X Most Important Rogue Moments That Defined Marvel’s Mutant Villain-Turned-Hero

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One of the most fascinating villain-to-hero turns in Marvel history is that of X-Men leader, Rogue. There’s a long list of villains turned hero in Marvel history, but it’s often forgotten that Rogue emerged in X-Men lore originally as the team’s opposition. If anything, that’s a good indicator of just how successful Rogue’s time as an X-Man has been for the majority of fans to forget her baddie past.

In the time since her villainous debut, Rogue has broken out as one of Marvel’s most important superheroes. She’s become just as visually iconic as Spider-Man and as powerful as Marvel’s finest. She stands tall with Avengers and all-powerful beings without looking out of place and the feats she achieved deserve to be heralded for the masses to celebrate. To properly celebrate one of the most beloved X-Men members, it’s best to reflect on the biggest moments of her tenure in the comics.

10

Rogue’s Debut with the Brotherhood of Mutants

“By Friends — Betrayed!” by Chris Claremont, Michael Golden, Armando Gil, and Joe Rosen in Avengers Annual #10

Rogue made her presence known in the Marvel Universe as her first on-panel appearance comes by making an example of Captain America. Alluding to powers she took from Ms. Marvel the night before (which wouldn’t be depicted on-panel until a prequel story in Marvel Super-Heroes #11), she beats the tar out of Steve Rogers and tosses him through the windows of Avengers Mansion.

Not long after in the same issue, she makes quick work of Thor before brawling with Spider-Woman. Still maintaining allure and mystery in her first appearance, Rogue immediately establishes herself as a major threat by disposing of Avengers left and right with ease. Even heroes don’t always have the luxury of making such a significant footprint in their first appearance, let alone a supervillain. Little did readers know at the time that they’d have reason to root for Rogue soon enough.

9

Pleading with Professor Xavier for Help, Joining the X-Men

Uncanny X-Men #171 by Chris Claremont, Walt Simonson, Bob Wiacek, Glynis Wein, and Tom Orzechowski

Two years after debuting as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Rogue reaches the doorstep of the Xavier Institute begging for help. She’s struggling to control her powers as Ms. Marvel’s powers and memories are starting to overwhelm her, as well as influence her toward a more good-natured attitude. The X-Men doubt Magneto’s underling is well-intentioned, but convinced that everyone deserves a second chance, Xavier opts to trust her. Charles inducts Rogue into the X-Men on a probationary period until she can gain the rest of the team’s trust.

This officially marks Rogue’s turn from the dark side and the beginning of her redemption arc. It’s a tall climb for Rogue to be accepted as an X-Man, both by the team and the readership, but in time, she wins everyone over.

8

Defeating Carol’s Life Force

Uncanny X-Men #269 by Chris Claremont, Jim Lee, and Art Thibert

The biggest blemish on Rogue’s hero turn was always that the foundation of it came from stealing the very soul of Carol Danvers. Even when Rogue atoned for many of her sins while a part of the X-Men, she never atoned for stealing Carol’s essence. She’d finally have the opportunity to right that wrong while enduring the Siege Perilous and in the process, Carol and Rogue are separated. Granted, this is a version of Carol that’s been corrupted by The Shadow King, hence why her physical form is deteriorating.

Real or not, Ms. Danvers is still royally pissed at Rogue and expresses Rogue’s theft in their fight. Rogue is able to eventually overwhelm Carol and has the opportunity to kill her, but she refuses to kill even an artificial Carol. Magneto swoops in and finishes the job for Rogue, but the sentiment is evident. Without Carol’s soul influencing her any longer, Rogue has grown into the hero she was destined to be.

X-Men #24 by Fabian Nicieza, Andy Kubert, Bill Oakley, and Paul Becton

As Rogue’s most persistent relationship, her getting together with Gambit was something of a slow burn. As Gambit pursued her as far back as X-Men #4, she wouldn’t agree to a date until X-Men #24. In hope of enjoying one normal night away from X-Men duties, Gambit takes her to Manhattan’s Greenwich Village for dinner at Poppa Gumbo’s Cajun Cookout. Their first date is a little awkward, without either wanting to truly open up to each other.

In time though, thanks to a carriage ride through Central Park, they grow closer. Granted, Rogue fears that kissing Gambit would hurt him due to her powers, but he doesn’t care about his well-being, only about wanting to be with Rogue as closely as she’d be comfortable with. While their first kiss would prove to be an even slower burn, fans were glued to their seats for the ride. It didn’t take long for them to become Marvel’s best couple.

6

First Kiss with Gambit

X-Men #41 by Fabian Nicieza and Andy Kubert

Speaking of, as readers eagerly anticipated it for several issues, Rogue and Gambit’s first kiss would finally occur on the final page of X-Men #41. Granted, that kiss would come under somber circumstances, as it was in the midst of the Age of Apocalypse storyline. As a result of Legion going back in time to kill Magneto, it appeared as if reality as they knew was about to get destroyed completely. With the future uncertain, the physical consequences of touching her beau no longer mattered, and in what they thought would be their last moment together, Rogue locked lips with Gambit.

