Marvel Confirms the 1 Superhero Leader Better Than Captain America

Warning: Spoilers for X-Men #1!One unexpected hero surpasses Captain America as Marvel’s best leader. For practically the entirety of his time in Marvel Comics, Steve Rogers has proven to be the ideal leader for any team. Cap always rises to the challenge and leads his cavalry to greatness, whether it’s the Howling Commandos during World War II, the Avengers, or more recently, the R-rated Uncanny Avengers.

While Captain America is most revered for leading the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, former AvengerBeast names Cyclops as a better team leader in X-Men #1 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman. In the issue, while walking the local Alaskan police chief, Robbins, through the mutant squad’s new home base, Hank calls Cyclops the “most gifted combat leader I’ve ever known. And I was an Avenger.”

As someone who worked under both leaders, this is a big statement coming from Beast, especially when Cyclops has had his detractors over the years. This article seeks to examine what makes Cyclops Marvel’s best leader.

Why Cyclops Has Led the X-Men Since the Beginning

Coming out of the Krakoa Era’s conclusion, the new “From the Ashes” relaunch once again appoints Cyclops as the head X-Man in charge, as he has been since the original X-Men #1 from the 1961 debut of the franchise. Even in that premiere issue, Scott Summers displays the ethics of a true leader, and he’s only expanded on those skills in the years since. There’s a reason why he’s been the leader since the beginning, and much of that reasoning stems from the fact he exemplifies Xavier’s mission without being blinded by its flaws.

Unapologetically abiding by the team’s mission statement makes someone an ideal flagbearer, but the way in which Cyclops often finds himself questioning, rationalizing, and often challenging Xavier’s dream before making any decision to push it is what makes a true leader. Captain America has been in similar predicaments. The costume he wears makes Steve a literal flagbearer for America, but he’s not blinded by it. He questions his government without blindly fighting for his country just for the sake of it, similar to Scott (even if it has compelled him to make questionable decisions).

Why is He So Divisive if Cyclops is a Great Leader?

He Makes the Decisions No One Else Wants To

Cyclops has made decisions that heroes of the Marvel Universe, and even readers at home, would question. Such questionable decisions haven’t always made Cyclops a popular man in the X-Men locker room, nor has it made him popular among fans. Then again, that itself makes for a necessary leader, someone who is there to make the tough decisions that not everyone is going to like and not everyone is going to make. In challenging Xavier’s dream, he’s made head-scratching decisions to counterattack the flaws he sees in it. And, depending on the circumstances, those decisions have often been right.

Take when Cyclops felt compelled to kick Xavier out of the X-Mansion during Deadly Genesis. On one hand, doing something harsh to a beloved X-Men member is one reason why Cyclops’ credibility has been destroyed and why some hate him. On the other hand, given Xavier’s crimes – secretly training an X-team, including Scott’s brother, getting them killed, and wiping everyone’s memories of the matter – Scott was completely justified. By turning his back on a father figure he could no longer trust, Cyclops made the tough call that no one else was willing to make.

Decisions like this are why some heroes hate Cyclops, but a real leader does what needs to be done, not what’s going to appease others. Cyclops may not always make the decision everyone is going to love and some may question if the decision is right, but if one thing is always certain, Cyclops makes decisions that are going to ensure his team’s protection and safety, first and foremost. Cyclops always puts others before himself, and he is going to do whatever it takes to make sure his decisions guarantee the security of anyone on his team.

Cyclops’ Leadership Skills Displayed in X-Men #1

The Latest Example of Cyclops’ Leadership Skills

Going back to talking about the original run of X-Men, where Cyclops first led the title characters, Beast was among them. Beast spent significantly more time being led by Cyclops in the X-Men than by Captain America in the Avengers. Some may argue that this theoretically means that Beast is more biased in praising Scott as a leader so highly in this new X-Men #1. However, it’s best to analyze Cyclops’ presentation as a leader in X-Men #1 before moving forward.

Beast specifies Cyclops as a combat leader, and the orders and strategies he offers to his teammates during their assault on an enemy base in this issue make that clear. However, it’s the small things he does and says on the battlefield that demand a second glance more than anything. He’s the type of leader to give tough love, but that doesn’t stop Cyclops from being encouraging for the sake of boosting morale. In the thick of battle, for example, Scott takes a moment to tell Juggernaut how proud he is of his work. He’s actively rewarding his partners for following his directions stupendously.

What Can Cyclops Do That Captain America Can’t?

Why Scott Summers is a Better Leader Than Steve Rogers

Both Cyclops and Captain America are so skilled at being leaders in their respective roles, it becomes hard to differentiate both men as leaders or even pinpoint what one does that the other doesn’t. Both are leaders who are symbolically representing something larger than even their respective teams. In the same way that Cyclops is a representative of the mutant community, Cap is a symbol of America. Both duties come with their own unique demands as leaders. On top of that, both check off the essential leadership skill boxes (cunning, quick-witted, compassionate, etc.).

Both are a part of movements bigger than themselves and lead teams who, in their own respects, are larger than life. These two once butted heads during the Avengers vs. X-Men event and while they shared differing approaches, both showcased valuable, firm stances as leaders. At this point, when it may boil down to personal preference more than anything because they are so similar, now it becomes a question more so of why does Beast think Cyclops is a better leader than Captain America?

The answer may come in Beast’s original statement and, most importantly, his specification: “Scott Summers is the most gifted combat leader I’ve ever known.” The word “combat” is key here, not to mention telling. It tells readers that while both Cyclops and Captain America share the mentality of a true soldier, Cyclops fights like a soldier and has the tutelage of gearing others to think/fight like soldiers. Cyclops has been leading the X-Men like a soldier on the front lines since he was a teenager, maybe longer than Captain America, and that gives him an edge in this debate.