X-Men Legacy #275 is the final issue of the series. X-Men became Legacy with issue #208 and picked up after Messiah Complex with Professor X’s road to recovery after being shot. Rogue, Gambit, Magneto and Danger were key supporting characters.
In X-Men Legacy #226 Rogue became the lead character of the series. Cyclops made Rogue mentor to a team of young mutants. Mike Carey was the writer during the transition and he continued to expertly write Rogue picking up from the storylines (Supernovas, Blinded By The Light) he established when the book was just X-Men.
Carey’s Rogue is one of the best runs on the character. Rogue learned to control her mutant power, quit crying over Gambit and became a strong team leader. Carey took the book into the Age of X, explored the inner demons of Legion and outer space to rescue Havok and Polaris. Carey left after a stellar run. Christos Gage took over as they team became part of the Jean Grey School and involved with Avengers vs. X-Men war.
This week Rogue moves on after Magneto’s offer (I was never a fan of the Rogue/Magneto romance) in the previous issue. X-Men Legacy will relaunch with a new number one, new creative team and Legion as the lead character. Rogue will be part of Rick Remender’s Uncanny Avengers. I have to salute Carey and Gage for building Rogue into the strong character she is in the Marvel Now. I loved Rogue as the star of her own book but I look forward to seeing as part of his dynamic new team concept. She’s free of Magneto and Gambit, more in control of her powers and ready to kick ass in the Marvel Now as an Avenger.
Rogue is an Avenger? Rick Remender recruited the star of X-Men Legacy to be the wild card of his upcoming Uncanny Avengers – the first book of the Marvel NOW! relaunch. The mutant once took on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (she was under the influence of Mystique at the time) before becoming a heroic X-Man.
Rick Remender reveals to Marvel.com why Rogue is part of this Avenger/X-Men hybrid team and why longtime Avengers will accept her.
“There’s a chaos factor in the first arc. It’s not necessarily somebody going through a list for all of the members. That would be a perfect person. There is a story that unfolds and the team is sort of forced to come together and work together during the course of this very heinous plot that The Red Skull is hatching, and Rogue is involved in that. I don’t want to give away all of the reasoning as to why she sticks around, but it’s definitely tumultuous. Thor is not a fan of her at all. He sees her as the exact opposite kind of mutant they need on this team. Now they’ve got two women who have both been in the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and if they’re trying to do something that’s going to be public and help sort of heal mutant/human relations, having two former members of something called the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is probably frowned upon by the PR people. But then again, there’s recollection and the reality is the X-Men almost disbanded when Rogue first joined. It was Xavier who said every mutant deserves a second chance. He was the one who vouched for her and put himself out there for her. In the case of this, there’s a somewhat similar situation. And it’s somebody who doesn’t have a track record like Wanda at this point. So when Thor points at her and sees the woman who was with the Brotherhood and attacked him, all she has to do is point and go “Hey, there’s Magneto’s daughter who almost wiped out reality and she’s an Avenger. You’re okay with her though, right? ‘Cause you have history.”
X-Men Legacy #262 courtesy Marvel
“There’s so much great character grist there. Everybody’s got a very unique perspective and I wanted there to be a lot of chaos here because that also helps me define the argument between humans and mutants and what the problems are with this movement in the Marvel Universe. Each one of these characters is having this very unique history and this very unique perspective—Rogue included. Rogue doesn’t necessarily want to be an Avenger. You have to remember she was basically raised through her teens by Mystique to be a terrorist and hate the Avengers. The Avengers were, like you said, one of her very first targets. So she’s got her own issues with the fact that these golden super heroes who everybody loves didn’t do a damn thing to come to the X-Men’s aid on so many occasions. Her landing on the squad— it’s definitely a lot of drama coming up.”
Uncanny Avengers arrives this October. It’s the first of 20 new Marvel NOW! titles. X-Legacy is going away. Remender confirmed Rogue will only appear in the new book.
As Rogue moves on and X-Men Legacy ends I can’t help but think of Mike Carey’s long run on the title. Carey wrote Rogue better than anyone since Chris Claremont. I look forward to seeing how Remender writes one of the best X-Women.
In the aftermath of Avengers vs. X-Men a new team will be born. Uncanny Avengers is the first of 20 new titles in the Marvel NOW! relaunch kicking off in October. Rick Remender and John Cassaday craft a team of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Children of the Atom.
Remender (Uncanny X-Force, Secret Avengers) promises a different take on the two franchises. Some surprises have been revealed: Havok (X-Factor) will be team leader. Captain America will take orders from Cyclops’ brother? Scarlet Witch is on the new team seeking redemption. The villain is a reborn Red Skull.
The AvX war will be over? The healing begins? How is the new book tied to the end of AvX?
