Rogue is a consistently popular X-Men character, but surprisingly hasn’t had many solo comic book series. Over the past 45 years, she’s only headlined three miniseries, plus two with her husband, Gambit. Considering how much fans love her – she’s led both the X-Men and the Avengers multiple times, most recently in Gail Simone’s excellent Uncanny X-Men – this feels unusual. With the X-Men team now giving several characters their own solo titles, it’s Rogue’s turn, thanks to writer Erica Schultz and artist Luigi Zagaria. Rogue #1 does everything right, serving as a perfect example of how to launch a new miniseries.
The story begins with an exciting action sequence – a battle between the X-Men and a huge monster. This immediately establishes Rogue as a capable leader and subtly references her history, making it a strong opening. It’s especially effective for newer readers, or those familiar with the X-Men ’97 series but haven’t been following the comics, by showcasing her command skills. The first few pages hint at the story’s direction while remaining thoroughly entertaining. The writer really highlights what makes Rogue a standout heroine, perfectly capturing her personality and current state. Even if you’re not completely up-to-date on her recent adventures, you’ll still be able to enjoy this story.
Rating: 4 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
| Schultz nails Rogue’s individual voice | It feels more like a Wolverine plot, even though Rogue fits into it well |
| Well-paced issue that uses its page real estate very well | |
| Gorgeous art that is fluid and detailed |
The issue kicks off with an action-packed fight that sets up the main storyline, and from there, the pacing is excellent, quickly drawing readers into the central mystery. The story cleverly uses Rogue’s history as a villain, building a mystery that leads her to Mystique and Destiny. The writer does a great job portraying Destiny’s commanding personality – something that’s been missed by some recent writers – and Mystique’s affectionate relationship with Rogue. What really works is how the mystery deepens without revealing too much too soon, keeping things incredibly intriguing. Overall, this issue is successful in creating a story that will grab fans’ attention. My only minor criticism is that it doesn’t quite feel like a typical Rogue story, but it’s executed so well that it’s easily overlooked.
The Art Looks Amazing
Rogue is consistently depicted as one of the most visually striking X-Men, thanks to the incredible artists who have illustrated her over the years. The current Uncanny X-Men run features stunning artwork from David Marquez, Luciano Vecchio, and Javier Garron – all top talents at Marvel. Now, Luigi Zagaria is taking on the art duties and is proving to be a great fit. The book immediately grabs your attention with a dynamic opening battle, showcasing a huge, mole-like monster. Zagaria’s approach feels grounded and natural, portraying the creature simply as a massive, wild animal. The fight sequences themselves are impactful and feel appropriately intense for the situation.
The artwork is consistently strong throughout the comic, with detailed and appealing page layouts. Zagaria’s portrayal of the characters effectively conveys the emotional weight of each scene. Rogue’s flashbacks are particularly well-done, creating a growing sense of unease and clearly showing her confusion and fear. Zagaria’s designs for Rogue, Gambit, Deathdream, and Sabretooth are all visually impressive, and the overall art style greatly enhances the reading experience.
Look, the X-Men books haven’t always been consistent lately, especially the big three like Uncanny X-Men, X-Men, and Wolverine. The individual character books have been okay, pretty straightforward, but I’m really excited about the new Rogue series. From the start, this story just feels different, like it really matters. Schultz is doing a fantastic job building a mystery that’s totally grabbed me, and honestly, this is exactly the kind of series the X-Men line needs more of!
Rogue #1 is on sale now.
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2026-01-21 17:10