Cyclops' Shocking Love Interest Returns in His Next Appearance

The world of What If…? is about to ratchet things up a few notches, as if it hadn’t already, and in so many different ways that stretch the very fabric of Marvel’s imagination. Its beauty lies in the fact it takes what most fans are wondering about, and often answers the question in spectacular fashion. But when it comes to Cyclops and the X-Men, one question remains unanswered.

That is, until now, so hold onto your visors. Ever wondered what if Cyclops told Jean Grey he was choosing Madelyne Pryor, the Mister Sinister-created clone, instead? And what kind of shockwaves (or rather, concussive blasts) would’ve been sent throughout the multiverse as a result of that decision??

Of course, you have, and Gerry Duggan has something special waiting for us all in What If…? Uncanny X-Men (2026) #1.

• Writer: Gerry Duggan
• Penciller: Jan Bazaldua
• Cover artist: Lucas Werneck
• On sale: June 03, 2026

What If .... Cyclops Chose Madelyne Pryor Instead?

A full synopsis from Marvel of What If…? Uncanny X-Men (2026) #1 gives a very real look into what’s to come after Scott Summers decides to stick with the Goblin Queen: “What If..Cyclops has stayed with Madelyne Pryor? Imagine a world where Madelyne Pryor, the Goblin Queen, had survived the Inferno. What would have happened if Cyclops had saved her soul? What would have happened if he and Maddie had raised their son, Nathan Summers?

“What would that world look like? And why would that be the most terrible thing to happen to mutantdom and Earth itself?”

That last line is tantalizingly suspenseful, and all of this comes at a wonderful time for Cyclops and the X-Men, seeing as 2026 is shaping up to be arguably the biggest year for the faction to date.

Cyclops, X-Men On Schedule for a Massive Year

There’s the upcoming, highly-anticipated second season of X-Men ‘97 in Summer 2026 on Disney+, Summers having chosen Jean Grey over Madelyne Pryor in Season 1, once it was discovered what Mr. Sinister did.

And, for the first time ever, Cyclops and the original X-Men (from the 20th Century Fox franchise) will make their debut within the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the release of Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026, also marking the first time they’ve been onscreen in more than a decade. James Marsden’s reprisal of the character in the live-action space will, for the first time ever, feature Cyclops in his comic accurate blue and yellow costume — a tidbit that excites Marsden to no end.

"Yeah, the yellow one with the blue. It’s pretty cool. It’s the one from the comics," he told Jimmy Kimmel Live!. "The visor is...you can’t really see out of it very well. It’s like wearing sunglasses inside all the time. You’re like, 'Where am I going?' But it looks cool. I had a little cameo in Days of Future Past. So it’s been a while since The Last Stand in 2006.

“I’m back. It was fun to put the visor on again."

Where Duggan will take What If…? Uncanny X-Men (2026) #1 is anyone’s guess, but given Pryor’s prior antics, and her own set of Omega-level powers, things could get wild with Cyclops in her corner.