Rogue (Marvel Comics)

Rogue
File:Rogue Vol 3.jpg Artwork for the cover of Rogue vol. 3, 3 (Nov, 2004)Art by Rodolfo Migliari.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Avengers Annual #10 (August 1981)
Created by	Chris Claremont Michael Golden
In-story information
Alter ego	Anna Marie
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	X-Men XSE Brotherhood of Mutants
Notable aliases	Anna Raven, Dr. Kellogg, Malicia, Miss Smith (when her "Carol Danvers" personality was dominant): Carol Danvers, Ace
Abilities	Absorption of memories, skills, and powers through skin to skin contact. The longer the contact occurs, the longer Rogue will retain the abilities or memories. If she maintains contact for long enough, the absorption is permanent. (details)

Rogue (Anna Marie) is a fictional character, part of the Marvel Comics mutant super-team, the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Michael Golden, she first appeared in Avengers annual publication #10 (August 1981). More so than many mutants, Rogue considers her powers a curse. She involuntarily absorbs the memories, physical strength and, in the case of super-powered persons, abilities of anyone she touches. This potentially fatal power prevents her from making physical contact with others, including her longtime on-again off-again love interest, Gambit.

Hailing from Mississippi, she is the X-Men's self-described southern belle. A runaway, she was adopted by Mystique of the Brotherhood of Mutants but turned to the X-Men when the aftereffects of her repeated use of her mutant power — particularly the permanent absorption of Ms. Marvel's psyche and Kree powers — threatened her sanity. She is the step sister of fellow X-Men Member Nightcrawler.

Rogue has been one of the most popular and consistent members of the X-Men since the 1980s. She was #5 on IGN's Top Twenty-Five X-Men list,, #4 on their Top Ten X-Babes list., and was given title of #1 X-Man on CBR's top 50 X-Men of All Time.

Rogue has been featured in all X-Men animated series and various video games. In the X-Men film series, she is portrayed by Academy Award winner Anna Paquin. Her visual cue is often the white streak that runs through her hair.

Publication history

Rogue (vol. 1, 3) Marvel Icons: Rogue (vol. 2)
Publication information
Publisher	Vol. 1-3: Marvel Comics
Schedule	Vol. 1-3: Monthly
Format	Vol. 1-2 Standard U.S., 4 color. Mini Series. Vol. 3 Standard U.S., 4 color. Ongoing
Publication date	Vol. 1: 1994 Vol. 2: 2001 Vol. 3: 2004-2005
No. of issues	Vol. 1: 4 Vol. 2: 4 Vol. 3: 12
Creative team
Created by	Chris Claremont Michael Golden
Written by	Vol. 1: Howard Mackie Vol. 2: Fiona Avery Vol. 3: Robert Rodi (#1-6) Tony Bedard (#7-12)
Penciller(s)	Vol. 1: Mike Wieringo Vol. 2: Aaron Lopresti Vol. 3: Cliff Richards (#1-6) Karl Moline (#7-12)
Inker(s)	Vol. 1:Terry Austin Vol. 2: Randy Emberlin Vol. 3:Norm Rapmund (#1-6)

Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 (1979) (and artwork for the first half of the story was completed), but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10 (1981). She made her first X-Book appearance in Uncanny X-Men #158 and joined the X-Men in Uncanny X-Men #171. Rogue has also had two mini-series and one ongoing title.

Rogue is unusual among the X-Men as her real name and her early history were not revealed until more than twenty years after her introduction. Until the back story provided by Robert Rodi in the ongoing Rogue series, begun in September 2004, Rogue's background was only hinted at. This resulted in Rodi's version of Rogue's origins inadvertently conflicting with earlier information. In X-Men Unlimited #4, Scott Lobdell indicates that Rogue ran away from her father after her mutant powers manifested, but in Uncanny X-Men #182, Rogue reflects that she never knew her father because he'd left before she was born, and several issues, including Uncanny X-Men #178 and X-Men #93, indicate that Rogue was taken in by Mystique and Destiny before her mutation became active.

Fictional character biography

Early life

Her parents, Owen and Priscilla, married early in their relationship and lived in a back-to-nature hippie commune in Caldecott County, Mississippi. Born as Anna Marie, she also enjoyed the attentions of her Aunt Carrie, on her mother's side. The commune's failed attempt to use Native American mysticism to reach the 'Far Banks' resulted in Priscilla's disappearance. Carrie took over Anna's care, and in her grief at the loss of her sister, was a strict and authoritarian guardian. Anna Marie was a rebellious child and her equally poor relationship with her father prompted her to run away from home as a young teenager. This also prompted the nickname "Rogue." Not long after, she was approached by Mystique, who sought her out on the advice of her precognitive partner Destiny. Mystique ultimately takes Rogue in as a daughter.

At some point, Rogue grows close to a boy named Cody Robbins. During their flirtation, she impulsively kisses Cody, at which point her latent mutant power to absorb the life energy and psyche of others with skin-to-skin contact emerges. Rogue is traumatized by the experience, and Cody is left in a coma from which he would not awaken. She wears body-concealing clothing that eliminates the possibility of accidental skin contact. She wishes she "did not have to cover up so much around folks, to protect them from me," but utilizes, under appropriate and acceptable circumstances, more normal clothing.

In time, however, Mystique turns Rogue's loneliness, envy, bitterness, and despair into anger, thus recruiting her into the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.

Brotherhood of Mutants

After Rogue's mutation emerges, Mystique begins coaxing Rogue to take part in her terrorist activities as a member of the Brotherhood of Mutants. Rogue is initially not interested, wanting only a normal life, but after an incident in which she absorbs and knocks out a boy named Freddy when he dares her to kiss him, she seems to give up on normality and begins taking part in Mystique's plans.

During this period, Rogue and Mystique associate briefly with a mutant named Blindspot, whose power to erase the memories of others by touch somehow counteracts Rogue's mutation enough to allow them to make physical contact safely. Blindspot and Rogue become good friends, but when Mystique decides to sever professional ties with Blindspot, Blindspot erases all memory of her from both Mystique and Rogue in order to protect herself.

