Marvel Proves Cyclops’ True X-Men Role in Beautifully Epic Fashion

Warning! Spoilers ahead for X-Men #7

In the latest issue of Marvel Comics’ X-Men, Scott Summer aka Cyclops proves his crucial role to mutantkind’s greatest team of heroes beyond just being their leader. During a battle with the mysterious Dr. Stasis and his animal-hybrid minions, Summers proves he’s there to turn the tide with an epic assault from his optic blasts, reminding readers just how powerful he truly is and the reason he was elected at the X-Men’s Hellfire Gala. However, it only makes it even more tragic that’s no longer on the team’s roster.

In previous issues of X-Men from writer Gerry Duggan and artist Pepe Larraz, the greatest secret of Krakoa is in danger of being discovered. Learning that the island nation of mutants has solved death using their resurrection protocols, the anti-mutant organization known as Orchis has been attempting to expose Krakoa to the public in partnership with Dr. Stasis. However, the length to which the X-Men will go to protect their great achievement is massive, even if it means faking the permanence of Scott Summers’ death after a very public murder revealed in the new X-Men #7.

This new issue not only reveals how Cyclops died but also how valuable he is to the X-Men. In a beautiful splash page, Scott is seen using his optic blasts to great effect, reflecting off all sorts of points and surfaces to reach his targets. As the issue confirms, every superhero team has one hero who usually turns the tide during a battle. For the X-Men, that hero is Scott Summers (and all he has to do is open his eyes).

As if these gorgeous pages displaying Cyclops’ power weren’t enough to prove how important Scott is to the X-Men, his fellow teammate Synch reveals what Scott said at the Hellfire Gala to get elected to the team: “I am the X-Men.” While Synch confesses he felt Scott was just being pompous, he’s now having trouble finding the lie after working with him and witnessing his heroics firsthand. However, it only makes it even more tragic now that Scott has been mandated by Krakoa and its governing Quiet Council to take on a new identity known as Captain Krakoa, forced to pretend as though he died to keep their resurrection protocols a secret.

If Cyclops “is the X-Men,” what are they now that Scott has no choice but to pretend he no longer exists? While the public learning the truth about mutants’ ability to conquer death will no doubt complicate things for Krakoa immensely, one can imagine that Scott Summers won’t be too torn up about it if it means he can be his true self once more: Cyclops, the backbone of the X-Men who turns the tide.

About The Author

Kevin Erdmann
(2510 Articles Published)

Kevin Erdmann is one of Screen Rant’s staff writers. With a major in Cinema Studies and a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin is pretty sure he’s writing for the right site. While Kevin is a huge Marvel fan, he also loves Batman because he’s Batman and is a firm believer that Han shot first. Disney also shares a big part of his fan patronage. Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

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