GOC Comic Review: Rogue & Gambit #1
Rogue & Gambit #1
Written by: Kelly Thompson
Art by: Pere Perez
Published by: Marvel Comics (January 3, 2018)
One of Marvel’s most infamous couples is back, but it’s not exactly what you may think. Southern charmers Rogue and Gambit are in a new comic together written by Kelly Thompson and we are only on the first issue and let me tell you, there are some serious questions that beg to be answered. The only caveat? Rogue and Remy have to be the ones to figure it out on a joint mission. The two ex-lovers on a quest to find some disappearing mutants is most definitely not on Rogue’s bucket list, but here we are.
*Please note: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t read Gambit & Rogue #1*
The Xavier Institute For Mutant Outreach and Education (Central Park)
We revisit the X-Men in a place that is a familiar place for all X-Men comic book readers: The Danger Room. Storm is currently running a training sequence with some old sentinels (as per Rogue’s request). The training session is comprised of Pixie, Psylocke, Armor and of course, Rogue when Gambit saunters in to have his say.
Of course, he begins by annoying his teammate, Storm – insisting on referring to her by the long-standing nickname (unfortunately) of “Stormy”. It’s a moniker that Storm isn’t too fond of herself and she tells Gambit so herself: “You and that infernal nickname. When will it die, Gambit?” But much to Storm’s chagrin, the Ragin’ Cajun has no plans on letting the moniker die any time soon.
While the ladies are kicking a** and taking names in the Danger Room, Gambit asks Storm to let him in on the action. Storm, being the wise leader she is, sees this as an opportunity to give Rogue that something “unexpected” that she desired. As the team continues to take on the Sentinels, Remy decides to play the role of knight in shining armor, but his attempt simply falls flat when Rogue tells him that she had thing under control – and Gambit, being the pesky man that he is, sees it very differently.
Art by Pere Perez from Rogue & Gambit #1 (Marvel Comics)
Headmistress, Kitty Pryde’s Office
Rogue is summoned to Kitty’s office and it’s a welcome getaway for the power absorbing mutant. She gets to escape Gambit’s clutches and hopefully avoid Remy for a little longer when the new Headmistress of Xavier’s begins to tell her about an impending mission. According to Kitty, Cerebra has been picking up a large number of mutants vanishing from existence. Now, while it could be nothing, Kitty believes that there is something more sinister at play – especially with the location of the disappearances being a resort hosting private retreats to “free mutants of their trauma.”
Since this was the “easy” part, that begs the question: What is the hard part? Well, for poor Rogue the hard part is that she will have to go on this mission with former flame, Gambit. Naturally, Rogue is resistant to the idea at first but when Kitty points out that the pair going as a sort of couple’s retreat would make it all the more believable.
Paraiso (Couples Retreat)
As per usual, Remy was trying to put the moves on Rogue. Forever the flirt, he attempts to bring up old times and Rogue tries to put a stop to it by telling him that her powers are no longer controllable and she doesn’t want to hurt him. However, that does not put a damper on Gambit’s spirits at all. But Rogue is still determined to set Remy’s thoughts back on-mission ASAP. And while the two do find common working ground, a wrench is thrown into their plans when the pair end up strapped to medical slabs in some kind of laboratory.
Art by Pere Perez from Rogue & Gambit #1 (Marvel Comics)
GOC Review
I will preface the review by stating that I adore Rogue’s character and while I have never been a huge fan of Gambit per se, I do think that Kelly Thompson has written both characters with a familiarity that I love.
The banter between the two is reminiscent of the 90s X-Men television series and it was impossible not to enjoy it. Not only was the writing great, the story was too. There were many comedic elements but it still remained serious in the places it needed to be, providing a great contrast throughout the issue. Thompson is most definitely a wordsmith and the wittiness within the book will certainly not be lost on any readers.
Pere Perez’s artwork is beautiful and works great with Thompson’s storytelling. In no way do any of the panels have dead space. They are used fully and depict the action of the story and closeness of the characters on full display with the vibrant colours courtesy of Frank D’Armata. Each moment seems to leap off of the page and immerses you in the book, and that is the kind of art I love to see in a comic book.
Once you pair the writing and story with great artwork, you get a knockout first issue. And while the book made me feel nostalgic about the content, it also made me excited about the surely epic adventure to come for both Gambit and Rogue.
I’d give the first issue of Rogue & Gambit 4.5 kinetically-charged playing cards out of 5! If you’ve read the issue, please let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter!
Rogue & Gambit #2 will be available on February 7, 2018.
