Greetings everybody! Here we are with another week of comic book greatness in Marvel Snapshot! This week, we’ve got something special with an Anniversary…or is it a birthday? Well, either way, we are going to spotlight none other than the southern belle herself, Rogue! Yes, it was 30 years ago this year that she was brought to us in Avengers Annual #10 by Chris Claremont and Michael Golden! I’m a big fan of Rogue’s for many reasons, but let’s get to the big stuff right now!
Rogue’s past has been shrouded in mystery for one reason or another, but most people agree on one thing. Her powers manifested at an early age and almost killed her boyfriend, Cody. After this, she was tricked by Mystique into becoming one of her foot soldiers. Mystique trained her and eventually led Rogue to attack Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers). This was a huge turning point in Rogue’s life as she changed from a mutant who could absorb the powers of others, into a flying, indestructible, force of nature. Her affiliation with Mystique soon ended, though, and she then approached Charles Xavier for help with her mental troubles (Ms. Marvel’s psyche, feelings of anger and guilt). She then became a member of the X-Men, but they didn’t trust her at first. This is easily understood as she was a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with Mystique for a while. She eventually earned their trust on a mission with Wolverine in Japan.
Many years later, Rogue and the X-Men had an adventure in the Savage Land. Here was when she first showed interest in Magneto. Alongside Ka-Zar, they fought Zaladane, and freed the enslaved people. It didn’t all end well, though, as Magneto killed Zaladane against Rogue’s wishes. After the team got to be too big in numbers, Cyclops split them into two teams. This is when Rogue and Gambit started their flirtation. Rogue later learned about Mystique mothering two children – Graydon Creed and her X-partner Nightcrawler. The two teammates bonded after this revelation and considered themselves to be siblings. Rogue eventually became field leader of the X-Men (after Cyclops’s disappearance), until Storm returned to the team.
Over her lifetime she has always had Mystique popping in and out of her life. Mystique eventually infiltrated the X-Men under the guise of another mutant. She tried to seduce Gambit, but failed, even after she revealed herself and changed into Rogue. Gambit didn’t tell Rogue, though, and this ended their relationship for a while. Her lover Gambit would eventually become one of Apocalypse’s Horsemen (Blood of Apocalypse), and even seemingly try to kill her. Later in her life, Rogue was infected with a virus that had the memories of eight billion people. This drove Rogue almost to the point of insanity, but the X-Men were there to help her through it. Mystique, however, showed her true colors and betrayed not only the X-Men, but Rogue as well. She shot Rogue, and then took her back to the Marauders’ base, where Gambit watched over her. Eventually there was another mutant birth (post M-Day), and the X-Men tried to recover the child but were beaten to the punch by Mister Sinister. Mystique eventually betrays him as well, and while Rogue is in a coma, she touches the baby’s face to Rogue, and she wakes up. The baby seems to be unharmed by touching Rogue, as well. This all occurs during the Endangered Species and Messiah Complex story lines (definitely recommended reading!).
Since then, Rogue has remained a prominent member of the X-Men, and her recent absorption of Legion’s powers led her to find the location of the members of the X-Men that were lost in space after War of Kings (Havok, Polaris, Rachel Summers). Rogue really is a great character because of her powers, personality, and the fact that she can kick butt!
Below is my list of recommended reading and a few of Rogue’s best cover shots, so enjoy, and I’ll see you next week!
Recommended Reading
Avengers Annual #10
Magneto: Rogue Nation – Tpb
Rogue (1995) – Tpb
Rogue (2001) L.S. #1-4
Rogue (2004) – Tpb
Endangered Species – Tpb
Messiah Complex – Tpb
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
I liked Rogue better when she had Ms Marvels powers.
@Nick- Agreed (from a powers standpoint). I do like the way she has developed as a leader and X-Man over the last few years though.
Rogue’s been a favorite character of mine ever since I was a kid and watched the X-Men animated series (which is totally on Netflix instant right now.) I’ve actually got three of those five comics up there.
@Nick – I think I liked her with Ms. Marvel’s powers as well. Only because that way if she doesn’t have another mutant around to leech off of, she’s still badass. As it plays right now, her most awesome moments in recent years have been when she absorbs 5 or 6 or more mutants’ powers at once. Which you know, is awesome. But then a couple minutes go buy, the powers fade, and she’s no more powerful than Joe Schmoe on the corner.