APOCALYPSE versus HIGH EVOLUTIONARY

Unnatural Selection (Marvel)
Where: X-Factor Annual #3 When: 1988
Why: Louise Simonson How: Terry Shoemaker

The Story So Far...
Since the 1920s, Dr. Herbert Wyndham has held a fascination for genetics and evolution. Experimentation on his own makeup transformed him into the brilliant High Evolutionary, whose agenda to advance humanity has led to many amazing discoveries -- and atrocities!

In subterranean caverns weaving deep beneath the Earth, The High Evolutionary's Purifiers are deployed to extinguish the devolved and primitive bloodline of the Moloids, but from among their mindless ranks rises a mutation capable of organizing their endless armies.

A psychic scream from the mutant Moloid is felt by "sensitives" across the Earth -- including Caliban: loyal hound to an ancient being who would regard the Moloid's struggle as fitness to survive. Now the High Evolutionary's tampering must answer to the Darwinistic challenge of Apocalypse!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Apocalypse 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: High Evolutionary 6 (Genius)
Speed: Apocalypse 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Draw 7 (Unstoppable)
Agility: Apocalypse 6 (Rubber)
Fighting: Apocalypse 4 (Trained)
Energy: Draw 5 (Lasers)
Total: Apocalypse 36 (Cosmic)

You think just because a couple of guys aced AP Bio they can't start somethin'?

The differences of their abilities are almost secondary to the contrast of their beliefs. They both observe life on Earth with a goal towards advancement, and at times their methodology is not all that different, but for the ancient mutant called Apocalypse, there is great difference between natural and unnatural selection!

The High Evolutionary was once a mortal Englishman, Dr. Herbert Wydnham on scholarship to Oxford University, whose study of genetics led him to evolve into a being of vast knowledge, perspective, and power.

Wyndham has experienced life as a neanderthal and demi-god, commanding his Evolutionary Accelerator from bases on Wundagore Mountain, and a distant Counter-Earth, where he resided with animals evolved into a breed of New Men -- part of his efforts to study and contrive the advanced progress of humanity.

His distinct suit of armor houses the best of his technologies, granting the High Evolutionary varying degrees of super-human strength, durability, and an arsenal of weaponry and scientific applications. He'll need them!

Apocalypse is privy to his own array of scientific wonderments, as well as genetic mutations that have allowed him to become strong over centuries of survival -- in total control of his molecular structure and energy projection!

Apocalypse conquered Earth itself in an alternate timeline, and has thought nothing of fighting gods into submission. Will his challenge of the High Evolutionary go any other way? Let's find out!

The Tape: Apocalypse Ranking: Apocalypse (#138)

What Went Down...

From his vantage point in outer space, The High Evolutionary peers deep beneath the Earth's crust, watching as his Purifiers encounter unexpected resistance from the subterranean moloids. It is not the only unexpected presence to trouble him.

Suddenly from behind beckons the booming voice of an intruder!

There stands the looming figure of Apocalypse and a philosophical quandary concerning the fate of the moloids.

The ancient mutant does not strictly object to the violent treatment of the savage underground race, but En Sabah Nur has seen centuries of survival and evolution, and he aims to bestow upon the brilliant and immortal Evoltuionary the wisdom of patience.

The High Evolutionary narrowly steps clear of a massive energy blast that rips through his powerful computers!

Challenging Apocalypse's arrogance, he accuses the ancient mutant of showing his own impatience in his attack.

The Evolutionary returns fire with massive blasts from his hands that rip through the moon-like facade of his own space station!

The pair are sucked into the void of space, but neither man would be so unevolved to concern himself with the triviality of oxygen.

While the High Evolutionary drifts unaffected, Apocalypse shifts his molecules to become a living bio-mechanical space suit!

High Evolutionary speaks of his own path, experiencing life as both animal and demi-god. He blasts more energy at Apocalypse, who exerts control over his form sufficient to jet himself clear of the danger with ankle-mounted boosters.

Apocalypse rejects the "unnatural selection" of High Evolutionary's efforts to sterilize those he deems unfit. He would see time weed out the weak, and advance the strong, allowing them to exceed and escape the presumed dead ends High Evolutionary arrogantly predicts.

Apocalypse extends his reach toward the High Evolutionary, stretching and contorting his arm to become a gigantic mechanical vice!

He grips the Evolutionary by the torso and draws him closer, inviting the scientist's scorn: "I recognize you, Apocalypse. Your claims... to encourage the growth of the strong... is at variance with your deeds. I consider you a villain of the first order."

