Cyclops’ Monstrous New Form Proves He Isn’t the X-Men’s Real Leader

WARNING: Spoilers for The Death of Doctor Strange: X-Men/Black Knight #1

As one of Marvel Comics’ most well-known mutants, Cyclops is typically seen as the most iconic leader of the X-Men. Alongside other heroes like Wolverine or Storm, Scott Summers has led Marvel’s Merry Mutants through countless adventures. But now, one mystical misadventure has proven that Cyclops isn’t the true leader of the team’s current lineup – Jean Grey is.

The X-Men has known plenty of leaders over the course of its history. From characters like Professor X and Emma Frost to even Magneto, Marvel’s most uncanny team has had no shortage over powerful figureheads to lead them among a world that hates and fears them. Now, the fallout of the death of Doctor Strange has cemented the former Phoenix as that figurehead for the team’s newest lineup.

The Death of Doctor Strange: X-Men/Black Knight #1 by Si Spurrier and Bob Quinn finds the X-Men caught in the thrall of an entity called the Hungry Land as it lays siege to London. Mutated into darker, demonic versions of themselves, along with the city itself, the X-Men adopt the name the Festal Order as their entire histories are rewritten within the confines of the Hungry Land. As the new Black Knight, Jackie Chopra, works to free the mutants and save the city, the Order’s new history is revealed – placing Jean Grey a.k.a. the Crimson Countess at the top of their food chain with Cyclops as her favorite. Though the Black Knight eventually succeeds, this mishap says a lot about Cyclops and Jean’s dynamic as leaders among the X-Men.

After all, this newest lineup of X-Men was jointly formed by Scott and Jean, so Grey’s influence over her teammates is no surprise. Despite the questionable way Jean uses her powers, her telepathy makes her the natural figurehead. Especially when the team is mutated into monstrous new forms that rely primarily on baser, malevolent instincts, Jean’s telepathy connects them all, forging them into one unified force in a way that Cyclops simply can’t match.

Jean’s place as the heart of this team isn’t an anomaly. Even in the earliest days of the team, she was their anchor and her legacy with the team has always been one that unites and inspires – despite her dark past as the Phoenix. She’s even officially led the team on more than one occasion, most notably during her time in the pages of X-Men Red by Tom Taylor and Mahmud Asrar.

The X-Men are one of comics’ most iconic teams, and they’ve been lucky to have some of comics’ most iconic leaders. But with everything Krakoa’s facing, the Merry Mutants need all the leadership they can get. And while Cyclops may officially lead Marvel Comics’ X-Men, everyone knows it’s really Jean Grey who runs the show.

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