Launching this week are three X-Men titles from Shadows of Tomorrow, the followup era to Age of Revelation, and Rogue is likely high on many people’s lists. The series is set in the present but also harkens back to the period when she was part of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. In the kickoff issue, it seems a memory was lost that could seriously put into question Rogue’s understanding of what she did on that team.
Rogue #1 opens in Louisiana, as Rogue and her X-Men, the cast from Uncanny X-Men, are fighting a giant possum. Writer Erica Schultz lays the Rogue accent on thick, making the dialogue fun as she leads the team and prevents mass casualties. The captions, meanwhile, set up the larger story as she reflects on her time in the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and, at one point, remembers a person from that past life. It’s a good opener, as it drops exposition without feeling boring. Fans of Uncanny X-Men will delight in Schultz’s use of the new team members, as well as reminding us of Rogue’s romance with Gambit.
The turning point in the issue is Rogue remembering her hands are bloody, figuratively and literally, as a memory seems to break through. There’s an interesting visual here that makes you wonder whether it’s a memory or something else happening to Rogue. For a character who was a bona fide villain for a while, it’s interesting to see her reflect and, later in this issue, confront her dark past. She’s a true hero now, and she wants to make sure she atones for all her past transgressions.
Good use of the X-Men.
Credit: Marvel
Art by Luigi Zagaria and colors by Espen Grundetjern give the book a classic comic feel, with bright colors and a high level of detail. The opening action sequence is great, with Rogue pulling off some Superman-esque moves, and the rest of the team’s powers looking great. Slower parts of the issue still sing thanks to dramatic angles on characters, or the dramatic facial expressions that draw you into the traumatic memories.
Between all the melodrama of the memory, the fight to open the issue, and Rogue’s journeying to get help, there’s a decent amount here. You’ll feel like you got your money’s worth, although I will admit the central plot is mostly setup. That’s in part because half the issue is devoted to the kaiju fight, which is a must-read.
Rogue #1 is a confident, character-driven launch that understands exactly why Rogue endures as one of the X-Men’s most compelling figures. By pairing bombastic action with a haunting reckoning of her past, the issue sets the stage for a deeply personal series that asks what true atonement looks like for a former villain turned hero. While much of the plot is groundwork, the emotional hooks are sharp and promising.
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