File:RogueVs Warbird.jpg

Rogue vs. the Ms. Marvel persona on the cover of Uncanny X-Men #269, art by Jim Lee.

When Mystique debuts her Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (Pyro, Blob, and Avalanche), Destiny advises her to keep Rogue out of the action, advice which proved important when several members of the new Brotherhood - including Destiny herself - are arrested and imprisoned. Rogue ultimately confronts Ms. Marvel on her front doorstep as she is returning home from grocery shopping, and deliberately absorbs her powers. Something goes wrong as Ms. Marvel fights too hard and too long, and the transfer of psyche and powers (initially sans Ms. Marvel's precognitive "seventh sense") becomes permanent. The shock of absorbing such a formidable persona drives Rogue insane, and she attempts to kill Ms. Marvel by throwing her off the Golden Gate Bridge. Unbeknownst to Rogue, Ms. Marvel is saved from the fall by the original Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew. Ms. Marvel is comatose for a short period of time before her memories (sans the emotional attachments) are restored by Spider Woman's friend, Professor Charles Xavier of the X-Men. Rogue later felt tremendous guilt over the incident and it still haunts her to this day. However, she battles the Avengers as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil mutants using her newly acquired powers.

Later, with Mystique and Destiny, Rogue attacked Angel and Dazzler, but Rogue was overpowered by Dazzler. Rogue develops a grudge against Dazzler for her controllable mutation and her relationship with Angel of the X-Men. Mystique intends for Rogue to absorb Angel - the only X-Man whose identity is publicly known at the time - in order to learn the team's whereabouts, but Rogue balks, afraid of the effect of absorbing a physical mutation like Angel's wings. Rogue defeated Dazzler but was herself defeated by Power Man and Iron Fist, before fleeing; Rogue is defeated by Dazzler a few times before Dazzler is publicly revealed to be a mutant and goes into hiding.

She also battled the X-Men at the Pentagon.

X-Men

The more Rogue used her mutant power, the more her mind became filled with fragmentary psychic echoes of the people she absorbed, and Carol Danvers' psyche was nearly a completely distinct personality within her mind who would sometimes take over when Rogue's will was weak. It became harder and harder for Rogue to hold on to her own personality, and she feared that her powers would drive her insane. (Unbeknownst to her or Mystique, the process was also helped along by Mastermind, who subtly exacerbated Rogue's already severe psychological distress as a means of revenge against Mystique.) Desperate, Rogue turned to Professor Charles Xavier and the X-Men, and asked for admission to the X-Men to learn how to control her powers. The Professor was unable to do a satisfactory psychic scan of her, due to the clashing human and Kree portions of her psyche. Still, Xavier's charity towards all mutants led him to welcome her into his home and the X-Men, regardless of his team having previously fought Rogue and in spite of the X-Men's own strong objections. The X-Men even threatened to disband themselves and leave the school should Rogue be accepted. It was only Xavier's argument that all mutants deserve a chance for redemption that prevented the dissolution of the X-Men. Immediately afterward, Rogue clashed with Carol Danvers, as Binary, who was unwilling to accept the idea of Rogue among her friends. Rogue teamed with Wolverine in Japan on her first mission as a member of the X-Men.

Rogue on the cover of Uncanny X-Men #359. Art by Chris Bachalo and Tim Townsend.

Her initial months with the team were rough, as she was seen as a latent threat, a Brotherhood mole within the X-Men. When the team met up with Wolverine in Tokyo (where he was preparing for his marriage to Mariko Yashida), she was given a chilly reception by him -- Wolverine, having been a good friend and professional partner to Carol Danvers, expressed a desire to "cut out her heart". However, after the rest of the team (save Rogue, Storm, and Wolverine) were incapacitated by poison, they were forced to learn to work as a team to find the culprit. Wolverine was not impressed by Rogue's brashness and lack of experience, and even threatened to kill her after she jokingly suggested kissing him after he knocked her out of the way of a trap. The plot was traced back to the Viper and her lover, the Silver Samurai, whom they met in the hospital that the X-Men were admitted to. Rogue nearly died during the battle by taking a prolonged laser blast from the Viper to shield Mariko, who had shown her genuine trust and kindness. Wolverine, after the battle and over Rogue's own objections, kissed her to transfer his healing powers to her. She had gained his trust and respect for her efforts to protect his fiancée.

Soon after, she gained the full trust of the rest of the team by again risking her life to save Colossus, who had been superheated and then rapidly cooled by Pyro. She absorbed Colossus' powers, leaving her in the same rigid, melted form as he was to allow the Morlock Healer to heal the damage done to Colossus.

Rogue later invaded the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier to rescue Michael Rossi, and at this time first fell under domination of Danvers' persona, and was framed for the murder of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. These charges were eventually dropped.

Among the X-Men, Rogue's life improved, but she continued to struggle with Carol Danvers' residual personality. The Danvers personality eventually grew so strong that "Carol" had replaced Rogue's standard X-Men costume with Ms. Marvel's former superhero uniform during battle, which caused Rogue much anger when she would finally gain control of her body again. Eventually, Rogue was pulled through the mystical gateway known as the Siege Perilous, where she was judged by other-dimensional forces with the promise of a "new life." Returned to Earth, Rogue was purged of the remaining portions of Carol's personality, truly becoming her own woman again, but was also temporarily stripped of her powers for a time. However, after Rogue emerged from the Siege, she found herself back in the abandoned ghost town in Australia the X-Men had taken up residence in after the Fall of the Mutants storyline. She was confronted by not only the Reavers, but by Carol Danvers herself, whose disembodied psyche had been re-integrated by passing through the Siege and being separated from Rogue. Rogue fled from Carol as she battled the Reavers, and absorbed the powers of the mutant Gateway in order to teleport herself to safety. Carol arrived before she could escape and plunged through the portal Rogue had summoned, and both of them disappeared.

