Marvel Is Giving X-Men Fans Something We’ve Missed For 10 Years & It’s About Time

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At New York Comic Con, Marvel revealed plans for the future of the X-Men after the ‘Age of Revelation’ storyline. Editor Tom Brevoort announced a new initiative called ‘Shadows of Tomorrow,’ which includes several new X-Men titles, including solo series focusing on individual characters. While solo X-Men books haven’t historically been very successful – *Wolverine* being the notable exception – fans have consistently requested them for other heroes. For the past decade, the character fans have most wanted a solo series for is Cyclops, who has gained popularity and whose fans have been actively requesting his own book.

While the recent ‘From the Ashes’ storyline has been inconsistent, Cyclops has consistently been a standout character. He’s been a key player in the X-Men comics for around two decades, and fans have enjoyed a few solo series focusing on him over the years. The last one was about ten years ago, featuring the younger Cyclops brought to the present by Beast in 2012. The phrase ‘Cyclops is right’ has become popular among X-Men fans, and many believe he’s long deserved his own dedicated series.

Cyclops Has Become One of the Most Compelling X-Men

Cyclops wasn’t always a fan favorite when he led the X-Men. In the 1990s, characters like Wolverine and Gambit – the rebellious and enigmatic types – were much more popular. But everything changed when Grant Morrison began writing New X-Men. Morrison made Cyclops central to the entire storyline, developing him into a more complex character that subsequent writers continued to build upon. He stepped up to fill the role of leader and mentor, taking over from Professor X. Surprisingly, the biggest crisis facing mutants actually allowed Cyclops to truly shine and become a stronger, more compelling hero.

I’m talking about the storyline *House of M*. After the mutant population lost its powers, Cyclops found himself leading a community on the brink of extinction, forcing him to adapt. He became a more assertive and strategic leader, and the years following *House of M* allowed him to evolve from a relatively unremarkable character into one of Marvel’s greatest heroes. Cyclops dedicated himself to mutant survival, even embracing the power of the Dark Phoenix, and his leadership became increasingly focused on protecting his people. Ultimately, he died during the initial conflict with the Inhumans in 2015, leaving only his younger self behind.

Cyclops has experienced significant character development since his initial appearance. While always powerful, what truly makes him compelling now is his unwavering dedication to his people and his willingness to sacrifice everything for their survival. He’s less concerned with being a hero and more focused on ensuring their future. Watching him confidently take charge is impressive, and many now consider him a superior leader to even Captain America. This growth has even won over those who previously disliked the character, proving his genuine strength and leadership.

The current storyline, “From the Ashes,” has truly elevated Cyclops. Following the end of Krakoa, he’s stepped up as a leader for mutants, dedicated to their survival. While Cyclops was central to the X-Men stories during the Krakoa era, this new volume has put him even more in the spotlight. He’s a key figure in both the latest X-Men series and “The Age of Revelation,” and the X-Men comics are finally giving him the individual focus he’s earned after years of being a team player.

Cyclops May Be the Next Big X-Men Star

I used to think Cyclops was a bit of a downer, always dampening the spirits of more exciting characters. But over time, I’ve really come to appreciate him. His internal battles feel authentic – he’s genuinely flawed, yet he leads a team of incredibly powerful and often troubled individuals. Despite his own struggles, he consistently guides them to success. There’s a compelling depth to Cyclops now, and he’s one of the few characters who truly deserves his own dedicated story.

Even though *Cyclops* is currently just a limited series by Alex Paknadel and Roge Antonio, it’s a fantastic start. Cyclops has had short runs before, and while a longer, ongoing series would be welcome, this focused series is exactly what the character needs to remind everyone how great he is. If this series does well, a full ongoing run will likely follow. Cyclops has really come into his own, and now feels like the perfect time for him to shine. He truly deserves a chance to be the main focus.

Cyclops is on sale in February 2026.

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2025-10-11 18:13