Warning: Spoilers for recent issues ofUltimate X-MenMarvel may have just revealed its brand-new version ofCyclops, and her childhood may be darker than her canon counterpart. Reinvented for the Ultimate Universe by Peach Momoko, Marvel’s classicX-Menhave been getting brand-new backstories. Among these new versions of the X-Men is a teenage girl named Natsu Tsukishima and her younger sister Mori.
Ultimate X-Menby writer/artist Momokohas been slowly introducing the Ultimate Universe’s versions of several iconic X-Men characters, who are reimagined for a new setting and with new histories. While not overtly stated, Momoko has givena significant number of hints pointing towards Natsu being the Ultimate Universe’s equivalent of Cyclops.
Natsu’ssimilarities to Scott Summersborder on the heavy-handed: both are the older siblings in their respective families; her name can translate to “Born in Summer” in Japanese; Natsu primarily wears Scott’s signature colors of blue and yellow; one of her eyes is red and always covered with an eyepatch; and future covers depict her using optic beams like Scott. But even with all of these similarities,Natsu’s backstory makes her a different character with a darker upbringing.
The Ultimate Cyclops Has a Brand-New - But Very Familiar - Backstory
Natsu’s Childhood, Explained
In the Ultimate Universe,Natsu and Mori were born into the Children of the Atom, a cultthat worships mutants and sees them as inherently superior to humans. In addition, certain members of the cult with mutant abilities are augmented in order to make those powers stronger, as was the case with Kageyama at the end ofUltimate X-Men#7. Natsu also explains that members of the cult are forbidden from discussing it with non-members, such as Hisako, Mei, and Nico.
61 Years After Its Introduction, Cyclops' Original Nickname Officially Returns
X-Men leader Cyclops' original nickname, dating back to his introduction over sixty years ago, was just resurrected in the franchise’s new era.
Similarly to Natsu,Scott Summers had an unorthodox and maladaptive upbringing relating to his mutation,with his teenage years asthe leader of the X-Menessentially turning Cyclops into a child soldier. However, Natsu’s childhood among the Children of the Atom presents itself asdifferentlytragic and traumatic, instead creating a framework that inherently isolates her from her peers. Furthermore, the horrifying beliefs of the Children of the Atom, along with the way they experiment on members to either give them powers or augment their powers, calls into question the reasons Natsu is wearing an eyepatch.
Ultimate Cyclops' Origin Builds Upon Scott Summers' Already Dark Childhood
What’s Next for Natsu?
Ultimate X-Men’sreinvention of Cyclops into Natsu continues the Ultimate Universe’s trend of reinventing familiar characters with unfamiliar histories. While Natsu may not share everything with Scott Summers, she embodies the modern take of Cyclops having a dark childhood and shifts the details to fit within the Ultimate Universe’s world. By doing so,Cyclops’dark childhood is taken to the next level, even byX-Menstandards, and it makes Natsu’s character all the more tragic.
Ultimate X-Men by Peach MomokoVol. 1is available November 5th, 2024 from Marvel Comics.
Cyclops
Cyclops, a.k.a. Scott Summers, is the X-Men’s core team leader and one of the first characters to appear in the franchise. As a human/mutant hybrid, Cyclops has the power to launch massive bursts of energy from his eyes that are regulated through the use of a specially designed visor. Despite his calm and collected demeanor, he tends to lose it when in the presence of a fellow team member, Wolverine.