The ancient mutant laughs uproariously, claiming everything he does tests human and mutantkind: "-- a trial by fire in which humanity grows strong as a species... or dies."

High Evolutionary wrestles with Apocalypse's body and ideas, grabbing at the mutant's arms, while Apocalypse grasps at his magenta face plate. The scientist works to break the stalemate by rapidly increasing his size!

Looming over Apocalypse, the High Evolutionary describes himself as a benevolent parent making choices for an immature humanity. A claim Apocalypse scoffs at, seeing the Evolutionary as merely attempting to remake them in his own image.

"Your own evolution was forced... and see what you've become. Disembodied... For all your power, with only that armor to give you the semblance of substance. You are a creature of the living dead... Who can no longer reproduce himself... The ultimate genetic dead end!"

Apocalypse dodges a massive energy blast from High Evolutionary's super-sized gauntlet, swinging his own enlarged clamp-hand like a battering ram into the giant target of The Evolutionary's mid-section!

For a moment the High Evolutionary is flung through space, but when he completely disappears Apocalypse knows his gambit. He can see through his invisibility and ensnare him in extending tendrils.

With the High Evolutionary in his grasp, Apocalypse uses his vast resources to teleport the both of them to the subterranean tunnels of the moloids.

There, he intends them to bare personal witness to the battle between The Purifiers, moloids, and their recruited allies -- the mutants of X-Factor!

Watching from a shadowy outcrop over the inner chamber, the High Evolutionary continues to regard the telepathic moloid rallying his people as little more than an animal acting without conscious, creative thought. A notion that will soon be challenged, even if the physical battle between he and Apocalypse is at an end.

The Hammer...

What a fantastic struggle! Not just the clash of super-powers, but the collision of philosophies! The debate is more compelling than the trading of blows, and not just because it renders something approaching a result.

At times Apocalypse wasn't always everything I hoped he would be -- especially in those early days. Sometimes he's a little too willing to roll around in the mud, a little too corny in his villainy to fulfill those big ideas of Darwinist malevolence.

I like an Apocalypse who is lofty in his ideals, coldly grandiose in his speech, and upright and strong in his bearing. Still very much the villain in the potential of his schemes, but somewhat aloof in his actions. He isn't quite that as he swings oversized novelty limbs in space, but the character study is compelling.

In X-Factor Annual #3 it feels as if Louise Simonson is taking the slightly awkward premise of The Evolutionary War -- Marvel's 1988 crossover through various series' Annuals, including The Punisher and Silver Surfer -- and spinning it into an excellent opportunity to examine her recurring antagonist.

I enjoy the way Apocalypse almost assumes the conceit of a hero here, coming to the aid of a lowly moloid whose life the reader might be willing to disregard, even if they feel compassion towards his plight.

Apocalypse is seen to note that he doesn't outright object to the hostile treatment endured by the primitive moloids, but he will defend the emerging potential of a fledgling mutant whose powers present a greater will to survive, and oppose the sterilization of the species.

It's an interesting premise, and a good demonstration of the differences between Apocalypse and High Evolutionary, who might otherwise appear similar in their grand objectives, if inconsistent from appearance to appearance.

The distinctions can get a little slippery, especially over time, but in essence, the High Evolutionary is a practicing supremacist, attempting to reach a pre-determined outcome for humanity through bio-engineering, while Apocalypse is in theory more of an equal opportunity offender, uniquely interested in mutation, and intent on provoking accelerated natural selection through periodic stress tests.

This might seem contradictory when we look at Apocalypse's meddling with the genetics of characters like Warren Worthington, the Angel remade as his Horseman of Death, but we must also remember that these characters are not strictly adherent to the ideas we associate them with. They are also presented to be living characters, with selfish motivations such as the creation of servants, and may be seen to change their mind or approach, from time to time.

Although High Evolutionary remains committed in his convictions and desire to share company with those similar to himself, it's nice that he acknowledges, in his private thoughts, that the mutant moloid, now going by Val-Or, earned a reprieve for he and his people, who once served The Evolutionary himself, and helped build his citadel on Wundagore Mountain. That's gratitude for ya!

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Winner: Inconclusive (Draw)
#129 (+9) Apocalypse
#496 (new) High Evolutionary

APOCALYPSE versus LOKI

Meanwhile, On Earth... (Marvel)
Where: X-Factor #50 When: January 1990
Why: Louise Simonson How: Terry Shoemaker

The Story So Far...
Plotting the ultimate revenge against his brother Thor and the mighty Avengers -- Loki disguises himself to approach some of the world's most powerful villains and coerce them into joining his coordinated Acts of Vengeance!

