The X-Men have long been one of the most important teams in the Marvel Universe, full of respected mutants. One of the team’s most respected – and most important – members is Cyclops. Cyclops has been with the team since he was a teenager and has led the group for just about all of that time, earning his place as one of the best leaders in the Marvel Universe.
He’s a devastating combatant and under his uptight demeanor is a man who deeply cares about his friends and his people. The X-Men is full of role models but none are greater than Cyclops. He’s sacrificed more than anyone for the mutant cause and has made himself into a legend.
10 He’s Lived With An Uncontrollable Power
Cyclops’ optic blasts are one of the most devastating powers of any mutants. One can only imagine how much greater they’d be if a childhood injury hadn’t taken away his ability to control them. Cyclops lived in a world where he couldn’t even open his eyes for years out of fear of hurting the people around him, a terrible thing for a young person.
With the help of his ruby quartz glasses, he would be able to control them to an extent but the fact that he’s lived with a power like his and found a way to control it, to take a curse and make it into a blessing, is a testament to the man’s greatness.
9 He Can Work With Anyone
Cyclops has had a hard time over the years in the X-Men. Beginning with his rivalry with Angel over Jean Grey, his complicated relationship with Wolverine, and having to work with some of the X-Men’s foes, Cyclops has proven able to co-exist with anyone. When it comes to the fight, Cyclops can put his differences aside and work with even his most bitter foes.
This is a very admirable trait; sometimes, conflict makes strange bedfellows, especially the ones the X-Men find themselves in. Cyclops’s ability to take his personal feelings out of things is a great trait.
8 He’ll Do Anything For His Teammates
Cyclops has been a member of the X-Men for a good portion of his life and he believes in the team’s mission with all of his heart. He’ll do anything to get his people through the fight. He’ll make any sacrifice, go to any length, to keep his teammates safe. He’s put his life in danger many times, even for teammates he doesn’t like very much.
Cyclops will do anything for his teammates and even more for his friends. He’s all about the mission in the field and a big part of that is making sure everyone gets home – even if it means he might not.
7 He Never Gives Up
“Never giving up” is a cliche for superheroes- just about all of them will “never give up.” Cyclops takes it to the next level, though. To begin with, his life has always been full of hardships – losing his parents at an early age, taking care of his younger brother Alex in Mister Sinister’s orphanage, and the manifestation of his uncontrollable powers.
Joining the X-Men was almost easy after, risking his life and helping others became second nature. Through all of the hardships of his life – from his screwed-up love life to the reality of being the leader of the mutant race at its lowest ebb – Cyclops has always moved forward, never giving up even when no one would blame him for doing so.
6 He’ll Do Anything To Ensure The Future Of Mutantkind
Being a mutant is not easy and Cyclops has had a pretty hard go of it. From his uncontrollable powers to the hardships inherent in being a member of the X-Men, being a mutant has brought him nothing but troubles. However, that has never stopped him from giving his all and being willing to sacrifice anything for mutantkind.
Cyclops loves his people and will do anything to keep them safe. His time as the leader of the mutant island of Utopia proved that, as he made the hard decisions and put himself in jeopardy at every turn to ensure his people’s survive, facing down anyone and anything to keep them safe.
5 He Has No Problem Protecting A World That Hates And Fears Him
While the X-Men have always been all about protecting mutantkind, they’ve also been superheroes that saved the Earth from all manners of threats that had nothing to do with mutants. Cyclops actually likes being a superhero; he likes it a lot, which makes sense for someone like him. In fact, he’s often taken the X-Men in that direction many times.
Cyclops has no problem risking his life for the humans who wouldn’t look twice at him. Their racism doesn’t make him stoop to their level and he will save anyone that needs saving. He doesn’t allow their hatred to get in the way of his heroism.
4 His Costume Game Is On Point
Costumes are an important part of being a superhero and Cyclops’ are pretty much some of the best around. In fact, it’s hard to think of a bad Cyclops costume; the only one that wasn’t great was the original X-Men costume. Once he started designing his own costumes, things got real.
Cyclops is always among the best-dressed heroes in the Marvel Universe and every young mutant can look up to him and his costume designs for inspiration. From the classic navy blue with the skull cap to the blue and white X-Factor one to the ’90s classic suit and beyond, Cyclops’s fashion sense kills it.
3 He Took Over Leadership Of The Mutant Race In Its Most Hopeless Hour
After Professor X left the X-Men to help the refugees of Genosha, a massive disaster struck – Scarlet Witch depowered the vast majority of the mutant race. Cyclops was already the headmaster of the Xavier School and he opened up the school to the scant few hundred remaining mutants, becoming the leader of his entire race.
He would hold mutantkind together through its most different times, keeping mutants safe and building their power. While he didn’t always make the best decisions and things eventually got way out of hand, he stepped up when no one else could or would, heralding his people through their toughest time.
2 He’s A Patient, Experienced Teacher
Cyclops took his responsibilities with the X-Men seriously and one of those was making sure his teammates could control their powers and use them to their utmost extent. He helped train the team in the Danger Room and when the school opened to young students, he taught them as well, teaching them the lessons that helped him when he was young.
Cyclops is probably the best teacher the X-Men have. He can teach his students control and how to fight. He’s a shining example of what patience, control, and learning about one’s powers can do. His desire to teach others and help them improve is just as noble as his ceaseless battle against evil.
1 He’s One Of The Greatest Leaders In The Marvel Universe
When it comes to great leaders, everyone jumps to Captain America as the best. However, this is doing a grave disservice to Cyclops; being leader of the X-Men is way harder than leader of the Avengers. He not only has to fight evil but he also has to teach his teammates about their powers, deal with racism, and serve as an example for all of mutantkind.
Cyclops is the X-Men’s greatest leader. He’s the total package and while he may not be as inspiring in obvious ways as Cap, he more than makes up for hit with the ability to inspire even those who don’t like him to fight under his command. Few out there can do what he can.
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