WARNING! Spoilers for Rogue: The Savage Land #2
Roguestands out as one of the most iconicX-Menin the team’s massive roster, but they aren’t the only team in Marvel lore that she has been associated with. Among these groups is theAvengers, and she just showcased how she’s learned valuable battle tactics from watching Earth’s Mightiest Heroes at work. Rogue’s connection to the Avengers proves that she’s a perfect fit for that team - perhaps even more than she is for the X-Men.
InRogue: The Savage Land#2 by Tim Seeley, Zulema Scotto Lavina, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Ariana Maher,Rogue and Magnetofind themselves surrounded by soldiers speaking Atlantean during their time in the titular Savage Land. Although Rogue has temporarily lost access to her powers, she finds a different way to launch an attack.
Rogue throws a shield at her assailants, channeling Captain America in an epic moment.Her use of an Avengers hero’s strategy in lieu of her normal fighting maneuvers demonstrates the unexpected influence the team has had on her, despite her usual ties to the X-Men first and foremost.
Sorry, X-Men: Rogue Learned Her Latest Fighting Move From an Avenger
The Avengers' Captain America Has Made a Surprising Impact on Rogue
Any Marvel fan will immediately recognize Rogue’s shield throw as a staple ofCaptain America’s fighting style, as he hardly ever finds himself on a battlefield without his trademark vibranium shield. Now, Rogue has copied that technique, suggesting that she’s picked up skills from the Avengers in addition to her standard X-Men allies. When Magneto questions her, she explains,“Ya have enough tussles with the Avengers, ya learn a thing or two.“This line implies that she picked up this specific tactic from fighting against Captain America, but Rogue isn’t always the Avengers' opponent in battle.
X-Men: Rogue Unlocking Her Full Powers Proved She’s a Mutant God
Rogue has long been one of X-Men’s heaviest hitters, but unlocking her full powers proved she’s more than a superhero - she’s basically a god.
Rogue’s latest moment of unleashing her inner Captain America doesn’t mark the first time in recent memory that she’s mimicked his shield-slinging proficiency. In theX-Men ‘97animated series,Rogue wields Steve Rogers’ shieldin the seventh episode when they face off after her fight against the United States military. The dynamic between them is tense due to the circumstances, but in the comics, the two have teamed up more than some might realize. While the Avengers and X-Men don’t always see eye-to-eye - lest anyone forget 2012’sAvengers vs. X-Mencrossover- Rogue has actually aligned with both teams.
Rogue Has Joined the Avengers Before, Despite Her X-Men Roots
Rogue Has More History With the Avengers Than You Think
Rogue has been an X-Man at her core since she first joined the team decades ago, but she wasn’t always fighting on their side. She was first introduced into Marvel lore as a villain who drainedCarol Danversto obtain her powers, only to later change her ways and join the X-Men. However, she later admitted inCaptain Marvel#5 by Kelly Thompson and Carmen Carnero that it was Carol’s influence on her mind that drove her onto that heroic path in the first place. Therefore,the catalyst that inspires Rogue’s journey as a hero can be attributed to an Avenger, further cementing that team’s impact on her.
The moment Rogue absorbed Carol Danvers' powers can be found in “Cry Vengeance!” fromMarvel Super-Heroes#11, written by Chris Claremont and Simon Furman with art by Mike Gustovich and Mike Vosburg.
Beyond being driven to heroism by an Avenger, Rogue has also been a member of the team before.Captain America formed the Avengers Unity Division in hopes of bridging the divide between humans and mutants, especially after the past conflicts the Avengers had gotten caught up in with the X-Men. Rogue becomes one of the team’s key members, appearing in multipleUncanny Avengersseries. Therefore, although Rogue insinuates that she’s learned tricks from the Avengers through fighting them, she’s also worked with them enough times to be considered one of their own.
Avengers vs. X-Men: Which Marvel Team Does Rogue Belong With?
Rogue Can Go Both Ways, But Her Avenger Potential Can’t Be Overlooked
The question remains: is Rogue a better fit for the X-Men or the Avengers? Rogue has gained the majority of her heroic experience from the X-Men, but the Avengers have also taught her plenty, including shield-throwing. Moreover, the Unity Division gives her the opportunity to make an impact beyond the X-Men and lay the groundwork for more mutants to join the Avengers. With that being said, Rogue is leading her own group ofLouisiana X-Men, so it’s unlikely that she’ll abandon them any time soon. Still, there’s no denying thatRoguecould do a lot of good with theAvengersif she ever decided to rejoin.
