ROGUE v.2 #1
"In Your Hands"
Mildly Recommended (6/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Fiona Avery
Pencils: Aaron Lopresti
Inks: Randy Emberlin
Colors: Colorgraphix
Letters: Mike Heisler
Editor: Mark Powers
Price: $2.50 US/$3.75 CAN |
Here's something you won't see in many X-Men-related comics: no action. Zero. Zilch. Nil. It's a bold move by Avery, as she focuses solely on the title character's emotional turmoil. I'm sure it would have been much more compelling if it weren't subject matter I'd seen handled dozens of times before. Adding to Avery's challenge is the apparent attempt to reconcile the mainstream-continuity version of Rogue with her counterparts in the X-Men movie and the new X-Men: Evolution cartoon.
In the days following Rogue's first arrival at the X-Mansion, her new teammates found themselves feeling uneasy around a girl whose very touch could incapacitate them and reveal their innermost secrets. Feeling further alienated, Rogue questions her decision to join the X-Men, but Professor X reaches out to her and beings to teach her how to quiet the voices in her head and learn to trust herself and others.
Lopresti's art tells the story capably, but it just doesn't grab me here like it has in the past (his stuff on DC/Wildstorm's Countdown really stuck with me). The inks don't strike me as being tight enough, giving some scenes a sketchy look. Fortunately, the colors are strong. Skin tone is textured, and Rogue's power-absorption effect (as seen in the movie) is conveyed quite well.
The theme of this story is crystal clear. Avery is examining the concept of trust through the eyes of a woman whose own body has never allowed her the luxury of trust. She doesn't trust herself, and she doesn't trust others to give her a chance. It's a touching story, and it gets to the heart of the title character.
The problem is... we've been through this territory before, time and time again. I was surprised that Avery chose to set this story back when Rogue first joined the team, as it robs the story of some of its suspense. We know where Rogue is today, so we know how things will work out for her overall. Avery writes Rogue well, but she really doesn't do anything new with the character.
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