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Today's Uncanny X-Men Annual #1 Reveals the Marvel Universe as 13 Years Old (Spoilers)

Published Wed, 23 Jan 2019 08:00:19 -0600

Today's Uncanny X-Men Annual #1 sees the return of Cyclops from the grave. Rather literally. It's much more of a sequel to Extermination than anything else. As Kid Cable sets up a time travel scenario to bring Scott Summers back from the brink. And in doing so, seeing a longer time period in which he plan could play out.

And it begins at an earlier stage in Cyclops' career. A sixties-set story, with Cyclops wearing the uniform he did when he was a student at the Xavier School For Gifted Youngsters, but before they graduated and got individual costumes. That's a Marvel Universe timeframe that runs alongside the Fantastic Four's trip to space, Bruce Banner getting all gamma'd up, Tony Stark inventing the Iron Man suit, Captain America being thawed out, Donald Black winding Mjolnir, and Peter Parker getting bitten by a radioactive spider.

Except of course with the Marvel shifting timeline, it wasn't in the sixties, but 'several years ago.' What does several mean? That's the usual fudge Marel like to given in the knowledge that shifting timelines could mean anything.

But not this time. First we get a ten year jump forward.

Then another two.

And a few more as well. Adding it all up you get the current date of the Marvel Universe as being…

Thirteen years ago. Which means the Fantastic Four took that space flight in… 2006. Could Reed and Ben have now met during the Afghanistan or Iraq War?

Oh and is it possible that Ed Brisson might have watched Doctor Who: The Wedding Of River Song? It does seem to present a similar solution to getting around a death… or, okay Back To The Future. And Deadpool 2. Anyway…