Today marks the 24th anniversary of Cyclops solidifying his reputation as the best leader the X-Men have ever had. The question of who leads the X-Men best is a long-standing debate among fans and even within the X-Men universe itself. Bishop, who can travel through time, once confidently stated it was Cyclops, and enjoyed watching Storm’s surprised response.
As a huge movie and comic book fan, I’ve always thought about what really makes a great leader. It’s not just about giving awesome speeches, especially when the stakes are incredibly high – like, the world could end high. You need to be smart, a real strategist, and know how to make things happen on the ground. For me, one of the best examples of Cyclops showing his leadership skills comes from the comic Cyclops #4, back in 2001. What’s so cool about it is that it happened after a solo adventure, proving he didn’t need a team to step up and lead.
Cyclops Was Dealing With an Enemy Who Knew Just How To Deal With Him
In the four-part Cyclops story arc, Scott Summers took a much-needed break to heal after a difficult time. However, his vacation was cut short by Ulysses, a military strategist seeking revenge on the X-Men for the loss of his team. Ulysses came prepared, recruiting the powerful Juggernaut and Black Tom Cassidy to lure Cyclops into a trap. He also equipped his soldiers with special ruby quartz armor designed to block Cyclops’ energy beams. Knowing Cyclops needs a clear view to use his powers, Ulysses added invisibility technology for an extra advantage.
The situation was incredibly dangerous. Ulysses intended to eliminate Cyclops immediately, but he had a plan for each of the X-Men. Cyclops realized his loved ones were at serious risk unless he stopped Ulysses quickly. This led to a worldwide chase, sending Cyclops from Alaska to the Savage Land and ultimately to a remote town in Paraguay. Throughout the pursuit, Cyclops repeatedly overcame seemingly insurmountable odds.
Cyclops proved incredibly resourceful, overcoming huge challenges like defeating Juggernaut, surviving a plane crash, and rescuing a tribe in the Savage Land – all while blindfolded after losing his visor and breaking his glasses. Ulysses realized even these setbacks wouldn’t stop Cyclops, accurately predicting he’d come after him. However, Ulysses severely misjudged how quickly Cyclops would act; Cyclops swiftly located Ulysses’ hideout and overheard his strategies.
How Cyclops Defeated Ulysses When His Enemy Had Every Advantage
Cyclops didn’t win through brute strength. While he landed some effective attacks, using his ruby quartz armor to bounce his optic blasts, his real advantage came from information. He’d overheard conversations between Ulysses and his followers and realized not everyone was completely devoted to the cause. When an innocent child was endangered during the conflict, Cyclops showed the X-Men’s compassion by prioritizing the boy’s safety.
Ruby quartz is easily broken. Cyclops instigated a battle between Ulysses and one of his representatives, resulting in Ulysses losing his protective armor. Ulysses wrongly assumed Cyclops relied solely on vision, briefly becoming invisible and foolishly offering a final insult. This allowed Scott to use sound to pinpoint Ulysses’ location and defeat him with a single, precise shot.
Cyclops is the X-Men’s best leader not because of his strength, but because he’s a brilliant strategist and understands people. He won the battle against Ulysses by inspiring his team and prioritizing the safety of an innocent boy. Even though Ulysses anticipated every move Cyclops might make, Cyclops cleverly used those preparations against him, even turning Ulysses’s own ruby quartz into a weapon.
You know, what always struck me about Cyclops is how he completely understood his own limitations. Ulysses thought he was so clever, believing he’d found a way to exploit Cyclops’ powers, but the truth is, Scott Summers had been navigating those weaknesses his entire life! It really explains why Ulysses never stood a chance against the X-Men’s leader.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/comics/list/10-best-things-to-happen-in-the-x-men-comics/embed/#
Read More
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- ARC Raiders – All NEW Quest Locations & How to Complete Them in Cold Snap
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Where Winds Meet: How To Defeat Shadow Puppeteer (Boss Guide)
- Ashes of Creation Mage Guide for Beginners
- Where Winds Meet: Best Weapon Combinations
- Fishing Guide in Where Winds Meet
- Berserk Writer Discuss New Manga Inspired by Brutal Series
- Netflix’s One Piece Season 2 Will Likely Follow the First Season’s Most Controversial Plot
- Eldegarde, formerly Legacy: Steel & Sorcery, launches January 21, 2026
2025-11-07 21:14