Member Since July 2006
570 Artworks | Watched by 68

Cyclops sketch, 1979

Location: John Byrne
Artist: John Byrne (All)

Location: John Byrne
Title: Cyclops sketch, 1979
Artist: John Byrne (All)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Convention Sketch
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 257
Likes on CAF: 27
Favorited on CAF: 1
Comments: 18
Added to Site: 1/22/2026

I didn’t set out to try and collect as many Byrne X-Men sketches from 1979 as I could—though that would be a fun endeavor. The era while Byrne was actually working on his legendary run of the X-Men with Chris, Terry, Tom & Glynis in tow, was amazing, classic & rich with awesome sauce! It also defined for a lot of us one of the greatest runs in comics of all-time. This Cyclops sketch falls right in there. Though by this time Byrne had sneakily been reducing the flamboyant flair of Cyclops’s buccaneer boots to bring the boots more inline with Scott’s non-attention-grabbing personality. I will say this, I disagree with Byrne’s choice, and I don’t mean that he’s assessing Scott incorrectly—far from it. Most people would be lucky to understand the X-Men half as good as Claremont & Byrne. My only disagreement is that visually it’s far less appealing and lands on the side of Boring more than it does on the side of Dynamic! So, I’d personally sacrifice some lightly perceptible internal continuity for Cockrum’s badass buccaneer boots any day!

Art from 1979 and attached to hardboard - 11x14.

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Member Since: July 2006
Last Login: April 2026
Country: UNITED STATES
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Rick W Member Since 2017

Posted On 1/22/2026

Vintage & cool!

Paul Roach Member Since 2014

Posted On 1/22/2026

Dynamic, and really sums up Cyclops from the time. But I agree about the boots. Nice sketch!

Peter Roe Member Since 2009

Posted On 1/22/2026

Another great Byrne sketch! His blacks showing the anatomy are excellent! Blasting piece!

John C Member Since 2014

Posted On 1/22/2026

So you are the reason why.

Cue the music.

"I can't buy, 79"

Joe Murray Member Since 2006

Posted On 1/22/2026

John C wrote:

" So you are the reason why.
Cue the music.
"I can't buy, 79"
"

Haha, Sammy Hagar approves this message!

Rick W Member Since 2017

Posted On 1/24/2026

Joe Murray wrote:

" Haha, Sammy Hagar approves this message!
"

It took me 16 hours to get to OAX!

Rich Cirillo Member Since 2004

Posted On 1/22/2026

As a kid reading comics, I was all about the buccaneer boots! Cap, Hawkeye and Cyclops! Interesting seeing Byrne's early inking, with very thin lines around the boots. His later inking wielded a thicker line overall. Congrats on this vintage X-ample!

Will K Member Since 2006

Posted On 1/22/2026

I'm not a Marvel guy but the Claremont/Byrne run on X-Men maintained a very high standard for the ages. Byrne mentioned the whole boot thing in the X-Men Companion. Forgot which volume that was, I or II. Those books are highly recommended for any fan of the X-Men. I understand Byrne's reasoning and I like the look, especially in this awesome drawing.

Marcus Wai Member Since 2005

Posted On 1/23/2026

Somebody had to play the stoic leader to the even more colorful international team. Even though he had less swagger, Claremont and Byrne put Cyclops through the emotional wringer.

Carlo M Member Since 2006

Posted On 1/23/2026

Great vintage Byrne - you can see how he was shedding the Adams-ean influence to develop his style.

David K Member Since 2008

Posted On 1/23/2026

So cool!

Scott Gaulke Member Since 2005

Posted On 1/23/2026

I've never understood the origin of Cockrum's boots. Pirates?

Miki Annamanthadoo Member Since 2003

Posted On 1/23/2026

These vintage sketches are special!

Toni S Member Since 2019

Posted On 1/23/2026

Yours Byrne's source is inexhaustible!!!!! Wow man! That's so good!

Noir & Blanc Member Since 2026

Posted On 1/26/2026

Timeless. This is Byrne's finest period. Congratulations!!

John Yon Member Since 2006

Posted On 1/28/2026

This is a great image of Cyclops by one of the best ever...BYRNE!!!

Nick Forst Member Since 2023

Posted On 1/29/2026

Absolutely stunning. Another wonderful piece. I endeavor to have one like it one day. Best leader of the X-Men! Well done, Joe! I agree, the boots are too constrained here.

S Riz Member Since 2014

Posted On 4/4/2026

Awesome piece!

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Cyclops sketch, 1979

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