Cyclops (Marvel Comics)

**Cyclops** (**Scott Summers**) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a mutant and leader of the X-Men. He can shoot concussive blasts from his eyes as his special power. He was in love with Jean Grey. He tried to save her while she was taken over by the Phoenix Force, but failed.

## Publication history

Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the comic book _The X-Men_.

### Origin

Scott Summers is a mutant. He was orphaned as a young boy when his parents died in a plane crash. He survived with his younger brother, Alex Summers. The two brothers were then separated and sent to orphanages. When he was a teenager, Scott was adopted by Charles Xavier, the founder of the X-Men and the headmaster of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters (a school for mutants). Under Xavier, Scott learned to control his powers with special glasses, as Scott cannot control them by himself due to an injury he got in the plane crash. Xavier made Scott the first leader of the X-Men, which was made up of four other teenage mutants, including Beast, Iceman, Angel, and Jean Grey.

### Family

Scott Summers is the son of Christopher Summers, a pilot. He has two brothers, Alex and Gabriel. Scott did not know that he had a second brother for a long time. Scott has multiple children. They are all powerful mutants. His daughter's name is Rachel. She is from an alternate future and can move things with her mind. Scott has a son named Nathan Christopher, and there are multiple versions of him because of time travel. The most well-known version is Cable, a large man with a mechanical arm. The other well-known version is Nate Grey, who is from another alternate timeline.

#### Relationships

Scott Summers has been in many romantic relationships. His most famous is with Jean Grey, a very powerful telepath and telekinetic. Jean is Rachel's mother. Jean and Scott have been married twice. Scott has also been married to a woman named Madelyne Pryor, a clone of Jean Grey. Scott did not know Madelyne was a clone when he married her. Madelyne is Nathan Christopher's mother, but Jean Grey helped raise him after Madelyne's first death. Scott has also been in a relationship with Emma Frost, another powerful mutant.

Scott has several close friends among the X-Men. Wolverine (also known as Logan) is one of Scott's best friends, but they tend to fight a lot over their different beliefs. Storm (also known as Ororo Munroe) is also very close with Scott. She has co-lead the X-Men with him many times. Scott considers many X-Men members to be like his family.

Scott is not friends with many superheroes outside of the X-Men because he is a mutant. The exception to this is the young team of heroes called the Champions, who befriended a teenage version of Scott who got pulled into his future for a short time. The adult version of Scott still sees the Champions as his friends in his present day.

## Powers and abilities

Scott Summers has natural superpowers because he is a mutant. His mutant power is to be able to shoot powerful red beams out of his eyes. His beams can knock down large objects, but do not produce heat like a laser. Scott needs special glasses or a visor to control his beams because of a head injury. With his visor, Scott can change the size and power of his beams, from very wide and strong to very focused. Scott is also able to do complicated math in his head to know the angles he needs to bounce his beams just right. Outside of his mutant powers, Scott is a very good tactical leader and is good with children.

## In other media

The character has been adapted to different forms of media, including toys, movies, television series, and video games as well. James Marsden initially portrayed Cyclops in the 20th Century Fox _X-Men_ movies, and a younger version of the character was portrayed by Tim Pocock in the 2009 prequel movie _X-Men Origins: Wolverine_. He also was portrayed by Tye Sheridan in _X-Men: Apocalypse_ (2016) and _Dark Phoenix_ (2019), as well as a cameo in _Deadpool 2_ (2018). Marsden will reprise his role in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie _Avengers: Doomsday_ (2026).