Cyclops (comics)

Cyclops (comics)

Cyclops is a fictional character, a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He often serves as the field leader of the X-Men. A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes (an "optic blast"). In uniform, he wears a battle visor with a single, ruby-quartz lens running eye-to-eye; the resulting one-eyed appearance is why he is codenamed "Cyclops", after the one-eyed giants of Greek mythology.

Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The X-Men #1 (September 1963). Originally dubbed Slim Summers, by X-Men #3 his name was changed to Scott—Slim became just a nickname. Scott is the first X-Man recruited by Professor X; Xavier hand-picks Scott to lead his X-Men, and to carry on the legacy of his mutant-human-harmony ideals. Xavier views Scott as one of his most prized pupils; their relationship exhibits father/son qualities. From time to time Scott's extreme loyalty to Xavier has cost him dearly in his relationships with others; but, over the course of the characters' publication history, he eventually emerges from Xavier's shadow as the X-Men's undisputed leader.

Cyclops is most often portrayed as the archetypal hero of traditional American popular culture—the opposite of the tough, anti-authority, antiheroes that emerged in American popular culture after the Vietnam War (e.g., Wolverine, his X-Men teammate). Selfless, self-disciplined, and ethical, Cyclops also possesses tremendous leadership abilities, and great tactical and strategic skills.

He is the son of Corsair (Major Christopher Summers) of the Starjammers; the oldest brother of both Havok (Alex Summers) and Vulcan (Gabriel Summers); the father of Cable (Nathan Summers); and, the widower of Madelyne Pryor and Jean Grey. He is also a long-time friend of Beast (Hank McCoy). In alternate realities, he has also been the father of Rachel Summers and Ruby Summers, and a biological parent of X-Man and Stryfe.

James Marsden has portrayed Cyclops in all three of the X-Men films, while in the 2009 prequel film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, he is portrayed as a teenager by actor Tim Pocock. In 2006, IGN.com rated Cyclops #1 on their list of Top 25 X-Men from the past forty years. Wizard Magazine also ranked Cyclops the 106th Best Comic Book Character of All Time. In 2011, IGN ranked Cyclops 39th in the Top 100 Comic Book Heroes and readers of Comic Book Resources voted him the 9th Top Marvel Character of All Time.