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Rogue's Got a New Trick! How Her Evolving Powers Make Her the Ultimate X-Men Leader!
Rogue, that legendary X-Men powerhouse, already has one of the coolest mutant powers ever. She can drain powers AND life force by touching someone. This also includes incredible strength and speed— a lasting effect of totally drainingCaptain Marvel'spower (nearly killing her!). But hold onto your hats; a recently revealed plot twist introduces an even MORE insane ability: A freakin' sixth sense that makes her an AMAZING leader! All this is fromUncanny X-Men #4(written byGail Simone, art byDavid Marquez, colors byMatthew Wilson, and lettering byClayton Cowles) This totally elevatesRogue’sability.
That sixth sense is already life-saving! Her team is being hunted bySarah Gaunt(akathe Hag). WolverinefoughtGauntlast issue (and got ripped apart) but psychically connected withRoguebefore dying. He beggedRogueto get the team’s students out of danger! The new power comes here; that totally eerie vision! The incredible visualization is described as such – as if there are “spiders on her skin!”
And then this scene? NightcrawlerandRoguefindWolverinenearly dead. Roguewants to stay and find theHag. ButWolverinetells her to grab his powers, somethingRoguerefuses!That scene? The writing itself totally shows just how intuitiveRogue’spower now really is and how effective the characters could work together, foreshadowing future episodes that may feature stronger relationships and alliances. Her intuitive sense already helped them locate theHag; it helps them determine the right moves which showsRogue’sgrowing ability as a leader.This demonstrates the sheer intuitiveness of this amazing ability!
Rogue’snew thing is totally mind-blowing and this adds many new opportunities to showcase those plot elements which may not exist unlessRogue’senhanced intuition came into play! This totally fits her new role and opens many new storytelling possibilities. So this really begs the question – is this some brand-new secondary mutation? Like what happened withEmma Frost'sdiamond form?
That new power feels far more intuitive! Like whatCyclopshas; the instinctive understanding of the trajectory to make that super powerful optic blasts entirely more effective; showing how abilities evolved to become intuitive! OrPolaris? That character can feel iron in others' blood – sensing what she can magnetically affect! Rogue’spower of absorbing stuff (including minds) seems related to those points. This creates an intuitive, possibly supernatural awareness that already savedWolverinein the previous issue.
This may or may not be a new mutation. This whole plot point opens other scenarios; a possibly unique sensitivity due to theHag'smagic (theHag’snature and the character’s overall magical-centric skillset adds unique twists)! Or even the current massive shifts going on with the X-Men (things like villains transforming people into mutants). Everything's changing with this particular moment; this creates massive possibilities, even those unique ones we hadn't even seen yet!
This emphasizes an important moment from the X-Men; that things are completely in flux; this completely disrupts those expectations of using what’s previously happened; everything's about this new dynamic and unexpected evolution within the story arc and its characters and how new opportunities now await those individuals within those storylines, even those that may never happen unless this new power actually surfaced; it provides much needed creative momentum. It makes that sixth sense crucial!
Rogueis totally evolving. The storyline brilliantly reveals how capable and even essential she can become! The introduction of that intuitive sense and even that unique sixth sense, completely changes those interactions. And with this enhanced perception; she became absolutely vital and is a true force within theX-Menteam! The entire series really evolves to bring a unique new layer and entirely unpredictable moments.