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The New Awesome Cyclops Will Get His Own Awesome Series!
Turns out that Brian Michael Bendis really will be writing a standard X-Men series, and it’s going to star Cyclops and Magneto on their quest to save the new mutants created after Avengers vs. X-Men! I’ve often said that Bendis’ talents might be wasted on this All-New X-Men series, which is going to be about the original five X-Men from the past coming to the present. That’s not a premise I want to read about, let alone one I think can sustain an ongoing series.
Bendis and Marvel revealed details about this new series today. Along with Cyclops and Magneto, there will be Emma Frost and Magik on the team, as well as a few others. And my brother will be happy to hear that Scott and Emma are no longer a couple.
Why has Cyclops never had an ‘X’-shaped visor before?
Bendis gave a full interview today. The interview is fantastic.
This is incredibly exciting news! Readers of my blog know that I have stood by Cyclops’ side all through Avengers vs. X-Men, and I am absolutely loving his characterization in AvX: Consequences. The final issue came out this week, and it’s as amazing as the rest have been. Look for that review in this weekend’s Hench-Sized reviews. So Cyclops is in a great place right now, and if Marvel sticks with how Kieron Gillen has been writing him, I bet this series will be amazing. I have all the faith in the world in Bendis.
Here’s what he had to say about Cyclops:
You will discover in the very first issue of ALL-NEW X-MEN exactly where Scott Summers’ head is at. Of all the X-Men that feel it is their job to further the legacy of Charles Xavier, no one feels it more strongly than Scott Summers. Scott Summers himself is not only trying to save these kids but he is trying to train them and get them ready for what he feels is coming mutant revolution These new students represent his only hope for true redemption. And his only hope to make the world the way he really thinks it should be.
Marvel went ahead and teased this development last week with one of their ‘one-word’ teasers they’ve been doing for Marvel NOW! It had the word ‘Uncanny’ and both Bendis and Bachalo’s names, as well as a red beam to indicate Cyclops.
This will mark the third ‘Uncanny’ book at Marvel. ‘Uncanny Defenders’ to follow
And while Marvel only confirmed the series today, artist Chris Bachalo offered yesterday some information on his personal blog:
Looks like the cats out of the bag. Its me an Bendis on a new launch of the series. This was a tough one as i was really enjoying my time on WX but Brian asked for me to help him launch the new Uncanny and how do you turn down that offer. Launches are tough as there’s a lot of ground to cover to get things rolling. Characters are re-imagined, writing styles adjusted to, locations established. Its a tough learning curve that typically takes a few issues to figure out and grow comfortable with. We’re still very early into the creative part so hard for me to comment on exactly what to expect. The daring part is that the tone of the book–feels like, its early–will be a little darker. Characters powers have been ‘adjusted” as a result of the Phoenix five fall out and I was asked to redesign costumes for the entire cast. Everyone. Plus, as of today, there are two “new” mutants. Its a big jump that I’m sure will turn a few off but, we’re betting on, that most will welcome and enjoy. One thing that you can count on Is that Brian will always give you something worth reading. He never fails to be interesting. Launch is two issues in February.
I am already in love with this series.
Just When You Thought Cyclops Couldn’t Get Any More Awesome!
I want to consider my blog a bastion of pro-Cyclops ideology and understanding. Because even though I was, at times, frustrated with his portrayal during Avengers vs. X-Men, Marvel are clearly turning him into the greatest hero ever in the aftermath!
I don’t want to spoil too much right away – I’ll save that for the jump – but suffice to say, from almost everything I’ve seen post-AvX, Marvel seems poised to do some exciting things with Cyclops in the future. More and more, it looks intentional that Marvel and their writers knew exactly what they were doing with Cyclops in Avengers vs. X-Men, and I am absolutely loving it! The character is on this fascinating journey, and not some cliched apologetic quest for redemption.
Cyclops is a total boss! As we can see in a few previews of the upcoming All-New X-Men #1! Join me for more after the jump to view them!
Cyclops Continues to Be Right
For those of you following my coverage of Avengers vs. X-Men, and readily agree with my assessment that Cyclops was right, then you absolutely need to be reading AvsX: Cosquences. It’s a weekly series that is following Cyclops now that he’s the villain and in prison, and it’s absolutely perfect! The second issue came out today, and it’s all about Cyclops and Wolverine sitting down and talking this through, and it is everything I could have hoped for how Cyclops would be treated after Avengers vs. X-Men. Ignore his villainous cameo in Uncanny Avengers, this is the real Cyclops.
I’m not going to spoil anything or do a review of the issue, just take my advice and pick it up if you’re pro-Cyclops. It’s exciting to know that at least someone at Marvel understood exactly what was happening with Cyclops. And Wolverine gets absolutely put in his place!
