What do Cyclops fans think of his recent push?

[Cypocalypse_Complex]

I've been a Cyclops fan since the mid 90s, and quite a lot of X-Men fans say these days that this is the best time to be a fan of Cyclops.

As a Cyclops fan myself, I haven't been fully abosorbing the hype he's getting, but that's maybe because I have a bit of a 90s bias.

I look at things from a marketing perspective, which is something like--if the Xavier and Magneto influence on the X-books needs to be put on a hiatus for the meantime, and Apocalypse hasn't been doing that much significant in the past few years, then it would be logical to give some push to the characters that are next in line, namely Cyclops, and Mr. Sinister. Wolverine, on the other hand, can just make cameos here and there, but it still would feel anyway that he's oversaturating Marvel.

There are many things that aren't compelling as what I would expect them to be, which is among the reasons why I'm not yet getting into the hype.

M-Day wasn't compelling, in my opinion, as an element in rattling the status quo. If it was something like genocide that reduced the mutant population, then that would be convincing, but what we got is a rushed crossover triggered by a magic spell. The effect wasn't that profound.

As to Professor X leaving the X-Mansion as triggered by Deadly Genesis and the revelation of Danger, I would say that I'm not that empathic to an artificial life form, nor I'm interested with a 3rd Summers brother. Again, not that compelling.

But I do believe that Cyclops' current kill-or-be-killed stance/philosophy is justifiable considering that there are a couple of hundreds of mutants left (even if the event that triggered it wasn't that exciting). Morrison tried to make the X-men proactive, but only the events in Messiah Complex made that more apparent.

I've read X-men Legacy's latest issue and his treatment of Xavier seems a bit out of character, especially after it seemed like he actually cared for him after he "died" in the end of MC. I think the tension in that issue is a bit overdone.

I think one of the best, though overlooked, comic book issue about Cyclops as of late is Uncanny X-Men #495 or something, where he's questioning the new set of direction that he'll lead the X-men into. It's more convincing than any form of out-of-character rants that he could be displaying post MC.

The last issue of Cable that has Cyclops in it reminds me so much of the one-shot Lobdell style writing that I've grown familiar with, though I think I've read better fillers about him back then.

In any case, the push is long overdue.

[Teh m0nk3y]

I've got to say that I'm currently quite happy with the push Cyclops has been getting. Fully support the more militant stance. With so few mutants left, it is quite logical to me that Scott would make choices that he would have previously never even consider. Especially with everything they've been through.

[LawGiver]

It is a great move I believe. Watching the character develop more and take risks and actually form a plan of action is much better than the stagnant, emo-type attitude he had in much if the late 90's. I believe this character arc is going to raise him up to level reserved for characters like Captain America and Iron Man, then with the secret of X-Force looming and weight of the mutant world on his shoulders, I believe he will come crashing down. As a HUGE Cyclops fan I can't wait to see this happening. I want him to be interesting, conflicted, I want to see triumphs and personal accomplishments, but with that I also want to see him struggle. Not everything has to be rosy for the character in my opinion.

[Canemacar]

I think they're trying way too hard. Cyke isn't wolverine. Thats something Marvel has been forgetting recently.

[HellFrost]

I used to hate Cyclops more than any other character in Marvel. With his new look on super-heroing and surviving, I have to say he's turned into one of my most favorites. He's much more compelling to read and I like to see how far he'll go next. It's about time one of the X-Men grew a pair and started doing what should have been done a long time ago.

[protogarrett]

I love Cyke more than I ever have before. His hardcore attitude is exactly what they need. =)

[Stormshadow]

"Cyke Isn't Wolverine...."

Here's a thought....Wolverine's certainly seen a lot of bad stuff in his time. Cyclops is getting a real FAST and hard education. Maybe he's starting to see it from another perspective. Perfectly logical. I like it.

[Seres]

I liked Cyclops more when he was being a useless headmaster. I want rubbish headmaster Cyclops back, please. He can still be a hardcore leader out in the field, just so long as he remains useless at looking after children.

[Agent_Torpor]

At least in Uncanny, he sounds like a petulant little ass-brat.

