All-New X-Men #18 Review

By Marcus Flowers | Feb 4, 2017

Cyclops finally finds the truth in what’s been bothering him lately … Cyclops!

All-New X-Men #18

Writer: Dennis Hopeless

Artist: Mark Bagley

Editor: Daniel Ketchum

Dennis Hopeless (Gearhead, WWE Then.Now.Forever, Spider-Woman) alongside artist Mark Bagley (Avengers Assemble, Batman, Fantastic Four) continue the battle of the X-Men against the Inhumans in All-New X-Men #18.

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The war between the children of the Atom and the species created by the Kree continues in Marvel Comics’ event Inhumans v. X-Men. For the time being, it seems that the X-Men have the upper hand.

Not only have they neutralized most of the Inhuman races’ biggest weapons, including Black Bolt, but the long-time leader of the X-Men, Scott Summers destroyed one of the Terrigen mist clouds that were giving dormant Inhumans their powers and killing off mutants.

Over the past few years, Scott Summers has gone from boy scout to ruthless leader. The original leader of the X-Men has been anything but pure for the past decade. Scott Summers has sent out Mutant assassin teams, made one of his closest allies become the new juggernaut, and he killed Charles Xavier.

Before his death destroying one of the Terrigen mist clouds, Summers was not very much liked by anybody. However, since Summers died, it’s been the young Cyclops, who time traveled from the past, who has had to deal with the burden of the acts his predecessor had committed.

All-New X-Men #18 deals with young Cyclops and his mindset during the war between the Inhumans and the X-Men. The issue starts off with the X-Men’s raid of New Attilan, Cyclops is talking to himself about how everything is his fault and he’s a bad guy on either side.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics

Cyclops gets so wrapped up in his thoughts that he gets in trouble. If it weren’t for the older Bobby Drake saving him from the wrath of Inferno, he’d be dead.

Later, Cyclops once again has to be saved. This time it is Magneto who helps him escape the clutches of the Inhuman queen, Medusa.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics

After the battle, young Cyclops is still in his feelings about the role the older version of himself played in the war between the Inhumans and the X-Men. His fellow time-traveler, Warren Worthington III, a.k.a. Angel, tries to cheer him up.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics

The two original X-Men have a conversation, Warren brings up the fact that mutant kind is in real trouble, but Scott answers with something along the lines of “What else is new?”

Young Cyclops goes to clear his head, but immediately falls out. He wakes up in a realm with visions of his past and events that he had experienced. He soon comes across another being who is an Inhuman by the name of Mosaic.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics

Mosaic explains that they are in Scott’s mind. He also says to the adolescent Summers that his power is that he takes control of people’s bodies and their mind. Summers travels across the realm until he stumbles across Magneto’s helmet. Entering Magneto’s helmet, he sees and feels every horrific event in Magento’s life.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics

Most importantly, Scott finds a memory between Emma Frost and Magneto. He learns the truth about his older self and, suddenly, he feels rage at Emma Frost for putting him in this kind of situation. After he leaves Magneto’s helmet and Mosaic leaves his body, he only has one goal—kill Emma Frost.

The journey of young Cyclops is quite fascinating. The 17-year-old has had to learn on his toes the ropes of the X-Men in the modern era. He is also dealing with the humongous shadow that his predecessor has given him. And he spent time in space with his birth father.

Young Summers has had quite the journey, it will be interesting to see how his experiences will help him when he eventually challenges Emma Frost.

The Bottom Line: Dennis Hopeless was the perfect writer to write Cyclops in issue 18 of All-New X-Men. Throughout the story, readers feel every emotion that young summers goes through—including anger, sadness, depression, and clarity. Although Hopeless is tied to the X-Men, a few more stories involving young Cyclops would not be a bad idea.

Bagley on art is terrific. The veteran illustrated really showed his skills throughout the issues. From the battle, inside Scott’s mind, and even Magento’s memories, the art was breathtaking.

For the time being, it seems that the X-Men have the upper hand on the Inhumans. But with Scotts newfound knowledge of what Emma Frost did, the tides might turn very soon.