Warning: Spoilers ahead for Rogue: Savage Land #5!
Rogue’s power-zapping touch is one of the most recognizable superpowers within theX-Menfranchise, but Marvel just revealed there is a new evolution to Rogue’s mutant abilities that manifestedin the Savage Land: the power of empathy. Throughout X-Men history, mutants such as Emma Frost and Beast have received secondary mutations, so it’s about time one of the X-Men’s most popular heroes, Rogue, receives a long-overdue power upgrade.
In the preview forRogue: Savage Land#5, written by Tim Seeley, with art by Zullema Scotto Lavina, Magneto accuses Rogue of taking his powers, but not in her typical way of absorbing one’s life force. Though Rogue’s powers are gone, Magneto explains thatbecause Rogue retains every thought, every emotion from those whose power she takes, she radiates empathy.
Because he has been around her, he is beginning to empathize with all those he’s hurt with his powers. This evolution of Rogue’s powers gives Rogue a secondary mutation that aligns perfectly with her established powers.
Marvel Reveals The Evolution Of Rogue’s Powers, Giving Her A Secondary Mutation
Rogue Savage Land#5; Written By Tim Seeley; Art By Zullema Scotto Lavina; Color By Rachelle Rosenberg; Lettering By Joe Caramagna
Custom Image by Logan Silva (Art by Warren Louw and Lucas Werneck)
Rogue’s base powers have always been integral to her character, as her initial fear of touching others has defined how she forms connections and relationships with the X-Men and other heroes. Rogue’s personality revolves around her power, both her fear of getting close to people and her ability to feel how others feel by not just taking their powers, but by being able to experience their memories and emotions.With Rogue losing her powers, the Savage Land presents a prime time for her to receive a secondary mutationthat encompasses the other side of her character, her overwhelming ability to feel empathy.
In her current era,Rogue is one of the strongest heroes the X-Menhave to offer, which brings about whether or not she should get a power upgrade and receive the status of an omega-level mutant like so many of her peers have already achieved. Rogue’s power set has remained unchanged for years in a sea of heroes who are continuously getting power upgrades, such as Storm and Jean Grey. The ability to radiate the emotions Rogue absorbs is a passive ability, but a much-needed revitalization of Rogue’s powers that can be interpreted as a secondary mutation.
Of All The Most Iconic X-Men, Rogue Is The Most Overdue For An Upgrade to Her Powers
Rogue New Secondary Mutation Is A Gift From Marvel
There have been variousX-Men who have received secondary mutationsover the years, most notably Emma Frost’s diamond form, Beast’s feline transformation, and Iceman’s control over Ice form. Rouge, experiencing the chaos of the Savage Land in her early 20s, would be the prime environment for her to receive a secondary mutation. It’s been established that secondary evolutions to mutants’ powers often happen in times of great stress, and inNew Mutants#12, by Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, and Khary Randolph, Beast notes that a secondary mutation normally occurs in a mutant’s 20s after Elixir received his.
Rogue can end confrontation and bring people together through emitting empathy, a fitting power evolution to a hero who can absorb others' feelings.
Rogue’s ability to radiate empathy shares similarities to Beast’s secondary mutation to give off pheromones that make people like him. For instance, Magneto notes that Rogue’s abilities have caused him to feel empathy and remorse towards his enemies, a feeling he as never felt before.Rogue’sbility to make others feel empathy is a great contrast to the initial struggles that come with her powers; now, Rogue can end confrontation and bring people together through emitting empathy, a fitting power evolution to a hero who can absorb others' feelings.
Marvel Puts a New Spin On Rogue And Magneto’s Relationship With This Redefinition Of Rogue’s Powers
A Controversial X-Men Dynamic Changes
One major controversy that stemmed from the Savage Land wasRogue and Magneto’s implied romantic relationship, however,this revelation of Rogue’s powers greatly alters their original dynamic, and instead puts them at odds with one another. Magneto blames Rogue for his lost power because he is beginning to doubt how he has used them in the past, reflecting on how he has hurt his enemies with them. There is still an awkward attraction between them, but the reveal of Rogue’s power and the resentment Magneto feels towards her because of it make revisiting this classic story vastly more nuanced.
Rogue’s new secondary powers better reflect her heroic and empathetic nature, giving her more autonomy within her own adventure.
This discovery of Rogue’s secondary mutation gives Rogue a much bigger role in the Savage Land story, and further explains why Rogue feels so deeply and is willing to fight without her powers for the people of the Savage Land. More importantly, Rogue’s new secondary powers better reflect her heroic and empathetic nature, giving her more autonomy within her own adventure.Rogueis one of theX-Men’s greatest powerhouses, and this much-needed evolution to her mutant powers revitalizes her character in a more in-depth, interesting way.
Rogue: Savage Land#5will be available July 12, 2025, from Marvel Comics!
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
