Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Art: Carlos Gómez
Colors: David Curiel w/ Federico Blee
Letters: VC’s Ariana Maher
Cover: Steve Morris
Variant Covers: Alex Ross; Marc Aspinall; Zu Orzu; Lucas Werneck
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: 3.99
Release Date: March 1st, 2023
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Rogue & Gambit #1 Review.
The Dispatch
Rogue and Gambit headlined a mini-series, got married, and spent their honeymoon on a couple wild adventures in MR. AND MRS. X. But since the Krakoa era began this mutant power couple has been largely absent, with the characters seldom appearing in the same series and having very few story beats of any significance. But Remy and Anna Marie are finally back in the spotlight with the new ROGUE & GAMBIT #1.
A very drunk Gambit is the first thing we see in ROGUE & GAMBIT #1. He’s cornered in an alley by several members of the Thieves Guild, and he is not faring well in the fight. Fortunately Rogue arrives and saves the day–just in time for Gambit to get sick. The couple’s first vacation in a long time looks to be off to a rough start. And it gets worse. Destiny appears and gives them an urgent mission (and at the same time repeatedly impugning Gambit’s character); she needs them to bring in a mutant teleporter named Manifold. He isn’t interested in going to Krakoa, though, because he is on a mission hunting for super powered villains who are going missing. Rogue and Gambit volunteer to help in exchange for Manifold’s cooperation afterward, and the trio is soon on the hunt for the most recent missing villain: Lady Deathstrike.
ROGUE & GAMBIT #1 gets off to a fast start. It doesn’t take long for Phillips to bring in Destiny and get the plot rolling. Before that happens, though, Phillips takes a page to let the characters discuss their relationship and establish their status quo for readers. Rogue is upset because the two were supposed to be taking time to reconnect now that she’s off the X-Men and Gambit isn’t putting as much attention to that as she’d like. It’s a nice moment, and it’s a good choice for Phillips to basically acknowledge that the characters haven’t been getting time together for a while. It’s also a nice way to add an opportunity for additional tension between the characters during the series. Destiny’s presence further reinforces this. She is not shy in her disapproval of Rogue and Gambit’s relationship.
Phillips doesn’t dig too deep into the plot in ROGUE & GAMBIT #1. Character development takes up most of the first issue. There are the aforementioned Rogue and Gambit scenes as well as a good introduction to Manifold. This is a welcome choice. Sometimes short mini-series rush the story at the expense of character development, and in the case of Manifold that development is necessary if we’re to really care about him the way we need to by the end of the issue.
The Art
Gómez draws a fantastic drunk Gambit. That little detail makes the opening pages much better. Gambit’s facial expressions are spot on–and was that a little bit of drool on page three? He’s a lot of fun here.
Manifold receives similar treatment. He’s absolutely incredulous at the idea of going with Rogue and Gambit to Krakoa–his first reaction is an uproarious laugh. Gómez gets that just right, down to the last panel of that laughter when Manifold is wiping his eyes. It sets a perfect mood for the character, and really fills in what he thinks about Krakoa because Phillips doesn’t heavily explain his attitude in dialogue. She provides a brief explanation in a few dialogue bubbles, but Gómez perfectly establishes Manifold’s attitude and little else is necessary. The somewhat understated nature of Curiel and Blee’s colors here surprised me. The only time they really grab you is with bright yellows when Manifold uses his powers.
Final Thoughts
ROGUE & GAMBIT #1 is a strong opening for the series. It acknowledges that we haven’t spent much time with these two characters together in a long time and turns that into a story component rather than just assuming a status quo akin to the end of MR. AND MRS. X and rushing into the plot with a perfectly happy couple. Fans of these characters can go into this book eagerly and be satisfied. And readers who generally like some nice character drama should consider giving this a shot as well.