Rogue, as it turned out, ended up powerless in the Savage Land, but Carol had been teleported to Muir Island, where she came into conflict with some of the X-Men's allies who had fallen under the mental enslavement of the Shadow King. Carol fought him, but his vast psionic powers overwhelmed and corrupted her. He then sent her to the Savage Land to find Rogue and the two battled fiercely. It was also shown during the fight that there was not enough life-force between the two to sustain both of them physically as a result of the separation. Just as Rogue was on the verge of being drained completely, Magneto suddenly intervened and destroyed the Ms. Marvel Persona, saving Rogue's life. The two briefly toyed with a romance. Rogue ultimately saw through Magneto's noble facade when he killed the high priestess Zaladane, who had amassed an army of Savage Land natives. With Rogue's perception of her potential lover shaken, she flew to Muir Island to rejoin the rest of the X-Men when her powers had fully returned. Like the others on the island, however, she fell under the influence of the Shadow King, until freed by the efforts of Forge to help in the battle against the Shadow King, Legion, and Malice. After the battle was over and the X-Men divided into two teams to better make use of their large number of active members, Rogue was assigned to the Blue Team, under the leadership of Cyclops and alongside new X-Man, and love interest, Gambit. Upon his arrival, Remy flirted with each of the female members of the team, however Rogue immediately caught his eye, and Remy made no secret of his romantic desire for her. Gambit openly, and in full view of the others, romantic pursued her at every chance he got.

Rogue and Gambit were immediately attracted to each other, but the development of their relationship was slow and rocky, partly as a result of her inability to control her powers and partly as a result of long-term issues, including secrecy and dishonesty, with previous relationships on Gambit's part. Though even through their many breaks ups and make-ups, Gambit and Rogue have one of the longest and most popular relationships in the X-Men series, probably only second to Cyclops and Jean Grey. Incidentally, Cody Robbins, the first person to fall victim to Rogue's powers, was later killed by Gambit's ex-wife Bella Donna.

It was eventually revealed that Mystique had two sons: the now-deceased anti-mutant politician Graydon Creed and Rogue's long-time teammate, Nightcrawler. Rogue and Nightcrawler consider themselves to be siblings, although the revelation has not particularly altered their friendship.

Following the supposed 'death' of Cyclops, the X-Men team underwent major changes, amongst them Rogue being made the team's new field commander. Her even temper and years of X-Men service made her an ideal leader and she continued to lead the team until Storm returned.

When the Galactic Council transformed Earth into a maximum-security penal colony for hundreds of extraterrestrial criminals, Rogue absorbed the attributes of Z'Cann — a telepathic alien shapeshifter who had joined Cadre K, Xavier's Skrull equivalent to the X-Men. Z'Cann purposely touched Rogue to activate the mutant's abilities as the two evaded bounty hunters. Z'Cann used her telepathy to amplify Rogue's capacity to assimilate memories, causing her powers to mutate.

X-Treme X-Men Team

Rogue was part of the X-Treme X-Men team led by Storm. The team's first mission was in search of Destiny's Diaries (which prophesied future events). During an invasion of Khan (an alien conqueror from another dimension) of an isle nation Madripoor, Rogue requested that Sage use her power jump-starting abilities to evolve Rogue to a point where she could control all of the various powers that she has ever imprinted. Sage agreed, and Rogue became a one-woman army, able to use the powers of anyone she had absorbed in the past all at once.

File:X-Treme X-Men -6.jpg

Rogue on the cover of X-Treme X-Men #6, art by Salvador Larroca.

During Khan's invasion, Rogue was also confronted by Vargas who was said to be "a new species altogether." Vargas foresaw himself being killed by Rogue in Destiny's diaries and, despite his belief in the prophecies, attempted to stop this eventuality from happening. Thus, in the midst of the invasion battle, Vargas ambushed Rogue as she was trying to rescue Gambit (see X-Treme X-Men), spearing both Rogue and Gambit with his blade before escaping. Rogue survived due to possessing Wolverine's and Hulk's powers. Returning to the city shortly after the battle to recover his sword, Vargas was surprised in turn by Rogue dressed in Psylocke's costume (Vargas having killed Psylocke earlier for sport). After a lengthy battle, Rogue "fulfilled her destiny" by seemingly finishing Vargas off with his own weapon. It is later revealed that Rogue may have in fact let Vargas live (the camera that was filming the battle lost power at the moment of what seemed to be an impending death blow), since we see him as part of the XSE in X-Men: The End, although that particular series is not canon. Returning to Gambit, Rogue, with the help of Jean Grey, forced him from near death.

Following the repulsion of the invasion, Rogue realized that Destiny's Prophecies were only possibilities and that trying to follow them was more dangerous than ignoring them. She also learned that she had inherited a mansion in New Orleans from Destiny, as well as a sizable fortune, and the X-Treme X-Men team retired there to recuperate. Rogue soon left the team with Gambit, since they both emerged powerless from their ordeals and wanted to explore their relationship further.

It's during this time period that many readers believe that Rogue and Gambit had consummated their relationship in a sexual manner because of Rogue's lack of absorption. There is not much to verify these accounts except for in the final issue of X-Treme X-Men before Sage forces Gambit's powers to return; Sage is disguised as Rogue to charge Gambit's adrenaline. However, she is dressed a provocative outfit that Gambit may have been used to seeing before in the bedroom.

While on the road, Rogue and Gambit encountered mutants who hated non-mutants. Not wanting to provoke them, Rogue tried to negotiate but they started a fight and Gambit and Rogue (both powerless) fought them. They lost, and their opponents destroyed Rogue's bike. Shortly thereafter, Rogue and Gambit met a young mutant going by the name of Paint, who possessed the power to "paint" tattoos by touch alone. Rogue complimented Paint on her tattoos and in return, Paint gave Rogue some tattoos of her own.

Rogue ended up living in a beach house in Valle Soleada, a town where mutants and humans coexisted peacefully. She subsequently received a visit from Bishop and Sage and, after a series of events involving an investigation into the murder of a human girl's family, Rogue and Gambit signed up with Bishop and Sage to help Storm's X-Treme X-Men stop Sage's enemy and former boss Elias Bogan. After the battle, Rogue asked Sage to restore Gambit's abilities, which she did. Gambit asked if the same could be done for Rogue's powers, but it was never revisited after Rogue quickly dismissed his comment.

