Cyclops may be both one of the most important X-Men and Marvel Universe characters ever. Having debuted in the X-Men’s very first appearance in 1963, Scott Summers has been a part of the long-running franchise throughout most of its existence, usually as the X-Men’s field leader.
A tactical genius, Scott has guided the team through some of its darkest periods, often while trying to figure out his surprisingly complicated personal life. Because Cyclops has appeared in so many comics, new readers interested in the character may not know where to start. Thankfully, there are plenty of entry-level Cyclops stories out there, X-Men-related and otherwise.
10 Champions #12
Cyclops has been called boring, stiff, by the book, a stick in the mud, and more… even by some of his fellow teammates. Yet how do those descriptions make him feel? Mark Waid, Humberto Ramos, and Victor Olabaza finally revealed the answer in Champions (2016) #12 by having Cyclops exposed to feedback from the Psycho-Man’s latest emotion-altering machine. Using Scott’s resultant mood swings as a framing device, the issue explored just about every major facet of Cyclops’ personality, including his desire to fit in, his frustration over how his friends saw him, and how he really wanted people to perceive him.
9 “The Bicycle Thief” (Cyclops, 2010 One-Shot)
In this X-Men: First Class one-shot by Lee Black and Dean Haspiel, Cyclops finally asked himself if his critics were right: is he too uptight? While pondering the question, Cyclops ran afoul of Batroc the Leaper and a new Circus of Crime, who had stolen Hydra technology for mysterious purposes. While pursuing them, Cyclops actually began enjoying himself, charmed by the villains’ antics and the unusual lengths he went through to keep up, including stealing a bicycle and hiding his costume under a hoodie. In the end, Scott proved his naysayers wrong: you can have fun and always be prepared at the same time.
8 "Hindsight" (X-Men Unlimited #31)
Artist Brian Stelfreeze handled both writing and full art duties in X-Men Unlimited (1993) #31’s second story. Cyclops found himself having to fight with his eyes closed after a street gang knocked off his glasses, mistaking him for a blind person. Afraid to open his eyes for fear of badly hurting someone with his optic blasts, Scott instead defended himself by using the many fighting skills he learned from his fellow X-Men.
Though extremely continuity-light, the short story was a spiritual sequel to the Uncanny X-Men story “Duel,” as Cyclops explained his loss against Storm taught him that he could still learn from his teammates.
7 Cyclops 2014 Ongoing Series
Cyclops’ first ongoing didn’t actually star the modern-day Scott Summers, but instead his time-displaced teenage self, who had gone to live with his father Corsair in space. The series was a fun and heartfelt sci-fi adventure epic that explained even the more complex continuity of the time period in a way any first-time reader can understand. Most importantly, however, Cyclops explored the young Scott’s relationship with Corsair, giving the two characters the chance to make up for all the time they lost since the fateful plane explosion separated them when Scott was a boy.
6 “Duel” (Uncanny X-Men #201)
When Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor's child was finally born, Scott’s mind was miles away. The reason for Scott’s aloofness soon became clear: he was afraid of leaving the X-Men. While Scott believed his fear stemmed from Xavier leaving the school and placing it in Magneto’s care the previous issue, Maddie posited Scott really feared becoming less important to the team. Neither theory was confirmed, but "Duel" by Chris Claremont, Rick Leonardi, and Whilce Portacio was an excellent look at how Scott’s single-minded dedication to the X-Men could easily transform into tunnel vision. It also featured his legendary battle with Storm for team leadership, in which Scott learned a sobering lesson in humility.
5 “Phoenix!” (Uncanny X-Men #175)
Uncanny X-Men #175 by Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, John Romita Jr., and Bob Wiacek was the culmination of a long-running subplot, in which Mastermind had been manipulating Scott’s insecurities over Madelyne Pryor’s physical similarities to Jean Grey. Yet the issue did a spectacular job of getting readers up to speed so they could enjoy the highlight of the issue: Cyclops fighting the entire team of X-Men, whom Mastermind had tricked into seeing Cyclops as a resurrected Phoenix. The story was a brilliant display of Cyclops’ physical prowess and inventiveness and concluded with a major event in Scott’s life: his wedding with Maddie.
4 “Elegy” (X-Men #138)
While X-Men (1963) #137 is oft-cited as one of the greatest X-Men issues ever, #138 by Chris Claremont, John Byrne, and Terry Austin is a better entry point for new Cyclops fans. The issue recapped virtually every major X-Men event up until that point from Cyclops’ perspective, including his and Jean Grey’s romance from beginning to what nearly was its “end.”
Cyclops is often accused of being dry and emotionless, but this issue proved he’s anything but. Though he leaves the team at the issue’s end, new readers needn’t worry, as he continued appearing in the series for many issues after. Anybody newcomer can pick up #138 and easily read on from there.
3 “The Ties That Bind” (X-Men #30)
Cyclops and Jean Grey have had feelings for each other since the X-Men’s beginnings. Just over 30 years later, the two finally tied the knot in X-Men (1991) #30 by Fabian Nicieza, Andy Kubert, and Matt Ryan. Though the issue did make little references to the era's continuity, it’s still perfectly readable for newcomers and a great “downtime” story. While Scott and Jean were at the center of the story, the issue was narrated from Professor X's viewpoint, who received a surprise from the bride that’s bound to have at least a few readers’ eyes tearing up.
2 “Cyclops: Eyes Wide” (X-Men Origins: Cyclops)
Does being one of the characters most synonymous with the X-Men make Cyclops Xavier’s carbon copy? X-Men Origins: Cyclops by Stuart Moore, Jesse Delperdang, and Andy Lanning explored that question, revisiting when Professor X left the original X-Men under Cyclops’ leadership in Uncanny X-Men #7. Though the story took its liberties with continuity, it still got to the core of Cyclops’ character, recapping his childhood and showing a slightly different take on Magneto's first encounter. The story ended with Scott agreeing to substitute for Charles while simultaneously affirming that he wouldn't necessarily commit to doing everything Xavier’s way, either.
1 “And The Rest Will Follow” (X-Men: Marvel Snapshots)
Can a Bildungsroman be less than 30 pages? X-Men: Marvel Snapshots makes a strong case that it can. Written by Jay Edidin of the popular Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men podcast, with art by Tom Reilly [and Chris O’Halloran], the story showed how a pivotal moment in Scott’s youth put him on the path to becoming not just a superhero, but the X-Men’s best tactician. The story dovetailed neatly with established continuity and was filled with Easter Eggs for fans of the X-Men and Edidin’s podcast and a completely accessible look at what really made Scott into an X-Man.