Published Oct 5, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT
Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.
Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.
Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno.
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Marvel's X-Men are about to vote on a new leader, seemingly ending Cyclops' reign at the head of the team. Here's who's likely to step into his shoes, why Cyclops is being ousted, and what comes next.
Cyclops has been the X-Men's team leader on and off since their 1963 debut, emerging again and again as the team's defining member - as Scott Summers himself said in 2022's X-Men #7, "I AM the X-Men."
However, that claim is about to be brought into doubt, as Marvel announces that Cyclops' Alaskan X-Men roster are looking for a new leader.
The X-Men Are Voting For A New Leader
In recently released solicit information for X-Men #43, Marvel reveals that the X-Men will vote for a new leader following the events of the DNX event. The X-Men/Fantastic Four crossover is ongoing, and sees Cyclops taking on his fellow founding X-Man Hank McCoy, now codenamed 'the Chairman.'
Following the event, the synopsis for X-Men #43 reveals that Magneto will be restored to his full power for the first time in years, while the godlike Jean Grey will return from her Odyssey across space. With these major figures back to the height of their power, the team will vote to decide their new leader.
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Release Date: |
December 23, 2026 |
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Writer: |
Jed MacKay |
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Artists: |
Vincenzo Carratù |
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Cover Artist: |
Netho Diaz, Sean Parsons and Arthur Hesli |
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Magneto is restored! Jean Grey has returned from space! But with so many strong personalities and viewpoints in contention with one another, who will lead the X-Men? The winds of change blow in Alaska, and the X-Men must make a fateful decision that will decide their future! Remember: Mark your choice on the ballot with an X! |
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Comprised of former villains including Psylocke, Juggernaut, Magik, Quentin Quire and more, the team's stated mission is to fight for a plurality of mutant voices so that multiple visions of mutantkind's future can emerge. However, they've spent most of their time clashing with the US government and the Chairman's mutant supremacist 3K group.
Why Cyclops Has Lost The X-Men's Support
It's not clear exactly why the X-Men are voting for a new leader, seeing as Cyclops has been broadly successful in running the team and facing down their many enemies. However, Marvel has hinted that DNX will cause the death of the heroic Beast (a clone of the original Hank McCoy), shaking the team to their core.
It's possible Cyclops will be blamed for this, or simply that it will shake Scott Summers enough to want to step down after his anti-3K campaign. Scott has been suffering secret panic attacks in recent comics, and he may take Jean's return as an opportunity to step away from leadership for a while.
Will Jean Grey's Phoenix Lead The X-Men?
Custom Image by Vanessa PiñaWhile Marvel hasn't revealed who'll replace Cyclops, there are only two main competitors. First, Magneto. At the end of the 2019-2024 Krakoan Era, Magneto was resurrected from death and swore himself to a new philosophy, fighting for all those marginalized by society, not just mutants. Due to a severe illness, he hasn't been able to fully pursue that agenda, but with DNX finally healing him, now may be the time.
Equally, Jean Grey's return from space seems intended to give her a major new role in X-Men comics. With Jean Grey starring in her own solo series from MacKay and Rogê Antônio, it makes sense to have her lead the X-Men at the same time, focusing fan interest on the character. On top of which, her reality-warping powers have never been stronger, making her an obvious leader.
Ultimately, the concept of a team vote could justify almost anyone taking charge, but Jean Grey is the most obvious call. The identity of the new leader will be definitively revealed as X-Men plays out this upcoming arc.
X-Men #43 is coming December 23 from Marvel Comics.
TV Show(s) X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men '97 (2024)
Video Game(s) X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine's Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
First Film X-Men (2000)
Character(s) Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
Comic Release Date 213035,212968
English (US) ·