The promise of defeating adversaries by deploying villains they've never faced appeals to some of the world's most powerful criminal masterminds, but not everyone is so easily convinced. The ancient mutant Apocalypse has watched their actions from afar, and when Loki arrives to recruit him -- he is less than reciprocal!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Apocalypse 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Draw 5 (Professor)
Speed: Draw 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Apocalypse 7 (Unstoppable)
Agility: Apocalypse 6 (Rubber)
Fighting: Apocalypse 4 (Trained)
Energy: Loki 6 (Mass Destruction)
Total: Apocalypse 36 (Cosmic)

It's not often Apocalypse faces an opponent who's older than he is, but should the ancient mutant be humbled in the presence of Loki? Not necessarily...

The Asgardian god of mischief often favors pulling the strings of others to achieve his goals without getting his own hands dirty. That's exactly what brought about the Acts of Vengeance, and today's attempt to recruit Apocalypse into a cabal that includes Doctor Doom, Magneto, Red Skull, Mandarin, Kingpin, and The Wizard!

Apocalypse is something of a manipulator himself, but his penchant for recruiting Four Horsemen in no way reflects upon his own willingness to live by a philosophy of survival of the fittest.

The hardships of many centuries evolved En Sabah Nur from a pallid child in the sands of Ancient Egypt, to a techno-organic powerhouse modified by Celestial technology, and in total molecular control of his body! We saw him extend limbs, distort his figure, and unleash powerful energy blasts in Uncanny X-Men #295!

As much as Loki may appear to be a conniving coward at times, he also possess considerable power of his own. When pushed to fight he's capable of unleashing a variety of destructive energy-based attacks and enchantments.

We saw all of Loki's skills on display when he tricked the Thor of the Heroes Reborn pocket universe into joining him in a fight against the Avengers!

In theory Loki should lord over most mortals, but Apocalypse is one man who has convened with even greater cosmic powers than a god. Its difficult to imagine how even Loki's most malignant curses could suppress his will to survive.

The Tape: Apocalypse Ranking: Apocalypse (#378)

What Went Down...

Beneath the towering gaze of Apocalypse stands a mysterious man in a grey flannel suit. He has slick black hair, and brings an offer with no clear benefit...

This man invites the ancient mutant to join his so-called "Acts of Vengeance": a scheme Apocalypse has watched unfold from afar. He has seen through the self-styled servant, recognizing him as the true mastermind who manipulates a cabal of Earth's deadliest villains against a gallery of unsuspecting opponents.

Apocalypse shapes his hand into an extending mechanical vice and snatches the interloper off his feet! He wants to know who this man really is and what he hopes to gain from the "absurdity" of his mischievous game.

A "snap" of energy transforms the mystery man -- revealing the true guise of Loki!

The god of lies & mischief leaps from Apocalypse's grasp and chides him for questioning his right to "annoy the heroes of Earth". He fires a spiteful question of his own: "By what idiocy dost thou, a mutant mortal, hope to imprison a god?"

Loki accompanies his words with a potent blast of energy that knocks Apocalypse off his feet. A minor inconvenience for a mutant in complete control of his physical form. He taunts Loki with his own responsibility for creating his hated Avengers.

Loki glides overhead as Apocalypse falls and tempts the mutant with the promise that others such as X-Factor and the New Mutants will feel the wrath of his conspiracy, just as the Avengers have.

Apocalypse wraps his flattened arm around a metal strut, stopping his descent while transforming his other into an energy cannon.

The ancient mutant fires at the airborne god whilst advocating for humanity's defiant courage.

He deems the petty self-interest of Loki's "master villains" an inevitability of mortal will, which resists the death that begins with their very first breath. The "Acts of Vengeance" has already failed -- and it could be no other way.

Loki darts between the exploding bursts of energy, and dismisses En Sabah Nur's flattering observations of humanity -- indignantly insisting he could crush them!

He's unprepared when Apocalypse suddenly blocks his aerial path -- rising as a rocket-shaped monolith that challenges his godly power!

Loki falls to the floor, momentarily humbled.

Apocalypse reminds the mischief-maker that he too has lived as a god. His perspective is formed from centuries above, and among, humanity. He has felt the glow of worship and continues to receive the power of others' faith.

With that -- one of Apocalypse's true believers emerges from the shadows!

Caliban thrashes Loki from behind with his hand -- confirming the power he has gained from his worship of Apocalypse!

Loki braces his back and views the "servant" with scorn: "Who are you creature, to interrupt your betters?"

