Like many of his mutant counterparts, Sunfire was drastically reimagined for "Age of Apocalypse." This alternate reality saw Shiro Yoshida take on a radically different history and visual appearance as a hero, and he was also one of the few mutants whose "Age of Apocalypse" appearances transferred to Earth-616.
The "Age of Apocalypse" Sunfire made his first appearance in 1995's Astonishing X-Men #1, by Scott Lobdell and Joe Madueira. In this universe, Sunfire was part of Magneto's team of X-Men, who fought against Apocalypse. This version of Sunfire was already quite distinct from his Earth-616 counterpart, since the original Sunfire rarely worked alongside the X-Men. Visually, Sunfire also made a drastic departure from his Earth-616 counterpart.
Shiro gained a new suit as the result of a tragic battle against Apocalypse's forces. Holocaust, a Horseman of Apocalypse, destroyed Japan, and afterwards, Apocalypse tormented Shiro by nearly drowning him in the blood of his people. From there, Sunfire was captured and experimented on by the minions of Apocalypse, who pushed his powers to their absolute limit.
The torture which Sunfire experienced severely overtaxed his powers, burning off most of Shiro's skin. The X-Men rescued Sunfire, and Magneto made him a new suit that would contain his powers. This suit was remarkably different from Sunfire's red and white costume on Earth-616, designed primarily as a containment suit rather than a superhero costume.
Years later, in 2005's Rogue #10, by Tony Bedard and Karl Moline, Sunfire experienced a physical trauma similar to his "Age of Apocalypse" counterpart. During a battle with Lady Deathstrike, the villain slashed Sunfire's legs, cutting them off completely.
This sent Sunfire spiraling into a depression, until 2006's X-Men #182, by Peter Milligan and Salvador Larroca, when Apocalypse approached Sunfire about restoring his legs. Apocalypse's offer came at a price, however, turning Sunfire into a Horseman of Apocalypse. Shiro hesitated, but eventually the choice was taken out of his hands. Sunfire was brainwashed into becoming Famine, one of Apocalypse's horseman.
Physically, Sunfire resembled his "Age of Apocalypse" counterpart, with the two looking almost identical. As Famine, Sunfire attacked the X-Men, before Marvel's Mutants captured him and tried to free from the villain's control. Despite these efforts, Sunfire fled from the X-Men after Apocalypse's defeat.
Alongside Gambit, who had also become a Horseman of Apocalypse, Sunfire joined Mister Sinister's Marauders. After regaining his senses and leaving the Marauders, Sunfire was recruited to the Avengers Unity Division in 2013's Uncanny Avengers #5, by Rick Remender and Olivier Coipel. By this time, Shiro had returned to his original costume.
Overall, it's interesting that in the mainstream Marvel Universe, Sunfire was eventually given the same appearance as his "Age of Apocalypse" counterpart. Much of this change could be attributed to Apocalypse's influence, since he made Sunfire into one of his horsemen.
Additionally, Apocalypse's influence on Sunfire illustrated his growing sphere of power, which was exemplified the most when he dominated the planet during "Age of Apocalypse." As his influence grew, Apocalypse physically turned mutants like Sunfire, into their "Age of Apocalypse" counterparts, representing a greater control over Earth-616. In both "Age of Apocalypse" and Earth-616, Sunfire had suffered from severe physical injuries which led to his new look.
Another major difference between both versions of Sunfire was their alignment. In "Age of Apocalypse," Sunfire fought alongside the X-Men against Apocalypse. When Earth-616 Sunfire gained the same appearance, he fought against the X-Men alongside Apocalypse. When Earth-616's Sunfire appeared in his "Age of Apocalypse" costume, it was to signify a much deeper transformation into a darker persona in servitude of a god-like villain.
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