He's written much better in "Legacy", but that's because Carey's a superior writer.

[tetragene]

I wouldn't necessarily say I'm a Cyclops fan, but the changes he's gone through in the past few years have made him a lot more likable & interesting, IMHO. And the new approach makes a LOT of sense. Cyclops was with the team from the beginning. He's seen near everything the team has experienced--and he now realizes fully that Xavier's tactics & "dreams" just won't cut it. So, for me, the changes in Cyclops make a hell of a lot of sense. And even though I could do without Scott/Emma sex in every book--the relationship has been more interesting in a few years than Jean/Cyke was throughout 40 years--for me, anyway.

He's written much better in "Legacy", but that's because Carey's a superior writer.

debatable

[jarrod]

I'm obviously Cyke's biggest fanboi and I just LOVE how he's being set up for an epic fall. <3 <3

[ExodusCloak]

I was indifferent until the push now he's in my Top 5.

[LawGiver]

I'm obviously Cyke's biggest fanboi and I just LOVE how he's being set up for an epic fall. <3 <3

That's called story arc. It's gonna be one hell of a read.

[Maestro]

I like that Cyclops isn't as boring now.

[maigen]

I prefer Scott an uptight hard ass who doesn't show his ginormous nipples in every issue.

[nikbackm]

I liked Cyclops in the 80s and started liking him again under Morrison's pen. The current agenda for Cyclops looks very interesting and is much needed since I think he was a bit neglected after Morrison left. Well, except by Whedon, whose excellent portrayal might be part of the reason for the current push.

[prince_nightcrawler]

while the change in cyclops is mildly interesting, i would like it if cyclops was less prominent. it feels suffocating like cloud cover to have him so prominent in the x-books. unlike wolverine, his popularity feels contrived to me. it seems appropriate people talk about it in terms of marketing and "push".

i would even like emma better if she wasn't associated with him.

[claimtosubclaim]

As if Cyclops wasn't already psychologically damaged enough, he's going to be far more screwed up now... And I love it. The Psych Ward analysis of him was spot-on. He's golden in the SI: X-Men mini, Cable, and Legacy. Not really digging him in the recent AXM, UXM or X-Force issues though. In the first two books, he doesn't seem like Scott Summers and in X-Force he's a bit too cold-blooded. I'm fine w/ the current direction that he's going in though, since it'll make for good emotional weight if he goes off the deep end.

I will say though that it's a bit redundant to read about Cyclops and his core cast (Emma, Logan, Beast) in *both* of the alleged flagship books. UXM does have to keep them in the spotlight due to the nature of the current story, but I wish Ellis chose different characters to work with in AXM.

[marvell2100]

Does anyone think that his recent behavior is going to be explained as some outside influenced or that this is a logical/illogical progression of his character given what he's gone thru lately? I was always middle of the road when it comes to Cyclops. I really started liking him more under Morrison.

[HellFrost]

Does anyone think that his recent behavior is going to be explained as some outside influenced or that this is a logical/illogical progression of his character given what he's gone thru lately? I was always middle of the road when it comes to Cyclops. I really started liking him more under Morrison.

Definitely seems like a natural progression to me. Think about everything he's been through. Life just keeps throwing a curveball at him whenever he thinks it can't get worse. He's becoming bitter and angry about it and focussing all that emotion in a direction that has gotten him a little more respect in the MU and among the fans.

[maigen]

You'd think with all the sexual release that man has that he'd be a little more cheery.

[claimtosubclaim]

He is. Refer to recent issues of both Astonishing and Uncanny. It's almost creepy how cheery he is (pretending to be).

[marvell2100]

Definitely seems like a natural progression to me. Think about everything he's been through. Life just keeps throwing a curveball at him whenever he thinks it can't get worse. He's becoming bitter and angry about it and focussing all that emotion in a direction that has gotten him a little more respect in the MU and among the fans.

He does seem to becoming more aggressive and proactive to the point of arrogance. Maybe he's got his own Messiah Complex going on. I get the feeling that his love for Jean and hers for him really kept Scott from going down a dark path along time ago. Remember, before Jean he was emotionally repressed, uptight and very clinical. What he has with Emma has released a sort of wild side to Scott. That may have been his true nature all along. Remember his dad was a pirate of sorts.

