Warning: Contains SPOILERS for X-Men #21
Throughout his long history as a leader among the X-Men, Marvel Comics’ Cyclops has had to make some pretty tough decisions to keep his people alive. On more than one occasion, Scott Summers’ leadership and quick decision-making have meant the difference between life and death not just for his fellow mutants, but for the Marvel Universe as a whole. But fans know that just because Cyclops is a tactical genius doesn’t make him infallible.
Cyclops has saved mutantkind plenty of times, but on more than one occasion, his choices have also nearly led to ruin. X-Men #21 puts the eldest Summers brother in the hot seat once again against the parasitic Brood. But his grand plan – the genocide of the entire Brood species – fundamentally goes against everything he’s ever fought for.
Cyclops Wants To End The Brood For Good
Once more the insect-like aliens known as the Brood have been ravaging the Marvel Universe, and X-Men #21 by Gerry Duggan, Stefano Caselli, and Federico Blee finds the titular team torn on just how to take care of these adversarial aliens once and for all. While many X-Men believe that the Brood can be saved and once again be brought under the control of the fan-favorite Broo, Cyclops takes the opposite stance and unabashedly advocates for the extermination of the entire Brood race. And when the one and only Jean Grey calls him out for his “human” hypocrisy, Scott doubles down and warms his teammates not to stop him from killing the rogue sleazoids separated from the benevolent hive mind.
The Brood are undoubtedly one of the most monstrous races in the Marvel Universe, but advocating for their genocide his highly hypocritical coming from Cyclops. While he is understandably on edge after the Brood’s near murder of his father, Corsair, he’s still effectively calling for the slaughter of a species that he hates and fears, undeniably living up to the “human” remark that Jean throws his way. Whether or not the universe would be safer without the Brood, Cyclops’ cold and arguably vindictive nonchalance about the extinction of an entire race is chillingly similar to that of the human forces like Orchis that the X-Men have always faced.
Scott Summers May Become What He’s Always Fought Against
Cyclops argues that the Brood are a threat to all life in the universe, and with their violent and terrifying history, it’s hard to disagree with him. But many of the X-Men’s enemies have long made the same argument when it comes to mutants – a notion that Cyclops has always been found battling on the frontlines of the war for human/mutant peace. The Brood are definitely an existential threat with few rivals, but that does not justify Cyclops’ ultimate betrayal of the ideals that he’s spent his life defending.
Cyclops is one of the X-Men’s most iconic leaders, but that doesn’t mean he’s always right. On more than one occasion, Scott Summers’ rash decision-making has caused its fair share of conflict. And if he does somehow eventually find a way to wipe out the entire Brood species, then Cyclops of the X-Men will hardly be any different from everything he hates.
X-Men #21 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.