Cyclops, a long-underappreciated character, is making a significant comeback this year, with his iconic '90s costume making an appearance in several high-profile projects, including new DLC for a popular beat 'em up game, the second season of 'X-Men '97' on Disney+, and the big-screen blockbuster 'Avengers: Doomsday'. These appearances reflect the increased recognition of Cyclops as one of the most successful comic creators of all time.
2026 is the biggest year for Cyclops ' 90s costume since X-Men introduced it in 1991. After years in Wolverine's shadow, Scott Summers is finally getting his due in pop culture, with a slate of appearances across this year.
In 1991, Marvel published its best-selling single issue of all time in Chris Claremont and Jim Lee's X-Men #1 As part of the revamp, Claremont introduced brand new costumes for heroes including Cyclops, Rogue and Wolverine. Those costumes quickly became the defining looks for the characters, taking up permanent residence in pop culture memory even as Marvel's mutants went through revamp after revamp.
Now, as Cyclops dominates 2026, his costume is making a similar comeback. Marvel Cosmic Invasion Confirms Cyclops' 90s Costume First up, Marvel Cosmic Invasion just released new DLC, adding Cyclops and Fantastic Four's Thing as playable characters. The '90s-inspired side-scrolling beat 'em up game was a huge hit in 2025, and this surprise update invites fans to play through yet again while wielding Cyclops' optic blasts.
The trailer for the update confirms that Cyclops will be wearing his 90s costume with a leather jacket, repelling Annihilus' alien hordes in style. Thanks to the game's hidden Easter Eggs, Scott will have the opportunity to free mutant allies including Forge and Dazzler. This new DLC is everything Marvel fans wanted from the game, with X-Men die-hards now able to play as Storm, Wolverine, Phoenix and Cyclops.
The addition comes as online consensus agrees that Scott Summers is once again the star of the X-Men franchise, following a significant period being seen as the wooden straight man to more eclectic heroes. It's a good job too, as 2026 has so much more Cyclops left to offer... As Games Embrace Cyclops' 90s Look, X-Men '97 Ditches It As Cyclops hits the gaming world, he's also returning to TV in the second season of X-Men '97.
Ironically, the official continuation of the '90s show is ditching his classic costume this season, as Cyke and Jean Grey are hurled into the far future. The series is set to release on Disney+ in Summer 2026. Recent promo images show Cyclops and Jean in post-apocalyptic new looks, with Scott wearing a version of his classic X-Factor suit.
The series will seemingly adapt 1994's The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix , with Scott and Jean raising their son Cable in a world ruled by Apocalypse. Speaking of comics, 2026 also sees Cyclops starring in his own solo series from Alex Paknadel and Rogê Antônio, leading the X-Men in their own title, and headlining X-Men/Fantastic Four crossover event DNX this September. Sadly, the '90s costume won't appear in these stories, but it will appear in...
Cyclops' 90s Costume Will Also Appear in the MCU Avengers: Doomsday is set to be the biggest movie of the year, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe unites against Doctor Doom. An official teaser trailer has already confirmed that James Marsden will return as Cyclops, reprising his role from Fox's X-Men films... except now in his iconic '90s costume.
Scott Summer is shown on his knees, battling towering Sentinels with a massive optic blast, implying that his home reality may be collapsing due to Doctor Doom's machinations. With X-Men's Beast already introduced in the end credits of 2023's The Marvels, it seems likely the X-Men will act as the cavalry, charging in when the Avengers falter against Doom. Does Cyclops' Classic Costume Highlight Marvel Cheating Its Creators?
With starring roles in movies, TV, games and comics, Cyclops is arguably the defining pop culture character of 2026, however this is also cause to reflect on the role comic creators play in Marvel's media empire. Jim Lee designed Cyclops' classic costume back in the '90s, but it's still appearing across Marvel media decades later, almost certainly without any royalties returning to its creator.
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As one of the most successful comic creators of all time, Jim Lee may not need the money, but both Marvel and DC have a long history of creators complaining about how undervalued their contributions to a billion-dollar media empire have become. Creators including Sara Pichelli, Ed Brubaker, Dustin Nguyen, Jim Starlin and Ta-Nehisi Coates have criticized the amount of compensation and credit afforded to comic artists and writers for creating characters who go on to earn Marvel millions.
As fans celebrate Jim Lee's Cyclops costume appearing across X-Men media in 2026, it's worth reflecting on the massive impact comic creators can have on a franchise, and whether they're compensated accordingly.
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Cyclops '90S Costume Dominates 2026 Appearances Projects Disney+ Marvel Cinematic Universe James Marsden Sentinel Optic Blast Revenge Columbia Pictures Doctor Doom
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