As theX-Mencharge headfirst into a new era, their leaderCyclopsmakes it clear that the team isno longer fighting for Charles Xavier’s dream of human/mutant cooperation. For as long as they’ve existed, the X-Men have been fighting for a world where humans and mutants can live as equals, enjoying peaceful coexistence as one people. However,X-Menhas finally outgrown Charles Xavier’s singular goal - the X-Men now fight for something totally different.
In a preview ofX-Manhunt Omega #1- from Gail Simone, Murewa Ayodele, Enid Balám, Gleb Melnikov, Federica Mancin, Brian Reber and Travis Lanham - Rogue and Cyclops debatewhether they should support Xavier, who recently broke out of prison on a mission to save his daughter Xandra Neramani. Cyclops insists that Xavier’s students shouldn’t take any risks on their former mentor’s behalf, arguing thathis dream is dead and the X-Men have a new role.
Cyclops lays out that mutantkind is no longer chasing Xavier’s goal, and there is no single goal uniting the X-Men. The issue shows how teams like NYX, X-Factor, X-Force and the Exceptional X-Men represent different dreams,turning the X-Men into the guardians of mutant potential. TheX-Menfranchise is now about pluralism - the coexistence of different mutant dreams for the future, not one man’s vision for how the future must be.
The X-Men franchise is now about pluralism - the coexistence of different mutant dreams for the future…
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Cyclops' X-Men Now Fight for Mutant Pluralism
The X-Men’s Future Is Bigger Than Charles Xavier
For decades, the X-Men have been defined as members of the human race who possess rare superpowers due to the X-gene. However,Marvel’s 2019-2024 Krakoan Erafundamentally changed this idea. Over the last few years, mutantkind founded their own nation, gaining a national identity. While that nation is gone now, it has turned mutantkind into a diaspora.Mutants are no longer defined purely by their marginalization, but by a cultural, national identity that is all their own.Mutants have a homeland and a cultural past that can inspire different visions of the future - there are now more options for a positive mutant future than just being considered human.
WhileCyclops' hatred for Xavier is due to his mentor’s betrayal of Krakoa and its protectors, it’s also a significant break for the franchise. Xavier was fighting for a world where mutants were considered part of humanity, but Cyclops is fighting for a world where mutants have their own identity and culture. While both want mutants to be free from prejudice and violence, Cyclops doesn’t believe this is only possible through assimilation.
Cyclops' version of the X-Men’s mission allows Marvel to expand what the franchise is capable of…
Xavier and Cyclops' goals are compatible up to a point, butCyclops' version of the X-Men’s mission allows Marvel to expand what the franchise is capable of- it’s no longer true that every mutant team is fighting towards the same goal, even thoughCyclops' X-Men will continue to fightfor all of them. Before, every X-Men team effectively served Xavier’s vision - now, the X-Men exist to protect many different mutant dreams of what the future could look like.
Cyclops' argument turns the X-Men into the linchpin of a wider franchise where not every mutant hero is an extension of Xavier’s vision. While many fans were sad to see the Krakoan era go, this reframing of what theX-Menare for shows that Marvel has a clear vision for how to reshape the franchise, withCyclopsas a hero who champions the agency and safety of his fellow mutants without necessarily binding them to a singular vision - a purpose that’s pretty ironic, given his codename.
X-Manhunt Omega #1is coming from Marvel Comics March 26.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
Cyclops
Cyclops, a.k.a. Scott Summers, is the X-Men’s core team leader and one of the first characters to appear in the franchise. As a human/mutant hybrid, Cyclops has the power to launch massive bursts of energy from his eyes that are regulated through the use of a specially designed visor. Despite his calm and collected demeanor, he tends to lose it when in the presence of a fellow team member, Wolverine.