Back to the X-Men

Rogue and Gambit returned to the X-Men as part of Marvel's ReLoad. Over time, Rogue's own abilities returned naturally. However, she no longer possessed the abilities she had absorbed from Ms. Marvel. Rogue and Gambit were both put on Havok's team and on their first mission back, the X-Men battled against a Chinese mutant team to rescue Xorn. They succeeded and brought Xorn back to the X-Mansion with them.

The X-Men then faced a new Brotherhood in Philadelphia. The Brotherhood followed them back to the Mansion and attacked them at home. Rogue notably fought Black Tom Cassidy, while the other X-Men fought off the rest of the Brotherhood. Black Tom almost killed Rogue, but she was saved by Northstar.

As described in her own miniseries, Rogue then traveled down south to save a young mutant girl from her powers. While there, she met Campbell St. Ange, a young man who was immune to Rogue's lethal touch. Also while there, Rogue forcibly absorbed knowledge from her Aunt Carrie that explained that Rogue's mother had traveled to the Far Banks, a dream-realm, to stop her father from getting there himself. Rogue encountered the incorporeal spirit of her mother therein, and absorbed her memories. After the reunion, her mother's trapped spirit could finally move on. Rogue subsequently went back to her Aunt Carrie and made amends with her, considering her Aunt Carrie her mother now.

Rogue then returns to the X-Men and fights with the team against the monstrous Golgotha - large space creatures with limited telepathic abilities that induce insanity in some by bringing forth deep fears, insecurities, and hidden thoughts. During this ordeal, as the result of Golgotha influence, Rogue and Gambit get into a fight about the reality of their relationship when limited by Rogue's powers. Wolverine, also under the influence of Golgotha, then reveals he has always had feelings for Rogue, and kisses her. While recovering from Logan's mind, Rogue receives a call from Emma Frost, who, in perceiving that she has gotten really old and ugly as the result of Golgotha, is trying to kill Havok, mistakenly thinking Havok to be Cyclops who would now stop loving her. Rogue defuses the situation and prevents Havok from having to defend himself. Rogue later absorbs both Havok and Polaris' powers when the X-Men fight and apparently defeat a herd of Golgotha in space.

While on a trip to Japan to investigate an incriminating photo of her and Sunfire engaged in criminal activities, both Rogue and Sunfire, learn that Rogue's former friend and teammate of the Brotherhood, Blindspot, has erased both their memories of the event. In this storyline, Rogue accidentally and permanently absorbs Sunfire's fire abilities (who has lost his legs to Deathstrike and thus doesn't want to live) and fights Lady Deathstrike and later the X-Men, after Blindspot removes her memories of the X-Men from Rogue's mind (which return to her eventually in the arc).

Rogue returns to the X-Mansion only to find that Gambit was being seduced by the student called Foxx. It is later revealed, however, that Mystique, displeased with Rogue's choice of lovers, infiltrated the Xavier Institute by shapeshifting into Foxx and joined Gambit's squad in an attempt to ruin his relationship with Rogue. After Gambit resists her charms, Mystique reverts to her true form and offers Gambit something more difficult to refuse: she transforms into Rogue and offered Gambit a Rogue with whom he could have a physical relationship. Whether or not they actually engage in a sexual relationship, however, is uncertain (although Gambit insists that nothing happened). Rogue eventually discovers her mother's presence in the school and her attempts to seduce Gambit, becoming furious with both parties. Because Gambit had failed to tell Rogue of Mystique's presence in the Institute, their relationship develops the exact rift Mystique was hoping for and allows her to set up her daughter with her accomplice, Pulse. After being discovered, Mystique asks the X-Men for permission to stay at the Mansion. The X-Men vote and Mystique is allowed to be a probationary member of the X-Men, a decision neither Rogue or Gambit are happy with.

Blood of Apocalypse

In the events that followed M-Day, the mutant Apocalypse is re-awoken; Gambit, seeking redemption from Rogue and his fellow X-Men, is transformed by him into the newest Death. Gambit had believed he could control whatever Apocalypse would do to him, in hopes of only gaining more power to protect Rogue and the X-Men from the villain. However, under mental control, Gambit is forced to try and kill Rogue, the only part of Gambit's past life that remains, twice. After Apocalypse's defeat, Sunfire, another mutant he had transformed, and Gambit leave the X-Men to try and fix their lives.

Endangered Species: Rogue's X-Men

File:X-Men -192.jpg

Rogue and her new team in X-Men #192, art by Chris Bachalo.

As Professor Xavier goes into space after the villain Vulcan and Havok and several X-Men go with him, Cyclops gives Rogue the authority to form her own team, complimenting her inspired improvisation in battle situations. She is hesitant at first, because of Gambit's recent disappearance with Sunfire, but accepts the position, saying that when he comes back, she'd still be at the school. She chooses Iceman, Cannonball, Cable, Sabretooth, Lady Mastermind, Karima Shapandar, and Mystique, a line-up Cyclops does not agree with.

Mystique seemingly tries to repair her relationship with Rogue, but is rebuffed. Rogue's team defeats the group known as the Children of the Vault. Afterward, Rogue declares her team will be leaving the X-Mansion. Rogue is hospitalized after a battle with Pandemic. Cable, desiring Rogue's help in defeating the Hecatomb, forces Rogue awake. Pandemic had altered Rogue's powers, amplifying them. She accidentally kills a nurse who touches her. In defeating Hecatomb, Rogue absorbs psyches of eight billion entities that had been stored inside it. She seemingly recovers from this incident, but there are indications she now craves the process of absorbing.

The team moves to Rogue's hometown of Caldecott for Rogue to recover. As Cyclops and Emma Frost arrive to help Rogue cope with the immensity of the voices in her mind, Marauders arrive seeking the Destiny's diaries. As part of the attack, it is revealed that Mystique is working with Marauders and for Mister Sinister. In X-Men #200, Mystique shoots Rogue and takes her back to Mr. Sinister's base, who only keeps Rogue alive because she holds all the information of Destiny's Diaries within her mind. Gambit, who has joined the Marauders and Mr. Sinister again, is seen still very protective of Rogue and accuses Mystique of being too careless in how she captured Rogue. Gambit is shown standing over Rogue trying to get her to wake up after she has fallen into a trance overcome by the minds she absorbed and expresses his apologies for what he had done before rejoining Sinister. Rogue has flashes of memories, both of her and Gambit during the time that they had known each other, and of the millions of minds she absorbed, while in her coma-like state before briefly waking up and recognizing Gambit. She tells him she had a nightmare, before spouting incoherent words and mysterious coordinates.

