The X-Men have long had great leaders guiding their teams in the field, and Cyclops is undeniably one of them. Aside from being a level-headed character with a strong belief in the X-Men’s potential for teamwork, Cyclops has an expert sense of strategy that has benefited him immensely on missions throughout his publication history. And while readers have seen numerous takes on Scott Summers’ origin as a mutant capable of emitting powerful optical blasts, the origin of his skills as a strategist are less known.
In X-Men: Marvels Snapshots #1, written by Jay Edidin with art by Tom Reilly, colors by Chris O’Halloran, and letters by Tom Orzechowski, Cyclops’s origin is revisited. But the issue also delves into how Scott gained his interest in strategy to begin with. As Edidin’s writing reveals, his inspiration as a strategist comes from none other than Mr. Fantastic.
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The issue opens with a teenage Scott Summers living in a foundlings home after the death of his parents in a plane crash. Suffering from intense headaches, Scott is bullied by other boys at the home and finds solace in expanding his knowledge at the library. When the world abruptly changed with the arrival of the Fantastic Four, Scott is inspired to make a difference himself, but is not sure how. He eventually finds himself attending a science conference Reed Richards himself is speaking at. Focused on his idol’s every word, Scott’s inspiring experience comes to a halt when the building is attacked by a scientist on a giant praying mantis, sending the roof crashing down onto Scott and other attendees. The chaotic nature of this experience teaches Scott a lesson about the dangers of the world he lives in, driving him to seek out manuals for what to do in just about any situation.
Cyclops Finds His Inspiration At The Library
So when Cyclops checks out Sun Tzu’s The Art of War from the library, a whole new way of thinking is opened for Scott. The ancient Chinese text gives him a philosophy around which to base his actions as both a fighter and a leader.
In fact, the book indirectly leads to Scott’s own discovery of his powers. While reading the book, a group of bullies snatch it out of Scott’s hands, taunting him. When one of them knocks him over, the pain from Scott’s headache grows so intensely that a powerful blast erupts out of his eyes, blasting a hole into the building behind them.
Cyclops’s Interest in Strategy Precedes His Mutation
It is significant that Cyclops was interested in strategy before he even knew he was a mutant, as it puts many of his leadership qualities into a new perspective. A central issue that many X-Men face is how much their mutation defines them: are the skills they develop a reflection of who they are as individuals, or a reflection of how life as a mutant forces them to adapt to harsh circumstances? This issue effectively resolves this question for Cyclops by revealing that his innate bookishness primed him to become a strategist.
One of the most important parts about Cyclops as a character and leader is his skills as a strategist. His careful attention to detail and consideration for how the X-Men can best use their skills on the battlefield sets him apart from most other heroes, because it has a grounding effect on the more fantastical elements of X-Men stories. Cyclops’s focus on strategy diverts the reader’s attention away from the spectacle of a dazzling array of superpowers. Instead, Cyclops adds another dimension to being a superhero through his being strategic about the X-Men’s plans, showcasing an important lesson that all of the powers in the world can never be of much use without someone leading them.
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