X-Men Unlocks a Beloved Hero's Ultimate Form in God-Tier Redesign 40 Years in the Making

Summary Cypher is transformed into Revelation, a golden clone of Apocalypse, in X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #4.

Doug Ramsey, previously known for supporting roles, now wields powerful Celestial technology.

Fans have mixed feelings about Revelation's drastic visual change.

Warning: contains spoilers for X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #4The great and terrible Apocalypse has finally chosen a fated successor, as the former X-Men hero Cypher is officially named the Heir of Apocalypse. To go along with Doug Ramsey's new name - Revelation - the beloved hero has also been given a major upgrade courtesy of En Sabah Nur, one that was immediately controversial to many fans.

For eons now, Apocalypse has used his powerful Celestial technology to transform disciples of his into god-tier versions of their former selves, including iconic characters like Angel, Wolverine, Mister Sinister, and Exodus.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #4, from writer Steve Foxe with gorgeous art by Netho Diaz, sees Cypher chosen as En Sabah Nur's successor, before he is greatly enhanced by the Celestial tech, turning fan-favorite Douglas into a golden clone of Apocalypse.

Cypher's Transformation Into Revelation Is A Truly Shocking Change

Douglas Ramsey has never been seen as a fighter before

Doug Ramsey first debuted in 1983's New Mutants #13 as a nerdy tech wiz who was close friends with Kate Pryde, before it was revealed that he was an omnilingual mutant. Since his introduction, Cypher has had very few design changes, and has continually been seen as a supportive or defensive hero, since his powers were rarely used in battle. Doug played a major role in the Krakoan Era, as the Voice of Krakoa for the Quiet Council, and participated in the X of Swords tournament, where he met and married his wife Bei the Blood Moon.

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After Ramsey gets out of En Sabah Nur's Celestial transformer, the previously slight young man is now massive, with white skin, golden hair, and truly huge muscles. Doug was always seen as physically weak, so it is shocking to see the linguist with such an impressive physique, and it is also surprising that Marvel would change his visual design so drastically. When Apocalypse has transformed other characters in the past, they have all kept some of their original designs, but there is barely any part of Cypher that remains in Revelation's updated appearance.

Fans Have Mixed Feelings About Revelation's Reveal

Thankfully, Warlock and Bei are standing right beside Doug

Whenever Marvel makes a major change to heroic lore, with bold design updates, there are always mixed feelings from fans, and the reactions divisive at times. Some fans seem to appreciate the choice to make Doug a "Big Bad" - and Netho Diaz's incredible illustration - but wish that Revelation's design had mor reminders of Cypher's classic look. It would have been amazing to see Doug's Celestial armor imbued with Warlock, who he has worn as armor many times in the past, but at the very least, both Warlock and Bei are Revelation's first "disciples" as the Heir to Apocalypse.

It is exciting that Doug Ramsey has been given the opportunity to evolve as a character and an iconic X-Man, and hopefully fans of the beloved hero will grow to love Doug's bold new look, as he forges a new path for himself in Apocalypse's shadow.

X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse #4 from Marvel Comics is available now in stores.