Messiah Complex

The X-Men attack the Marauders' Antarctic base in order to rescue Rogue and the mysterious mutant baby who is at the center of Messiah Complex. However the baby eventually took precedence and the X-Men did not recover (or even see) Rogue.

Mr. Sinister, now in possession of the mutant baby, relocates the Marauders to Muir Island, the former research center of the late Moira MacTaggert. While standing by Rogue's bedside, Mystique is visited by Mr. Sinister who tells her that there will be no cure for Rogue and she will eventually die. Without warning, Mystique ambushes Sinister and shoves his face onto Rogue's. The instant contact seemingly kills Sinister.

File:Rogue-coma-207.jpg

Rogue in her coma with Mystique and Gambit at her bed-side.

Mystique, in keeping with the words of the Destiny Diaries, places the baby's face in direct contact with Rogue's, with the understanding that Rogue would awaken from her comatose state. While the baby was not affected by Rogue's power, Rogue, to Mystique's surprise, did not awaken as the Destiny Diaries predicted.

However, moments later, Rogue wakes up to a crying Mystique and Gambit, and they begin to argue. Rogue says she's tired of people's lives being destroyed by Mystique and removes her glove to grab Mystique's face, fully absorbing her powers and consciousness but she then realizes that the baby's touch had healed her of the Strain 88 and the death touch. Rogue wishes she had realized this before touching Mystique because now the only mind fragment she is left with is Mystique's and she never wants to have anything to do with her again. Mystique is left on the floor incapacitated as Rogue tells Gambit that when the baby touched her, it removed all the psyches of everybody she has ever touched and that only herself and Mystique are left in her mind. She says she needs to be alone and that if Gambit still cares for her, he would not follow this time.

Legacy

File:Rogue 215.jpg

Back at the Australian X-Men HQ.

As revealed in X-Men: Legacy #210, Rogue is traveling around the Australian outback on a motorcycle. Rogue has returned to the Old X-men headquarters in Maynards Plains, Australia. She is shown talking to Mystique, still a part of Rogue's psyche. Rogue is fed up with being unable to be alone in her head, and states that "Ah'm tired of goin' through life wearin' prophylactics on both of mah hands. It's got to change, Mystique, and ah waited long enough for someone else to change it for me. Too long. Didn't Happen. Now—It's down to little ol' me, ain't it?" (#219) Legacy writer Mike Carey has confirmed that Rogue will be the center of an upcoming Legacy storyline beginning in issue #219.

Powers and abilities

Due to the nature of her unique mutant powers, Rogue has had several different abilities over the years:

Mutant powers

Rogue possesses the mutant ability to absorb psyches and abilities of individuals or several beings at once, though the experience can be confusing and disorienting for her. Rogue can absorb the memories, knowledge, talents, personality, and physical abilities (whether superhuman or not) of another human being (or members of some sentient alien races) through physical contact of her skin with the skin of that person (some times she also duplicates in herself gross physical characteristics of her victim). The victim's abilities and memories are absorbed for a one second to 60 second ratio of contact. The victim loses those abilities and memories for exactly the amount of time that Rogue possesses them. In the case of super-powered individuals, she also absorbs any extra abilities they might possess. This absorption usually leaves its victim weakened, and sometimes unconscious. Their powers may also be temporarily weakened or removed. Rogue cannot touch another human being without absorbing their memories, abilities, and superhuman powers (if any) and rendering them unconscious.

This transfer is usually temporary, lasting for a period of time relative to how long contact is maintained, but if Rogue holds on to her victim for too long, the transfer may become permanent, leaving the victim dead. Most often this process happens instantly when Rogue touches someone, but certain extraordinarily powerful beings have proven resistant to Rogue's power, and she may only share part of their memories and power.

As Rogue is absorbing the total psyche of a person, there is a risk of a personality overwhelming her and taking control of her body. It has also been shown that even though Rogue forgets the memories she has absorbed when a psyche returns to its body, remnants, or 'echoes', of the personalities of victims whose memories she has absorbed remain buried in her subconscious indefinitely.

Ms. Marvel powers

As a young woman, Rogue permanently absorbed certain superhuman powers and the psyche of the original Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers). This provided her with the abilities of superhuman strength, stamina, and durability, and the ability of flight. Rogue also gained a psychic "seventh sense" that enables her to anticipate an enemy's move subconsciously during battle. When she possessed Carol Danvers' psyche, her "double" consciousness made her highly resistant to telepathic probes, which was said to have been a byproduct of two minds existing in one body and/or Carol Danvers' Kree physiology. Rogue could also draw upon the combat and espionage training of Carol Danvers by allowing her alternate personality, a duplicate of Danvers', to dominate her conscious mind.

When Rogue later lost all of her superhuman abilities for a time, her Ms. Marvel abilities vanished and did not return.

'X-Treme' powers

During the Maximum Security miniseries, Rogue absorbed an injured Cadre K girl named Z'Cann. The girl held on longer than necessary, using her telepathy to boost the process and because of this (perhaps because she had absorbed a fluid Skrull physiology) Rogue mutated further, gaining the ability to 'recall' the powers of anyone she had ever absorbed before, though she could not control when or which of these powers surfaced. For a short time Rogue also had a Skrull appearance, scanned as though she had Skrull DNA and had their shapeshifting powers, but these soon faded and she returned to her normal appearance.

Through meditation, Rogue learned how to suppress the random manifestations of most of these abilities, but found herself with Wolverine's claws and healing factor, and Cyclops' optic blasts for a time (she had to wear ruby quartz glasses), while also still retaining her mutant and Ms. Marvel powers.

Later Sage used her own mutant abilities to 'jump start' Rogue's power, giving her the control to manifest any ability she had ever absorbed, whenever she wished to. It is generally accepted that after regaining her powers after X-Treme X-Men, she has lost this ability.

