Raven Darkholme is back and ready to get back to work in X-MEN: BLACK - MYSTIQUE #1, an all-new tale from writer Seanan McGuire and artist Marco Failla. Seanan joins Marvel.com to discuss her foray into X-Men comics and writing the mutant murderess Mystique.

Marvel.com: X-MEN: BLACK - MYSTIQUE isn't your first foray into the X-verse. Previously, you wrote about Kitty Pryde a.k.a. Shadowcat in X-MEN: GOLD ANNUAL #2. How will we see that experience reflected in this story about Raven Darkholme a.k.a. Mystique?

Seanan McGuire: I was a lot less emotional getting this story started! Writing X-Men comics is literally my lifelong dream. Everything I’ve ever done, professionally speaking, has been in the service of convincing Marvel to trust me with our beloved mutants. So my Kitty Pryde story came with a lot of tears over a dream coming true, and this time, I was able to take a deep breath and get to work.

Marvel.com: What was it like writing Mystique versus Shadowcat, considering they fight to protect mutants but in very different ways?

Seanan McGuire: Amazing, honestly. They’re such complex, different characters, and they’re so different, it was a joy to be able to dig into Raven and really enjoy her particular bloody-mindedness.

Marvel.com: Which period of Mystique's life will X-MEN: BLACK take place in? Which side of Mystique will we get to see?

Seanan McGuire: My story is set in the present-day, so far as continuity goes, and we’re getting the unusual opportunity to see Mystique really working on honing her craft.

Marvel.com: How did you go about capturing Mystique's unique murderess mindset?

Seanan McGuire: I just asked myself “if I were a grifter who could literally vanish into a crowd, how much damage could I do?” and followed the rabbit from there.