Comics We’re Thankful For — ‘X-Men: Marvel Snapshots’ Provides Hope And A Hero

The turkey is reading and the plethora of sides, the true stars of the holiday, are laid upon the table. Yes, it’s that annual time where we potentially share a meal with those we love (be they family, friend, or more), but mostly show thanks for blessings in life.

When it comes to us at Comicon, we decided to cast our eyes towards one of the things we love so much, its part of our site name and identity. That’s right, it’s time to show our thanks for comic books. Tasked with choosing a comic that we are personally thankful for is not the easiest mission. There are so many comics and so many that might have touched anyone of us through our long years of partaking in this hobby or medium.

While it’s natural to turn the clock back and find something from the more formative years to be thankful for, I chose to go the other route.

Back in the wild year that was 2020, a little project known as Marvel Snapshots was born. Curated by veteran writer Kurt Busiek, the series of one-shots took a look at very specific moments or time periods in particular Marvel Comics character’s lives. Expanding on the moment, often peeling back the curtain further.

That’s exactly what was done with X-Men: Marvel Snapshots #1, the issue that I am truly most thankful for this year.

Anyone that knows me, and knows me well, likely is aware of how much I’m a Scott Summers/Cyclops fanboy. He and Rogue are tied for my number one favorite X-Men/Mutant character, and are only behind the Spider-Men (Miles and Peter) as my favorite Marvel Characters.

From the team of Jay Edidin, Tom Reilly, Chris O’Halloran, and Tom Orzechowski, this issue focuses on the universe shattering debut of the Fantastic Four through the lens of a young Scott Summers. On paper it might sound strange, but in execution it’s hands down one of the best Cyclops stories that has ever been told. This might sound hyperbolic to many, but I stand by this assertion, as someone that has read a ton of issues featuring the X-Men’s “boy scout” leader.

What it does best is capture the fact that at the end of the day, Scott Summers is not the guy that fits the mold of a hero, let alone a leader. Growing up in tough circumstances, with his parents ‘dead’ and leaving him stuck in orphanages, he’s very much withdrawn — a guy who prefers to have his head in a book, learning things, trying to just navigate the world.

He’s not a people person, doesn’t talk a whole tone or show off any real charisma. He’s always planning ahead, to an obsessive level at times, and struggles to really express himself and keep most relationships in a stable place. He’s very much not what most would point to as the prototypical superhero, but to people like myself (who see a ton of those qualities in the mirror) this guy is our hero.

Edidin, co-host of the very popular podcast Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men, nails everything about this character. Not surprising because like myself, Edidin is a big Cyclops fan, and it shows on every single page. Just the care and love that are pouring out is something to behold. It’s all brought to such vivid, emotional, hefty and loving life under the pens of Reilly, O’Halloran, and Orzechowski.

I read this issue no less than five times in the first days that it came out, and who knows how many times since. Not only that, but I love this issue so much that it has become a tradition for me to make it the very first comic book that I read as the year begins, four years running now.

Part of what makes us love superheroes, or cape comics, is finding that character we resonate and identify with. In many respects Spider-Man, the epitome of the “everyman” character, fit that mold for me a lot growing up. As did our boy Cyclops, and in many of the same respects Rogue.

As mentioned this project came out in the rough times of 2020 and once I read it, there was something sparked within me. Within this story that is very depressing and grim in many respects (Scott’s situation is not great), there was a true sense of hope born. We bear witness to a character that figures out some fundamental part of himself, putting him on a path to be his true authentic self.

It was a message that I very much needed at the time (I’ve since openly come out as both bisexual and polyamorous), and still need today. In fact, it’s a message that the world needs.

For this reason, and so many others, this is a comic that I am thankful that it exists every single day. We’re just weeks away from a new year, and I’m excited to dive into the issue and journey once more.

Especially in light of the rough times that are ahead for all us in the United States and beyond beginning in 2025, hope is something that keeps us going, something we need, and something that can be found anywhere.

Even within the glossy colorful pages of a comic book.