What moment or era would you say was the catalyst for Scott Summers current characterization? For you, what put Scott Summers on the path that led to his fall from grace? (This can be from either an editorial standpoint or in-story or both)
I think going back to the Paul Smith issues, you can start seeing a characterization there -- particularly [Chris] Claremont trying to dig deeper than just vanilla guy, you know what I mean? That's where I remember as a fan reading and going, "Hm. I wonder what's cooking with this guy." I think Jean's death started him on a path, if I may. I think it started to manifest itself during the Paul Smith [issues] slowly, slowly, slowly and I think Jason [Aaron] and [Kieron] Gillen did really interesting work with it, and it's certainly worth pursuing as far as we can pursue it.
Of all the characters, he does seem to be the one where if he went full bad guy, people wouldn't be surprised. If he went full good guy, people wouldn't be surprised. That's what makes him the most interesting character in the X-Men Universe if not the Marvel Universe.
By the way, when we all argue with each other about the X-Men at the retreats, some people want a full-on bad guy, some people want [a full-on good guy]. It's a great conversation.
Scott is going to unlock something about his powers that will be interesting and fun to work with, so that's coming soon, too. We're coming to another chapter in the evolution of their powers, which will be an evolution of character.
Post-AXIS?
Before wrapping up on "Uncanny," "AXIS" is coming down the line -- will it be affecting the work you've been doing on the X-Men?
Well, I said online that there's not going to be any [effect]. But there will be fallout that affects "Uncanny" particularly. At the time I was asked, the ending wasn't locked and I didn't want to commit because at the time, I didn't see anything that I could grab that was -- I've done events and a lot of the fallout, I wanted to do that. It's the best part! I didn't want to be grabby. This is Rick [Remender]'s baby, but he wasn't directly using any of the characters I use, so I was like, "All right. I have so much to do!" But when he locked his ending, there was a couple of things that were offered to me if I wanted them. There was one thing in particular that I said, "That sounds great. I'll do it in a second." The fallout will be visible.
Hopefully it's something containing Beast and Death.