[Agent_Torpor]

debatable

Carey is writing circles around Fraction (and Brubaker before him).

[Omega Alpha]

The direction that Cyclops is taking is excellent, among other things, because it's one that would be inevitable for the character sooner or later, it's a great development because it's a natural one. He could and should have reached the point he is now long ago, but with Claremont throwing him away so he could make his Mary Sue the bestest of the best, and 90's X-men being the mess they were, he couldn't. The only thing that would have been different back then would be the number of mutants, which wasn't that small, obviously.

And while many credit Whedon or MC for this, it all begun with Morrison, which was the first to distance him from Xavier (though without as much conflicts), and ended his relationship with Jean.

[xgeek52]

forty-five years i've been reading the character scott summers...and during all that time, he was the first x-man, the heir apparent...he's fought his demons, distanced himself from those he cared about walked away for awhilw but always stepped up to the plate when it was necessary...he 'died' defending his family -- and they are his family -- and came back a changed man...

despite my dislike of the morrison run, i recognize what he did to advance the character and fade xavier into the background...and despite my distain for hom and decimation, i did recognize that with messiah, it allowed scott to take center stage...

what he is doing now is what he was destine to do -- lead the x-men...yes it's a long time coming but i think the current environment is perfect for him...conflict will come -- it always does...some of us and the characters will not like his decisions (i see a huge fallout over the x-force decision)..and he will second guess himself -- because that's what the character does...

but i like the push...and while i haven't read the current legacy, i'm waiting for the character dynamics when jean and xavier return...

trust me marvel can't resist it...

[The Black Guardian]

I used to at least respect the man, but that man has been dead and slowly rotting since Morrison.

[HellFrost]

I used to at least respect the man, but that man has been dead and slowly rotting since Morrison.

What about him did you respect exactly?

[Papa Moai]

I kind of like the push Cyclops has been getting. I would say this is definitely a better time to be a Cyclops-fan than, say, the 90's. However, this kind of push is always a double-edged sword. It can get annoying when the character is everywhere, and unfortunately the portayal of the character is bound to be inconsistent. I'd rather have just one person writing Cyclops well, than every X-writer bringing him in to their stories whether they really get the character or not.

[The Black Guardian]

What about him did you respect exactly?
His morals. His attitude. His judgment.

[Gobbo Mon]

Those are the main things about him he's just lacking the X-factor, if you know what I mean.

[xgeek52]

hmmm...

we've got a guy (a character) who has been thrust into a role he was born to...

way i see it: morals, intact; attitude, intact; judgement, intact...

i think the thing of it is i've see all the scott summers personas...this isn't better is not worse -- it just an outgrowth...

[Sam T.]

I think he is getting such a big push because he is with Emma. Thats just my opinion though....!

[nikbackm]

I think he is getting such a big push because he is with Emma. Thats just my opinion though....!

I think they have both benefited from the relationship; both outside in inside the comics. Unlike poor Havok and Polaris who just seem to drag each other down all the time. :wink:

[frog]

His morals. His attitude. His judgment.

He didn't seem to have a very strong grasp of any of those characteristics in X-Factor.

[Kage Kisaragi]

I would have like the push more if he was with Jean or if Jean was at least around to see it. :tongue:

I mean if Scott's self-esteem is diminished in her presence then he should still be feeling pathetic standing next to Emma. :redface:

[Optic Rage!]

While, it's obviously a good time to be a Cyclops fan, i think he is geting an unfair amount of screentime.

I mean, he's on Wolverine levels these days.

If i am correct he has been in AXM,UXM,XML,YXM,Cable these last few weeks.

Not to mention that some of the writers dont write him very well.

But yeah, i guess i cant complain THAT much.

I'm just not one of those fans who wants EVERYTHING to circle around my fave x-man.
I would have like the push more if he was with Jean or if Jean was at least around to see it. :tongue:

I mean if Scott's self-esteem is diminished in her presence then he should still be feeling pathetic standing next to Emma. :redface:

Actually, i think it's the other way round these days.

