"That's Why Summers Was Team Leader, Not Me": Wolverine Admits Why Cyclops Will Always Be The Better X-Men Leader

Summary Wolverine admits that Cyclops is the true leader of the X-Men, praising his dedication and natural leadership skills.

Weapon X-Men #2 features a multiverse team-up of Wolverine variants to battle an Onslaught-corrupted Jean Grey.

The dynamic between Cyclops and Wolverine has evolved over the years, showing respect and appreciation for each other.

Warning: Spoilers for Weapon X-Men #2!Wolverine has finally admitted that Cyclops is the one true leader of the X-Men. No one will argue about Wolverine being the most popular member of the X-Men, and he likely always will be. Nonetheless, he is seldom depicted as the leader of the team during missions. Alternatively, Cyclops has consistently been marked as the leader of the X-Men despite being one of Marvel's most hated heroes.

Contrary to popular belief, Logan believes that Scott is suited for the role. In Weapon X-Men #2 by Christos Gage, Yildiray Çınar, Nolan Woodard, and VC's Clayton Cowles, Wolverine pontificates why Cyclops should always be chosen as the leader of the X-Men over himself. Cyclops and Wolverine have been intrinsically linked together for decades as friends, enemies, and in a love triangle with Jean Grey.

If anyone understands Cyclops better than anyone else on the X-Men, it's Wolverine, especially a retired Wolverine who has time to reflect on what makes Cyclops so great. As such, he's the perfect person to co-sign Cyclops for those who doubt his leadership skills.

Wolverine of Earth X Admits Cyclops is the Better X-Men Leader

A Major Multiverse Event for Wolverine

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Weapon X-Men depicts an Across the Spider-Verse-esque team-up of Wolverine variants, including the new female Wolverine, all assembled to take on an Onslaught-corrupted Jean Grey from the multiverse. Among these Wolverines is the Wolverine of Earth X, a version of Logan who lost his powers, or more accurately, sacrificed them. Weapon X-Men #2 starts with that origin story as Earth X's Wolverine talks with the female Wolverine, Jane Howlett.

This version of Logan recalls that in his world, Jean Grey loses her powers and slips into a deep depression as a result. Cyclops opts to dedicate his time to the X-Men, because "being team leader [is] in his bones." Meanwhile, attempting to cheer her up and best support her, Wolverine goes to a genetic specialist to suppress his healing factor so that he can grow old alongside Jean. However, all it winds up doing is driving a deeper wedge between them as lovers until Jean finally leaves him. Wolverine believes it's making decisions like that that make Cyclops the better leader.

Wolverine's Abilities as a Leader Have Been Put To the Test

When Did He Lead the X-Men?

This more mature version of Wolverine, who leads by example, feels like a natural progression from the jaded loner that he was for so many years.

Although it is rare to see Wolverine in the leadership role for the X-Men, that doesn't mean it's never happened. The times he's been called to step up as a leader have just been few and far between. He's certainly led subgroups of the X-Men in the past, like X-Force, but his crowning achievement would come after the events of 2011's Schism. A falling out with Cyclops compels Wolverine to leave Utopia with part of the X-Men who lean more in Logan's favor. In taking over the abandoned X-Mansion, turning it into the Jean Grey School of Gifted Mutants, Wolverine overachieves in a leadership role.

This more mature version of Wolverine, who leads by example, feels like a natural progression from the jaded loner that he was for so many years. The Wolverine who desperately needed the X-Men as a found family is now able to provide that same comfort to younger students, particularly for young Quentin Quire, with whom Headmaster Logan develops a special mentor-student relationship. As for his comrades in the X-Men, no one can accuse him of ignoring the basic aspects of teamwork. He leads the X-Men right up until his death, and rightfully so.

Cyclops and Wolverine's Relationship Within the X-Men Has Shifted

Their Endgame for Each Other

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Wolverine and Cyclops call each other out on their flaws and shortcomings, but never hesitate to recognize each other's skills.

As much as fans love pondering about who truly is the better leader between Cyclops and Wolverine, that is the least significant question that Weapon X-Men #2 asks. What's most important to analyze is what such a definitive declaration from Wolverine about Cyclops says about how their relationship has evolved to this point. The two have found themselves at odds on and off over the years, particularly in the aforementioned Schism. However, the root of their relationship is better than some readers give credit for.

The frenemy feud is often their crux, yes, but more often than not, there is a respect factor between both men, even when they disagree. Wolverine and Cyclops call each other out on their flaws and shortcomings, but never hesitate to recognize each other's skills. As their relationship has continued to grow and repair in surprising ways over the years, they've become even more willing to admit and praise each other's best attributes. This notion seems to be something of a multiversal constant for Logan and Scott in every reality.

After all, the previous issue of Weapon X-Men reveals a world where they died together fighting off an alien army. Meanwhile, Weapon X-Men #2 showcases Earth-80777, where Wolverine and Cyclops are both retired and happily married to Mariko and Jean, respectively. In this world, they continue their friendship, at peace with each other, with zero regrets or animosities regarding their life decisions. There's a moment where this world's Cyclops and Jean share a kiss, catching a glimpse of this world's Wolverine and the Wolverine of Earth X.

While the latter looks at the sight with immense longing, Earth-80777's Logan is less concerned with Cyclops and Jean, and more concerned with making sure his melancholic variant is okay. Both Cyclops and Wolverine in this and multiple worlds end up in a place where they grow to make peace with each other. Older and wiser men, they are finally able to put their egos aside and discard any petty grievances they may have for one another. Finally, there is only respect and appreciation between these two X-Men.

Is Wolverine Right About Cyclops?

Who is the Better X-Men Leader?

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With all things considered, who is the better leader of the two? Both have proven to be competent leaders in their own right, but it's hard to argue with the Logan of Earth X that Cyclops is the better choice for the X-Men's leader between the two of them. Granted, it's not for the reason that Wolverine thinks. Wolverine cites his personality as a reason, but there isn't necessarily anything wrong with his personality. It's his personality that makes him a great leader to begin with. However, he did not develop that personality overnight.

It took years of character development and growth for Wolverine to become the leader he was always destined to be, while Cyclops has always been a natural leader. That's why he's consistently picked to lead the X-Men and why he was Professor X's first choice as leader during the original iteration of the team. The traits that Wolverine had to grow into overtime were leadership traits that were naturally ingrained in Cyclops' personality. Wolverine has been seen as a capable leader of the X-Men, but Cyclops is the one who was born to lead.

Weapon X-Men #2 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Weapon X-Men #2 (2024) Writer: Christos Gage

Artist: Yildiray Çınar

Colorist: Nolan Woodard

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Cover Artist: Dike Ruan & Neeraj Menon

Wolverine Created By Roy Thomas , Len Wein , John Romita Sr. First Appearance The Incredible Hulk Alias James "Logan" Howlett Alliance X-Men, Avengers, Canadian Army, OSS/CIA, Avengers Unity Squad, Alpha Flight, New Avengers, New Fantastic Four, Savage Avengers, Weapon X, X-Force