Cyclops is the defacto leader of the X-Men, but he has rarely received a chance to shine outside the comic book medium. However, the character is front and center of the team of mutant superheroes in X-Men ’97, a revival of the hit 90s cartoon series.
While the revival can be a vehicle to explore Cyclops’ leadership, one of his darkest choices from the comics is too unhinged for the animated series. In the comics, Cyclops opted for biological warfare during a delicate situation that led to genocide. Given the nature of Cyclops’ choice, the decision proved controversial, allowing for a reflection on his leadership.
Cyclops’ Most Unhinged Feat in the Comics Was His Use of the Legacy Virus
Scott Summers / Cyclops first came into contact with the deadly mutant killing Legacy Virus through a conflict with Stryfe. Cyclops would rediscover the virus during the events of the Secret Invasion storyline, which saw a fleet of shape-shifting Skrulls invade the planet.
In Secret Invasion: X-Men #3, Hank McCoy / Beast developed an alternate version of the virus that would affect and kill the Skrulls. Since the Skrulls would shape-shift into humans, it was almost impossible to defeat all of them. As a result, Cyclops argued that biological warfare was the best way to counter the threat.
Eventually, Cyclops deploys the virus against the Skrulls hiding in San Francisco in Secret Invasion: X-Men #4. However, Cyclops chooses to use the virus as a weapon without exploring whether it could have a cure. Therefore, the move is extremely risky, but results in the destruction of the Skrull fleet in San Francisco. Thus, Cyclops’ actions are particularly dangerous and unhinged, since they not only cause genocide, they could have adversely impacted innocent lives.
Cyclops’ Biological Warfare Might Be Too Dark For X-Men ’97
X-Men ’97 is set to continue from where the original series left off, which was no stranger to adapting some of the mature and gritty comic book storylines. However, since the original was primarily a children’s cartoon it avoided disturbing topics such as genocide, which is also why Magneto’s World War II backstory is never addressed in the series.
Meanwhile, X-Men ’97 appears to share the tone of its predecessor, which means the animated series will also ignore themes such as genocide through Cyclops’ most unhinged choice from the comics. As a result, Cyclops’ biological warfare storyline could be completely overlooked.
Cyclops’ decision to use a deadly virus is a testament to his leadership as he is willing to make the tough choices to protect his friends and save innocent lives. However, the decision raises questions about Cyclops’ leadership skills, which would be a fascinating theme to explore with the X-Men ’97 iteration of the character.
Nonetheless, showing Cyclops willingly causing genocide, especially in the current socio-cultural context might prove to be too controversial and a tonal departure for the series. As a result, the storyline is best left unadapted at least as in its comic book form.
X-Men ’97 and X-Men: The Animated Series are streaming on Disney+.
