Kieron Gillen on "Uncanny X-Men" Comings and Goings

Newsarama: Kieron, the last time you spoke with Newsarama about Regenesis, it was before the team lineups were revealed. Now that we've got a much clearer idea of who's on what side, it looks it's actually going to be a pretty smooth transition for Uncanny, as main cast post-Schism appears to be pretty much the same as it was pre-Schism — Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, Illyana. Is there anyone you're giving up that you're going to miss — Wolverine being the obvious candidate? Or any new characters coming into the fold you're eager to explore?

Kieron Gillen: Yeah, I'll miss Logan. Which is a little surprising for me. When I took on Uncanny, part of me was thinking "have I anything to say with Logan? He's a character who's appeared in so many comics, etc". But the second I started writing him, it became clear why he had been in so many comics. He's just a compelling character with both a core power and flexibility. And I will never get tired of earning money for writing "Snikt!". So, I'll miss that.

I miss Iceman, having enjoyed all the times I've written him (briefer than I liked — though he's prominent in the last issue of Uncanny). I would have liked to have had a chance to write Rachel more (I briefly had a chance in Generation Hope #10). Beast wasn't around, but I always like writing him. And Kitty. I'll miss Kitty, though I suspect with the grinder I put her through in my issues, she'd be glad to see the back of me.

But to be honest, I'm fine with them all. It's really about the story. Those characters don't really fit where Uncanny X-Men will be in issue #1. If I had them, I wouldn't know what to do with them.

In terms of additions to my core team, Storm is the big one. She's a character who hasn't quite been in the spotlight as much as her status would suggest, and I'm looking forward to putting her through her paces. And Psylocke's position post-Regenesis is interesting. I can't say any more. But I find it very interesting.