“I know what they’re doing. And fortunately, as Jason was writing the final issue I got to chat him up a bit. We coordinate very well. I think we’ve done a great job in the X-Office of tying the books together subtly in ways that link but feel natural. That’s something that I benefit from having with Jason. We [talked about] how he’s ending things in the issue itself and I gave him my first script and we changed a few things to kind of meld them together. Tom’s obviously the editor of both so I’m hip to what’s going on. We’re all in communication about these things to make sure that it’s cohesive,” Remember tells Marvel.com.
How does this new team/book show fans the post AvX world?
“There’s something that Cyclops said to [Captain America] on Utopia that’s ringing in his head. He didn’t do enough to help. And Steve is taking that to heart. Coming out of AvX with the landscape shifted and changed as much as it is, there are events that lead Steve to recognizing that he needs to do more and there are five new things that lead to the creation of the team. The team itself really isn’t even created until halfway through the first year. It’s still chaos. I didn’t want it to just be like “And now everybody shakes hands and hugs!” There’s still a really good arc of these things kind of coalescing and cooking into a soufflé of A and X. So without being able to discuss the specific events, I’ll just say that it comes from a place of healing and it comes from a guy who has firsthand experience with the horrors of prejudice and hatred and sees that this is his potentially final opportunity to stand and do something about it and help.
Now, that’s just where Steve’s at. I have gone to great lengths to make sure every character involved has a very specific reason for being there, a very specific reason for being put on the team, and chosen, and they all have very unique perspectives on the team’s necessity, where they’re at as people and why they think that this is a good thing to do. Wolverine’s motives come half from AvX and the other half from the end of the “Final Execution” arc in UNCANNY X-FORCE. So those two things, without giving them away, [change] him in a way that I’m really excited to be writing. I think that we’re helping to really develop and progress Wolverine as a character in these books.
X-Factor #71 courtesy Marvel.com
A move that may have fans stratching their heads: why does Cap chose Havok?
“I think that the bottom line is that he sees the value in people seeing Captain America and Havok descend down to save the day when things go gnarly. There needs to be a face in the Avengers that could be the Captain America for [mutants]. And going through his list, Havok is the very best choice for that. You’ve got somebody who’s trained by Xavier, he’s a beloved X-Man, he’s well-educated, he’s formerly a government agent—with X-Factorbeing what it was in the nineties he was part of a government-sanctioned unit—so he’s got a shiny veneer that you can present to the public and hopefully help people see mutants as something different. There’s other reasons as well—two, three huge ones coming out of AvX—that will lead to that decision, but that’s how Havok becomes the guy that Cap sees as “You’re going to lead this squad, you’ve got a ton of experience leading, and this is your time to stand up and be the big public face of the Avengers.” And of course Alex, having had such a chaotic past for the last, you know, forever, this is going to be a very difficult situation, and not one that he’s necessarily going to just grab the reins on.”
X-Factor #243 courtesy Marvel
Why did Remember choose Havok?
“I always saw him as the black sheep of the Summers family. He was always one of my favorite characters reading the X-Men growing up. He’s conflicted, and I love the idea that the older brother—who is the star football player, basically—Cyclops is the beloved son, leader of the X-Men and the first guy who they turn to and he’s basically the star pupil in terms of the Xavier School. I like the idea that his younger brother has not hostility toward him necessarily, but he’s always walked a very different path. And I like him as a character because he’s a little rock and roll. I mean, going back to that [HAVOK & WOLVERINE: MELTDOWN limited series]—which was one of the things that really solidified him as a favorite of mine—where he’s James Dean. He’s sunglasses and a pint of scotch and a convertible on the weekends and I think I’d like that rock and roll attitude that he’s got. He’s got a dry, sarcastic wit. He’s somebody who’s never been in the forefront in a big, huge public way of anything, not like his brother has, and he’s okay with that. I’ve never seen Alex as somebody who’s seeking that out. That’s all the more reason that it’s exciting to take him and put him in the most chaotic point in mutant history and the most chaotic point in the Marvel Universe, to have Captain America come tap him and say “You’re going to lead the Avengers,” that, to me, is drama. There’s just so much meat there for character that—it all just seemed perfect, I couldn’t think of anybody who I more wanted to put in that situation beyond just having an affinity for the character from youth.”
Remender confirmed Havok, Scarlet Witch and Rogue will be solely be in the new book. That means Havok is leaving X-Factor and Rogue is out of X-Men Legacy. For his entire interview here’s the Marvel.com link.
Carol Danvers is sporting a new look as the new Captain Marvel. The premiere issue of the new series by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy sold out in the first week!