Though Z'Cann was a telepath, Rogue never displayed this power (she did manifest telepathy, but it was with the Phoenix energy form, so it was most likely an echo of Jean Grey's powers).

Powerless

For a time Rogue lost all of her powers, including her original mutant ones. During this period, she displayed exceptional fighting skills and agility, though it was said these were not superhuman in nature.

She also still possessed a 'fluid genome' that enabled Sage to use her as a conduit through which to channel the mutant powers of the X-Treme X-Men team in a fight against Bogan.

Mutant powers return

Rogue's mutant abilities eventually returned during Chuck Austen's brief run on the X-Men title in 2004, but without any explanation as to how, why, or when they returned. However, she only regained her absorption ability, and lost her powers imprinted from Ms. Marvel as well as the ability to recall powers she's absorbed in the past. After her experience with the Hecatomb, Rogue's absorption power became lethal to anyone she touched, but after Messiah Complex, the powers returned to normal due to contact with the mysterious mutant newborn from the event.

Sunfire powers

In Rogue's mini-series (2004-2005), Rogue absorbed a large portion of the mutant Sunfire's solar-absorption based powers. In addition to her own natural mutant abilities Rogue could then:

• Project intense heat and flame.
• Envelop her body in a fiery aura.
• Fly by focusing her power downwards in a tight stream to propel her like a rocket.
• Focus her power inward to increase her strength (though not at her Ms. Marvel levels).
• Exercise immunity to heat and radiation.
• See the infra-red spectrum.

Back to Basics

Following the conclusion of Messiah Complex, Rogue's slate was wiped clean. The mutant baby's touch mysteriously erased all of the previous memories and abilities Rogue had absorbed, including those of the Hecatomb. It also cured her of the Strain 88 virus. Rogue's touch is no longer lethal; it simply steals the memories and abilities of individuals she comes in direct skin-to-skin contact with. The longer the contact, the longer Rogue retains the absorbed information.

Rogue's name

Rogue was one of the few comic book characters whose real name had never been revealed, until very recently. This was a controversial topic for years. In the films X-Men, X2: X-Men United, and X-Men: The Last Stand, Rogue's real name is Marie. In the comics, her chosen name (according to X-Treme X-Men #31) is Anna Raven when her powers are inactive (Raven Darkholme is Mystique's name). The readers came close to finding out her name in X-Men #24 (when she was about to reveal it to Gambit on a date), but the Cajun stopped her before she could finish her sentence.

A recent solo series established Rogue's name as Anna Marie (surname unknown), having her aunt and the astral form of her mother refer to her as so, and Rogue acknowledging it. Rogue's profile in the most recent edition of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe lists this as her real name.

Other versions

House of M

The House of M Rogue is an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and part of the Red Guard, working with Wolverine, Mystique, Toad, Nightcrawler, and Jessica Drew. She plays an important role in the resistance to Magneto. After being contacted by the resistance movement, Rogue briefly touches Layla Miller and appears overwhelmed as the acquired power emanated from her and awakened others in the vicinity to the reality of the House. In the final battle, Rogue, finally able to unleash her powers to their full extent, tackles both Namor and Princess Ororo and absorbs their abilities, causing her to overflow with power. She even absorbed the powers of Genis-Vell. Due to the nature of Genis' genetics and powers, half of Rogue's body transforms into a seemingly window to a cosmic landscape of black void dotted with stars. During the end battle, Quicksilver finds the cosmically powered Rogue waiting up top. Pietro slams into Rogue and is sent flying back.

NOTE: In an interview post-House of M, writer Brian Michael Bendis revealed that he originally intended for Rogue to permanently absorb the powers of Genis-Vell and for her to become Marvel's next cosmic powered character. However, the idea was nixed as the current writers and editors of the X-titles didn't like taking Rogue in this direction, so Rogue only temporarily kept Marvel's powers for the House of M series.

Mutant X

In this darker reality, Rogue operates with a smaller X-Team consisting of Magneto, Nightcrawler, Polaris, Quicksilver, Cerebo, and a metallic-looking Mystique. Rogue herself maintains the steel and ridged skin of Colossus and wears a version of Ms. Marvel's lightning bolt uniform.

Ultimate Rogue

In the Ultimate Marvel continuity, Rogue is first introduced in the story arc Return to Weapon X (Ultimate X-Men #7-12) as a prisoner of Weapon X and she worked with Juggernaut and Nightcrawler. Her powers are exploited to steal sensitive information on the location and layout of The Xavier Institute for Gifted Children. Using this information, agents of Weapon X storm the school and capture the X-Men. Rogue is released along with the X-Men, Juggernaut, and Nightcrawler, when a combination of the Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy and S.H.I.E.L.D rescues them and destroys Weapon X's facility. Though offered a place on the X-Men, she joins the Brotherhood. She later joins the X-Men in the Return of the King arc (Ultimate X-Men #27-33).

In the Cry Wolf arc (Ultimate X-Men #50-53) , The X-Men are attacked by Gambit who kidnaps Rogue and takes her to his employers, Andreas and Andrea von Strucker. They hope to use her powers for "corporate espionage." In exchange for her help, they promise her they will help her control her powers through a power-dampening material they had developed. She turns them down, feeling that her powers are her penance. Rebuked, they attack Rogue and Gambit. She touches both of them and uses their powers to fend off their guards. The X-Men arrive to take her back, but she turns them down and leaves with Gambit.

Rogue does not appear again until Ultimate X-Men Annual #1, in which she and Gambit fight Juggernaut. Gambit sacrifices himself to save Rogue, and she kisses him as he dies at his request. With this kiss, she takes his powers that seemingly overwrite her own, ridding her of her 'death touch' through several of the books (this also affects Rogue's appearance, as she acquires black eyes with red irises). In the subsequent story arc "Date Night" (Ultimate X-Men #66-69), Rogue decides to rekindle her relationship with Iceman after she loses her virginity to him (something possible due to her being able to touch him now).

