The Enigma Behind En Sabah Nur: Why He Chose the Name Apocalypse

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Marvel Universe is the mysterious backstory of the character En Sabah Nur, better known as Apocalypse. This ancient mutant has a history steeped in mystery, with his name and the rationale behind it posing many questions. In this article, we'll delve into both the in-universe and out-of-universe explanations surrounding why En Sabah Nur chose to call himself Apocalypse.

Out-of-Universe Explanation

When creating the character of Apocalypse, Marvel writers had a challenging task ahead – they needed a super villain to lead the Alliance of Evil and leave readers and fans surprised and intrigued. The character was first introduced during the early run of the X-Factor series in the mid-1980s, specifically in the first issue of "X-Factor #57" released in 1985. At this time, the name Apocalypse already had a powerful impact, inciting a sense of importance and danger.

The character's full backstory, including his birth name of En Sabah Nur and the origin of his powers, has been gradually revealed over the years. Not until 1993 did writers officially name him En Sabah Nur. His story has expanded further with the introduction of the X of Swords series in 2019, where his origins are explored in depth, alongside the mutants of Arakko.

In-Universe Explanation

According to the in-universe narrative, En Sabah Nur did not adopt the name Apocalypse until his powers fully manifested. During his childhood, En Sabah Nur fought alongside The Sandstormers led by Baal before nearly being killed by Rama-Tut, an alternate version of Kang. In this process, he discovered Celestial technology that would later endow him with his extraordinary powers. When his powers finally blossomed, he chose the name Apocalypse as part of his rebellion against Rama-Tut and the assimilation of the Celestial technology.

The Use of the Word Apocalypse

The word "apocalypse" itself has a rich and complex history, with its usage evolving significantly over time. In ancient Egypt, during the time of Rama-Tut (around 2950 BCE), the word "apocalypse" did not exist in the modern sense. Instead, the term "apokalyptein" in Greek meant "to uncover, disclose, or reveal." Similarly, the Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of St. John) was initially intended more as a revelation or a prophecy rather than a literal description of the end of the world. The Latin translation of "apocalyptein" as "apocalypsis" led to its adoption in English, where it was used for both the act of revealing and the event described in the Book of Revelation. It wasn't until the 1800s that the term began to be used specifically to refer to the end of the world.

Given that En Sabah Nur's time in Egypt predates the usage of the word "apocalypse" in its modern sense, it is intriguing to ponder the linguistic and cultural influences that led him to adopt this name. It is possible that the term he used in ancient Egyptian, though linguistically unrelated to Greek or Indo-European languages, carried a similar meaning of revelation or disclosure.

Conclusion

The choice of the name Apocalypse by En Sabah Nur remains an enigma, blending both ancient history and modern narrative. Whether he intended it to mean "the end of all that is" or if it had a different connotation in his native language is a mystery that continues to captivate fans of the Marvel Universe. As the story of the first mutant continues to unfold, the true meaning of his name remains one of the many intriguing threads in the rich tapestry of the Marvel comics.