Cyclopsmakes the strongest case for being considered the heart and soul of the X-Men. 62 years ago, in 1962,Uncanny X-Men#1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby debuted on shelves. From the very beginning, Scott Summers was positioned as the team’s leader,a role he maintains today. It’s hard not to associate Cyclops with X-Men.
The character has always been pivotal to X-Men lore, and the best Cyclops storylines highlight just how important he is to the franchise. This includes both singular comic books and long-term arcs (many of which can be collected in graphic novel form). Whilethe movies largely nerfed his importance, these comics get to the root of what makes Cyclops special.
10"The Dark Phoenix Saga" is Just as Much a Cyclops Story As It Is Jean Grey’s
The Uncanny X-Men #129-138 by Chris Claremont and John Byrne
There is a perception that “The Dark Phoenix Saga” is merely a Jean Grey storyline, and while she is largely a centerpiece, Cyclops plays a pivotal role in the story as well.If anything, “The Dark Phoenix Saga” can be argued as the definitive storyline for Cyclops and Jean Grey,the best X-Men couple.
As Jean herself struggles with containing the power of the Phoenix, Cyclops is emotionally torn, trying to save the love of his life when that love becomes a vessel for total destruction. The crossroads that Cyclops stands between is heartbreaking to witness, especially as he watches his lover die for the first time to stop the cosmic being.
9It’s Cyclops Who Rises “From the Ashes”
Uncanny X-Men #168-176 by Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, and John Romita Jr.
Not to be confused with the 2024 relaunch of the same name, this story arc saw Cyclops experience numerous developments following the death of Jean Grey. After re-connecting with his father, he plans a trip to Alaska to see his grandparents when he meets a mysterious pilot named Madleyn Pryor, someone who bears a spitting image of Jean Grey.
Cyclops hesitantly romances her, and by the end of the arc, marries her. There are several twists and turns throughout, most notably the apparent return of Jean as The Phoenix, and Cyclops in an inexplicable five-on-one fight with the X-Men. Most importantly, it so appears that Cyclops is on course to finally achieve a happy ending … for now.
8Cyclops Proves to Be a Master Tactician
Astonishing X-Men #23 by Joss Whedon and John Cassady
Cyclops has largely been defined by his lack of control over his powers. During the earliest issues ofAstonishing X-Men, Emma Frost removes the mental block from his mind, allowing him to suppress his optic beams at will. As the people of Breakworld hunt down Colossus, Cyclops poses as a defenseless human with no powers as a distraction.
He then proceeds to be tortured unmercilessly by his abductors, all part of Scott’s plan. When the time is right, he blasts his tormentors away before summoning his roster:“To me, my X-Men.“Cyclops proves himself as a tactical genius when his plan goes perfectly accordingly, all while looking like an absolute badass in the process.
7Cyclops in His Most Vulnerable Hour
New X-Men #139 by Grant Morrison and Phil Jimenez
In most of his stories, Cyclops is portrayed as the calm and collected leader, but here, he finds himself in his most divisive moment of vulnerability. While not physically intimate, he’s been emotionally cheating on Jean Grey with Emma Frost via telepathy. His wife ends up peering into Emma’s mind, confronting both parties thereafter.
While the angle paints Cyclops in a controversial light, it also paints him at his most human. No one si perfect, but the character and his writers held Scott to that stnadard for years. This is the first time that he’s depicted as such.Their entire love triangle storylineis compelling, but this issue is where it peaks.
6"Deadly Genesis” Changes Cyclops and His Relationship with Xavier Forever
X-Men: Deadly Genesis #1-6 by Ed Brubaker and Trevor Hairsine
Professor X had always committed questionable acts, but more often than not, Cyclops naturally found ways to remain supportive to Xavier and even justify his decisions. After all, Xavier wasn’t just a mentor and coach for the X-Men, but a father figure for Scott.That all went out the window when Xavier’s darkest crimes were uncovered inDeadly Genesis.
