One of the most fascinating villain-to-hero turns in Marvel history is that of the leader of the X-Men, On your own. There's a long list of villains-turned-heroes in Marvel history, but we often forget that Rogue came into being in X-Men lore originally as the team's opposition. In fact, that's a good indicator of how successful Rogue's time as X-Man was for most fans to forget about his villainous past.
Since her debut as a villain, Rogue has become one of Marvel's most important superheroes. She has become as visually iconic as Spider-Man and as powerful as Marvel's finest. She stands tall with the Avengers and all-powerful beings without seeming out of place and the feats she has achieved deserve to be heralded for the masses to celebrate. To properly celebrate one of the X-Men's most beloved members, it's best to reflect on the biggest moments of his tenure in the comics.
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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 when her first panel appearance came by making an example of Captain America. Alluding to the powers she took from Ms. Marvel the night before (which would not be depicted in the panel until a prequel story in Marvel Superheroes #11), she beats up Steve Rogers and throws him through the windows of Avengers Mansion.
Not long later in the same issue, she makes quick work of Thor before getting into a fight with Spider-Woman. Still maintaining the fascination and mystery of its first appearance, Rogue immediately establishes herself as a major threat by taking out Avengers left and right with ease. Even heroes can't always afford to leave such a significant footprint in their first appearance, let alone a supervillain. Little did readers know at the time that they would soon have reason to root for Rogue.
9
Pleading with Professor Xavier for help, joining the X-Men
Mysterious 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 arrives on the doorstep of the Xavier Institute begging for help. She is struggling to control her powers, as Ms. Marvel's powers and memories are beginning to overwhelm her, as well as influencing her to have a more good-natured attitude. The X-Men doubt that Magneto's subordinate is well-intentioned, but convinced that everyone deserves a second chance, Xavier chooses to trust her. Charles introduces Rogue into the X-Men on a probationary period until she gains the trust of the rest of the team.
This officially marks Rogue's departure from the dark side and the beginning of her redemption arc. It's a big climb for Rogue to be accepted as X-Man, both by the team and readers, but over time she wins over everyone.
8
Defeating Carol's Life Force
Mysterious X-Men #269 by Chris Claremont, Jim Lee and Art Thibert
The biggest blemish on Rogue's hero turn has always been that its basis came from the theft of Carol Danvers' own soul. Even when Rogue atoned for many of her sins while part of the X-Men, she never atoned for stealing Carol's essence. She would finally have the opportunity to right the wrong while enduring the Perilous Siege, and in the process, Carol and Rogue are separated. It's true that this is a version of Carol who has been corrupted by the Shadow King, so her physical form is deteriorating.
Real or not, Mrs. Danvers is still very upset with Rogue and expresses stealing from Rogue in their fight. Rogue is able to overpower Carol and has the opportunity to kill her, but she refuses to kill even an artificial Carol. Magneto shows up and finishes the job for Rogue, but the sentiment is evident. Without Carol's soul influencing her any longer, Rogue became the hero she was destined to be..
7
First encounter with Gambit
X-Men #24 by Fabian Nicieza, Andy Kubert, Bill Oakley and Paul Becton
Like Rogue's most persistent relationship, her encounter with Gambit was a slow burn. While Gambit had been stalking her since X-Men #4, she wouldn't agree to a date until X-Men #24. Hoping to enjoy a 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 meeting is a little awkward, with neither of them really wanting to open up.
Over time, however, thanks to a carriage ride through Central Park, they become closer. It's true that Rogue fears that kissing Gambit will hurt him due to her powers, but he doesn't care about her well-being, only wanting to be with Rogue as close as she would feel comfortable. Although their first kiss was even slower, fans were glued to their seats throughout 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 which, as readers have eagerly awaited for several issues, Rogue and Gambit's first kiss would finally occur on the final page of X-Men #41. True, this kiss would happen under dark circumstances, as it did in the middle of Age of Apocalypse plot. As a result of the Legion going back in time to kill Magneto, it seemed like the reality they knew was about to be completely destroyed. With the future uncertain, the physical consequences of touching her boyfriend no longer mattered, and in what they thought would be their last moment together, Rogue kissed Gambit..
