But while the X-Men’s most intriguing couple might go back to the bayou for safety, they find anything but. Simone describes the book as “Southern gothic” story, which suggests something evil lurking in the swamp.
“There are definitely horror elements,” Simone promises. “We have a villain that I can’t reveal anything about that is quite horrific.”
However, it’s not just the bad guy who’s causing trouble. Rather, the state of unrest comes from the disastrous way that Krakoa fell.
“There’s some scary stuff going on in the world. It’s kind of that vibe in that area with that team. Gambit and Rogue are trying to figure out what’s next. They don’t want to lead anything. They’re kind of traumatized. They want to relax and recoup, but no one else is stepping up, so they can’t. And then we have some things that are thrown at them that are pretty horrible.”
As that description suggests, Uncanny X-Men isn’t just a Gambit and Rogue story. Rather, it’s about a new team of X-Men joining them outside of New Orleans. Alongside the lovers are Wolverine (original Logan variety), Jubilee, and Nightcrawler.
As Simone herself observes, she has a “rep for team dynamics and emotional impact,” which is what drew her to the book. Simone had no trouble getting the lineup she wanted for Uncanny X-Men, as editor Tom Breevort, whom she calls the “conductor” of the current X-franchise, allowed her full control over the decisions. While Simone is best known for DC Comics team books such as Secret Six and Birds of Prey, which featured lesser-known characters such as Catman and Lady Blackhawk, the writer has filled her new X-Men book with characters who have well-established histories, which presents its own kind of challenge.