Rogue [90s] (Marvel Comics | X-Men)

Rogue, whose real name is Anna Marie, first appeared in Avengers Annual #10 (1981), created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Michael Golden. Initially portrayed as a reluctant villain and member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, she was raised in Caldecott County, Mississippi, after her mutant powers emerged during adolescence. A kiss with her boyfriend Cody Robbins triggered her ability to absorb life force, memories, and superpowers through skin-to-skin contact, leaving him in a permanent coma and forcing her to flee. Taken in by Mystique and Destiny, Rogue joined the Brotherhood, but her defining early act occurred when she permanently absorbed the powers and psyche of Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel), granting her superhuman strength, flight, durability, and a seventh sense, while also burdening her with Danvers' lingering personality.

Seeking redemption and control over her fractured mind, Rogue defected to the X-Men in Uncanny X-Men #171 (1983), where Professor Charles Xavier accepted her despite team resistance. She quickly proved her loyalty through heroic actions in battles against adversaries such as the Marauders and Nimrod, integrating into the group while adopting protective clothing to minimize accidental absorptions. By the early 1990s, Rogue had solidified her place as a core X-Men member, debuting an iconic costume redesign by Jim Lee in X-Men vol. 2 #1 (1991), characterized by a green and yellow bodysuit, hooded jacket, and her distinctive white streak in auburn hair, reflecting her Southern heritage and resilient personality.

Throughout the 1990s, Rogue's character evolved significantly with the arrival of Gambit in Uncanny X-Men #266 (1990), initiating a profound yet tormented romantic relationship complicated by her inability to touch others safely. Their bond featured intense flirtation and mutual support amid team crises, but reached pivotal strain when Rogue absorbed Gambit's memories during a kiss, revealing his hidden ties to Mr. Sinister and prompting temporary separation. She navigated major events including the Siege Perilous aftermath, Savage Land exile, Shadow King possession, and the Onslaught saga, all while enduring the isolation imposed by her powers, which remained largely uncontrollable, cementing her as a tragic, determined hero committed to the X-Men's cause.

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