Thanks to Bishop's restoration of reality, the Marvel Universe returned to normal, but because of the kiss, Gambit fell into a coma. He would wake up in X-Men #45 and, in due time, Rogue would learn how to touch Gambit without hurting him. That first kiss, however, took a huge step forward in their relationship.
5
Reluctant team with Carol vs Warbird
Ms. Marvel #9 by Brian Reed, Mike Wieringo, Wade Von Grawbadger, Chris Sotomayor and Dave Sharpe
Despite making peace with the removal of Ms. Marvel's life force, the real Carol Danvers had not yet made the same peace with her attacker. As a result, despite now being on the same side as other heroes, Carol has carried a grudge against Rogue for years. During the Civil War arc, they would be forced to face each other's animosity in a reluctant team after Rogue was attacked by Warbird, Carol's former identity from an alternate universe. After the attack, Rogue mistook her for the real Carol Danvers, putting her back in Mrs. Danvers's path.
Warbird found herself expressing aggressions that Carol of Earth-616 still carried towards Rogue, such as being forced to be nice to someone who tried to kill her a long time ago. Carol violently refused Rogue's help with Warbird, until Warbird tried to kill Rogue, forcing herself to get rid of Warbird herself. Carol blamed Rogue for everything, but then felt a guilt that still needed time to deal with..
4
Joining the Supernatural Avengers
Rick Remender and John Cassaday race in 2012
Being recruited to join the Avengers did a lot to boost Rogue's credibility.
One of Rogue's finest achievements was becoming a member of the Avengers Unity Squad – better known as the Uncanny Avengers – which functioned as a division within the Avengers that existed to focus on mutant conflicts. Therefore, Rogue became an Avengerthe first time she joined another team outside of the X-Men. Better yet, in addition to becoming a regular in 2012 and future iterations of the team, she would be recognized as a senior member of the team, validating her to lead the team.
Being recruited to join the Avengers did a lot to boost Rogue's credibility. She became one of the few superheroes to be part of both the Avengers and the X-Men. Asserting herself among Earth's Mightiest Heroes has done much to establish her as more than just an X-Man or a mutant hero, but one of Marvel's best heroes.
3
Captain Marvel forgives Rogue and official considers her a true hero
Captain Marvel #4 by Kelly Thompson, Carmen Carnero, Tamra Bonvillain and Clayton Cowles of VC
Years have passed and Carol Danvers has transformed 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 again when they are both Nuclear Man's prisoners. Reluctantly, Carol fully trusts Rogue to merge the souls once again temporarily so they can leave the Citadel.
When Nuclear Man is defeated, Carol gives Rogue some long-awaited support, not just by trusting her, but by her decades-long commitment to becoming a new person. This moment is essential in opening the door for Carol to finally forgive Rogue, even if they don't definitively end their longest-running rivalry with the X-Men for a few more years. This moment added new dimensions to their dynamic, finally allowing us to work together under the guise of genuine respect and adoration.
2
Marriage 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 get married for what seemed like forever, and when it finally happened, it happened under the most unexpected circumstances. X-Men Gold Number 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 was scared. Not wanting to waste the scenery and the guests, Gambit asks Rogue to marry him and, moments later, they walk down the aisle without hesitation.
The nature of their marriage was as exciting and unpredictable as romance had always been. It couldn't be a more fitting way for the two to get married, officially anointing them as Mr.
1
Leading a team of X-Men
Gail Simone's Strange X-Men Run in 2024
In modern Marvel, Rogue has finally started leading her own team of X-Men. After the fall of Krakoa, many mutants were divided into different regions of the world. Cyclops is leading his X-Men in Alaska from an old Orchis base, while Rogue is with her mutants in New Orleans. In addition to major characters like Wolverine, Gambit, Nightcrawler, and Jubilee, Rogue is also taking young mutants under its wing.
Rogue is a character who has existed in Marvel lore for 43 years, and her journey has led here. She's come a long way from a young ruffian member of Magneto's Brotherhood, finding the confidence, awareness, and maturity necessary to not only become a hero, but also a leader of the X-Men. Rogue The rise of the X-Men and rise through the ranks of the Marvel Universe is inspiring, with his time as leader getting off to a turbulent start.