Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!
She’s deadly, she’s determined, and she’s starring in an all-new “From the Ashes” mini-series. She’s Mystique in Mystique — on sale October 16, 2024, and written and illustrated by Declan Shalvey! But what can we expect from this five-issue story? To learn the answer to this and other questions, I talked to Declan about everybody’s favorite shapeshifter (sorry, Morph!). Let’s see what he has to say.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Welcome back to X-Men Monday, Declan!
Declan Shalvey: Thanks for having me!
AIPT: Mystique is a 46-year-old character who’s been the leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants, a federal agent, a member of the X-Men, a part of Krakoa’s Quiet Council, and so much more. In your opinion, what makes Raven such an interesting, versatile character? (Aside from her powers, of course!)
Declan: I guess it’s in the name really: Mystique. She’s been all over the nooks and crannies of the Marvel Universe in various roles but at the core of it all, she’s a character where we never truly know where she stands. And that is always compelling.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: What’s your elevator pitch for your five-issue Mystique mini-series?
Declan: Krakoa has fallen and from the ashes, the most dangerous mutant on the planet has gone rogue. She’s on the run from Nick Fury Jr, who is the one S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who recognizes the threat she poses. Trying to piece together the motive behind her recent actions, will he figure out her plan before it’s too late…
AIPT: X-Fan MaTasse2T wanted to know what Mystique’s state of mind is going into your story: tactic or revenge? Or maybe something else?
Declan: I think I’ll say ‘tactic’ for now without giving anything else away. There is definitely a more personal motive going on, which will be revealed at the end of the mini-series.
AIPT: Two family questions, because X-Fans love families! First, X-Fans Liam, MaTasse2T, and Mike Jones asked if Destiny will play a role in this mini-series.
Declan: The series very much focuses primarily on Mystique as a solo character, but there are obvious references to Destiny.
AIPT: And second, X-Fans Emily and Grey asked if any members of Mystique’s family will appear.
Declan: Other characters from Mystique’s past will appear in some fashion, including family, but again; this is an action/espionage book that moves from mission to mission, so Mystique is very much on her own in this story.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: X-Fan John Ham wanted to know how many characters Mystique will transform into in each issue. If that’s a bit too spoilery, what can you tease about Mystique’s shapeshifting antics throughout your story?
Declan: that is undoubtedly the most fun part of the book as a writer/artist, where I need Mystique to do a certain action, she can do it as another X-character, and I don’t need to worry about continuity, etc. I generally tried to stick to early/core X-Men characters as — well… that’ who I was dying to draw! I can say we will see her appear as Wolverine in a scene, Sabretooth in another, Gambit, and even Beast!
AIPT: I alluded to Mystique’s lengthy publishing history and you’ve also mentioned the 2000s Brian K. Vaughan Mystique series quite a bit in recent interviews. Do you have an all-time favorite Mystique story?
Declan: Oh, that’s a good question. It’s probably X-Factor #130, where Mystique is trying to assassinate Graydon Creed only for someone else to do it when X-Factor stops her. I was reading all the X-stuff at the time so I was very plugged in, and it has that great/iconic Jeff Matsuda cover to boot.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: I was reading that run too when it was coming out. Loved that Matsuda art. Now, I’m curious to learn about your creative process as the writer and artist of Mystique. As you don’t need to worry about another artist interpreting your scripts, does your approach differ when you’re the one illustrating your ideas?
Declan: Honestly, not really. There’s more of a shorthand when I’m writing/drawing my creator-owned stuff, but on Mystique, I’m working out stuff with my editor Darren Shan, so it’s all on the page. When I’m writing for someone else, like Andrea Broccardo on Alien for Marvel last year, or Eder Messias on Phases Of the Moon Knight recently, I’m working with an artist who has similar sensibilities as my own and we gel together well. In those cases, the similarities are great and when they offer their own interpretations, that’s an exciting thing to see. But yeah, when it’s an idea in your head that you are putting directly on the page, there’s a purity in the creative action that’s uniquely satisfying.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Speaking of art, I had a chance to read an advance copy of Mystique #1 and loved how you subtly portrayed Raven’s shapeshifting powers. Those little ripples are so simple, but they bring a visual element to a power that isn’t as dynamic as optic blasts and glowing playing cards. Is there anything you want to share about how you aimed to illustrate Mystique throughout this mini-series?
Declan: Ah, thanks. That shifting element was suggested by the editor actually, and it was a good one as I feel that different characters appearing suddenly in panels could have been disorientating to the reader. Having that little shifting effect is a nice, subtle way for the reader to connect the dots. I didn’t want to copy the films and do the ‘scales’ effect but I tried to use a textured effect that flowed with the figure’s body. Matt Hollingsworth is using this cool texture effect and that distinctive Mystique blue, which enhances the effect.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
AIPT: Finally, beyond the X-Office, you seem quite busy. Of all the other characters you’re writing right now, from Aliens to Thundercats to Terminators, who would you most want Mystique to shapeshift into?
Declan: Ha, yes it’s nice to be busy. Well if I was really smart, I’d have her shift into Daredevil, Wolverine (again), or Spider-Man so I could stealthily have Marvel approve my way into stories for those characters in the future. Now THAT’S espionage, Marvel-style!
AIPT: Love it! But on that note, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday, Declan! (And for more from Declan on Mystique, listen to his recent appearance on the AIPT Comics Podcast.)
Remember, X-Fans, Mystique #1 goes on sale October 16, 2024. As this week’s X-Men Monday eXclusive, here are a few preview pages from the first issue.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
In the next edition of X-Men Monday: Writers Gail Simone (Uncanny X-Men) and Jed MacKay (X-Men) return to discuss the upcoming “Raid on Graymalkin” crossover. Click here to submit questions to Gail and Jed today by 5 PM ET (October 7, 2024).
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Until next time, X-Fans, stay exceptional!
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