[[{“value”:”
As Captain America, Steve Rogers has become one of Marvel’s premier superheroes over the years, but that prominence is finally starting to wane. In a surprising turn, Cyclops is taking Cap’s place as the best leader in the Marvel Universe now that he’s formed a new team of X-Men, whereas Steve Rogers has been effectively sidelined within his own team. Though Captain America will always be revered, Cyclops may be surpassing him at last.
Captain America and Cyclops are known for leading two of Marvel’s best super-teams, the Avengers and the X-Men respectively. While Steve’s command of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes has granted him widespread recognition as a skilled leader on the field, Marvel seems to be pushing Cyclops as a better fit for such a position in current stories.
Furthermore, with Steve’s version of Captain America also falling to the wayside for Sam Wilson to take center stage, it’s clear that he’s not needed anymore. Steve Rogers’ time in the limelight is over, because Scott Summers is cementing himself as the greatest leader among Marvel’s heroes.
Sorry, Captain America: Cyclops Is Becoming Marvel’s Best Leader
Cyclops Displays Exemplary Leadership, and People Are Taking Note
Scott Summers has been guiding the X-Men as one of the key faces of their operation for decades, ever since he first started taking charge of the original five members during missions in 1963’s X-Men #1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. From the beginning, he’s displayed many traits that are valuable in a leader, from his determination to his tactical approach to combat. While Cyclops’ optic blasts stand out as his most useful physical superpower, his strategic mind has proven to be an equally valuable asset on the field. Time and time again, Scott has outsmarted enemies and led his fellow X-Men to victory,
While Cyclops’ optic blasts stand out as his most useful physical superpower, his strategic mind has proven to be an equally valuable asset on the field.
For instance, in Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus #1 by Matt Fraction, Mike Deodato Jr., and Terry Dodson, Cyclops hand-selects X-Men to target various members of the Dark X-Men and Dark Avengers. His strategy is effective, showing that he understands his allies’ abilities well enough to place them in the ideal positions. Moreover, Cyclops isn’t afraid to make tough calls, as seen in 2024’s X-Men #3 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman when he threatens O*N*E with the prospect of turning his mutant team against humanity. As he fearlessly leads his new X-Men line-up, all eyes are on Cyclops, both within the Marvel Universe and among fans.
Cyclops Represents the Modern Audience’s Ideal for a True Leader
Marvel Readers Want a Rebel, Not a Patriot Who Follows the Rules
There are plenty of factors that could contribute to Cyclops’ popularity suddenly trumping Captain America’s after the latter hero spent so long as the embodiment of Marvel superhero leadership. Marvel Studios’ X-Men ’97 animated series certainly plays a key role, as the show depicts Cyclops as a strong character and gives mainstream audiences a glimpse of the comic version of the character after past adaptations have failed to do him justice. Above all, it illustrates a vital facet of Cyclops’ personality that Captain America lacks on a surface level: his rebelliousness.
Related
X-Men: Cyclops Is Tapping Into the Villains’ Playbook, But Is It For the Best?
As the X-Men find themselves in a “cold war,” Cyclops pulls the ultimate move by using a tactic that is straight from the villains’ own playbook.
Like Captain America, Cyclops can be perceived as a “boy scout” by many due to his straight-laced demeanor, though he’s revealed that he’s much more than that over the years. Both of these heroic leaders are brave enough to take a stand against those in power when necessary, but with American iconography decorating his costume, it’s hard to perceive Cap as anything but a government lapdog at a glance. On the other hand, Cyclops is known for defending his kind fiercely and setting a defiant example, demonstrated by his era as a mutant revolutionary after the groundbreaking Avengers vs. X-Men crossover.
Marvel’s Heroes Agree That Cyclops Shows Better Leadership Than Captain America
Scott Summers vs. Steve Rogers: Marvel Knows The Answer
Cyclops’ newfound status as Marvel’s best leader isn’t all fandom chatter, as the in-universe heroes have backed up the claim numerous times. In last year’s X-Men #1, Beast goes as far as to say that Cyclops is “the most gifted combat leader I’ve ever known”, and that’s coming from someone who’s been a member of the Avengers and is thus familiar with their brand of leadership in addition to Scott’s. While most X-Men would consider Cyclops the better commander by default due to a lack of experience with fighting alongside the Avengers, Beast has the knowledge to draw a conclusion that can be trusted.
Beast, also known as Hank McCoy, joined the Avengers’ roster for the first time in 1975’s Avengers #137 by Steve Englehart and George Tuska.
Other X-Men would gladly corroborate this claim after years of following Cyclops into battle, but they aren’t the only ones who can agree that he’s a strong leader among the rest that Marvel has to offer. In fact, even Captain America himself has admitted he respects Cyclops. In Uncanny X-Men #19 by Matthew Rosenberg and Juan Vlasco, Steve says to Scott, “I’ve always respected you, Scott. What you’ve been through – it’s more than I think I could handle.” He’s willing to concede that he couldn’t lead the X-Men the way Cyclops has, solidifying Scott Summers as the superior leader between the two.
Captain America Has Lost His Crown to Cyclops, Sidelining Him Further
Steve Rogers’ Time as the Face of Marvel Leadership May Be Over
Captain America has long been been considered the best leader within the Marvel Universe due to his usual status at the head of the Avengers’ charge, but he’s even been dethroned as the leader of his team in the comics’ status quo. Right now, in Jed MacKay’s The Avengers, Steve Rogers isn’t featured in the team’s roster at all. Instead, Sam Wilson has taken the role of the Avengers’ Captain America, with Captain Marvel leading the group of valiant heroes in Steve’s stead. As of now, Steve Rogers has never been less relevant in Marvel Comics, while Cyclops has never risen higher.
Steve Rogers has never been less relevant in Marvel Comics, while Cyclops has never risen higher.
One obvious reason behind Steve’s Captain America getting sidelined could be MCU synergy, since Sam Wilson’s first solo movie as the iconic hero has just hit theaters, so the company could be aiming for synergy between the comics and the films. Additionally, the X-Men are gearing up for their highly anticipated debut in the MCU, so there’s a possibility that Marvel wants to highlight mutants like Cyclops more to build anticipation for their arrival. In any case, the fact remains that Captain America has lost his luster in the public eye, and Cyclops is finally replacing him as Marvel’s definitive superhero leader.
“}]] Captain America is no longer Marvel’s best leader. Read More