The first appearance of Rogue, in 1981, had a deeply significant moral message.
Annuals are usually quite dumb. While they can herald the change or shift in a book, introduce new characters, etc. But, generally, they are thinly veiled attempts to sell some comics to suckers who will buy anything associated with their favorite titles. Trust me. I AM that sucker.
Avengers Annual #10 is the exception to the rule. Not only does it introduce Rogue, a much-beloved X-Man as the book’s villain, it also advances the story of Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers, with some fascinating social commentary.
Off-panel, Rogue attacks Ms. Marvel and absorbs her powers, memories and personality, leaving Carol for dead in San Francisco. Carol had left the Avengers after a particularly harrowing experience at the hands of Marcus, the son of Immortus. Marcus manipulates Ms. Marvel and impregnates her against her will.
He raped her. Let’s call a spade a spade.
The Avengers reaction to Carol’s situation was disgusting. I believe Beast makes jokes about the experience during an examination of Ms. Marvel. Oh, you are such a fuzzy blue misogynist, Dr. Hank! No one seems particularly upset by the design of the writers. There was no urgency or tragedy.
I’m not the first to be troubled by this plot. Comic book historian Carol A. Strickland criticized the storyline in an essay titled “The Rape of Ms. Marvel.” And, of course, Chris Claremont also had something to say about it as the writer for Avengers Annual #10.
Claremont creates a genius allegory. Rogue literally takes Carol’s power and control. She takes Carol’s powers from her violently and without remorse with her touch and or kiss. Carol is raped again, at the hands of Rogue, in a different way.
While cruel, this offers Danvers a platform to ‘avenge’ the sins of the past and call out her friends for their betrayal in her time of need. Claremont uses this second assault to illustrate the irresponsibility of the publishers and editors at Marvel that let the first assault slide. He gives Ms. Marvel a second chance to get the justice she deserved the first time.
There are moments in literature when I believe readers and scholars read too much into subtext and pots and create an unintended message or idea that fits their own agenda and not the author’s actual intent. With a title like: ‘By Friends — Betrayed!’, it’s impossible to miss what Claremont is doing. There is a reason this book isn’t entitled ‘Enter: Rogue!’, ‘Evil Mutants Attack!’, or some other Stan Lee esq 1960s exclamation title.
Ms. Marvel ends up being okay. Claremont protects her and empowers her (literally and figuratively). He focuses on her time as a super spy, makes her an essential un-powered member of the X-Men, and eventually gives her cosmic powers that rival or surpass her old powers. He even reforms Rogue, who is tormented by her own actions for years.
This book didn’t come out of the dollar-bin. It was an online purchase via Amazon and it was worth every penny. It’s one of Claremont’s best.
* This book is also the first ‘appearance’ of Madelyne Pryor. Or is it?
The $1 Comics Bin 