The ThunderCats comic from Dynamite Entertainment has rebooted the classic fantasy franchise with some new twists. One such twist is Apex, a mysterious masked villain with unexplained powers. However, the mystery behind Apex and his identity was solved in the closing pages of the ThunderCats: Apex #1 special.
Written by Ed Brisson, with art by Rafa Lobosco, ThunderCats Apex #1 centered around the masked figure and their current whereabouts. When Apex was introduced in the monthly series, a time-displaced Tigra stopped them from robbing the Treasure Vault of Thundera. While this attempt failed, it was still impressive given the Vault was located in an extradimensional space. Apex was unknown to both Tigra and Claudius, then Lord of the ThunderCats and father of Lion-O. Claudius used his power to return Tigra to his proper time but bid him not to speak of what he had seen to his allies.
ThunderCats: Apex #1 places the mysterious figure on Third Earth in the present day. As Apex seeks out the Molemaster, we learn something about his powers and his past. He is confirmed to be a time traveler, explaining his presence on Thundera before it was destroyed. Apex is also confirmed to be a cat-man who wears the robes of a ThunderCat noble. Apex is further shown to be a sorcerer, who calls upon the Ancient Spirits of Evil to empower himself. Most tellingly, however, he carries the Eye of Thundera and safeguards the Book of Omens.
Apex is a future version of ThunderCats Lion-O
When Apex finally tracks down Molemaster, he reveals himself to be an older, more vicious version of the ThunderCats leader, Lion-O. Apparently, a war eventually arose between the Lion-O’s people and the mutant refugees of Plun-Darr stranded on Third Earth. The war did not end well, and only Lion-O survived by escaping into the time stream. The comic ends with Apex slaying Molemaster and taking command of his people, determined to avert the coming war. It will be interesting to see how this revelation plays out in the monthly ThunderCats series.
ThunderCats: Apex #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
