Summary
EvenCaptain AmericaadmitsCyclopsis the better hero, putting to rest one of Marvel fandom’s perennial debates going back decades. Though the two have had their disagreements over the years – reflecting the wider divisions between the X-Men and Avengers – an exchange between the superhero colleagues in an issue ofUncanny X-Menunequivocally established Steve Rogers' position on the matter.
Uncanny X-Men (2019)#19 – written by Matthew Rosenberg, with art by Juan Vlasco – settles the argument with one final verdict, coming from no less of an authority than Captain America himself.
In the issue,Captain America reflects on everything Cyclops, personally, and mutantkind in general, have been through, admitting that he would not be able to handle it himself, if he were in Scott’s shoes instead. That is as good as an admission of anything that Cyclops is the better leader between the two of these heroes.
Steve’s words to Cyclops are what’s most relevant, as he states,“Look, Scott, I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I hope you know I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and the X-Men.”
Captain America Finally Reverses His Biggest Criticism of Cyclops
A decade ago, Captain America called Cyclops out for having the wrong priorities as a hero. Now, he’s finally ready to change his mind.
Captain America Admits That Cyclops Has Endured More Hardship Than He Could Bear Himself
Uncanny X-Men#19 – Written By Matthew Rosenberg; Art By Juan Vlasco, Craig Yeung, Guru Efx, & VC’s Joe Caramagna
As the team celebrates a small victory at the Harry’s Hideaway (a bar down the road from the Xavier Institute), the conclusion ofUncanny X-Men#14 sees Captain America confront Cyclops and company. The next issue opens with Cap trying to warn Scott about his uneasy allegiance with the state department’s Valerie Cooper, butSteve’s words to Cyclopsare what’s most relevant, ashe states,“Look, Scott, I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I hope you know I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and the X-Men.”
Cap resurfaces again later to check on Cyclops after his granddaughter shoots his eyes out of his head. Clearly, in this one ordeal, Cyclops has dealt with enough trauma to fill a franchise in a span of three issues. That’s beyond just all the other traumatizing things Cyclops has experienced over the years, and Steve Rogers recognizes that. If Captain America’s immense respect for Cyclops hinges on sympathizing with how much pain Scott’s endured, then it’s easy to see how that respect would skyrocket after this.
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.
Captain America’s Worst Day Is Nothing Compared To Cyclops' Average Experience
Steve Rogers Respects Scott Summers' Resilience
Without minimizing Captain America’s own struggles, his worst moments pale in comparison to an average day in the life of Cyclops.
Captain America has endured strugglesover the years, most notably being a man out of time who had was deprived of a natural lifespan. However, he is Captain America and that’s a name that carries a pleasant weight in every state, more often than not.Cyclops, meanwhile, doesn’t carrythat same luxury as a mutant. Like other X-Men, Cyclops can’t go to most parts of the world without being ostracized, discriminated against, or just plain hated for the fact that he’s a mutant.
Then, there are the moments where evenCyclops' biggest haters felt bad for him.Without minimizing Captain America’s own struggles, his worst moments pale in comparison to an average day in the life of Cyclops. It takes a great amount of endurance, stamina, and fortitude to deal with what Cyclops has to deal with on a regular basis, and Steve knows that. It’s not easy being an Avenger, and it’s even harder to be an X-Man. It takes a leader likeCyclopsto handle what not evenCaptain Americacan.
Uncanny X-Men (2019)#19 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Captain America
Initially debuting in 1940, Captain America is the patriotically themed superhero who has shared the title with only a few individuals. Beginning with Steve Rogers, Captain America’s birth resulted from a frail man taking part in an experimental U.S. Army super-soldier trial, which imbued him with super-human abilities. The character is often depicted wielding a nigh unbreakable and aerodynamic shield made of vibranium that they use to defend and attack their foes.
