X-POSITION: Pak Calls Down the Lightning for "Storm"

Greg Pak's "Storm" is a first for the Mistress of the Elements -- an ongoing series chronicling her adventures as a hero, Headmistress of the Jean Grey School, an X-Man and an individual. While Pak's debut issue focused on how all aspects of Storm's world have the potential to converge and affect one another. The writer, along with artist Victor Ibanez, delved into what makes Storm tick, helped along by her interactions with JGS student Marisol Guerra, codename Creep.

As "Storm" heads into its second issue, Pak returned to X-Position to answer questions about the first issue, as well as tease events to come -- including the difficulties facing Ororo as the series progresses, how his previous work with God-like characters might inform "Storm," the appearance of Yukio in the series and more.

CBR News: Greg, as a general question, a lot of folks were wondering about Storm's relationship with her future daughter, Kymera, and whether or not it would come into play during your series. While I know you can't reveal any major spoilers, is that a relationship that you hope to explore during your time on the book?

Greg Pak: Definitely an interesting character, but no immediate plans. Although anything's possible in the future!

Jumping straight into reader queries, harashkupo wants to knoe more about Storm's difficult choices ahead.

I enjoyed your first issue and it seems to have been met with a very positive reaction, so congrats to you and the rest of the team. I enjoyed the proactive stance that Storm chose with those militia goons but I was wondering is this going to be the tone for this series? And if so, are we going to see any positive or negative consequences for her actions?

Throughout the series, we'll see Storm making difficult choices in complicated situations. She'll always do what she thinks is the right thing. But others may interpret her actions differently. And they might even be right. And in the fullness of time, we'll definitely see repercussions from things that happened earlier in the series. I think that's a big part of Storm's heroism -- taking on tough problems other heroes might not immediately notice and dealing with the consequences.

Marcus is up next with a question about your previous work with Hulk and Hercules, and how that rolls into "Storm."

Mr. Pak, in your previous Marvel Work centered on Hulk and Hercules, you had both characters dealing with being looked upon by others as God like heroes who can do no wrong in their eyes, in your current series Storm, the character has often been noted as being a "Goddess" of the weather, will you explore that aspect of the character as the series goes on?

Sure. She called herself a goddess when she was a girl, which is frankly not the kind of thing a normal person does. But Storm isn't entirely a normal person, is she? She's insanely powerful -- more powerful than any human was ever intended to be. But she's got the heart and soul of a regular person, just like the rest of us. So one ongoing thread of the series is how a regular person deals with having such monumental power and the responsibility that goes along with it. That's a theme I've explored a number of times over the years while writing superheroes -- it kind of goes along with the genre. What's particularly intriguing for me about exploring it with Storm is how she's connected to a variety of communities, each of which claims her heart and attention in a different way. A great set up for emotional conflict, heroic challenge and moral complexity.

The appropriately-named Windrider wants to know more about Storm's previous experience in the world, and why Creep had such an effect on her.

Storm has often seemed wise beyond her years, and has learned so much from hard earned experience (both before and since joining the X-Men). What particular experience(s) in Ororo's life do you think caused Creep's words to resonate so strongly with her?

I can easily imagine the Marvel Universe's version of Twitter exploding when Storm stopped being the Queen of Wakanda. Even though the choice wasn't hers to make, you know the haters would have come out in force to blame her for leaving Wakanda -- even to accuse her of abandoning Africa. She's grown up enough to know who she is. But it stings any time an immigrant or a bi-cultural person or anyone who straddles communities is accused of inauthenticity or being a sell-out, regardless of the truth of the accusation.

Do you plan to have Storm face political threats at some point in this book? We know in the first "X-Treme X-Men" series, she formed the X.S.E., a government sanctioned police force, in order to deal with threats outside of the Xavier School. This appeared to be her original dream before M-Day struck.

There's a touch of that in the Santo Marco scenes in issue #1. Will we explore that more as the series progresses? Guess we'll all have to keep on reading to find out!

X-POSITION: Greg Pak Weathers the "Storm"

Supernature hopes for more information about Creep and what her role might be moving forward.

I absolutely loved Storm #1 and am eagerly looking forward to the rest of the run. One of the elements that I really enjoyed from the issue was Marisol Guerra, a young voice that was unafraid to question and oppose our heroine. Most of all, I enjoyed the speech she gave and the real life issues it tackled (class, race, communitarianism) outside of the mutant metaphor. Will we be seeing more of her in the future?

Thanks so much for the kind words! I kinda love Marisol myself.

And yes, I love the X-Men for providing a pretty outstanding metaphor for certain kinds of communities and conflicts. But I think it's great to seize the opportunity to let characters live and breathe outside of metaphor as well, as people of color or members of the other varied communities they're part of.

And the answer to your question is yes.

Big spoilers come up in RobinFan4880's question.

We all know Wolverine is fated to die soon.

Wait, what?

Will the death of her off-and-on lover be felt in a future issue of Storm, or will that largely be contained to other books?

Issues #4 and #5 will feature a big story with Yukio that takes place in the aftermath of Wolverine's death. Some huge, emotional stuff in there. Can't wait for y'all to read it.

We all know crossovers are inevitable. As a fan of your current "Doomed" crossover, do you have any plans to cross "Storm" over with another book? You probably cannot says so outright but can you drop any hints or clues that may be found in the first issue or two?

Thanks for the kind words about "Superman Doomed!" We've been having a ton of fun with that storyline.

We don't have any current plans for a true crossover with "Storm" at the moment. Certainly that's possible, or even probable, in the fulness of time. But nothing on the plate just yet. We are doing a story dealing with Wolverine's death in issues #4 and #5, but I'd call that just using key elements from current continuity rather than a true crossover.

As always, if and when we do tackle a crossover, I'll always do my best to write it in a way that makes it accessible for new readers and readers who have only been following "Storm." And it'll further the emotional throughlines we've been building throughout the series.

K-Kitsune has a question about Storm's relationship with Yukio.

Throughout Storm's career there have been many hints of a relationship with Yukio, but they were written (cleverly under the radar by Chris Claremont, mostly) during a time when editorial mandate forbade any overt homosexual interactions be printed. I think it would totally honor Ororo's history to openly explore her sexuality now we are in 2014, are these in your plans?

I wrote Korg/Hiroim in the "Warbound" series, Herc/Howlett in "X-Treme X-Men," and (with Fred Van Lente) Northstar/Kyle in "Alpha Flight," so I'm always up for exploring any relationship that feels like it will lead to a great story. Whether the story at hand lends itself to going that direction with Yukio and Storm remains to be seen.

Wrapping up the week, BBeeryan is hoping for an appearance by another familiar face in the series.

Great job so far Mr. Pak. I enjoyed issue #1 immensely. Like someone asked earlier, do you have any plans for Nehzno to show up? He and Storm forged a pretty solid bond in her last mini, and as far as I know, they've barely interacted in months. Please tell me you have plans on reuniting those two. I really liked the dynamics of their relationship.

Again, great character. No immediate plans, but anything's possible in the future.

I'd just like to add my thanks to everyone who's reading the book and talking it up. Y'all are the best -- can't wait for you to see what happens next!

Special thanks to Greg Pak for taking on this week's questions!

Next week, it's a journey into the cosmos as Marc Guggenheim joins X-Position to discuss his first run on "X-Men" that takes the team to the far reaches of space! Got a question for Marc in his first go on the series? Send me an e-mail with the subject line "X-Position" or if 140 character questions are more your speed, try Twitter. But get 'em in quickly, because the deadline's today! Do it to it!