Warning: Contains spoilers for Uncanny X-Men #4!Currently leading the Mysterious X-Men, On your own has one of the most iconic superpowers in the franchise. Capable of draining the powers and life force of anyone she touches, Rogue also has immense strength and speed (a holdover from the time she stole Captain Marvel’s powers, nearly killing her). Recent events suggest she is developing an entirely different skill that suits her new role as team leader perfectly..
Recently, Rogue’s team was pursued by Sarah Gaunt, aka the Witch. In the last issue, Wolverine faced the Witch, discovering that his nails are coated with a mystical metal even more powerful than adamantium. While Wolverine was torn to pieces, he somehow psychically connected with Roguebegging her to take her new students to safety. In The Strange X-Men #4 by the creative team of Gail Simone, David Marquez, Matthew Wilson and Clayton Cowles, Rogue and Nightcrawler are searching for Wolverine after his disturbing vision.
Combining Rogue’s flight and Nightcrawler’s teleportation, they find Logan barely alive, and Rogue insists she stay to search for her attacker. Wolverine warns Rogue against this, telling her to take away some of her power, but Rogue refuses and Nightcrawler teleports Wolverine away. She looks for Hag in the forest and thinks: “I feel it. I don’t know how. But I feel it like spiders on my skin.” This appears to be a second reference to Rogue having a new sixth sense.especially since Wolverine’s advanced senses couldn’t identify Gaunt’s latest issue.
Rogue is developing some kind of telepathic power
So far, X-Men isn’t explaining Rogue’s sixth sense – but it has already saved Wolverine
Secondary mutations have already granted new powers to X-Men heroes – for example, Emma Frost’s diamond form. If Rogue’s new abilities are a secondary mutation, they could be a new psychic power appearing, but is likely an advancement of his already existing power set. Several X-Men mutants have his primary power plus some additional abilities that tune his body to use it effectively – for example, Cyclops can fire optical blasts from his eyes, but he also has an instinctive understanding of trajectory, allowing him to use his power. beams much more efficiently.
A more immediate example of mutant powers that come with a sixth sense is Rogue’s former ally Polaris. In X-Men (2021) #5, by Gerry Duggan, Javier Pina and Zé Carlos, Polaris is hit by a flash grenade and is blinded, but can still feel the people around her, feeling the iron in her blood. Polaris is able to sense what her magnetic powers can affect. Rogue’s powers allow her to absorb the powers, life force, and memories of anyone she touches. If Rogue’s mutant powers follow the same logic as Polaris, she may have some latent ability to sense powerful beings around her. This would explain how Rogue was able to feel Wolverine’s pain, and also how she could have known the Witch was nearby.
Rogue’s advanced power could be evidence of a secondary mutation
The New Era of X-Men Is Making Several Big Changes
It is possible that there is another explanation for Rogue’s sixth sense, perhaps linked to the presence of Sarah Gaunt (the villain and after all, it is magical in nature.) The ‘From the Ashes’ era of X-Men is making several major changes to the franchise’s rulesfor example, introducing villains who can turn humans into mutants, so there are a lot of possibilities for what could be happening with Rogue. X-Men is in a time of great transition and fans can’t necessarily look to the past to discover what’s possible in the present. One thing is clear, however – On your ownWolverine’s new power is a significant development and one that already saved Wolverine’s life.
The Strange X-Men #4 is now available from Marvel Comics.