Rogue isn’t just one of Marvel’s most powerful mutants—she’s one of its most emotionally compelling. Born Anna Marie, cursed with the power to absorb memories, personalities, and powers through touch, Rogue’s journey has been defined by struggle, redemption, and identity. From her early days as a reluctant villain under Mystique’s wing to becoming a central figure in the X-Men and even an Avenger, Rogue’s evolution has been anything but predictable.
Her story is one of contrasts. She’s soft-spoken yet fiercely strong. Isolated by her power yet one of the most empathetic characters in Marvel Comics. Her legacy is built on more than just super strength and flight—it’s her vulnerability, her choices, and her constant battle for self-control that make her unforgettable. These storylines capture those defining moments, the turning points where Rogue reshaped not just herself, but the X-Men and the Marvel Universe at large.
#10: Joining the X-Men – Uncanny X-Men #171 (1983)
Before she was a hero, Rogue was a full-fledged villain. Raised by Mystique and a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, she was instrumental in battles against the Avengers and the X-Men. But when her powers spiraled out of control—most notably after permanently absorbing Ms. Marvel’s abilities and psyche—Rogue became desperate for help. She turned to the last place anyone expected: Xavier’s School.
Uncanny X-Men #171 is a game-changing moment in Rogue’s history. Despite her past, Professor Xavier welcomes her into the fold, believing she deserves a chance at redemption. But her new teammates don’t share his optimism. Wolverine, Storm, and especially Carol Danvers (who was a victim of Rogue’s power theft) are openly hostile. The issue is drenched in tension—Rogue has everything to prove and no trust to fall back on.
This storyline defined the core of Rogue’s legacy: the struggle for acceptance. It set the tone for her entire arc within the X-Men—earning her place, building bridges she once burned, and fighting every day to be more than the mistakes of her past. It was the beginning of Rogue the hero, and it showed that redemption isn’t given—it’s fought for, every step of the way.
#9: Rogue vs. Ms. Marvel – Avengers Annual #10 (1981)
While Rogue’s debut as a villain occurred earlier, Avengers Annual #10 was the storyline that cemented her as a major player in the Marvel Universe—and one of its most dangerous. In this issue, she attacks Carol Danvers, aka Ms. Marvel, and permanently absorbs her powers, memories, and personality. For the first time, readers saw the full destructive potential of Rogue’s touch.
This wasn’t just a power theft—it was a psychological assault. Rogue gained Ms. Marvel’s super strength, flight, and invulnerability, but also inherited a fractured sense of self. Carol’s thoughts echoed in Rogue’s mind, haunting her and creating an internal war for control. For years, Rogue would be tormented by the identity she unintentionally stole, struggling to suppress memories and emotions that weren’t her own.
The issue made Rogue infamous, but it also laid the foundation for her deepest personal conflict. It wasn’t about being evil—it was about being overwhelmed by powers she couldn’t control and guilt she couldn’t erase. Rogue didn’t just defeat a hero—she damaged one forever. And that moment would define her character for decades to come, coloring how fans and teammates viewed her long after she sought redemption.
#8: The Savage Land Adventure – Uncanny X-Men #274–275 (1991)
Set in the exotic Savage Land, this two-part storyline showcased Rogue’s raw strength, survival skills, and growing independence. Stranded with Magneto in the prehistoric wilderness, Rogue is stripped of her usual team dynamics and forced into unfamiliar territory—both physically and emotionally. What unfolds is a surprising alliance between former enemies, and the emergence of Rogue as a woman no longer defined by fear or hesitation.
Magneto, no stranger to internal darkness, recognizes something familiar in Rogue. Their chemistry is undeniable, and what starts as mistrust becomes mutual respect—and even a flirtation. The tropical setting and high-stakes survival push Rogue to rely on herself and her instincts. She battles dinosaurs, thugs, and even questions her place within the X-Men, proving she’s more than just muscle with an internal conflict.
This storyline is beloved not just for its action but for its exploration of identity. Rogue begins to let go of her past trauma and starts reclaiming her narrative. No longer just the girl who hurt people by touching them, she becomes a capable, commanding presence in her own right. It was a turning point that showed Rogue was ready to lead—not just follow.
