Warning: Spoilers for recent editions of Last X-MenMarvel may have just revealed its new version of Cyclopsand his childhood may be darker than his canonical counterpart. Reinvented for the Ultimate Universe by Peach Momoko, Marvel classic X-Men have been given entirely new backstories. Among these new versions of the X-Men is a teenager named Natsu Tsukishima and her younger sister, Mori.
Last X-Men by writer/artist Momoko has been slowly introducing Ultimate Universe versions of several iconic X-Men characters, who are reimagined for a new setting and with new stories. Although not openly stated, Momoko has given a significant number of hints pointing to Natsu being the Ultimate Universe equivalent of Cyclops.
Natsu’s similarities to Scott Summers border on heavy-handed: they are both older brothers in their respective families; her name translates as “Born in Summer” in Japanese; Natsu primarily uses Scott’s signature colors of blue and yellow; one of his eyes is red and always covered by an eye patch; and future covers depict her using optical beams like Scott. But even with all these similarities, Natsu’s backstory makes her a different character with a darker upbringing.
The Ultimate Cyclops has an all-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 cult who loves mutants and sees them as inherently superior to humans. Additionally, certain cult members with mutant abilities are augmented to make those powers stronger, as was the case with Kageyama at the end of Last X-Men #7. Natsu also explains that cult members are prohibited from discussing the matter with non-members, such as Hisako, Mei, and Nico.
Just like Natsu, Scott Summers had an unorthodox and maladaptive upbringing in relation to his mutation, with his adolescence as leader of the X-Men essentially turning Cyclops into a child soldier. However, Natsu’s childhood among the Children of the Atom is presented as differently tragic and traumatic, instead creating a structure that inherently isolates her from her peers. Furthermore, the Horrible beliefs of the Children of the Atom, along with the way they experiment on members to give them powers or increase their powers, call into question the reasons why Natsu is wearing an eye patch.
The origin of Ultimate Cyclops is based on Scott Summers’ already dark childhood
What’s next for Natsu?
Last X-Men Natsu’s reinvention of Cyclops continues the Ultimate Universe’s trend of reinventing familiar characters with unfamiliar backstories. While Natsu may not share everything with Scott Summers, she embodies the modern version of Cyclops having a dark childhood and changes the details to fit the world of the Ultimate Universe. By doing this, Cyclops dark childhood is taken to the next level, even by X-Men standards, and this makes Natsu’s character even more tragic.
Ultimate X-Men by Peach Momoko Vol. 1 is available November 5, 2024 from Marvel Comics.