the villain Apocalypse, though their true motivations remain hidden.
A streamlined red and black aesthetic for the 1991 warrior
Shatterstar’s new look moves away from the cluttered designs typical of the 1990s. As reported by the source, the character now sports a black top and chaps paired with white pants and a red cloak. This cohesive silhouette, brought to life by creators Ashley Allen , Domenico Carbone, Fernando Sifuentes, and Joe Sabino, emphasizes his role as a "ninja badass" rather than a cluttered relic of past eras. This redesign is considered a significant improvement over his previous iterations, including the attempt to simplify his look in his 2018 solo series.
The visual update complements his established combat repertoire. Shatterstar continues to utilize his signature swords to channel sonic blasts and cut X-shaped teleportation portals through the air. While these abilities remain potent, they continue to be a source of physical exhaustion for the Mojoworld-born warrior.
Rictor’s Krakoan magic ties to Apocalypse
The alliance between the X-Force duo and the villain Apocalypse stems from Rictor's unique history. The report notes that Rictor studied magic under Apocalypse during the Krakoan Era ,which provides a logical, if uneasy, bridge for Shatterstar to act as an enforcer. This complicates the mission for Wolverine and Jubilee,who are currently attempting to expel Hydra-backed raiders from the ancient tomb.
This mission occurs at a pivotal moment for the villain himself. According to the report, Apocalypse has recently admitted that his "Survival of the Fittest" philosophy failed mutantkind, leading him to retire to Mars. He has been replaced by his successor, Revelation, also known as Doug Ramsey. While Apocalypse is reluctant to return to Earth to protect his tomb, he has made it clear to Jubilee that he will intervene with extreme prejudice if the invaders are not expelled.
The tension between Liefeld’s vision and modern X-Force lore
Shatterstar’s evolution from an emotionless Mojoworld gladiator to a romantic partner of Rictor remains a point of contention in Marvel history. co-creator Rob Liefeld previously expressed a desire to return the character to an asexual, conflict-driven state, a sentiment echoed in the 2023 introduction of the character Shatterstorm in Deadpool: Badder Blood. however, modern storytelling has embraced his humanized identity, a trend that seems to continue even as he takes on this new, darker role.
The mystery of the secret aims in issue #3
Despite the current mission, the true objectives of Shatterstar and Rictor remain unverified. While they are ostensibly working for Apocalypse, the summary for Tomb of Apocalypse #3 suggests the pair has "secret aims" for the ancient base. It remains to be seen whether they are truly loyal to the villain or if they are merely using his protection to pursue a different agenda, especially as the threat of Apocalypse's Horsemen looms over the facility.
Comments 0