As X-Men hero Scott Summers strikes out on his own, the iconic mutant warrior Cyclops has a hardcore new look – one that bravely ditches the most well-known aspect of his design and replaces it with something far, far deadlier.
Cyclops Swaps Optic Blasts for Guns in New Solo Series
CYCLOPS 4 COVER SHOWING SCOTT SUMMERS IN A BLINDFOLD AND HOLDING A HUGE GUN
In a recently revealed preview of Cyclops #4 – from Alex Paknadel, Rogê Antônio, Fernando Sifuentes​​​​​​​ and Joe Caramagna​​​​​​​ – Federico Vicentini​​​​​​​ and Marcio Menyz’s cover gives Cyclops an epic makeover. The hero is shown wearing a white blindfold and toting a selection of gigantic guns, grenades and ammo belts. Indeed, Cyclops is starting to look a lot like his son, the time-traveling uber-soldier Cable.
X-MEN’S CABLE LADEN DOWN WITH GUNS
In Cyclops, Scott Summers finds himself hunted by the cyborg Reavers – mutant-killing murderers who have surrendered their humanity to the anti-mutant cause. Stranded in the mountains, Cyclops’ visor has shattered, leaving him unable to control his iconic optic blasts. Issue four’s summary reads:
AN EYE FOR AN EYE! When Cyclops loses Mei to Pierce, he captures one of his prized Reavers as revenge! How will Cyclops use his new hostage to his advantage? And will Mei escape the clutches of Pierce’s Reaver army?!
cyclops 3 showing scott summers in a blindfold fighting reavers
So far, in issue #1, Cyclops has simply had to live with the disadvantage. However, the cover for issue five shows that eventually, he’ll stumble across an impressive armory, loading up on enough firepower to replace his powers multiple times over. Cyclops isn’t usually one for weaponry, but as the fightback begins, he’s literally bristling with futuristic rifles.
Is Marvel Rewriting Cyclops’ Powers in X-Men Lore?
As Cyclops fights for his life, fans have begun to speculate that this solo story will change his powers forever. The story has focused a lot on Cyclops’ inability to control his optic blasts, even introducing a soft retcon that he can’t do so due to brain damage (an old piece of lore later superseded by the reveal that Scott Summers created powerful mental blocks during childhood to limit his own abilities.)
The story also started with a plane crash and a head injury – an echo of Scott’s origin, and the resultant injury which limited his mutant abilities. This focus has led fans to believe that Marvel may be about to change Scott’s powers, giving him control over his abilities.
X-MEN’S CYCLOPS HITS HIS HEAD WHEN PARACHUTE FAILS
That’s made more likely because the Reavers are working for Donald Pierce, whose stated mission is to take Cyclops eyes and surgically implant them in one of his henchmen. With that goal, Pierce has his own reasons to surgically fix Cyclops’ powers if the opportunity presents itself.
With his first solo series in years, X-Men’s Cyclops is undergoing a dark redesign – one which may be foreshadowing a major change to his powers.
Cyclops #4 is coming May 6 from Marvel comics, with issue 1 available now.
First Appearance
The X-Men
Alias
Scott Summers
Alliance
X-Men, X-Force, X-Factor, Phoenix Five, X-Corporation, Hounds, Starjammers
Race
Human-Mutant