Nathanial Essex tried for over a century to rid the world of Apocalypse and his kin, using mutants as his weapons of choice while he acted as a shadowy puppet master all while pushing his genetic research further and further. His efforts were thwarted when a rejuvenated Apocalypse mortally wounded him, but unknown to everyone, he had a far more diabolical failsafe in place than anyone would ever realize...
Tasked with wiping out an entire lineage of Apocalypse's descendants, the secret group known as the Clan Akkaba, Adam Essex believes he must avenge his father's death by any means necessary. But is he his father's puppet, or is he his own man—free to have a life outside of his mission?
A mortal enemy and later teammate of the X-Men, Victor Creed possesses enhanced healing, animal-keen senses, and bone claws that protrude from his fingertips. Once an associate of Mr. Sinister, Sabretooth has taken a slight detour on his path to redemption and taken it upon himself to train Adam Essex in the art of assassination.
A runaway with ties to both Sinister and Nate Grey, Melody Jacobs can absorb the necroplasmic energy of individuals that are dying and discharge that energy as destructive blasts. After being killed by Madelyne Pryor, she also discovered an unexpected ability—zombie creation. The side-effects of her powers and being able to sustain herself on the death of others have forced her to ally herself with Adam Essex for her very sanity.