Thanks to Bishop restoring reality, the Marvel Universe was back to normal, but because of their kiss, Gambit was launched into a coma. He’d awaken in X-Men #45, and in due time, Rogue would learn how to touch Gambit without hurting him. This first kiss, though, added a major step forward in their relationship.

5

Reluctant Team-Up with Carol vs Warbird

Ms. Marvel #9 by Brian Reed, Mike Wieringo, Wade Von Grawbadger, Chris Sotomayor, and Dave Sharpe

Despite making peace with taking Ms. Marvel’s life force, the real Carol Danvers still had yet to make that same peace with her attacker. As a result, despite now being on the same side as fellow heroes, Carol carried bad blood for years toward Rogue. During the Civil War arc, they’d be forced to confront each other’s animosity for each other in a reluctant team-up after Rogue was attacked by Warbird, Carol’s old identity from an alternate universe. After the attack, Rogue mistook her for the real Carol Danvers, putting her back in Ms. Marvel’s path.

Warbird found herself expressing aggressions that Earth-616’s Carol still carried for Rogue, like being forced to play nice with someone who tried to kill her long ago. Carol violently refused Rogue’s help with Warbird, until Warbird tried to kill Rogue, forcing herself to dispose of Warbird herself. Carol blamed Rogue for everything, but then felt guilt in ways that she still needed time to cope with.

4

Joining Uncanny Avengers

Rick Remender and John Cassaday’s 2012 Run

One of Rogue’s best achievements comes in becoming a member of the Unity Squad of the Avengers – better known as the Uncanny Avengers – which worked as a division within the Avengers that existed to focus on mutant conflicts. Ergo, Rogue had become an Avenger, the first time that she had joined another team outside of the X-Men. Even better, in addition to becoming a regular within the 2012 and future iterations of the team, she’d be recognized as a senior member of the team, validating her to lead the team.

Being recruited to join The Avengers went a long way in adding to Rogue’s credibility. She had become one of the few superheroes to be a part of The Avengers and the X-Men. Asserting herself among the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes went a long way into establishing her as more than just an X-Man or a mutant hero, but one of the best Marvel heroes.

3

Captain Marvel Forgives Rogue and Official Dubs Her a Real Hero

Captain Marvel #4 by Kelly Thompson, Carmen Carnero, Tamra Bonvillain, and VC’s Clayton Cowles

Years have past and Carol Danvers has turned into Captain Marvel, but the resentment between Rogue and her is still as strong as ever, whether they want to admit it or not. They are forced to confront their feelings once more when they are both captives of Nuclear Man. Reluctantly, Carol fully puts her trust in Rogue to merge souls once more temporarily so they can break out of The Citadel.

When The Nuclear Man is defeated, Carol gives Rogue some long-overdue props not only for putting her trust in her, but for the decades-long commitment to becoming a new person. This moment is essential to opening the door for Carol to finally forgive Rogue, even if they won’t definitively end their oldest X-Men rivalry for another few years. This moment added new dimensions to their dynamic, allowing to finally work together under the pretense of genuine respect and adoration.

2

Wedding with Gambit

X-Men Gold #30 by Marc Guggenheim, David Marquez, Matthew Wilson, and VC’s Cory Petit

Fans waited to see Gambit and Rogue tie the knot for what felt like forever, and when it finally happened, it came under the most unexpected of circumstances. X-Men Gold #30 was supposed to serve as the wedding of Kate “Kitty” Pryde and Piotr Rasputin, but when it came time for Colossus to put the ring on Shadowkat’s finger, she got cold feet. Not wanting to let the scenery and guests go to waste, Gambit proposes to Rogue, and moments later, they go down the aisle without hesitation.

The nature of their marriage was as exciting and unpredictable as their romance had always been. It couldn’t be a more fitting way for the two to get married, officially anointing them as Mr and Mrs. X.

1

Leading an X-Men Team

Gail Simone’s 2024 Uncanny X-Men Run

In modern Marvel, Rogue has finally started leading her own X-Men team. Following the fall of Krakoa, many mutants were split off into different regions of the world. Cyclops is leading his X-Men in Alaska, hailing from a former Orchis base, while Rogue is with her mutants in New Orleans. In addition to mainstays like Wolverine, Gambit, Nightcrawler, and Jubilee, Rogue is also bringing young mutants under her wing.

Rogue is a character who has existed in Marvel lore for 43 years, and her journey has all led to here. She’s come a long way from a young ruffian member of Magneto’s Brotherhood, finding the confidence, awareness, and maturity needed to not only become a hero, but a leader to the X-Men. Rogue’s ascent from the X-Men and rising through the ranks of the Marvel Universe is awe-inspiring, with her time as a leader being off to a raucous start.

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