As much as Cyclops believed in Xavier’s dream, he lost faith in Xavier from that moment forward.
Xavier mind-wiping Cyclops of knowledge of his dead brother and failure to save the X-Men was the final straw for Scott. As much as Cyclops believed in Xavier’s dream, he lost faith in Xavier from that moment forward. To this day, Cyclops and Xavier remain estranged from each other, with the former convinced thatthe latter should be locked up.
5Wolverine and Cyclops Reach a Schism Beyond Repair
X-Men: Schism #1-5 by Jason Aaron, Carlos Pacheco, Frank Cho, Daniel Acuña, Alan Davis and Adam Kubert
One of the cornerstones for Cyclops’ character development has been through his complicated relationship with his best frenemy, Wolverine. Their connection reaches its breaking point duringSchism. This storyline doesn’t just create a further divide between the two men, but the X-Men, as the team is split in two as a direct result of Logan and Scott’s bickering.
This would end up being a pivotal moment in X-Men history, as the ramifications of the split would have ramifications that remained permanent in the franchise for years after the fact. In addition, this was a crucial step to getting Scott to the mindframe that he adopts inAvengers vs. X-Men.
4Avengers vs. X-Men Positions Cyclops as a Complex Mutant Savior
AvX #1-12, Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, and Jonathan Hickman
AvXis more than a series filled withepic and peak battles, but the culmination of Cyclops' frustrations with Professor X. It’s an essential follow-up toHouse of Min which Cyclops' desperation to revitalize the mutant race conflicts with Captain America and The Avengers' plans for a returning Phoenix Force and its connection to Hope Summers.
The story is largely anchored by Cyclops, painting him as a tragic, sympathetic protagonist-turned-antagonist once he becomes the surprising host for the Phoenix. Using his new powers to kill Charles Xavier remains one of the most shocking moments in Marvel history. The straight-laced boy scout commander transforms into a complex freedom fighter in real-time.
3Cyclops Becomes the Face of the Mutant Revolution
Uncanny X-Men Vol. 3 by Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Pachalo
This series sets the stage for a Cyclops unlike ever seen before. Following House of M and AvX, Cyclops becomes an angry nihilist. Without a shred of optimism left,the face of the mutant revolutionembarks on rescuing mutant children from around the world in hopes of giving them the tools they need to navigate a world that hates them.
Cyclops is no longer a mere leader, but a mentor like Xavier before him. The difference being that, after their falling out, he’s convinced he can be better than Xavier. Even when his approach steers closer to Magneto’s philosophy than Xavier’s, becoming more of a coach than field commander feels like a natural evolution for Cyclops.
2Marvel Gives an Early Snapshot Into the Early Life of Cyclops
Marvel’s Snapshots: X-Men #1 by Jay Edidin and Tom Reilly
True to its name, this one-shot gives a brief snapshot to when Cyclops is still a child still learning to accept his mutant heritage whilst living out of a foster home. It gives more of a condensed overview of his origin story, but what makes this one unique is that it ties him deeply into The Fantastic Four’s lore.
Cyclops is an F4 super-fan, giving readers a new understanding as to what inspires Scott Summers to be a hero. It’s heartwarming to see what makes a superhero tick, and for Scott, Mister Fantastic is the answer, evenwishing Reed was his dad. This establishes that Reed’s family is the bar to which Cyclops strives as a hero.
1Cyclops Becomes Feral at His Future
Champions #12 by Mark Waid and Humberto Ramos
It’s easy to point to any comic of Cyclops as an adult for his key issues, but some of his most significant career points that often go overlooked are those focused on the time-displaced teenage Cyclops. As a member of the Champions, this issue is a standout because it presents a young Cyclops with expectations thrust upon him.
Aware of his fate, Cyclops is determined to live up to the hype of beingX-Men’s greatest leader, but also wants to avoid becoming a terrorist revolutionary. It’s compelling watchingCyclopsbuckle under the pressures of the weight of the world, allowing him to be seen in ways that he’d never allow himself to be seen as an adult perfectionist.