Also, let me know in the comments if you would like some spoilers, because I can readily provide should there be demand.
Tom Brevoort Calls Cyclops ‘Heroic’
Want some justification in believing that Cyclops was the hero of Avengers vs. X-Men? Look no further than Tom Brevoort, Marvel’s senior vice president of publishing, and editor of the series. In a recent interview with Newsarama.com, Brevoort was asked about Cyclops’ role as the villain in Avengers vs. X-Men.
Nrama: Well, that was a very informative detour — and with Cyclops, there are people who, fair or not, think he’s been cast as a villain, even if the Phoenix force was influencing him. Taking him in this direction, was it motivated out of seeing that kind of potential in where he’s been going the past few years? Is labeling him, even at this point, as a “villain” still sort of missing the point?
Brevoort: Honestly, I think that’s a matter of individual perception. To some people, the things he did, the lengths that he went to, and the choices he made, make him villainous. In every case, he did them for the right reasons, as he saw them. It really depends upon whether you think those reasons were right and justified.
At the end of the day, as he sort of says to Cap, he got as good an outcome as he could possibly have wanted. All he ever wanted to do was safeguard what remained of his people until the point came when this world-changing event happened, and the mutant race was reborn — and he did it. There were casualties along the way, and that’s the tragedy, and that’s the burden that he’s going to carry going forward.
Your viewpoint on Cyclops really depends on where you stand on the choices he made. I think at the very least, if he’s not a heroic figure, he’s a sympathetic figure, and I wouldn’t necessarily even rule out that he’s a heroic figure. I think that’s completely up to the individual readers to decide for themselves. He made what he thought were the right choices, and ultimately, for the most part, everything worked out pretty well, with one glaring exception.
Brevoort went on to say that Cyclops will reappear in AvX: Consequences and All-New X-Men, the latter of which I don’t plan to buy. He said Cyclops’ story is far from over, so that’s pretty awesome.
But how’s that for justification? One of the Marvel big cheeses himself is saying that Cyclops’ actions could easily be viewed as heroic. Yes, heavy prices were paid, but none of it was Cyclops himself turning villainous. Captain America started the whole conflict. The Avengers shot the Phoenix with their big gun, causing it to accidentally possess Cyclops and his friends. The Avengers attacked Utopia and pushed the PhoeniX-Men to retaliate. Namor attacked Wakana. Colossus and Magik set up the evil prison.
The Phoenix killed Professor X. The Dark Phoenix threatened to destroy the world.
The most Cyclops did on his own was maybe threaten to kill a dragon in K’un Lun. He was thrust into several spots he didn’t want to be in, but made the most of it while fighting opposition form his closest friends and his mind being taken over by the Phoenix Force.
Cyclops was right. Pax Utopia.
Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #12
Cyclops was right. About everything. With the final issue of this mega crossover now upon us, I can say with clarity and confidence that Cyclops is the true hero of Avengers vs. X-Men. Oh sure, they want you to believe that Captain America is the real hero. And that Cyclops’ supposed ‘crimes’ are beyond redemption. But I’ve been saying it for a long time now: Marvel was unwilling to just make Cyclops a mustache-twirling bad guy. And this issue finally reveals why. Everything Cyclops set out to do in Avengers vs. X-Men was for good reason, and everything he fought for and people died for, will have been worth it thanks to the surprise ending of this series.
Avengers vs. X-Men #12
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 was a fantastic and exciting finale! It’s a little muddied with an over reliance on flashbacks, but the story is straightforward and the victory well deserved.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great!
In hindsight, I haven’t really liked most of the big crossovers at Marvel. I didn’t particularly care for Fear Itself last year. Secret Invasion was a dud. Civil War was alright, but Seige was quite dull. Avengers vs. X-Men, however, is one damn fine comic. Hero vs. hero, the fate of the world at stake! And even though the writers never really explored the deeper questions of faith and hope prevalent in the series, it’s still an exciting superhero comic. There were times I was annoyed with the series, and very frustrated at what Marvel was seemingly trying to say. But this issue alleviated all of my worries and frustrations with some solid follow through on Cyclops’ story arc.
Forget Hope, forget the Scarlet Witch, forget Captain America or Wolverine. Cyclops is the true star of this comic. He’s the only character who really grew or changed, who learned something from all of this. He’s the only character man enough to accept responsibility, while Captain America sticks with his petty bravado and arrogance.
This was a marvelous comic, settling all of my disputes in a big, bombastic climax. Although I’m not sure why Iron Man is featured so prominently on the cover. Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review.
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