As we anxiously await answers about the possible final days of Scott Summers after Secret Wars, we are looking back at the life, times and crimes of the man called Cyclops.
The man Professor Xavier chose to lead the mutants has never had it easy. He’s been put in incredible scenarios against impossible odds and faced tragedy after tragedy. His fellow mutants have constantly been under attack and he’s been forced to make tough calls without a single Avenger coming to his aid. That’s what I love about him. Continue reading BEFORE DEATH OF X: LIFE and CRIMES of CYCLOPS
Revelations in this week’s Extraordinary X-Men #3 and All-New X-Men #1 spell out the fate of Scott Summers.
Cyclops is missing in action from the All-New, All-Different Marvel Now following after the Secret Wars finale.
The Terrigen Cloud creating new Inhumans is killing and sterilizing mutants. Storm created X-Haven to protect mutants her team has rescued. Beast is in the cast of Uncanny Inhumans trying to find a cure. Several mutants and Medusa talked about what Cyclops “did” that caused a rift between the groups.
A shakeup among the X-Men as one leader vanishes and one rises as the mutant race faces a new crisis.
Cyclops and Storm have been the core leaders of the X-Men teams. Wolverine and Emma Frost have been co-leaders and co-headmasters but it’s always Scott and Ororo that are the ultimate commanders of Xavier’s legacy.
The new film will be set in the 1980’s with James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence returning as Professor Xavier, Magneto and Mystique. Hugh Jackman returns as Wolverine.
How did Cyclops go from Professor X’s golden boy to his killer?
Scott Summers inspires hate and devotion.
Even when he was the uptight boy scout, fans rooted for Jean Grey to choose Logan. Scott evolved into a General giving marching orders for an X-Men army then became what you could call the new Magneto.
This story contains plot details of X-Men: Days of Future Past so you may not want to continue reading if you have not seen the new film.
Is this the cinematic end of Miss Emma Frost?
Emma appeared briefly in X-Men: Origins: Wolverine as the captured sister of Kayla (aka Silver Fox) played by Lynn Collins. We can assume it was Emma since she was icy blonde and could transform into diamond. The infamous Emma Frost of the Hellfire Club era was played by January Jones in X-Men: First Class. This was absolutely the telepath who could transform into diamond and was the lover of Sebastian Shaw.
In X-Men: Days of Future Past Mystique learns that Emma died as a prisoner of Bolivar Trask along with some other characters from First Class.
X-Men: Battle of the Atom kicks off in September with a special issue by Brian Michael Bendis and Frank Cho then run through the core X-titles (All-New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine and the X-Men and Brian Wood’s X-Men) then wrap in a final bookend by Jason Aaron and a “mystery artist.”
This Op/Ed followup should not be read unless you’ve read Avengers vs. X-Men #12.
Avengers vs. X-Men could be retitled Operation: Hate Cyclops. When AvX was first announced I was on fully on board with Cyclops and the mutants. I posted “Cyke Is Right!” on my blog and all over rallying my fellow X-Men fans. X-Men were my first comic book and I’ve always identified with them. Captain America and the Avengers were yanking away the one Hope the mutants had to save their species.
The architects of AvX turned the greatest hero and leader in comic books into an arrogant, power mad egomaniac. The Marvel masterminds even did the unthinkable – turn me against Scott! I’ve actually rooting for the Avengers. Cyke was right. Now I’m not so sure.
AvX is a dark and critical chapter in Scott’s life. The man Professor Xavier chose to lead the mutants has never had it easy. He’s been put in incredible scenarios against impossible odds and faced tragedy after tragedy. His fellow mutants have constantly been under attack and he’s been forced to make tough calls without a single Avenger coming to his aid. That’s what I love about him.
Scott Summers must always been in control. Holding back his optic blasts is a symbol of the life Scott has been forced to lead. Professor Xavier made him team leader. Cyke pushed himself to be a better leader while the other X-Men got to laugh and escape from training at Harry’s Hideaway. Scott is always living in the Danger Room.
Scott has lost Jean, Madelyne, Nathan. Cyke has held firm despite insults from Wolverine and wavering support from longtime friends. He’s a better X-Man than any mutant…including Logan.
Avengers vs. X-Men #11 courtesy Marvel.com
In AvX #11 the Phoenix possessed Cyclops and Emma Frost turn on each other because there can be only one. AvX appears to be the end of a powerhouse Marvel romance. Grant Morrison slowly separated Scott and Jean and paired Cyke with the reformed Emma Frost during his New X-Men run. Joss Whedon united Scott and Emma as the mutant power couple in his Astonishing X-Men epic. As much as I love Jean, Emma is the one true woman for Scott.
The Phoenix Force is now divided between Scott and Emma. Scott has been transformed into arrogant cosmic level zealot. The God-like power of the Phoenix Force has twisted Scott’s intense dedication to save his race. Emma’s behavior is now dangerously similar to the Dark Phoenix. The reformed White Queen has always kept her ruthless streak and it’s been necessary and easy for her to slip back into the role of a villain (Dark Reign & Dark X-Men Saga) to use it for the sake of saving the mutants.
I kept hoping Scott and Emma’s extreme and ruthless behavior was a result of having slivers of The Void (The Sentry’s evil alter ego) in their minds. It was these two mutants who sacrificed to trap the Void when the Avengers couldn’t stop him. I wanted some excuse so it would be easy to redeem Scott and Emma for their actions. Alas, I can blame the Phoenix Force but isn’t the entity just feeding off and empowering the emotions and motivations existing in my favorite Marvel power couple?
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
Cyclops betrayed Emma and stole her Phoenix Power, killed Professor X, became Dark Phoenix and began burning the earth. In this week’s final chapter Hope and Scarlet Witch (with an assist from Jean Grey?) forced the Phoenix out of Scott. The leader of the X-Men now sits in prison as the most hated man in the Marvel Universe. Cyclops is taking all the blame even though he was right about Hope, The Phoenix and how to save the mutant race.
Every hero falls. Every fan loves redemption. I hope Scott and Emma survive AvX to rise to greatness again in the Marvel NOW.
