Summary

• Kamala Khan's leadership skills shine in X-Men #33, bridging gaps between heroes and villains effortlessly.
• Cyclops' inflexibility and micromanaging style creates conflicts, highlighting his struggle to connect with teammates.
• Despite their close friendship, Kamala may replace Cyclops as the X-Men leader with her unique ability to unite and empathize.

Warning! Spoilers for X-Men (2021) #33 ahead!Kamala Khan. Ms. Marvel is a new addition to the X-Men team, but she's already shown a penchant for building bridges and diplomacy that Cyclops' gruffer nature often struggles with. This could lead to Kamala replacing him as leader despite their close relationship.

X-Men (2021) #33 depicts the rise of Ms. Marvel and the decline of Cyclops in perfect microcosm. In Madripoor, the X-Men are attempting to ambush Orchis' founder, Dr. Killian Devo. When Devo's countermeasures nearly banish the X-Men to the Negative Zone, Kamala saves the day by convincing Doctor Doom to send his Latverian X-Men as backup. Kamala previously encountered Doom's "evil" X-Men team in X-Men #29.

X-Men (2021) #29 and #33 are by the team of Gerry Duggan, Joshua Cassara, Marte Gracia, Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Clayton Cowles, Tom Muller, and Jay Bowen.

By contrast, Cyclops fares poorly when facing off against Nimrod, failing to protect his newfound ally Dr. Alia Gregor from the murderous machine. He is subsequently beaten within an inch of his life before Nimrod dismisses him as inconsequential and departs.

Ms. Marvel Bridges Gaps Between Heroes And Villains

While Kamala is not actively leading the X-Men's anti-Orchis resistance, she is able to solidify teamwork between two very disparate groups, even helping to bridge the gap between the X-Men and one of Marvel's greatest villains.

It's important not to understate how pivotal a role Kamala plays in X-Men #29 and 33. When facing off against Doctor Doom's Latverian X-Men, Kamala is the first to advocate for negotiation instead of fighting. She is able to strike an immediate kinship with the Latverian mutants. In addition, Kamala even earns Doctor Doom's respect, as shown by him preparing Halal food for her at the t dinner. On the surface, this may appear to be a small consideration, but it's one that goes a long way when considering that not doing so would have been an easy snub for Doom to show his dominance over his mutant guests.

Likewise, when asking Doom for aid in X-Men #33, the supervillain is nothing but courteous to Kamala in return. When Doom's mutants arrive, they greet Kamala with an easy camaraderie, addressing her as "my mutant friend," and helping to ease any tensions between the two different groups of X-Men. While Kamala is not actively leading the X-Men's anti-Orchis resistance, she is able to solidify teamwork between two very disparate groups, even helping to bridge the gap between the X-Men and one of Marvel's greatest villains. Kamala's empathy is able to unite teams that would otherwise never be able to work together.

Cyclops' Leadership: Talented, But Unflexible

Cyclops' tight need for control makes him temperamental and easily provoked if he feels his leadership is being challenged.

While Cyclops is a powerful mutant and a master tactician, he often struggles to connect with his teammates, demanding respect and obedience without necessarily having earned it first. This is demonstrated perfectly in X-Men '97 (2024) #1, in which Cyclops' inflexibility and rigid leadership style leads to conflict with Wolverine, and a Danger Room session going hilariously awry within seconds. Cyclops' inability to adapt to his teammates in the field - instead demanding that they conform around him - is one of his greatest weaknesses as a leader, despite his keen tactical skills.

X-Men '97 (2024) #1 is by Steve Foxe, Salva Espín, Matt Milla, and Joe Sabino.

Furthermore, Cyclops' authority is frequently undercut by other, more powerful mutants. It is telling that his role frequently caps out as team or squad leader, with figures like Xavier, Magneto, Storm, Jean Grey, or Emma Frost taking on leadership roles for the entire X-Men organization. This plays into his weaknesses as a leader: without the raw power to inspire his teammates, Cyclops' tight need for control makes him temperamental and easily provoked if he feels his leadership is being challenged. Cyclops is a powerful field agent, but overcompensates for his simpler powers by micromanaging his teams.

The Legacy of Captain Krakoa Shows Ms. Marvel's Importance

During Krakoa's early days, Cyclops ended up donning the Captain Krakoa suit and becoming "Captain Krakoa" in order to hide the secret of mutant resurrection from the rest of the world. This had the unintended consequence of making Cyclops the "face" of Krakoa and its ambassador to the non-mutant world. Part mascot and part leader, the role of Captain Krakoa was an important bridge for the fledgling mutant nation, returning Cyclops to a leadership position once more. However, his tenure as Krakoa's hero and ambassador would ultimately be tarnished when the suit was stolen by an Orchis-ed impostor.

When the worst possible events have occurred and mutants face obliteration, Kamala Khan takes Cyclops' place as the face of mutant freedom.

It is all the more telling, then, that the next person to take up the mantle of Captain Krakoa is none other than Kamala herself. While Rise of the Powers of X (2024) #1 takes place in an alternate timeline, the act of Kamala becoming Captain Krakoa in a ruined world is poignant and packed with meaning, with Kamala always striving to be a symbol of hope for others. When the worst possible events have occurred and mutants face obliteration, Kamala Khan takes Cyclops' place as the face of mutant freedom.

Rise of the Powers of X (2024) #1 is by Kieron Gillen, R. B. Silva, David Curiel, Clayton Cowles, Tom Muller, and Jay Bowen.

Ms. Marvel and Cyclops' Friendship Transcends Generations

While Kamala may be positioned to take Cyclops' role as leader, there is no animus between them; in fact, the two are fast friends. As early as Champions (2016) #2, a young (time-traveling) Cyclops s Kamala's Champions; from there, the two frequently swap roles as leader, pairing Cyclops' tactical mind with Kamala's empathy. Their relationship persists even into Cyclops' present, with one of the first things Kamala does upon her resurrection as a mutant in Hellfire Gala (2023) #1 is to share a close hug with her old friend Scott.

Champions (2016) #2 is by Mark Waid, Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado, and Clayton Cowles.

Hellfire Gala (2023) #1 is by Gerry Duggan, Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, Russel Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, Joshua Cassara, Kris Anka, Pepe Larraz, Rain Beredo, Ceci De La Cruz, Matthew Wilson, Erick Arciniega, Marte Gracia, Virtual Calligraphy, Tom Muller, and Jay Bowen.

Kamala's close relationship with Cyclops makes her a natural to follow in his shoes as a mutant leader. Rather than supplanting him, Kamala takes the best of Cyclops - his heart, his brilliant mind - and marries it with her unique ability to connect with others, the one trait with which Scott has always struggled. From their time together on the Champions to their unique roles on their individual teams, Kamala has essentially trained under Cyclops to become the best mutant leader she can be. It will take time, and Kamala Khan still has a lot of growing left to do, but she seems destined to follow in Cyclops' footsteps to become one of the X-Men's great leaders.

X-Men #33 is available now from Marvel Comics.