Rachel Summers/Grey Appreciation

[Anodyne]

Also, the issue with the Chrono-manipulation/chrono-skimming is that once it's brought up that Rachel can do that, then it becomes something she could do all the time. Then it either becomes and easy out for writers or something they have to come up with a complex reason why she can't fix the situation with time traveling.

Perhaps Mark Gruenwald's Laws of Time Travel apply: You can't change the events of your own past; all you can do is create a divergent timeline in which things happened differently. One of the future characters in DoFP mentions that possibility. Gruenwald's Law, AKA Reed Richards' Law, was in effect at Marvel when DoFP was written; I wish they still followed it, or at least explained how they've discovered loopholes in it.

[subliminal]

That's a great point, I think that version of how time travel works is perfect.

Rachel knows from experience that she can't change the past, she only makes alternate timelines. I don't even think she can 'switch minds' with alternate versions past/future of herself because somehow she has removed herself from the continuum (no alternate timeline counterparts).

I think writers can use her time powers in limited ways and it would still be workable. She can only chronoskim with lengthy meditation, so it's not like it's a combat power set (like switching your enemies mind with a baby's). I can only see this being useful if they need the skills of someone and switch them from the past or future to the present. I can see her using astral projection through time as a kind of precognition, but I don't think she's skilled enough to determine if it's the right timeline or if she created an alternate timeline... or if her actions or any other actions will automatically change the timeline before she gets back into her body to act. (I guess this is what Mother Askani practiced until she was over 100 years old).

Plus, she can only physically timetravel with a huge power boost (ie supernova like in Cable or the Phoenix Force). She can keep a stable field of time around her... that's handy for when she might have to time travel on a mission. I think the key to individualizing her power set is to incorporate her time powers with her telepathy and telekinesis, like the use of psychometry in recent Uncanny issues. She can see the future/past events based on touching matter. She can recall 'telepathic energy' (like in Deadly Genesis). There's a lot the imagination can come up with... that's why her potential is limitless.

I'd still like to see how this Hound identity can be used to create a unique power set. I like how she tracks using residual psi signatures or thought patterns. Since she's an expert at sub-atomic TK... how about tracking via traces of DNA. Maybe she can be more 'physical' with her psychic powers instead of just putting up TK shields (barely) and being a telepathic switch board. Perhaps, she can do more hound like stuff like fry the nervous system or disable higher brain functions, scare people with illusions, use TK to change body functions, put micro black holes in their bodies... all the nasty stuff that Rachel has always been too 'nice' to do.

[Aguja]

I'd still like to see how this Hound identity can be used to create a unique power set. I like how she tracks using residual psi signatures or thought patterns. Since she's an expert at sub-atomic TK... how about tracking via traces of DNA. Maybe she can be more 'physical' with her psychic powers instead of just putting up TK shields (barely) and being a telepathic switch board, she can do more hound like stuff like, fry the nervous system or disable higher brain functions, scare people with illusions, use TK to change body functions, put micro black holes in their bodies... all the nasty stuff that Rachel has always been too 'nice' to do.

X-Force could have used her operating in this capacity but she was off world and they gave the TP role to the Cuckoos. Perhaps she will be included in the revamped team lineup?

[Askani's Flame]

X-Force could have used her operating in this capacity but she was off world and they gave the TP role to the Cuckoos. Perhaps she will be included in the revamped team lineup?

That would be lovely! Her current look and darker attitude would have been a wonderful addition to the current roster. Depending on when the X-Office determines it's the "right story" for her, Alex and Lorna, she could a great addition to X-Force. But that all depends on whether there is an X-Force post -SC.

[ClanAskani]

At least some news from WonderCon:

Plans for the X-Men left in space—Havok, Rachel Summers? "We have plans, but nothing we can speak about just yet," Cebulski said.

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/wond...en-100403.html


No telling what the plans are. I think it's likely that they'll reintroduce Rachel, Alex and Lorna in the X-Men Unlimited style mini-series that accompanies the new status quo following Second Coming.

[subliminal]

I guess that's better than, 'they haven't been forgotten'. I can't wait until 2014!

[twobit]

Isn't Rachel the daughter of Phoenix, not the actual Jean Grey? Has anyone ever really clarified it or not? wouldn't Jean still be at the bottom of the bay? I still don't think she is or ever will be Logans daughter

[jeansbff]

Isn't Rachel the daughter of Phoenix, not the actual Jean Grey? Has anyone ever really clarified it or not? wouldn't Jean still be at the bottom of the bay? I still don't think she is or ever will be Logans daughter

Well phoenix and jean are one and the same and no i don't think logan is her father either. Rachel acknowledges scott as her father but i would like to think that she was born from jean and the phoenix force. Like an immaculate conception.

[ClanAskani]

Well phoenix and jean are one and the same

Well, it depends also on whether or not the Jean of Earth-811 actually ever became the Phoenix.

There's been mixed indications on whether in 811, Jean just never became the Phoenix or if Jean didn't die after Dark Phoenix.

[jmc247]

No telling what the plans are. I think it's likely that they'll reintroduce Rachel, Alex and Lorna in the X-Men Unlimited style mini-series that accompanies the new status quo following Second Coming.

The format of their return will be something we have to find out. I honestly think its unlikely they would take up time in an ongoing to bring them back unless their is an ongoing coming out of SC where the writers wants them as part of the team. That said they could always do a mini series 3-5 issues "The Return".

[ClanAskani]

I'm not sure there's exactly a story to tell about their return, unless it's just a space adventure, in anything other than an 8 page story.

Already there have been a string of characters coming back and going "WTF?" to Scott and Emma, and post-Second Coming once Kitty becomes corporeal again, she'll have that role.

[jmc247]

I'm not sure there's exactly a story to tell about their return, unless it's just a space adventure, in anything other than an 8 page story.

Already there have been a string of characters coming back and going "WTF?" to Scott and Emma, and post-Second Coming once Kitty becomes corporeal again, she'll have that role.

I suspect the X-Men in space might take longer to come back then it will take Kitty to become corporeal. But, it is possible Kitty might fill in on Uncanny for the big character that returns that is unhappy and confused about all the changes. Fraction said quite clearly he didn't want to write them last year and I very much doubt that will change.

Its hard to say how they play it. If they decide that they aren't in space and they are really on Earth there are a boat load of things they could do like say they did arrive home, but they had been captured by some big bad. Suffice it to say we are low on facts at the moment. But, like you said today there are alot of big conventions coming up... so we will see.

[Swashbuckler]

I'm not sure there's exactly a story to tell about their return, unless it's just a space adventure, in anything other than an 8 page story.

Already there have been a string of characters coming back and going "WTF?" to Scott and Emma, and post-Second Coming once Kitty becomes corporeal again, she'll have that role.

Who has said "WTF" to Scott and Emma that's just come back?

[Aguja]

I'd rather she not get stuck as the one to criticize Scott & Emma yet again. It will probably just result in her getting yelled at by Scott and pwned by Emma again, ugh no thanks.

Maybe she'll end up in Legacy. Carey is very good at rehabilitating characters that have been inactive.

[jmc247]

I'd rather she not get stuck as the one to criticize Scott & Emma yet again. It will probably just result in her getting yelled at by Scott and pwned by Emma again, ugh no thanks.

Maybe she'll end up in Legacy. Carey is very good at rehabilitating characters that have been inactive.

Carey certainly knows his X-Men history and you are right about him being good at rehabilitating inactive characters. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing him write Rachel and/or Lorna.