Published Jun 13, 2026, 12:01 PM EDT
Growing up in rural Iowa as a reluctant reader, it all changed when he started reading the original Fantastic Four by Lee/Kirby. Now Austin can't stop reading. He has written about comics for Comic Book Yeti and he has also written tons of indie comics, best known for Big Guns Stupid Rednecks.
Cyclops is back with a shocking brand-new redesign in Marvel Comics' What If...? Uncanny X-Men #1.
In What If...? Uncanny X-Men #1 from the creative team of writer Gerry DuGgan (Deadpool, X-Men) and artist Jan Bazaldua (Avengers), Scott Summers not only has a new costume, but is a member of the X-Force. In this new timeline, Madelyn Pryor is confirmed to be alive, and Cyclops chooses to leave the X-Men. Without Summers leading the X-Men team, they, along with Madelyn, end up being killed by Mr. Sinister, and Summers starts an X-Force team to take revenge. Summer's new suit has a visor that transfers his energy blasts into a gun, which is extremely fitting for the X-Force.
The comic's official solicit reads: "WHAT IF...CYCLOPS HAD STAYED WITH MADELYNE PRYOR? Imagine a world where Madelyne Pryor, the Goblin Queen, had survived the Inferno. What would have happened if Cyclops had saved her soul? What would have happened if he and Maddie had raised their son, Nathan Summers? What would that world look like? And why would that be the most terrible thing to happen to mutantdom and Earth itself?"
Cyclops Wields a Gun In Uncanny X-Men
Image via Mavel ComicsThe new visor serves two purposes: it not only helps Summers channel his energy blasts into the gun, but also helps him see, as in this universe, he lost his eye in a fight with Mr. Sinister. The new X-Force team consists of Wolverine, Colossus, Domino, and Nathan. It's not shocking that Madelyn Pryor was brought back into the mix, as she was a part of X-Men '97 Season 1.
The idea of Cyclops being hellbent on revenge and leading the X-Force is a long way away from his mainline universe counterpart. Cyclops is often portrayed as the leader of the X-Men and has been given the nickname boyscout by Wolverine. Cyclops is usually the level-headed voice of reason.
For years, fans have shared their disdain for Cyclops for leaving Madelyn Pryor behind for Jean Grey. Madelyn Proyor, a.k.a. the Goblin Queen, is a perfect clone of Jean Grey created by Mister Sinister. She and Scott Summers had a son, Nathan Christopher Summers, who would later become Cable.
This universe is already setting a much darker tone. During the missions with the X-Force, Nathan dies. Then, in the final few pages of the comic, a nuclear explosion erupts. Fans will have to wait for issue #2 to see what happens next.
What If...? Uncanny X-Men #1 is currently available wherever comics are sold.
First TV Show X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men
Cast Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Ryan Reynolds, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
English (US) · 