CYCLOPS

 

CYCLOPS

Real Name: Scott Summers

First Appearance: The Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #1, September 1963

Powers: Cyclops’ mutant power is the ability absorb ambient solar energy and electricity into his optic nerves. He then metabolizes the energy in order to open a dimensional aperture through his eyes to unleash a ruby-colored form of heatless exotic energy. Cyclops' eyes are no longer the complex organic jelly that utilizes the visible spectrum of light to see the world around it. Instead, by absorbing said energies, they become inter-dimensional apertures between this universe and another, non-Einsteinian universe, where physical laws as we know them do not pertain. This non-Einsteinian universe is filled with particles that resemble photons, yet they interact with this universe's particles by transferring kinetic energy in the form of gravitons (the particle of gravitation). These particles generate great, directional concussive force when they interact with the objects of this universe. The ambient energies he absorbs only serve to open the apertures, it does not affect how powerful his blasts are (though he has shown himself capable of mentally adjusting the intensity of his optic blasts to some degree).

Cyclops' mind has a particular psionic field that is attuned to the forces that maintain the apertures that have opened via his eyes. Because his mind's psionic field envelops his body, it automatically shunts the other-dimensional particles back into their point of origin when they collide with his body. Thus, his body is protected from the effects of the particles, and even the thin membrane of his eyelids is sufficient to block the emission of energy. The synthetic ruby quartz crystal used to fashion the lenses of Cyclops' eyeglasses and visor is resonant to his minds' psionic field and is similarly protected.

The width of his optic blasts seems to be focused by his mind's psionic field with the same autonomic function that regulated his eyes' ability to focus. As Cyclops focuses, the size of the aperture changes and thus act as a valve to control the flow of particles and beam's relative power. The height of the optic blast is controlled by his visor's adjustable slit. His narrowest beam, about the diameter of a pencil at a distance of 4 feet has a force of about 2 pounds per square inch. His broadest beam, about 90 feet across at a distance of 50 feet, has a force of about 10 pounds per square inch. His most powerful blast was a beam 4 feet across which, at a distance of 50 feet, has a force of 500 pounds per square inch, but that has since been surpassed. The maximum angular measurement of his optic blast is equivalent to a wide-angle 35mm camera lens field of view (90 degrees when measured diagonally). The minimum angular measurement is equivalent to the angle that the thickness of a pencil would subtend at 4 feet (3.5 degree, about a quarter of an inch viewed at 4 feet). The beam's effective range is about 2,000 feet, at which point a 1-inch beam has spread out to 10 feet square, and then has a pressure of .38 pounds per square inch. His maximum force is sufficient to tip over a filled 5,000 gallon tank at a distance of 20 feet, or puncture a 1-inch carbon-steel plate at a distance of 2 feet. The extra dimensional supply of energy for Cyclops' optic blast is practically infinite. Thus, so long as Cyclops' psionic field is active (which is constantly), there is the potential to emit energy. Because his power source is so plentiful, and because the apertures only require a small fraction of energy in order to stay open, it is virtually impossible for Cyclops to deplete the energy needed to power them.

The only limit to the optic blast is the mental fatigue of focusing constantly. After about 15 minute of constant usage, the psionic field subsides and allows only a slight leakage of energy to pass through the aperture. Cyclops' metabolism will recover sufficiently for him to continue in about an additional 15 minutes.

For years, it was believed that brain damage sustained in childhood during the first manifestation of his mutant ability rendered him unable to control his power. However, it was later established that Cyclops subconsciously decided to make his optic blasts uncontrollable so that he would be forced to remain constantly vigilant. His eyes constantly emit optic blasts and he does not direct them to cease fire. The only ways that Cyclops can suppress his optic blasts are by shutting his eyes or by donning eyeglasses (or his visor) made from ruby quartz that diffuses the optic energy, thus rendering it undetectable. His visor has gone from being controlled by dials on the side to studs on his gloves to being completely controlled by cybernetic signals picked up from his brain. Cyclops can mentally cause the visor to adjust its lenses, making his blast as thin as a pencil or over a meter wide. The unique properties of the blasts also enable him to perform "bank shots", ricocheting the beams off of solid objects in order to hit multiple targets at once. Cyclops is immune to the effects of his own power. There also exists a mutual power immunity between both him, his brother, Havok, and their younger maternal half-brother, X-Treme.

It was assumed that the aftermath of his experiences as a host for the Phoenix Force left his power in a malfunctioning state. As a result, his optic blasts would spray out uncontrollably in multiple directions simultaneously. This allowed him to hit many targets at once, even outside his line of sight as the beams curved themselves, but he could not always control where the beams went. It was later revealed that the power disruption was due to nano-Sentinels that the Dark Beast unleashed on the five hosts. Cyclops suffered fatal exposure to the Inhumans' Terrigen Mists and died of M-Pox. He was later revealed to be alive due to Kid Cable siphoning off a portion of the Phoenix Force and using it to resurrect Cyclops' body.

Cyclops is also an experienced battle tactician, strategist, and pilot of multiple aircraft.