Scott>Emma in the relationship.

[xgeek52]

c'mon optic, scott is the go to guy now, so i don't begrudge his 'screen time'...logan has been around since giant size and he's got (correct me if i'm wrong) at least four solo titles, guest starred in three maybe four other books and is in three of the core titles...and i'm not counting first class or ultimate...

i don't see that happening here...once the dust settles from the first arc, you might being seeing less of him...

can you say that about logan...

[Imraith Nimphais]

TBQH...I've never been that great a fan of Cyclops throughout the earlier years...now, post MC, I just might fall in love with him (and his nips)...he's finally been given the x-reigns and he's doing wot he knows best...being a leader...I honestly don't see him usurping Wolverine's role (in terms of title proliferation and panel-time, and as much as I like the ol' Canucklehead, he will always be the king of over-exposure)...I do see "the push" as him being recognised as THE leader of the X-men and mutants in general (in the same capacity as Xavier)...the rightful heir to the throne, as it were...so its only natural that he gets more face-time throughout the x-universe...as for his change in attitude and direction...I support it 100%...it is long overdue.

[DarthCyclopsRLZ]

Omega summed it up just fine, eh.

Take that, Claremont. God I love karma.

[HellFrost]

His morals. His attitude. His judgment.

Eh... He left his wife and baby. Didn't call them for about 3 weeks. I don't really think he was that great a role model since he did some pretty crappy things, and hid them behind a boy scout persona. At least now he's upfront about being an a$$hole, IMHO.

[Optic Rage!]

I get what your saying XGeek, but i can understand why some people would moan that he is geting a huge amount of screentime, while others are geting fuck all.

And as for Logan, well, i never really complain about him being over exposed as i get it, so i'm cool with it.

It's all about demand, some of the more ''hardcore'' fans seem to forget that.

And what the casual readers want for the most part, is Logan.

However, i think some of the more A-List X-men have not had enough screentime recently in regards to status.

Storm[marvel did try to make her more important, but thanks to some bad writing, the whole thing fell flat on it's face] & Rogue come to mind, however her mini is coming out and Rogue has her own story in Legacy..so Marvel do listen most of the time.

Eh... He left his wife and baby. Didn't call them for about 3 weeks. I don't really think he was that great a role model since he did some pretty crappy things, and hid them behind a boy scout persona. At least now he's upfront about being an a$$hole, IMHO.

See, the thing is i get that Scott has made some BAD choices in his life, but think of all the good he has done, all the people he has saved, the guy has sacrificed his life[and has litereally done so to save the world] for the X-Men, and is now taking it upon himself to lead mutant kind.

So yeah, sure he is a terrible husband, but when it comes to it, he's a hero and a hell of a good one.

I think people at times tend to expect more from others, then they would do themselves. And then judge those people harshly and unfairly when that person does not live up to those bloated high expectations.

[DarthCyclopsRLZ]

I get what your saying XGeek, but i can understand why some people would moan that he is geting a huge amount of screentime, while others are geting fuck all.

I dunno. As long as he doesn't physically b**chslap characters into exile - bonus points if depowered -, I feel only Chuck fans have any right to complain. And even then, Chuck's in the spotlight like he hasn't been in a long while thanks to the feud with Cyke, eh.

[LordAllMighty]

Omega summed it up just fine, eh.

Take that, Claremont. God I love karma.

LOL, Darth....no matter what you think, Claremont doesn't hate Cyke.:wink:

[jester1436]

I dunno. As long as he doesn't physically b**chslap characters into exile - bonus points if depowered -, I feel only Chuck fans have any right to complain. And even then, Chuck's in the spotlight like he hasn't been in a long while thanks to the feud with Cyke, eh.

Eh.... who are you to say who has a right to complain?

I mean seriously, you're salivating and gloating over his current overexposure, why shouldn't people complain about it when it induces such repugnant behavior?

[Optic Rage!]

I dunno. As long as he doesn't physically b**chslap characters into exile - bonus points if depowered -, I feel only Chuck fans have any right to complain. And even then, Chuck's in the spotlight like he hasn't been in a long while thanks to the feud with Cyke, eh.

