The '90s were a crazy time for comic books, especially when independent companies like Image Comics rose in popularity. Gen13 and the art of J. Scott Campbell are prime examples of this. So, it shouldn't come to anyone's surprise that one of the creators of Gen13 also created one of the most iconic superhero outfits in all comic book lore. One that is still debated and cosplayed to this day, I am talking about Jim Lee and Rogue’s Savage Land outfit, first appearing in Uncanny X-Men #269.
Now, comic book readers will travel back with Rogue: The Savage Land, as writer Tim Seeley and up-and-coming artist Zulema Scotto Lavina expand on the story first introduced in 1990.
From stealing Ms. Marvel's powers to becoming an X-Men fan-favorite
Rogue is an all-time fan -favorite for X-Men fans and one of the top characters in the whole Marvel Universe. But that probably wasn’t so obvious back in 1981 when the Rogue character was first introduced to comic book readers in Avengers Annual #10. There, she was presented as a villain, who with the help of the mutant Mystique, joined the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants; Rogue attacked Ms. Marvel using her mutant absorption power to permanently absorb not only Ms. Marvel's power but also her psyche. After that, she had the power to take on the entire Avengers roster. Rogue didn’t join the X-Men team until a couple of years later in Uncanny X-Men #171, which drew heavy protest from the other X-Men, but led the character into a much more favorable arc.
Before Uncanny X-Men #269, the last time comic book readers met Rogue was Uncanny X-Men #247 when Rogue sacrificed herself by driving the sentinel Master Mold and Nimrod into the mystical gateway known as the Siege Perilous. With her return in Uncanny X-Men #269, we see Rogue emerge from Siege Perilous back at the X-Men headquarters in the Australian Outback minus the X-Men, she is chased by Ms. Marvel to the Savage Lands where Rogue eventually teams up with Magneto against the sorceress Zaladane.
Seeley and Lavina could be Marvel Comics best new writer/artist duo
Chicago-based artist and writer, Tim Seeley will handle the writing duties for Rogue: The Savage Land after previously writing and drawing iconic characters such as Batman, Green Lantern, and G.I. Joe. Rogue: The Savage Land will be the Marvel Comics debut for Italian artist Zulema Lavina, who recently won the Disneyland Paris Marvel Art Atelier and who has been an artist for Dark Horse and Image Comics, where she had previously teamed up with Seeley on the comic Hexware.
In Seeley's story, we find Rogue stuck in the Savage Land, trying to survive in a primal world without any of her powers; refreshing the readers on the story that started over 30 years ago and filling in the gaps from Uncanny X-Men #269, #274, and #275. Seeley portrays Rogue as someone who must contend not only with the physical trials such as dinosaurs and strange fish people that exist in the Savage Land; but also the emotional torment she must endure in this isolation. This is backed up by the beautiful artwork of Zulema Lavina, who has created a striking version of the X-Man born on the bayou.
The Savage Land outfit, which was just Rogue's original outfit but torn and shredded to become a green and tan jungle-inspired bikini ensemble, is there too. Lavina’s artwork and her design of the Savage Land outfit, emphasize Rogue’s strength, resilience, and untamed spirit while reflecting the exotic and dangerous environment of the Savage Land. The design remains a fan-favorite, influencing depictions of Rogue in comics and other media.
What is left to tell with Rogue and the Savage Land?
Though Seeley has the luxury of taking on a story with a lot of blank space to fill; this is a story that already gave comic book readers a conclusion over 30 years ago in Uncanny X-Men No. 275, which presents Seeley with the task of keeping the audience engaged even though they already know what will eventually happen. Comic book readers will know that the Savage Land is where the sparks of Rogue and Magneto’s affections for each other began. Maybe more of what happened there will be fleshed out in the pages of this five-book mini-series.
I am a little worried that a powerless Rogue might get overshadowed in a story like this, especially with a character like Magneto sharing the panels. I am, however, excited that comic book readers get a chance to re-examine a story that is overlooked in the X-Men timeline; especially with a fresh voice and vision presenting the story.
Rogue: The Savage Land No. 1 kicked off on January 15, 2025.