The long-running rivalry between the current Carol Danvers’ Captain Marvel and X-Men’s Rogue is one of Marvel’s most personal rivalries. With encounters between the two equally matched female powerhouses having produced life-altering results, it is easy to see why their bad blood is warranted.
Their rivalry began when Rogue, Mystique’s adopted mutant daughter, semi-permanently stole Danvers’ powers to aid the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in a story that wasn’t officially published until 1992’s Marvel Super-Heroes #11, which featured this long-mentioned story by Chris Claremont, Simon Furman, Mike Vosburg, and Mike Gustovich. While Rogue soon found redemption and a true calling with the X-Men, Danvers went on a long journey that saw her gain a few different sets of powers. Now, we’re taking a closer look at the rivalry between these two Marvel heroes and who won their numerous one-on-one fights.
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Avengers Annual #10 (1981)
In 1981, Chris Claremont and Michael Golden’s Avengers Annual #10 explores the aftermath of Rogue’s premeditated attack on Danvers in which she absorbed her powers and memories before tossing her unconscious body from the Golden Gate Bridge. By the grace of good timing, Danvers is saved from certain death by Spider-Woman and taken to Charles Xavier, who helps the Avenger regain memories she later finds she bears no connection to. The detrimental effect of Danvers having been stripped of her identity placed Rogue in the driving seat, giving her a taste of success in what became the first of many memorable battles between the two.
Uncanny X-Men #158 (1982)
In 1982, the two met again in Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum’s Uncanny X-Men #158, when Danvers joins the X-Men’s Wolverine, Storm and Nightcrawler in a plot to infiltrate the Pentagon and erase all government files regarding the mutant team. Inside, Danvers encounters Rogue who knocks her down before being pursued and later defeated by the others. Begrudgingly, Danvers continues the initial mission and is soon attacked by the shape-shifter Mystique who she successfully subdues. Though their brief one-on-one interaction saw Rogue triumph, Danvers – and the X-Men – took the overall win having successfully captured Mystique and temporarily defeated Rogue. Danvers’ decision not to kill Mystique was an additional moral win.
Uncanny X-Men #171 (1983)
Rogue and Carol Danvers met in Chris Claremont and Walt Simonson’s Uncanny X-Men #171 in 1983, when Rogue was looking for Xavier’s help controlling Danvers’ powers. Xavier’s controversial decision to make her a probationary member of the team makes for an interesting confrontation later on, when Danvers appears to find her rival present with the X-Men. Imbued with new cosmic powers, Danvers – as Binary – attacks Rogue, sending her out of Earth’s orbit with a single powered punch. Quickly informed of Rogue’s new status, Danvers acknowledges Xavier’s betrayal before taking off. In terms of physical battles, Danvers undoubtedly won this one, however Rogue’s newfound protection under the X-Men ultimately handed Danvers a vital loss.
Uncanny X-Men #269 (1990)
After spending many years living their own lives, Rogue and Carol mete again in 1990’s Uncanny X-Men #269, by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee, where Rogue emerges from the Siege Perilous portal having lost Danvers’ powers. Soon encountering a ‘shadow double’ of Ms. Marvel, Rogue escapes using Gateway’s teleportation powers. When they next meet, Rogue initially defeats Ms. Marvel (now a decaying corpse possessed by the Shadow King), but later requires saving by Magneto. Though Rogue beat the shadow double early on, her overall survival was down to Magneto’s decision to save her over Ms. Marvel. While Rogue was the one left standing, her win was neither against the real Danvers, nor purely her own victory.
Ms. Marvel #9-10 (2006)
In Brian Reed and Mike Wieringo’s Ms. Marvel #9-10 from 2007, Rogue ambushed Danvers, accusing her of an attack. However, the true orchestrator is quickly revealed to be Warbird, an alternative version of Danvers hell-bent on destroying each version of the mutant across the multiverse. A difference in opinion regarding Rogue’s fate results in a fight and, despite initially defending her, the real Danvers turns on Rogue when she tries to help, cracking her ribs before beating Warbird into submission. Ultimately, this battle had no clear winner as Danvers’ loss of self-control canceled out any association of a win with her inadvertent defeat of Rogue.
X-Men: Legacy #269-270 (2012)
As the Avengers and X-Men went to war in 2012, Christos N. Gage and David Baldeón’s X-Men: Legacy #269-270 saw Danvers’ attempt to reason with Rogue about the Phoenix Five resulted in Rogue trying to once again absorb Danvers’ powers. Once apprehended, Danvers was imprisoned by the mutant Magik in a piece of Limbo serving as literal hell on earth for captured Avengers. Though Danvers’ words and Magik’s immoral actions see Rogue later change her allegiance, an attempt to help Danvers escape results in Magik teleporting Rogue to another world. Despite their failure, both women produced wins: Rogue’s success in the initial fight and Danvers’ ability to change her adversary’s mind.
Captain Marvel #4-5 (2019)
In 2019, Kelly Thompson and Carmen Carnero’s Captain Marvel #4-5 saw Captain Marvel pitted against Rogue once more. In order to free Rogue from Nuclear Man’s mental enslavement, Danvers puts aside her personal vendetta and permits Rogue to absorb her powers. The two then team up to defeat the enemy who later escapes after Rogue successfully defuses the bomb implanted in his son, Som. The truce which followed saw the long-time rivals share a handshake indicative of mutual respect. Ultimately, the ability to set aside their differences and trust each other proved a triumphant win for both parties. Though it is unlikely the two will ever become good friends, Captain Marvel and Rogue seem to have finally realized that they are ultimately on the same side.
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