Cyclops' Must Read Stories
Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops, has quite a history. From his first appearance in the X-Men to his new position in the 616 universe, plenty of writers and artists have given us memorable story arcs which feature Slim and possibly implement big changes in his life. He's been appearing in comics for several decades now and we believe the following options are worthy of your attention. Obviously, not every standout Cyclops story is on the list, so if your top choice isn't below, go ahead and give it some praise in the comments section.
ASTONISHING X-MEN
If there's one Cyclops story you're going to read, many would strongly recommend Joss Whedon and John Cassaday's ASTONISHING X-MEN. Not only is it an exciting, fun and engrossing adventure for the team as a whole, but Cyclops' has an especially strong arc. There's a momentary development with his abilities, but Whedon primarily focuses on Scott's abilities as a leader and makes the dude unleash some jaw-dropping optic blasts. The bit on the lawn is something no Cyclops fan will ever forget. We'll be blunt: you need to read this if you're interested in Cyclops and the X-Men.
NEW X-MEN
Grant Morrison writing the X-Men? Come on, how could you pass on this one? After an encounter with Apocalypse took a toll on his psyche, Cyclops is left in a difficult spot and his relationship with Jean Grey is weakening. His connection to Emma Frost, however, is just beginning. It may not technically be one of the most flattering arcs around for Slim, but it aims to humanize his struggle and reveals the earlier stages of Frost falling for the popular X-Man. If you want to dive deep into the relationship drama, we recommend reading Issues 138 and 139.
UNCANNY X-MEN
Cyclops walked away from Avengers vs. X-Men with quite an attitude. No longer can Scott be viewed as a "boy scout" or too "boring." Brian Michael Bendis' latest volume of UNCANNY X-MEN focuses on how Marvel's big event impacted the Summer's world and how it molded him into the focused and more direct man that he is today. Was he right? That's still being debated by many fans, but this shows how he's moving forward and forming an all-new team. If you want an insightful look into current Cyclops, we strongly recommend picking up the first trade (which happens to have a Comic Vine quote right on the cover).
AVENGERS VS. X-MEN
Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, is a man that just about every hero respects. Even if they won't admit it, they probably do admire the guy on some level. So, to take a firm stance against him takes a ton of confidence and it takes a whole lot more to make readers think you were right to go against the super-soldier. Many of you have event fatigue and understandably so, but the House of Ideas' Avengers vs. X-Men is a critical arc for Summers, especially if you're going to leap into modern X-Men titles. Like stated in the highlight above, this event still has fans discussing whether "Cyclops was right" and whether what he did was indeed beneficial for the greater good.
THE DARK PHOENIX SAGA
Chris Claremont and John Byrne's classic The Dark Phoenix Saga is something no X-fan can miss. Sure, it's technically not a "Cyclops story," but he does have a few pivotal moments in the spotlight -- such as the big fight with Phoenix and the conclusion -- and, simply put, it's a dose of classic goodness that packs a surprising amount of heart. And if you're not familiar with the X-Men's earlier years, you'll be happy to know the follow-up issue, UNCANNY X-MEN #138, is basically a stroll down memory lane.
MESSIAH COMPLEX
After House of M struck the mutant population, a glimmer of, well, hope appeared. What appears to be the first new mutant has popped up and Cyclops will do anything and everything to make sure the child is in the X-Men's care. Obviously, they aren't the only team aware of Hope's existence and this sets off an absolutely action-packed race. Not only does this journey show the lengths Cyclops and his allies are willing to go to protect the future of the mutant race, but it occasionally puts Scott's dynamic with Professor X in the spotlight, too.
UNCANNY X-MEN #175
Cyclops has a brilliant tactical mind and he's trained extensively with his peers so they can work better as a team. He knows their strength and weaknesses, but what would happen if they went after him and refused to hold back? Well, that's exactly what happened in UNCANNY X-MEN #175 and the end result is a seriously cheerwothy read for any fan of the character. Despite having the odds completely staked against him, Cyclops is able to systemically take down his teammates and proves he's certainly no pushover. It's a hugely amusing way to put his sharp mind and skills as a combatant front and center.
DIVIDED WE STAND (UNCANNY X-MEN #495-499)
Taking place after the events of Messiah CompleX, Ed Brubaker and Mike Choi's Divided We Stand was a fun and substantial read. The storyline with Emma and Scott gets pretty out-there, but it's really enjoyable and their time in the Savage Land highlights why Scott has what it takes to act as a leader. Plus, there's a side story with Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus taking on Omega Red and it's a total blast.
UNCANNY X-MEN #127
The team faced Proteus and it wasn't an uplifting experience at all. The encounter took a psychological toll on some of the heroes, so Scott steps up to make sure he can get his team back in tip top form. But the abrasive way he attempts to help his teammates actually puts his own life at risk. When all is said and done, the bold move helps some characters move forward and Logan even compliments Scott's abilities as a leader.
Related Articles