During Ultimate X-Men Annual #2, Rogue speaks to Professor Xavier about her concerns regarding Gambit's powers still remaining. Xavier theorizes this is only a temporary change, and her powers will return within time. Towards the end of the annual, Rogue touches a delusional Nightcrawler and her old powers re-emerge, causing her to start teleporting randomly, and she loses Gambit's power, sending her back into the shell of hiding her skin, much to her and Iceman's dismay.

During Ultimate X-Men #77, she loses her arm during a fight with Cable. However after absorbing some of Wolverine's healing power, her arm appears to grow back.

In Ultimate X-Men #80, Cyclops disbands the X-Men following Xavier's death. Rogue stays with Iceman at the Xavier Institute as a student. Xavier later returns and reveals himself to be alive. Rogue once again becomes an X-Man. At the end of Ultimate X-Men, a Banshee-enhanced Rogue is seen to be a member of Colossus' team. Her appearance heavily altered, it seems her abilities have been enhanced such that she can call on absorbed abilities, as she has Colossus' armored flesh and Angel's feathered wings extending from her arms.

In Ultimate X-Men #95, she reveals that when her father got drunk he would molest her. Once when he tried to touch her, she took his life. She also appears to have found out who Vindicator was, but before she could elaborate, Vindicator took her out.

Addicted to Banshee, Colossus' X-Men began to acquire more Banshee from the Acolytes. But they were discovered by the others and a battle raged. She absorbed Iceman's power and kissed him to show what Banshee could allow her. But the kiss was broken off by Firestar.

X-Men: The End

In an alternate future featured in the series X-Men: The End, Rogue and Gambit are married and have two children named Olivier and Rebecca "Becca" LeBeau. Rogue has also gained complete control over her abilities in this timeline. This Rogue defeats Shaitan and rescues her children from the Neverland Camp, but was ultimately killed by Mr. Sinister when he was disguised as Gambit.

Exiles

In this reality (Earth-1009), Rogue comes from a life of "wealth, privilege and sophistication." Apparently a master thief, she has a different personality from her 616 version. Like the original Rogue, she possesses flight and enhanced physical ability, but apparently experiences no ill-effect from skin to skin contact. Her bodysuit hides mysterious tattoos.

In other media

Television

X-Men

Rogue from the X-Men animated series from 1992-1997.

Rogue appeared in X-Men television series, where she was one of the most important members of the X-Men. In this animated series, she had her absorption powers, as well as Ms. Marvel abilities. She has a love-hate relationship with Gambit throughout most of the series, much like when they first met in the comics, but also shows a more flirtatious attitude towards numerous other characters, such as Archangel, Colossus, and during the X-Men's appearance on Spider-Man: The Animated Series, she flirted with and kissed Spider-Man (with his mask on). During the series, Rogue almost takes the 'cure' which Apocalypse and Mystique secretly used to make mutants into their slaves. However, Rogue does not take the cure. She is also revisited by Cody, her first boyfriend, and almost runs away with him when she finds that she can touch him. She soon finds out, however, that he was part of a plot to have Rogue become the new leader of the Brood (referred to here as "the Family"). She attempts to convince him to come back with her to the mansion to help reverse his transformation, but fails in her attempts, leaving her to cry on Gambit's shoulder. Rogue was also present when Lilandra had to take Professor Xavier up to space with her. Rogue was voiced by Lenore Zann.

X-Men: Evolution

File:RogueEvo.jpg

Rogue in X-Men: Evolution.

In this series, X-Men: Evolution, Rogue is re-imagined as a rebellious, yet deeply insecure, teenager with a stereotypical goth appearance. Her powers make her cynical and reclusive, but truthfully, she is consumed by the desire to get close to the people around her. She was raised by Mystique and Destiny, soon being brought into the Brotherhood of Mutants, but left when she found out that they nurtured her to be a potential weapon. Rogue has a strong interest in Cyclops, though her feelings for him fade soon after he and Jean start dating. She is then shown having an interest in Gambit when they first met, when he kidnapped her, and when she kissed him in the season 3 finale (while under Mesmero's control). This was one of only two kisses to be seen in the series, the first being between Scarlet Witch and a disguised Toad.

Rogue's energy-absorbing abilities are very strong in this series, nearly driving her insane, but prove vital in the final episode against Apocalypse. Unlike in other universes, the powers she absorbs never totally fade, and at times, can still use a mutant's power (not always intentional) long after she had absorbed them. At times, she had more control over absorbed powers than their natural owner had (after absorbing Cyclops' power, she did not have to close her eyes).. Although this Rogue did not have super-strength or flight abilities, she displays some skill in hand-to-hand combat. She is never shown gaining Ms. Marvel's abilities, but in Xavier's vision of the future, she is seen flying and not wearing gloves, suggesting contact with Ms. Marvel. She was voiced by Meghan Black.

Wolverine and The X-Men

File:Rogue trailer.jpg

Rogue in Wolverine and the X-Men.

In the new animated series Wolverine and the X-Men, Rogue will appear as both a member of the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants as a double agent. In the first episode, she appears to maintain her anti-social attitude that appeared in X-Men: Evolution as Logan goes to tell her goodbye. In the second episode, Rogue seemingly warns the X-Men of an attempt on Senator Kelly's life, only to set them up to look like the attackers. In later episodes, Rogue displays a fairly liberal use of her abilities and is shown absorbing numerous mutants for a variety of reasons; for example, she absorbs both Juggernaut and Shadowcat in order to defeat an enemy in the 13th episode. Her X-Men uniform is like her original uniform from the X-Men: The Animated Series which consists of a green and yellow uniform with a large brown jacket. Her casual clothing is reminiscent of one of her 1980's uniforms, which consisted of a green shirt and gloves over an all black outfit. She is also seen wearing a green cloak with the hood up, similar to the one worn by Anna Paquin in the X-Men films. She is voiced by Kieren van den Blink.

Films

• Rogue was portrayed by Anna Paquin in the X-Men trilogy. In the films, her relationship with Wolverine echoes his relationships with both Jubilee and Shadowcat in the comics; that of a protective surrogate father.

