Warning: Spoilers for X-Men #3!The two new versions ofX-Menled byCyclopsandRogueare destined to collide. As the franchise relaunches after the conclusion of the Krakoa Era, the new era establishes two X-Men teams operating in different parts of the world:one roster led by Cyclopsin Alaska, and oneNew Orleans-based unit that Rogue leads.
Despite being on two different sides of North America, Rogue and Cyclops' respective teams have been set up for a confrontation, as foreshadowed inX-Men#3 by Jed MacKay, Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, Livesay, Marte Gracia, and VC’s Clayton Cowles.One bad phone call could be the first step in an instigating all-out X-Men vs. X-Men war.
It could be even deeper than that, as Cyclops' X-Men could quietly be the more antagonistic of the two, more akin to the Brotherhood of Mutants than the X-Men, with Scott Summers himself taking on the role of Magneto.
Marvel Teases X-Men vs. X-Men
And a Magneto-esque Cyclops
While Cyclops' team is a deliberate attempt on behalf of Scott Summers torelaunch the X-Men from the ashesof Krakoa, Rogue’s X-Men all unintentionally fall into each other’s laps.The more uncanny of the two X-Men squads is comprised of Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, and Wolverine, all former X-Men who want nothing to do with the team anymore, as they all try to recover from the trauma suffered in the Krakoa Era’s conclusion. The accidental death of a small boy who touches Rogue is enough to band them all together in search of a real purpose.
Wolverine Officially Quits the X-Men, Admitting Xavier’s Dream Is Dead
Xavier’s dream has never been more dead than in Wolverine’s admittance that he no longer wants to be a part of the X-Men. Can the team move forward?
X-Men#3 begins with Cyclops on the phone with Rogue - the other half of the conversation can be seen in November’sUncanny X-Men#2 - with the latter discussing her plans and then hanging up. An infuriated Scott rants to Beast, referring to the Uncanny ones as"possibly four of the most pigheaded mutants to ever exist.“It takes a lot to get Scott this riled up, and some of that anger carries over into a later conversation with Agent Lundqvist where Scott implies that his rage could encourage him to lead the X-Men more like how Magneto led the Brotherhood.
Rogue Has a Deep Connection to the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Is This a Coincidence, or History Repeating Itself?
Speaking of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, it’s easy to forget thatwhen Rogue first debuted in the comics, she was a villainous member of Magneto’s infamous crew(which was being run by Mystique at the time).She would have a change of heart once Professor X and company were there for her as she struggled with the abilities and empathy she acquired fromabsorbing Captain Marvel’s powers. Still, her original roots were in opposing the X-Men long before she ever even considered officially becoming an X-Man. That’s why it feels all the more pronounced when Cyclops says,“You want them to be my X-Men, not my Brotherhood.”
Considering that his outburst against Agent Lundqvist comes mere pages after ranting about Rogue,it can’t be a coincidence for Cyclops to mention the Brotherhood by name. It has to be a deliberate choice on behalf of the creative team, perhaps to plant the seeds for something bigger developing for Rogue’s story. Maybe this X-Men vs. X-Men tease is bigger than just what the marquee name would suggest. Instead, it could be a larger part of Rogue getting déjà vu in staring down a well-intentioned leader with diabolical plans up his sleeves. And this time, Cyclops is becoming that leader.
Is Cyclops the Villain of Rogue’s Story?
Will This Be X-Men vs. X-Men, or X-Men vs. the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants?
In every hero vs. hero encounter, even those developed over miscommunications or misunderstandings, there’s usually a de facto protagonist and a de facto antagonist. There’s not necessarily a villain in the story, as both sides are still heroes, but the story may be geared towards leaning in one side’s favor, or at least one person is more in the wrong than the other. That’s what could make them an antagonist, and these new developments could make Cyclops out to be the antagonist of that encounter.Truthfully, Cyclops actually could be foreshadowed to be an actual supervillain, like Magneto.
Case in point, Cyclops was practically the de facto antagonist of 2012’s Avengers vs. X-Men event when he had a differing stance on how to handle Hope Summers' situation with the Phoenix Force. Because Scott’s view differed from that of the Avengers,he threw the first shotthat started a war. The same case could happen here.Cyclops is notoriously passionate about his cause, especially when he’s certain he’s in the right, which has gotten him into intense conflicts in the past. He outright says thatRogue’sX-Menare wrong in their pursuits, and ifCyclopsunleashes his rage on them, he could unleash his proverbial Brotherhood.
X-Men#3is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
