X-men: Battle of The Atom (What you need to know)

Marvels mutants are current going through another huge event- this time in the form of ‘Battle of the Atom.’ This celebrates the 50years that Marvels mutants have been entertaining the masses, by uniting them against their own past and future versions.

Now i know that sounds a little confusing hence the reason ive put together this handy little guide to tell you how we got to this point.

The Mutant gene Returns:

House of M set redefined the landscape for mutants in 2004 (for the next 8years), when the story saw Scarlet Witch use her ‘hex’ magic to erase the mutant gene from the world in an attempt to protect the world from her family (mainly Magneto) and any other mutant who would use their abilities to enslave and punish humanity.

When Scarlet Witch spoke these words less than 200 mutants where left with their powers, and went quickly from being the next step of evolution to a species on the brink of extinction. This led to the X-men having to find off multitudes of their enemies who quickly saw an easy way to rid the world of  mutants once and for all.

It also led to massive changes in the dynamic of the X-men team, with Cyclops becoming the leader of the mutant cause and even managing to rally Magneto to join him and fight for the survival of mutants. However all of this seemed fruitless for Marvels Mutants until the arrival of the first newly born mutant (in Messiah Complex).

The arrival of a new mutant sparked a desperate race from many sides (Hellfire club, Acolytes, Bishop to name a few) to get to the new born baby and find out the truth for themselves. However ultimately the new mutant ended up in the hands of Cyclops, and was christened ‘Hope’ before being sent in the future with Cable to be raised and kept safe.  However it has to be said not before huge destruction to towns and the shooting of Charles Xavier.

New Future:

Cyclops led the X-men at this point to become a much more public body, and make their presence known to the world and their stance as helping humanity against all cost very well know. Cyclops led the X-men to San Francisco and onto their own mutant populated island know as ‘Utopia’

For a while Cyclops led the X-men well, and even opened up his home as a sanctuary for Atlantans (Namor mainly) and led his team in dealing with multiple threats and the continued rise of hatred towards mutants. Cyclops however also re-created the X-force team, and band of mutants who would do whatever was necessary for the survival of their species. This team carried many darker acts such as killing a child apocalypse, and was kept completely secret from everyone- until the untimely demise of Angel (when he once agin became apocalypse himself). This led to a huge gulf between many of the mutants that would be escalated by future events.

Hope also returned to the X-men, while they were based on Utopia and along with hopes return saw the rise of several new mutants called the ‘5lights’ Hope led a small team to meet and welcome these new mutants, and explain just how their world has changed.  However as with all X-men related signs of hope comes struggle, and with the return of Hope (the suspected Mutant messiah) came the return of the Hellfire club. This led to Utopia coming under attack from sentinels, and the real destruction of the X-men as we knew them. Wolverine and Cyclops had very differing views on how the new mutants should deal with the Hellfire club threat- Cyclops believed they should fight and die if necessary as that was there world, yet Wolverine believed they needed to be educated and not thrown into battle.

This led to the mighty event ‘Schism’ which has defined how the X-men teams of today are set. Wolverine and Cyclops battled in the shadow of impending doom over who had the right outlook for their species. By the end of this battle (which did include cyclops being stabbed by wolverine) the threat was neutralised but the long time mutants friendships were destroyed and the secret X-force teams actions had come to light.

Both men went their separate ways, with wolverine going back to Westchester and rebuilding and opening a school for mutants (Jean Grey school for higher learning) and Cyclops choosing to remain on Utopia and train whoever stayed with him for the war he saw coming.

Avengers vs X-men:

During their time apart Hope began to master her powers and show true potential, until the premonitions of a returning Phoenix force became too much for her. Cyclops believed that if she inhabited the Phoenix force the mutant population could be reborn (despite his history with the phoenix force) while others, including the Avengers, believed that the phoenix force would bring with it the destruction it always has.

Hope fled Utopia in an attempt to avoid her fate being chosen for her by others, and a huge search for her began by both sides yet ultimately Wolverine found her and turned her over to the avengers in plain sight of Cyclops and his team. However it was too late as the Phoenix force had arrived, and Tony Stark attempts to divert the force merely split its power and placed it within 5 X-men- Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik and Namor.

All 5 of these mutants were corrupted by the power- while attempting to re-shape the world in their image and make it a better place for mutants and humans together. Eventually they turned on each other until only Cyclops remained with the full power of the Phoenix force. In the end the Avengers and the X-men combined were able to stop Cyclops but not Before he had killed his mentor Professor Xavier.

Marvel Now:

The relaunch of the marvel titles saw the most interesting shift in Cyclops character in history- pitting him as a escaped convict/fugitive from S.H.I.E.L.D. for his crimes, who is willing to do anything for the continued survival of his species. Cyclops has begun to wage a guerilla war attempting to recruit and train new mutants before they can go to Wolverine school, and take them to his newly and secretly formed school the Charles Xavier School for the gifted. This has led to cyclops becoming a heroic figure amongst many mutants, and the regular slogan “Cyclops was right” being worn and tagged by many mutants in the new landscape.

As if being a fugitive wasnt enough- Cyclops is Joined by Magik, Magneto and Emma Frost (begrudgingly i may add) who are all feeling the after effects of the Phoenix force and have trouble using their powers correctly or even at all in certain cases, and are struggling to solve this issue. However the real noticeable change is a bald Magneto, who has taken this act as a tribute to his friend Xavier and how long he will remain loyal to Cyclops is the constant question being asked.

This is where things get more complicated (if you can belive that) But in an attempt to prevent this future Beast transported the orignal X-men from their timeline to modern day, to allow them to see what Cyclops had done in the hope that ‘Younger’ Cyclops wouldnt make the same mistake. This isnt going all too well, with Cyclops hating the man he’ll become, beast unsure of his mutations and how they will affect him, Angel trying to deal with his death and resurrection, Iceman confused by his new level of power and love interest in Kitty Pryde and the Jean trying to deal with knowledge of her death amongst all other events. However all of the 5have vowed to stay in the future until the task set out for them by Beast is completed.  All except for young Angel are staying at Wolverines school- with Angel choosing to join Cyclops team at the Charles Xavier school.

In the  midst of this Hope is trying to find Cable (her adopted father) and help him complete his mission to save the future for mutants, which has led to him and his team being labelled terrorists at put them at the top of the S.H.I.E.L.D most wanted list along with Cyclops. Hope has seen this future Cable is trying to prevent and the mystery of who is giving Cable these visions has been unveiled (ill keep it spoiler free as its recent) But will this play into the Battle of the Atom

 Battle of the Atom kicks off when Wolverine decides the time has come to send the X-men of the past home, and not everyone agrees, and the conflict grows more complicated from there when the X-men from the future arrive with a message.

For a full list of the issues you need to read this huge event- just look to your left.

And heres hoping that the event is as good as recent X-men events have been and continues to change the landscape of everyone’s favourite mutants.

Related articles

• REVIEW: All New X-Men #16 (marveldisassembled.com)
• REVIEW: X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1 (marveldisassembled.com)
• Cyclops is Interesting Now? Catching Up With The X-Men (ed208.wordpress.com)
• Who’s Important in the Bendis Books Going into BotA? (lorancook.com)