X-Men (film)

• See main article: X-Men (film)

Rogue (Marie, was her actual first name) runs away from home after her power manifests itself by accidentally draining the life from her boyfriend while she is kissing him. This causes him to have a seizure, and places him in a coma for 3 weeks. Rogue adopts her new alias and wanders into a bar, where she witnesses Wolverine getting into an altercation with some patrons. She later catches up to Wolverine and convinces him to get her a lift in his truck. On the road, both are attacked by another mutant, Sabretooth, who is a Magneto's henchman, but they are rescued by two X-Men, Storm and Cyclops. Then, Rogue integrates as another teenage student of Charles Xavier, in his special school of mutant (gifted) children. Meanwhile, Magneto builds a machine by which humans are turned into mutants. This is temporarily, though, as the human body rejects such change, eventually suffering terminal cellular degeneration. Nonetheless, Magneto's actual concern is that, as the mutating machine is powered only by his own mutant ability of magnetism, and given that machine weakens its operator greatly after use, extensive usage may prove fatal to him. As Magneto knows that Rogue has the power to steal any mutant's power temporarily after such mutant is touched by her, Magneto plans to use her to power the machine. Finally Magneto kidnaps Rogue and then forcibly transfers his powers to her. This happens over the Statue of Liberty of New York, where the device is aimed at a nearby United Nations summit whose delegates would be turned into mutants. Furthermore, the entire city would also be affected by Magneto's mutating device. However, Wolverine manages to destroy the machine before it activates, yet the experience leaves Rogue with a permanent white streak through her hair. Rogue appears to have been killed but, while cradling the girl in his arms, Wolverine's own healing ability begins to be absorbed into Rogue's body, healing her.

X2: X-Men United

In X2: X-Men United, Rogue begins dating Iceman (her love interest from the past film), despite her continued difficulties making direct physical contact, a factor which frustrates both of them. At one point, Iceman is overcome by the sight of Rogue with minimal clothes on and kisses her, which at first seems successful and carries on for longer than either of them expected it to, but soon Iceman is forced to pull away when her powers inevitably start harming him. Rogue and the other X-Men also manage to escape William Stryker who sends agents into the X-Mansion to kidnap the mutants. Rogue, Iceman, Pyro and Wolverine escape to Iceman's family home in Boston. However Iceman's younger brother, angered by the "gifts" of his older brother, calls the police on the X-men. When they arrive, Pyro manages to destroy many of the police and their vehicles, and Rogue realizes that she is the only one who can stop the destruction. She then touches Pyro's skin and absorbs his powers. This scene depicts that Rogue also absorbs others emotions, which other scenes in the trilogy does not depict, as she seems to be grimacing while calming the destruction that Pyro has created. Both Rogue and Iceman are eventually promoted to the front line X-Men team and are given uniforms similar the other X-Men at the conclusion of the film.

X-Men: The Last Stand

File:RogueX3.jpg

Anna Paquin as Rogue in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

In X-Men: The Last Stand, a pharmaceutical company announces that they have a cure for the mutant gene. Rogue expresses interest in being cured, evidently still longing to touch someone. When Iceman begins to develop a friendship with Kitty Pryde, and especially after seeing them "hugging" during a training session (they did it mostly to avoid a missile that almost hit them), a hurt Rogue leaves to seek out the cure; Iceman follows her to the pharmaceutical company, but cannot find her. At the very end of the film, she comes back to the school, simply saying, "I'm sorry, I had to." When Iceman expresses disappointment and says it wasn't what he wanted, she says, "I know. It's what I wanted." However, in the novelization and an alternate scene that appears on the DVD release of the film, Rogue did not take the cure, saying she could not bring herself to do it. In this version, Iceman still chooses her over Kitty anyway. Though Rogue is now powerless, this may change if a fourth movie is made, as at the end the movie Magneto moves a metal chess piece, suggesting that the cure was not permanent.

Video games

• Rogue appears in many X-Men video games. She appeared in some of the Marvel vs. Capcom games, where she was voiced by Lenore Zann. She has also appeared in X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 and X-Men: Next Dimension. In X-Men vs. Street Fighter, her ability to steal life force and powers was translated to a special move that allows her to steal a move from her opponents. This makes her the only Marvel character to ever use the Shun Goku Satsu, taken by draining Akuma. In Marvel vs. Capcom 2, she instead receives an attribute enhancement after draining a character (plus, the colors in her outfit were changed in this game).
• Rogue appears in a scene in the X2: Wolverine's Revenge video game where she gets off of the Blackbird and hands Wolverine a virus cure and holds a brief conversation with him.
• She appears as a playable character in X-Men: Mojo World for the Game Gear and Sega Master System.
• She appears in X-Men for the Sega Genesis though not as a playable character, but as a summon. When summoned, she flies to the screen and charges at a enemy resulting in one-hit kills or major damage.
• Rogue appears in the training mode in Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro and is voiced by Jennifer Hale.
• Most recently, Rogue appears in X-Men Legends voiced by Erin Matthews.
• Cat Taber voices Rogue in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse. She has special dialogue with Mystique.
• In Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Rogue is seen in a cinematic scene as one of the heroes that failed to defeat an empowered Doctor Doom.

Books

Rogue has appeared as a main X-Man in the X-Men Dimensions series and has the biggest role of all of the X-Men in the series first two installments. At the end of X-Men Dimensions, she is forced to grab onto Magneto with her bare hand and kill him, to save the human and mutant race. In X-Men Dimensions 2, it is revealed that she now has Magneto's power of magnetism, as well as Ms. Marvel's super strength and flight and her original absorption power. Professor X is able to wipe her mind of both Ms. Marvel and Magneto's powers and memories, as she suffered a mental breakdown earlier. In the final pages of the book, a moment between Rogue and Gambit reveals that their relationship remains intact, after not being referenced or seen in the first installment, due to popular fan demand. She has been confirmed to return for X-Men Dimensions 3, and will be trained by Wolverine in martial arts, after losing her offensive powers.

See also

• Amazo
• Parasite, a DC Comics villain with the same powers.
• Peter Petrelli, a Heroes main character with similar ability-mimicry powers (Although his power is not lethal and does not require physical contact).

References

• Shrine of the Green Goddess
• Southern Comfort - Rogue Fan Club
• New Generation X
• UncannyXmen.net, Spotlight feature on Rogue
• UltimateRogue