Dude, you dont help by rubing it in!

LOL, Darth....no matter what you think, Claremont doesn't hate Cyke.:wink:

It sure seems like it tough.

[DarthCyclopsRLZ]

I mean seriously, you're salivating and gloating over his current overexposure, why shouldn't people complain about it when it induces such repugnant behavior?

Great, cause every instance of people getting pushed at Cyke's expense gets a free pass. People have been salivating over various x-men telling Cyke off long before MC.

Think of it as long overdue karma.

Dude, you dont help by rubing it in!

What, you mean the Chuck thing? He's got Legacy. He's fine.

LOL, Darth....no matter what you think, Claremont doesn't hate Cyke.

I'm tempted to make 'no matter what you think, Claremont hates Storm' comment. Oh, what the hell.

[Cypocalypse_Complex]

Going with the logic of too many writers writing off a character and affecting overall characterization and creating inconsistencies...

Did Logan suffer from this problem considerably? I'm not following him that much.

[Optic Rage!]

Going with the logic of too many writers writing off a character and affecting overall characterization and creating inconsistencies...

Did Logan suffer from this problem considerably? I'm not following him that much.

I agree, Cyclops was really inconsistent in MC.

If the writers really want to give him this push, they need to sit around and agree on how they want him to come off.

Because sometimes it's really good, sometimes it's pretty bad.

Ellis, Whedon, Carey can all write a good Scott, Bru & Fraction's Scott has not been great so far.

As for Logan..at times, yeah.

But for the most part, it's been ok.

It's easy to write Logan when you think about it, most people just write him as the badass.

His solo is really good these days, one of my fave books.

[nikbackm]

I agree, Cyclops was really inconsistent in MC.

If the writers really want to give him this push, they need to sit around and agree on how they want him to come off.

Because sometimes it's really good, sometimes it's pretty bad.

Ellis, Whedon, Carey can all write a good Scott, Bru & Fraction's Scott has not been great so far.

As for Logan..at times, yeah.

But for the most part, it's been ok.

It's easy to write Logan when you think about it, most people just write him as the badass.


It's almost harder to write Logan "wrong" than to write him "right". The only complaints I have ever heard is that his healing-factor is too overpowered, cannot recall that anyone has complained about his characterization too much.

[Cypocalypse_Complex]

I think one of the problems with writing a dork/leader archetype is that only a few people understands them (including fellow dorks). Whereas a rebel without a cause archetype is pretty much mainstream.

For example, in the leader/dork archetype alone, we can create sub archetypes:

1. Tycoon / Visionary
2. Mastermind
3. Supervisor / Field Commander
4. Maverick
5. Critic
6. Charismatic/Spiritual Leader

We can think of Cyclops as a Field Commander. Remove Xavier out and do we immediately give Cyclops a vision?

Maybe a greater scope of responsibility, but an immediate vision?

If Cyclops would still be in the battle field and if you give him a new defined big- picture vision, it can be an liability on the field where immediate sense of awareness is more needed that daydreaming of a utopia.

Mastermind archetype would be a more feasible growth. It works low-key. It doesn't have the grand conquer the world goal of a tycoon/visionary, but is still the top person in control.

Once the archetype is determined, the next step would be writing the archetype appropriately.

Personally, I dislike the self-doubting Cyke often accompanied by sex scenes with Emma. I think it's a bit contrary to the firmer stance that is needed of him. It shows him vulnerable.

I actually think that a better protrayal of the questioning Cyke was shown in the Endangered Species One-Shot where he was having an exchange of words with Logan. If I remembered right, he was showing some doubts but not in an exaggerated whining level, unlike what other writers have shown.

[KJ_81]

I had been enjoying the attention he's been getting.

His characterisation in Uncanny seems way off to me. Completely wrong.

[justinkos91]

"Cyke Isn't Wolverine...."

Here's a thought....Wolverine's certainly seen a lot of bad stuff in his time. Cyclops is getting a real FAST and hard education. Maybe he's starting to see it from another perspective. Perfectly logical. I like it.