He summons a mystic bolt to engulf Caliban in a golden flame, but suddenly it's Loki finds himself surrounded by an inexplicable energy!

The distraction provided by Caliban allowed Apocalypse to activate a machine harnessing ancient Celestial technology. Its power is awesome enough to trap even a god within its field -- helpless like so much as an insect caught in a jar.

The energy field's draining effects are a metaphor for Apocalypse's outlook for the future threats facing mankind. He delivers a sermon, rejecting Loki's attempted manipulations, and declaring him an enemy of a humanity who will be tempered like steel until they can challenge even gods!

Loki declares himself unafraid of such threats. and uses his godly magicks to disappear from the confines of his energy-based bondage -- and appear on a towering monitor screen.

"I am simply ending a discussion that had become tedious... and pointless. Your humans will not survive long enough to challenge the gods, Apocalypse, and you, so proud of your wisdom, are a fool. Dare to oppose me... or my plans... and you will join your human race in death."

Loki shatters the screen, but doesn't damage Apocalypse's unwavering confidence in his plans to send Caliban to test humanity's worthy survivors.

The Hammer...

With Acts of Vengeance Marvel unleashed an early banner event with a simple but effective high concept premise: heroes are confronted by villains they wouldn't ordinarily face. The result was a range of memorable and interesting match-ups, such as Magneto vs Spider-Man, and Freedom Force vs The Avengers.

It was all initiated by Loki: who tricked some of Marvel's most powerful master criminals into pooling their resources into a conspiracy to create a major paradigm shift. A lofty revenge scheme that also successfully roped in Doctor Doom, Magneto, Red Skull, The Mandarin, Kingpin, and The Wizard!

There were a few holdouts and omissions from the line-wide event. Sebastian Shaw became an unwitting participant in an "Aftermath" issue when Loki fused his Sentinels into the towering, nuclear-powered destroyer called Tri-Sentinel. That was also one of the cosmic-powered Spidey issues that were instant favourites.

There was a lot going on in comics of the time, and Acts of Vengeance was a fairly loose crossover for the era. Some key issues dealt with core developments in the master villain's plot, but for the most part, it was a collection of unusual guest spots that added extra flavour and excitement to on-going storylines.

X-Factor #50 is a prime example: predominantly dedicated to the Judgement War sci-fi/fantasy epic that took the titular team to a distant, unnamed planet watched by Celestials. A space adventure that kept them out of Loki's reaches.

The series' late involvement was instead reserved for arch-nemesis Apocalypse, who's shown already watching the unusual shift in villainous alliances, in X-Factor #49 [pictured below].

It's one of those classic comic book scenes that captures the excitement of the event by showing the likes of Hobgoblin and Kingpin in an X-book. Highly unusual at a time when villains were still typically kept contained by their respective heroic nemeses', and editorial houses. It tickles the imagination and invites a reader to seek out characters they might not know a lot about. Good comics!

Apocalypse wonders if the unusual movements of Acts of Vengeance might be a sign of the coming "Armageddon" his Darwinian schemes aim to prepare for.

I particularly like that he first notes the contradictory combination of Holocaust survivor Magneto, and World Ward II Nazi scumbag Red Skull. Strange bedfellows  eventually addressed in Captain America -- a future feature fight, to be sure.

When the disguised Loki appears before Apocalypse via observation monitors, it seems like he's going to recruit another powerful ally. As we've already seen: it actually erupts into another exciting battle between villains, filling the final six pages of X-Factor's milestone fiftieth issue with an unusual clash of titans.

Apocalypse became a more overtly evil figure in later years, most notably when he achieved global domination in the grim alternate-timeline of the Age of Apocalypse. It could be forgotten that there was a glimmer of altruism in his original grand design for empowering humanity through survival of the fittest. An aspect of his goals that got a little lost along the way.

It's nice to revisit a story where he very clearly outlines his broad philosophy, and declares a god like Loki an enemy of humanity whose defeat is the end goal of his success. A good bit of character work, and a nice way to set the fight up while also keeping Acts of Vengeance more central to non-mutant characters. There had been multiple X-Men-centric crossovers before this one.

If you'd like to get acquainted with Apocalypse and today's featured fight in its entirety you can find it collected in Acts of Vengeance: Spider-Man & X-Men or as part of Essential X-Factor Volume 3. Use the Amazon purchase links provided below to do any of your online shopping and you'll not only get a good deal delivered to your door -- you'll help support the site at no extra cost!

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Winner: Apocalypse (w/ Caliban)
#130 (+248) Apocalypse
#613 (new) Caliban [+1 assist]
#968 (-244) Loki