So much Rachel info shared by Steve Foxe in today's X-Men Monday:
https://aiptcomics.com/2024/02/05/x-...xe-dead-x-men/
Congrats on getting your question answered, Askani's Flame! I also liked the confirmation that the Ahab vibe to this new Moira was 100% intentional.
AIPT: It’s OK, X-Men Monday is a pun-friendly space. Let’s kick things off with a question about those Dead X-Men from X-Fan Askani’s Flame, who said with the issue’s first data page, we see how much value Rachel Summers places on her former X-Factor teammate Prodigy in the success of this mission. Without spoiling, will we see each member of this team get to strut their stuff and show why they were selected as the X-Men prior to their deaths?
AIPT: Of course! (And… Immortal Dazzler series when?) Now, X-Fan echo was so happy to see Rachel in what’s probably her most crucial role she’s ever played in an X-Men story. What can you share about how Rachel’s role in this story came to be? Was her inclusion your choice, or did Kieron Gillen plan to incorporate her into Rise of the Powers of X from the start?
Steve: Rachel’s role was actually one of the coolest and most natural evolutions of this project. I’ve been lucky to work very closely with Kieron while developing Dead X-Men, and he’s been wildly generous in playing back and forth to make sure our book works and complements Rise and X-Men Forever as best as it can.
Early on, before Steve Orlando and I got the offer to work on X-Men Unlimited throughout the spring, I had my eye on Captain Britain and Rachel Summers, since I knew my good friend Tini Howard was wrapping up her long and awesome run of Betsy-focused books. It felt wrong to let Betsy and Rachel slip out of the spotlight for this final stretch of the Krakoan era, but they weren’t naturally fitting into anyone else’s plans.
When the plot of Dead X-Men started to come into focus, I suggested one or both as additions to the cast and, over a few months of planning and writing,
Kieron and I ended up making Rachel incredibly central to both of our books.
She’s really the tether from Dead to Rise in more ways than one, and I really dig how organically that came about as we both refined our plots. Massive thanks to Kieron for being such a wonderful collaborator and guide.
AIPT: One more Rachel question from X-Fan Jenn, who loved the data page showcasing the dynamic between Rachel and Charles Xavier. Jenn loved seeing Rachel as the strategist (and adorably protective girlfriend!) that she is, but now she’s working with someone who doesn’t fully trust her. And Charles is working with someone who doesn’t fully trust him. How was it crafting that dynamic and is that something we’ll see play out more as the story continues?
Steve: Without spoiling anything, definitely keep an eye on Kieron’s books for how that plays out. I think “Charles Xavier” and “trust” have been very awkward bedfellows for a while now, and Rachel’s an ideal character to press back where some other X-Men might be inclined to fall in line.