Issue 126 - Rogue

Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

07/14/21 • 64 min

Intro
Background (1:40)
Rogue created by Chris Claremont and Michael Golden in Avengers Annual #10 (August 1981)
Born Anna Marie in Mississippi, her parents disappeared when she was young, and she was raised by her strict aunt - she rebelled as a teen, earning the nickname Rogue
After kissing a boy named Cody, her latent mutant abilities manifested, sending Cody into a coma - she discovered any skin-to-skin contact with a person would cause her to absorb their life force, and in some cases their memories - she covered herself up to avoid touching anyone ever again
Mystique found Rogue and began mentoring her, eventually bringing her into the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants - she was sent to attack Carol Danvers - during the fight, prolonged contact caused Rogue to permanently absorb Carol’s powers, and gave Carol amnesia - the Danvers identity would remain with Rogue for many years, eventually causing Rogue to seek out Professor Xavier for assistance
She eventually joined the X-Men, slowly earning their trust and becoming a valuable teammate, even as Danvers continued to control her in periods of stress or unconsciousness - after losing her powers in a battle with Master Mold, she discovered the Danvers identity was also gone
As her powers returned, she also began an on-again/off-again relationship with Gambit, but her lack of physical intimacy and his dishonesty caused friction for a long time - after a battle with Destiny robbed them both of their powers, they left the X-Men and moved in together to explore their relationship
After another battle with Mystique where her foster mother tried to kill her, she absorbed Mystique’s powers and left her for dead - went to the Australian outback to figure out how to control her powers - with the help of Xavier, she was able to control her absorption for the first time in her life
Eventually started a relationship with Magneto, although it was largely long-distance, as they both had other commitments
Originally stayed neutral during AvX, but joined the staff at the Xavier Institute after a fight broke out on campus and She-Hulk inadvertently injured some children
Turned down a marriage proposal from Magneto, and ended their relationship
Joined the Avengers Unity Division as a mutant representative, eventually becoming field leader
Restarted her relationship with Gambit, and after Kitty Pryde broke off her engagement to Colossus at the altar, Gambit proposed to Rogue on the spot, and they were married instead - got transported to the Mojoverse for their honeymoon, since Mojo wanted a famous couple for his new show
Issues (6:15)
- Authoritarian upbringing caused her to rebel
- Inability to touch anyone caused problems in her relationships, both romantic and platonic (18:26)
- Broken relationship with Mystique, where they alternate between trying to kill each other and trying to work together (27:06)
Break (34:36)
- Plugs for BetterHelp, Grief Burrito, and Chris Claremont
Treatment (36:11)
- In-universe - Use other mutants to help transmute the energy flow as a result of contact and help her move past that
- Out of universe - (40:06)
Skit (49:22)
- Hello Rogue, I’m Dr. Issues. - Hey there, sugah.
- So, what can I do for you? -I don’t know, what can you do?
- *sarcasm* Hardee har har. I have the ability to listen to what you have to say, synthesize that dialogue in a way that may have some benefit to you and your relationships, while monitoring for any signs of a formal diagnosis that needs more focused treatment. -Shoot, I thought you were gonna get all flustered like most guys do when someone like me talks coy with them.
- I got over that a long time ago. -Must be nice
- Meh. -*pause* Well, I guess that’s my way of saying I’m stuck. I either push people away too quickly, or I dive in and get myself into stuff I can’t just walk out of.
- Why not? -That’s a really easy one. Do you know about my powers?
- I do my homework, sure. -Well, imagine if your first chance at a physical connection, you destroy their life...I mean, REALLY destroy it. You don’t get over that. There’s no amount of talking that can fix that.
- *pause* I’m terribly sorry. From the tone in your voice I can tell it wasn’t intentional. -But it doesn’t stop there. I was led to do some horrible things to people and I didn’t know the consequences. That’s the type of thing that some people can’t ever live with themselves over. Do you get what I’m saying?
- Hmm...has it ever gotten to that point for you, where life wasn’t worth it anymore? -No! Well, not like that, but to disappear, to not hurt a...

07/14/21 • 64 min

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