Throwback Thursday: Rogue at 40
Aug 12, 2021
Marvel’s mutants have extraordinary abilities – but not all of those abilities are easy to live with. Rogue is a mutant who can absorb other characters’ powers and memories by touching them, which usually renders the other person unconscious. It’s a powerful ability, but one that she struggles to control, and it can leave Rogue lonely for real contact. Even though she has a tough journey, it doesn’t stop her from being a member of the X-Men and in the Avengers.
Rogue, who was created by Chris Claremont and Michael Golden, turns 40 in August 2021. Introduced in Avengers Annual #10 (August 1981), Rogue was born Anna Marie, a girl whose mother disappeared and father abandoned her, so she was raised by her aunt. Unhappy with her home life, Anna Marie ran away from home and was basically adopted by Mystique and Destiny. Her powers manifested soon after when she kissed a boy for the first time and he ended up in a coma. As this was happening, Mystique started pulling her into the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
In early fight with Ms. Marvel, Rogue absorbed her opponent’s powers and memories. The presence of Carol Danvers in Rogue’s mind started messing with her sanity. Since she didn’t know anyone who could help her, Rogue sought Professor Xavier’s help. Though the other X-Men, especially Carol, objected to Professor X helping her, he did just that and even allowed her to join the team. Rogue became a trusted member of the team, starting when she put herself at risk to save Mariko Yashida.
By training with Professor X, Rogue learned how to overcome psychological barriers and gain control over her powers. For a period, she was able to absorb human and mutant abilities without hurting them. During this time, she would use the abilities of Ms. Marvel, Sunfire, and Wonder Man, but unfortunately the new level of control would not last.
Her efforts with the X-Men endeared her to the team, even the ones who were reluctant to let her join them. She became close with Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, Storm, Iceman, Colossus, Jubilee, her foster brother, Nightcrawler, and others. Carol Danvers and Dazzler, who considered Rogue an enemy, have made peace with her, though both are still somewhat weary of her.
During a conflict in Genosha, Rogue was traumatized and retreated into her mind again. She allowed Carol Danvers’ personality to take over her mind, but that created an internal struggle. In a battle with Master Mold, Rogue sacrificed herself and was sent through a mystic gateway called the Siege Perilous. Later Rogue and a duplicate of Carol came through the void with two bodies, but the Carol figure came under the Shadow King’s control.
While in the Savage Land, Rogue barely survived being attacked by the evil version of Carol. She was able to return home and rejoin the X-Men where she began a romantic relationship with Gambit, despite their inability to touch each other.
Early in their relationship Rogue was surprised to learn that Gambit had been married to Bella Donna. After they helped Bella Donn fight the alien Brood, she ended up in a coma and Rogue touched her to experience her memories with Gambit. As a result, Bella Donna temporarily forgot who she was, and when she remembered she sought revenge against Rogue. Bella Donna kidnapped Rogue’s childhood friend Cody, and he was killed in the conflict.
Rogue showed the heights of her power when Khan, the alien conqueror, invaded. She tapped into all of the abilities she had absorbed to fight Khan and his army. As this battle was being waged, Vargas, a warrior who believed that Rogue was prophesized to kill him, tried to take her out first. She defeated Vargas, and then the enhanced mutant powers she’d used to fight him and Khan faded away.
When Pandemic captured Rogue and tried to steal her power by injecting her with a virus. Not only did the virus nearly kill Rogue, it also made her touch fatal. Then she was exposed to the Hecatomb alien threat that almost drove her insane.
Determined to save her, Mystique worked with Mister Sinister and the Marauders to find Hope Summers, who was considered the Mutant Messiah. Mystique used Rogue’s death touch to stop Sinister and then had Rogue touch the baby, whose powerful abilities removed the virus from Rogue’s body.
Rogue left the X-Men after these events, until Professor X figured out a way for her to control her powers permanently by using a mental procedure. Since it was a success, Rogue returned to the X-Men and started mentoring young mutants.
Tragedy struck when Cyclops, who was possessed by the Phoenix, killed Professor X. Rogue thought that Scarlet Witch was involved in what happened and killed her. The Grim Reaper showed up and impaled Rogue, but the pair were spared real death by a plan to travel back in time to stop the Apocalypse Twins.
Rogue had what is likely her most heroic experience ever when the Celestial Executioner was about to destroy the world and several superheroes gave Rogue their powers to stop it. The success came at a cost with Rogue unable to touch people without absorbing their minds again.
In her more recent adventures, Rogue collaborated with Human Torch and Deadpool while leading the Avengers Unity Squad. She was forced into the Grandmaster and the Challenger’s cosmic game and was also part of the X-Men group that stopped the Shadow King from escaping the Astral Realm.
Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram for more character profiles! And if you're interested in more from Rogue, head to your local comic shop and check out the following.
This article originally appeared in Gemstone Publishing’s e-newsletter Scoop.
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Collecting ROGUE (2004) #1-12.
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