#7: Leadership in X-Men Legacy – X-Men Legacy (2008–2012)
For years, Rogue was defined by instability—mentally fragmented from absorbing other minds, emotionally distant, and constantly worried about hurting those she loved. But in X-Men Legacy, she stepped into a leadership role that redefined her. Now in control of her powers (thanks to events in Supernovas and Messiah Complex), Rogue becomes the central figure guiding young mutants through crises both internal and external.
This series gave her narrative focus, emotional maturity, and a mentor dynamic that few saw coming. She became a guiding light for characters like Indra, Bling! and Hellion, balancing care with authority. Gone was the reactive Rogue—we now saw a proactive woman who’d learned from her mistakes and was ready to protect others from theirs.
Writer Mike Carey used this run to deepen Rogue’s psychology. Her compassion took center stage. Her romance with Magneto rekindled but never defined her. And her ability to lead without preaching made her one of the most grounded, reliable voices in mutant kind. This storyline cemented her as a mature hero, not just a powerful one—and proved that Rogue could evolve far beyond her tragic beginnings.
#6: Supernovas and Controlling Her Powers – X-Men Vol. 2 #188–199 (2006–2007)
In the Supernovas arc, Rogue finally reached a milestone fan had long been waiting for: control over her powers. After decades of isolation, hesitation, and fear of intimacy, she gained the ability to touch others without absorbing them—an evolution that changed everything. No longer shackled by gloves and caution, Rogue could finally embrace the world on her own terms.
This storyline, written by Mike Carey, saw Rogue leading her own strike team of X-Men, including Iceman, Mystique, Sabretooth, and Omega Sentinel. The stakes were massive, involving a new villain group called the Children of the Vault, who posed a threat not just to mutants but to all humanity. Rogue’s leadership was front and center, as was her internal conflict. Even with new confidence and control, she still carried the psychological weight of her past.
The arc also showcased her tactical mind. She wasn’t just the team’s emotional anchor—she was a war leader. Her decisions were calculated, her instincts honed, and her compassion undiminished. Gaining control of her powers didn’t make her reckless—it made her whole. For the first time, Rogue wasn’t defined by fear. She was defined by choice. And fans saw the version of her they always knew she could be powerful, present, and fully in charge.
#5: Rogue and Gambit’s Romance – Various Titles (1990s–2018)
Few love stories in comics are as complicated—or as enduring—as the one between Rogue and Gambit. From their early flirtations in the ’90s to their recent marriage in Mr. & Mrs. X, their relationship has seen betrayal, separation, redemption, and passion. But what makes their romance so central to Rogue’s legacy is how deeply it reflects her character’s evolution.
Rogue and Gambit’s connection has always been fraught with tension—she couldn’t touch him without risking his life, and he couldn’t stop chasing her even when it hurt. But through the years, their bond became a source of strength rather than conflict. Storylines like X-Men #24, Rogue (2004), and X-Men: Legacy Annual explored the emotional intricacies of their connection, showing that love, when built on patience and growth, could survive even the harshest conditions.
When they finally married in X-Men Gold #30, it wasn’t just a fan-service moment. It was a culmination of years of character growth. Rogue was no longer afraid to be close, and Gambit had matured into a partner who could handle her complexity. Their storylines together reflected Rogue’s shift from self-loathing to self-love. She accepted that she could be loved—fully, freely, and without apology. And that made her all the more powerful.
#4: Avengers Unity Squad – Uncanny Avengers (2012–2015)
Rogue joining the Avengers was once unthinkable. A former mutant terrorist? An Avenger? But in Uncanny Avengers, she became not just a team member, but one of its central voices. The Avengers Unity Squad was formed in the aftermath of Avengers vs. X-Men, designed to bridge the gap between humans and mutants. And who better to represent that complicated relationship than Rogue?
Early in the series, Rogue clashed with Avengers like Captain America and Thor, holding them accountable for past failures toward mutantkind. But she also worked beside them, earned their respect, and proved she belonged. When she temporarily absorbed the powers of Wonder Man—gaining near godlike strength—she became even more central to the team’s mission and effectiveness.
