Recent events in Marvel Comics have bolstered the fan argument that Cyclops is the mutant version of Captain America, but the Uncanny Avengers comic revealed that title should belong to Havok. As Cyclops’s younger brother, Alex Summers has lived most of his adult life in his older brother’s shadow, but he showed he has what it takes to be the mutant Captain America.
Havok has had a long career in comics – introduced in X-Men #54 by Arnold Drake and Don Heck in 1969, Havok has been an on-again, off-again member of the team commonly led by his older brother. When not an X-Men, Havok led the government-sanctioned mutant superteam known as X-Factor. He’s had interdimensional adventures, traveled through time, fought an insurgency in Shi’Ar space and more, and yet Alex unfortunately never managed to quite make a name for himself as a hero or as a leader. Unfortunately, ever since 2014’s AXIS event, most comics featuring Havok have dealt with the trauma he endured in the event and its aftermath. But fans shouldn’t forget the potential he’s shown with the Avengers, or the idealism that separates him from his brother, that make him an ideal candidate for a “mutant Captain America.”
Recently, the X-Men introduced Captain Krakoa in the pages of X-Men #6, by Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz. Originally portrayed as an alternate hero identity for Cyclops, who was officially dead to the public at the time, Captain Krakoa was clearly meant to serve as a mutant equivalent to Steve Rogers. But Cyclops wasn’t the best choice for the role – his younger brother was. In the pages of Uncanny Avengers Havok served as leader of the Avengers Unity Squad, which promoted cooperation between mutants and humans, whether hero or civilian. In this role, not only did Alex successfully lead his team against huge threats like the Red Skull with Xavier’s powers, or the time-traveling Apocalypse Twins, but he gained the trust and respect of Avengers stalwarts like Rogers, Thor and the Scarlet Witch.
Captain America Respects Havok More Than Cyclops
More important than being able to command Captain America and Thor in the field, was the fact that Steve Rogers trusted Alex’s judgment and deferred to his opinion while on the squad. It’s rare to see Cap take orders, but he recognized a kindred spirit in Alex Summers: driven, courageous and idealistic. While Scott was busy with his controversial “mutant revolution” at the time, Alex spent his tenure working to build bridges between mutants and humans, constantly emphasizing their shared humanity. As leader of the Avengers Unity Squad, Alex proved that he has what it takes to be an even better hero than his more well-known brother.
While the details have yet to be revealed, it was stated that the Captain Krakoa armor wasn’t originally created for Cyclops, and he was only temporarily field-testing it. With Havok having won a spot on the X-Men at the recent Hellfire Gala election, the timing is perfect to once again explore Alex’s confident, heroic yet caring side and move him away from the trauma he endured in recent years. Cyclops may be one of Krakoa’s most notable citizens, but as was seen in Uncanny Avengers, Havok has proven he should be the island nation’s Captain America.
