Warning! Spoilers for Heroes Reborn: Magneto and the Mutant Force #1
Rogue is arguably one of the most dangerous members of the X-Men - a fact that apparently holds true even in alternate universes. Case in point, Heroes Reborn just proved that Rogue is actually strong enough to go toe-to-toe with Marvel’s own Superman, Hyperion.
Heroes Reborn is an ongoing event in Marvel Comics that takes place in an alternate universe. While many of the same characters still exist in this fake new reality, the biggest difference is that the Avengers never came together. In their place, the Squadron Supreme, a group of heroes that closely resemble DC’s Justice League, have stepped up as Earth’s best defenders. However, the Squadron tends to employ much more violent methods than typical superheroes. After Hyperion brutally murdered the Hulk, the X-Men were next in line to face the Squadron’s wrath, but the mutants put up a much better fight than anyone expected.
In Heroes Reborn: Magneto and the Mutant Force #1, the government attempts to pass an oppressive mutant registration bill. Charles Xavier leads his fellow mutants in a peaceful protest, but the Squadron Supreme is quick to intervene and turn things violent. Power Princess, AKA Marvel’s Wonder Woman killed Professor X, and countless other mutants perished, as well. However, Rogue was able to absorb the abilities of Skymax, the Squadron’s equivalent of Martian Manhunter, thereby vastly increasing her own power. Later on, when the Mutant Force is confronted by Power Princess and Hyperion, Rogue is able to take on the latter almost single-handedly, which is impressive considering just how powerful Hyperion is.
Heroes Reborn is full of clever reversals of Marvel’s main timeline, such as Magneto being confined to a wheelchair instead of Professor X. Rogue absorbing the powers of Skymax, a Skrull, is another interesting reflection of the normal Marvel Universe. In the regular timeline, Rogue stole her powers from Captain Marvel, who is technically a Kree. The Skrulls and Kree are longtime enemies, so Rogue getting her powers from a Skrull this time around is another cool, subtle way to make things different in the world of Heroes Reborn.
With the powers of Skymax, Rogue has become one of the Mutant Force’s heaviest hitters, and they’ll certainly need the extra power to take on the Squadron Supreme. Hyperion was teleported away before a true winner could be determined, but there’s a good change Marvel’s Superman will be back for more before long, so Rogue had better be ready.