What stood out most in this arc was Rogue’s moral clarity. She called out hypocrisy, advocated for unity, and reminded everyone that power means nothing without responsibility. Her tenure on the team also deepened her leadership skills and public visibility in the Marvel Universe at large. She was no longer just a mutant story—she was a Marvel story. And in leading by example, she showed the world that redemption isn’t just possible—it can redefine your legacy.
#3: Age of X – Age of X Crossover Event (2011)
In the alternate reality of Age of X, the X-Men were never formed, and mutants lived in a militarized fortress constantly under siege by humanity. Rogue, now known as “Legacy,” was one of the few individuals allowed to touch others—absorbing their memories before death so their stories could live on. She became a walking monument to mutantkind’s suffering, carrying the lives of hundreds within her.
This version of Rogue was hardened, haunted, and emotionally isolated—but still fighting for her people. Her role was both tragic and noble, and her powers were elevated to terrifying levels. She could absorb minds with the slightest contact and wield composite powers with devastating effect. But what truly made this storyline unforgettable was how it stripped Rogue down to her emotional core.
When the reality was undone and the timeline restored, Rogue carried the memories of all those alternate lives. It was another burden—but this time, one she chose to bear. Age of X reinforced her compassion, her resilience, and her willingness to carry the pain of others so they wouldn’t have to. It was one of the most powerful explorations of her emotional strength—and her role as mutantkind’s silent guardian.
#2: Legacy Virus Healer – X-Men (Vol. 2) #199 and Beyond
One of the most heartbreaking chapters in mutant history was the outbreak of the Legacy Virus—a disease that targeted and killed mutants indiscriminately. Rogue played a central role in this arc, not just as a combatant, but as a figure of empathy and care. With her powers to absorb and share memories and abilities, she became a bridge between the dying and the living.
She visited victims, comforted those in pain, and used her unique power to briefly give closure to the terminally ill. In some cases, she even absorbed the memories of the dying so their loved ones wouldn’t lose them entirely. Her actions didn’t make headlines within the comics—but they mattered. Deeply.
This storyline highlighted Rogue’s emotional evolution. Once feared for her touch, she now used it to ease suffering. Where others saw her power as a curse, she made it a gift. In the face of hopelessness, Rogue became hope. This wasn’t about flashy battles—it was about quiet grace. And those moments, more than any explosion or showdown, defined her as a true hero.
#1: Mr. & Mrs. X – Mr. & Mrs. X #1–12 (2018–2019)
If one story encapsulates the full arc of Rogue’s legacy, it’s Mr. & Mrs. X. This solo series starring Rogue and Gambit as newlyweds is equal parts adventure, comedy, space opera, and character study. But at its heart, it’s the story of a woman who has finally come into her own—emotionally, romantically, and power-wise.
Throughout the series, Rogue faces new challenges to her autonomy. Her powers fluctuate, intensify, and at times become overwhelming. But rather than retreat, she steps up. She leads missions, protects her husband, negotiates galactic diplomacy, and becomes the emotional center of every scene. Her power is staggering—she absorbs entire starships at one point—but her empathy is stronger.
The book balances intimacy and epic stakes with surprising ease. And by the end, readers are left with a version of Rogue who has earned every inch of her growth. She’s not running from her past. She’s not afraid of touch. She’s in love, in charge, and unafraid to be vulnerable. Mr. & Mrs. X is a celebration—not just of a relationship, but of a character who went from isolated villain to Marvel icon.
Rogue’s legacy is one of transformation—not just in the powers she’s absorbed, but in the emotional journey she’s taken to own every piece of herself. From a frightened girl who couldn’t touch without hurting, to a cosmic powerhouse and respected leader, Rogue has carved out a place in Marvel history that’s both inspiring and deeply human. Her storylines aren’t just about strength—they’re about healing, growth, forgiveness, and learning to live boldly in a world that once feared her touch.
Whether navigating love with Gambit, guiding the next generation of mutants, or facing her own past with unflinching honesty, Rogue has become a symbol of resilience. She reminds us that who you were doesn’t define who you can become—and that even the most dangerous power can become a force for good in the right hands and heart. These ten storylines are more than comic book arcs. They’re chapters in the life of a woman who learned how to own her pain, protect her people, and love without limits. Rogue’s legacy isn’t just powerful. It’s unforgettable.
