Warning! This article contains spoilers for X-Men #21.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has officially joined the world of Marvel's X-Men comics. Jonathan Hickman's X-Men relaunch has revitalized the superhero franchise. Hero and villain alike have gathered on the living island of Krakoa, forming a mutant community the likes of which the world has never seen before. June's X-Men comics are telling the story that will launch their next phase, the Hellfire Gala, with the mutants inviting humans and other superheroes to see just what kind of new world they're building.
The comics are having fun incorporating real-life figures into their world, showing a wide range of celebrities who've been welcomed to the Hellfire Gala. Readers of X-Men #21 will spot the likes of Michael B. Jordan, Patton Oswalt, George R.R. Martin (who really ought to be focusing on writing The Winds of Winter rather than partying with Krakoans), and Marc Maron. But one unexpected guest is more exciting than all the rest, and sure to delight fans.
The mutants choose their new team of X-Men, who officially present themselves to the watching world. Shortly after, Cyclops - the X-Men's greatest leader - is approached by a very familiar face: Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios in the real world. Delightfully, Feige asks a simple question; "So, what's your story?" It's a moment that will send chills down the back of any reader, and so wonderfully appropriate; Feige has always loved comic books, and his genius has made Marvel superheroes bigger than ever before, so it's great to see him finally appear in a comic. It's reminiscent of the old Stan Lee cameos, which were always done with such affection and appreciated by readers.
In response, Scott Summers presents what frankly feels like his pitch to enter the MCU. "I was blind," Cyclops replies, "blind to how the world worked... and then I met a man who taught me to see — see how things really were." Prompted by Feige's question, Cyclops reflects on how he loved Xavier, and idolized him, forgetting his humanity because he so loved his dream. "But the world, you see — the waking world — where we all live... it is a killer of dreams. A destroyer of things you believe in." For a time Cyclops hated Xavier when he realized his flaws, but he came to understand that too was unfair. Now, the mutant race is gathered at last, not in Xavier's Dream - for even Professor X admits Xavier's Dream is dead - but in a new cause.
And yet, however much the world may have tried to rob Cyclops of his dream, he insists it has not succeeded. "So what's my story?" Cyclops concludes. "I'm a dreamer. I'm an X-Man." It's a wonderful statement, reminding readers that however much the X-Men have changed they are still the same; still dreamers, optimists who fight for a better world and refuse to give up in the face of prejudice and bigotry. When the X-Men finally enter the MCU - inevitable now, given Marvel Studios regained the film rights when Disney acquired the bulk of Fox's film and TV empire - this is surely what they will bring to it. And yet, amusingly, Kevin Feige, the architect of the MCU has appeared in an X-Men comic long before the X-Men have appeared in the MCU.