This week’s X-Men Legacy #270 clears up unfinished business between Carol and Rogue in this Avengers vs. X-Men tie-in. The powerhouse women share a tragic connection. The rivalry flared up again last issue but writer Christos Gage gave us twist. This was far more than an old grudge match. Marvel teases one woman will switch sides in the AvX before the issue is over.
This week delivers one of the most eagerly awaited fights in the Avengers vs. X-Men series so far: Rogue vs. Ms. Marvel. These heroines with a history throw down in this week’s X-Men Legacy #269.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
Back in the day Rogue was to be a bad girl under orders from her foster mother Mystique. Rogue’s first fight with Carol Danvers had dramatic consequences for both women. Rogue permanently absorbed Ms. Marvel’s powers and for years lived with Carol Danvers inside her fractured mind. Rogue eventually left Mystique to ask Professor X for help and began her road to redemption. Ms. Marvel was comatose for years but thanks to the Professor she recovered and eventually became a high-flying hero again.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
In X-Men Legacy 266 and 267 an Avengers squad arrived at the Jean Grey School and fighting erupted. Rogue was reminded of what her mutant power can do…if she’s pushed hard enough. The fight with She-Hulk was just a warm-up. The tragic consequences and bad blood of their past is sure to be a factor as Rogue and Carol battle again. Christos Gage and David Baldeon bring you this AvX rematch in X-Men Legacy #269 out this week.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
Who do you want to win this battle? I love ’em both.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel
X-Men Legacy #269 by Christos Gage and David Baldeon. Mark Brooks created this amazing cover.
One of the most anticipated fight scenarios in the Avengers vs. X-Men epic has to be Rogue against Ms. Marvel. The two women have a history but Marvel is showing us the future with new art of the upcoming rematch in X-Men Legacy #269.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
Back when Rogue was a bad girl under orders from Mystique she took on the Avenger in a battle that dramatically changed both their lives. Rogue permanently absorbed Ms. Marvel’s powers and for years lived with Carol Danvers inside her mind. The aftermath of this tragic battle led Rogue to ask Professor X for help and she eventually became a member of the team. Ms. Marvel was comatose for years but thanks to Professor X’s help she recovered and eventually became a high-flying hero again.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
In recent issues of X-Men Legacy Avengers arrived at the Jean Grey School and fighting erupted. Rogue has been pushed to the limit and reminded of what her mutant power can do. Rogue’s battle with She-Hulk was just a warm-up. The bad blood of the past is sure to be in the minds of Rogue and Carol as they battle again.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
Christos Gage and David Baldeon chronicle this AvX rematch in X-Men Legacy #269 out June 27th.
This is probably my toughest battle to pick a winner. While I love the X-Men and Rogue, I really love Ms. Marvel. Carol Danvers is one heroine who’s overcome incredible obstacles.
It’s awesome yet a little scary to see Rogue cut loose and tap into a dark side of her power in X-Men Legacy #267. This AvX tie-in issue is a thrilling showdown between a squad of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and teachers at the Jean Grey School.
Rogue and Iron Man trade memories while trading punches. The Armored Avenger taunts Rogue about their last clash. Back in the classic Avengers Annual #10 Rogue was still a bad girl and took on the entire team at Avengers mansion at the direction of Mystique. It’s cool to see Rogue use a darker aspect of her power to kick She-Hulk and Iron Man’s arrogant a—-. For a longtime fan who knows the price Rogue paid for her past crimes seeing this is bittersweet.
I’ve been wondering when Kitty Pryde would join the fight and this issue Kitty’s quick action reveals an advantage that turns the tide in the fight. Rogue may have wanted to stay out of AvX but this battle has made her eager to take on more Avengers.
Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 courtesy IDW Publishing
America’s Got Powers #2 Super teens compete in the world’s biggest reality game show. A kid who thought he’d only be comic relief has the chance to be the ultimate hero. This is an action packed cautionary tale that skewers our obsession with youth, reality television and media manipulation.
Batman Annual #1 Forget Ar-NULD – this Mr. Freeze is not joke. The ice-cold criminal makes his New 52 debut. How it he connected to the of Court of Owls? Is Freeze an ally or a target for assassination.
Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who Assimilation #1 Two of the biggest science fiction franchises together! The Captain Picard and crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise and Doctor Who join forces when Borg and Cybermen form an unholy alliance threatening the galaxy.
Wolverine and the X-Men #11 Will the Red Hulk turn Iceman into crushed ice? Kid Gladiator takes on the Avengers! Which side will Logan’s students choose in the war between Avengers and X-Men? They better choose quick. Gladiator and the Shiar Death Commandos are headed for Earth.
X-Men Legacy #267 Rogue vs She-Hulk was just a warm up! When Avengers showed up at the Jean Grey School to put the students under house arrest it didn’t sit well with the X-Men. I love Rogue but can she defeat Iron Man?
