Warning: contains a preview of X-Men #14!
Despite recent issues forcing him to hide his identity to remain part of the X-Men in the public eye, it seems Cyclops will be front and center as the upcoming Judgment Day event sees mutantkind clash with the Eternals, with the Avengers caught in the middle. Unfortunately, Scott Summers isn’t free to act the hero, but will rather face ultimate judgment.
Marvel’s three biggest super teams are about to collide in the impending A.X.E. Judgment Day series from Kieron Gillen and Valerio Schiti. The Avengers are the most powerful they’ve ever been and have established a base of operations in the body of a deceased Celestial. Meanwhile, the Eternals have begun a new life cycle only to find out that their mission to eradicate excess mutation in Deviants extends to mutantkind. Thus, the X-Men are yet again placed squarely at the axis of an unwanted conflict. Although the inhabitants of Krakoa have been courting judgment for some time now – ever since they discovered a method of resurrecting any mutant who’s ever lived and decided to keep it a secret. While Cyclops has been a beneficiary of this mutant technology, he’s disapproved of its secrecy from the start.
In cover art for X-Men #14 from Martin Coccolo, the mutant leader is handcuffed on his knees with a dark hood over his head, as though he’s been kidnapped and is currently awaiting some kind of arbitration. It would make sense for this particular X-Man to be judged, as when Cyclops was killed in front of the world, Scott had to be revived as an altogether different hero. He never thought the Quiet Council should hide resurrection from the world, but his moral discomfort may not matter now. His position as the effective commander of mutantkind’s military means that capturing him sends a signal to the rest: no one will escape what’s coming. This issue itself comes from Gerry Duggan and C. F. Villa.
- X-MEN #14
- GERRY DUGGAN (W) • C.F. VILLA (A) • Cover by MARTIN COCCOLO
- Trading Card Variant COVER BY Russell Dauterman
- BEYOND AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VARIANT COVER BY JOHN ROMITA JR.
- WAS CYCLOPS RIGHT? – AN A.X.E. TIE-IN! Are ANY of the X-Men right? Only one can judge them and the Day of Judgment is here, for good or ill, and the newest team of X-Men must face the truth about themselves and what they have done.
It’s been hinted Judgment Day will revisit past stories as the Celestials render their opinion on the various superteams, and the use of the phrase ‘Was Cyclops Right?’ supports this. In X-Men lore, ‘Magneto was right’ has long been a slogan suggesting the villainous mutant’s plans to devastate humanity were justified. However, when Cyclops founded the mutant nation of Utopia – and especially once he seemingly went to war against the Inhumans – it was as common to see fans and fellow heroes arguing that his most extreme actions were justified to save his species. While it’s possible he’ll be judged for his involvement in Krakoa’s secrecy, it’s also possible he’ll need to answer for older crimes, including using Wolverine’s X-Force as a black-ops kill squad.
While Cyclops has been enjoying a traditional superhero role in recent stories, it may finally be time for him to answer for his decisions as the reluctant leader of a nation. Hopefully, the X-Men will have Cyclops‘ back as he faces judgment, but as the issue’s summary implies, it’s possible Scott Summer really is deserving of punishment.
X-Men #14 is coming August 24 from Marvel Comics.