I'm sure that hard education all came from X-force (kickass book fyi), because in Uncanny, all I see is toothy smiles and off the wall sex with Emma (*Yawn*). I only like X-force cyclops, otherwise, he's just a jerk who thinks he's tough. X-force knows how to make a character good :smile:

[Optic Rage!]

otherwise, he's just a jerk who thinks he's tough.

See, these sort of comments make you sound 12.

Are you 12?

[sneggz]

That's called story arc. It's gonna be one hell of a read.

Oh hell yeah. Scott taking the reigns only to have his dark secrets come out and tarnish his image. Im sure Chuck'll get a hearty chuckle out of that. Can't wait untill Carey and KyleYost engineer that epic arc.

[Lordmagnusrex]

I just can't help but think Scott is being manipulated on several levels by Emma. But then it could be argued he's been manipulated by one telepath or another since he first came into comics, seems to be something he's drawn to.

But, I miss Boyscout scott. Not that he was ever that great of a boyscout, (UXM 212 where he's trying to leave his wife and baby?) He's set himself up for a massive fall from grace though. I am curious to see whether he is really 'hiding things from Emma' or not. And I wonder what will happen when/if Jean ever comes back.

[nikbackm]

I just can't help but think Scott is being manipulated on several levels by Emma. But then it could be argued he's been manipulated by one telepath or another since he first came into comics, seems to be something he's drawn to.


I strongly doubt the current writers intend for Scott to be manipulated by Emma. That would not be a very good way to build him up would it?

Of course, in the future some other creative team can always retcon that in if they want to.

[Omega Alpha]

I strongly doubt the current writers intend for Scott to be manipulated by Emma. That would not be a very good way to build him up would it?

Of course, in the future some other creative team can always retcon that in if they want to.

Considering Scott is hiding a lot of what he does from Emma, no, it doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Specially considering everything he's doing fits Scott's character fine, he has spent time enough with telepaths to know when there's someone on his mind, etc.

[ExodusCloak]

Besides it's about time Scott gets some love, there have been many times when the other characters cough* Clareamazons and Wolverine*cough* were given their 15 minutes of fame at his expense it's only fair that Scott gets some payback. Regardless of Maddie's interference in the original fight I'd like a leadership of the X-Men rematch between him and Storm. (We can have interference from T'challa if people really dislike the idea).

[Omega Alpha]

The "fight for leadership" was a pretty stupid idea even if Claremont wasn't just looking for excuses to make Cyclops look bad while promoting his Mary Sue. Fighting for leadership is the type of thing only a 8-year-old would find reasonable, and only other kids, if anyone, would accept the leadership of someone because he punched another in the face. This is the X-men, they have to worry about save lives, protect mutantkind from extinction, the lives of dozens of students, etc. Decide who's the best in a fight is as reasonable as doing it in a rock, paper, scissors contest.

[ExodusCloak]

The "fight for leadership" was a pretty stupid idea even if Claremont wasn't just looking for excuses to make Cyclops look bad while promoting his Mary Sue. Fighting for leadership is the type of thing only a 8-year-old would find reasonable, and only other kids, if anyone, would accept the leadership of someone because he punched another in the face. This is the X-men, they have to worry about save lives, protect mutantkind from extinction, the lives of dozens of students, etc. Decide who's the best in a fight is as reasonable as doing it in a rock, paper, scissors contest.

That is true, they were better off playing a highest card like Emma Frost and Sat-Yr-9. I'd still like to see the scales to be balanced once and for all though.

[nikbackm]

That is true, they were better off playing a highest card like Emma Frost and Sat-Yr-9. I'd still like to see the scales to be balanced once and for all though.

Perhaps he can talk Emma into beating Storm up for him as well. :smile:

[x_goalkeeper]

I'm all for the push for Cyclops; IMO much more interesting to read about the (shaky?) leader doing his best as opposed to an established one doing what he/she's already done in the past.

[Kaos]

I'm feeling the Cyclops push. It's been a long time coming, the guys in charge for a reason. People need to respect that, even if they think he's a dork he's still a guy to respect.