How the different factions X-Men choose a side in the next X Hunt event, the iconic Summers brothers may be forced into their deadliest duel yet. Although Havok and Cyclops love each other deeply, They also had their fair share of brotherly disputesand the latter could change their relationship forever…
Since the fall of Krakoa tRevolutionary Cyclops leads a heroic team of X-Men from his base in Alaskawhile Havok has been disappointingly working as the leader of X-Factor, a government-run mutant team that is forced to use the Clik Clok app to gain fame.
X Factor #8, by writer Mark Russell and artist Bob Quinn, follows Alex's X-Factor team after they are tasked with hunting down Charles Xavier, who has escaped from prison in Graymalkin Prison, which leads directly to a confrontation with Cyclops and his X-Menfight that can be seen on Gred Land's cover for the explosive issue.
Havok's X-Factor team will be forced to hunt Xavier
X-Manhunt Will Have Brother Fighting Brother
Havok and Cyclops have always had an… intense… sibling rivalry, with Alex Summers constantly frustrated by the respect Scott receives from the heroic community as leader of the X-Men. Since Havok's introduction, before he and Scott knew they were brothers, there was tension between the two heroes, which exploded after Alex started dating Scott's ex-wifeJean Grey's then-secret clone, Madelyne Pryor. Although Scott is arguably the most respected and revered Summers brother, Alex is persistent and extremely powerful, even taking down the Incredible Hulk with his energy conversion and generation.
The Krakoan Era, while filled with much peace and prosperity for the mutant community, did not ease the tension between the brothers, but instead highlighted their years-long problems. Havok was tasked with leading the humiliating Hellions team while Cyclops led the X-Men, and Cyclops didn't help Alex advocate for Madelyne's resurrection as a clone, meaning that even in “utopia” the brothers were unable to find many points in common. Now that Alex leads X-Factor, a corrupt government-run strike team, he will face his failures as a mutant community leader when he is forced to fight his brother Scott, a true revolutionary and hero. But if the two brothers end up fighting, who will win?
Havok and Cyclops can't use their powers on each other
Canonically, they have immunity to familiar power
Interestingly, it doesn't matter which mutant ability is “stronger”, because the Summers brothers have immunity to each other's powers, something that often happens in mutant families. Alex and Scott can't harm each other with their energy blastsat least not directly. Scott is a tactical genius and controls his eye attacks incredibly well, while Alex tends to act without thinking and exaggerate his powers. While it may seem likely that Scott would beat Alex in a fight, Alex is very feisty and knows how to push his brother's sensitive buttons, which could give him a real advantage.
The Summers brothers have always been an intrinsic part of X-Men myth, and if the two heroes can't find a way to communicate, then it looks like the upcoming confrontation might just be the latest in a long line of family disputes.
X Factor #8 from Marvel Comics debuts on March 12, 2025.