- Written by: Tim Seeley
- Art by: Zulema Scotto Lavina
- Colors by: Rachelle Rosenberg
- Letters by: VC’s Arian Maher
- Cover art by: Kaare Andrews (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: January 15, 2025
Rogue: The Savage Land #1, by Marvel Comics on 1/15/25, regales readers of an unknown tale from a time when Rogue fell through the Siege Perilous to stop the Master Mold and wound up in the Savage Land.
Is Rogue: The Savage Land #1 Good?
Plot Synopsis
Rogue: The Savage Land #1 takes place immediately after the events of Uncanny X-Men #247 (published in August 1989) when Rogue sacrifices herself to stop the Master Mold by pushing the unstoppable robot through the Siege Perilous. Her trip through the multiverse nexus dropped her in the Savage Land without food, weapons, powers, or enough clothing.
The issue begins with a quick recap of her trip before transitioning into an extended montage, narrated by Rogue, of her efforts to get used to the Savage life. Rogue encounters plenty of wildlife, both friendly and hostile, but she begins to feel the effects of being totally alone. One night, she hears intelligent life approaching. Unfortunately, the murmuring sounds come from a trio of deep ocean dwellers who look like characters from a Lovecraft story. Rogue hides but remains vigilant for days to come.
One day, while exploring, Rogue is attacked by the possessed Carol Danvers, who landed in the Savage Land far from Rogue. The fight is eventually broken up by the arrival of Magneto, who came to the Savage Land to be free from humans and the civilized world.
Rogue and Magneto continue their idle chitchat when the ship’s sensors send an alert about something approaching. It’s Zabu, Ka-Zar’s sabretooth cat. Rogue deduces Zabu is trying to tell her and Magneto that Ka-Zar is in trouble, so Rogue and Magneto follow Zabu. Meanwhile, Ka-Zar wakes up in a net, captured by a group of the Deep Ones Rogue spotted a few nights back. Their leader tells Ka-Zar they have come to find a worthy sacrifice to get their gods’ attention because their sea has dried up.
Elsewhere, Brainchild gives a report to Priestess Zaladane, Queen of the Sun People of the Savage Land, and the rest of the mutates in attendance about the environmental impacts and dwindling resources of the Savage Land. The issue ends with Priestess Zaladane deciding the Savage Land needs more godly oversight.
First Impressions
Rogue: The Savage Land #1 is Marvel and writer Tim Seeley’s attempt to present the secret story you never knew existed while manufacturing an excuse to create endless versions of cheesecake variant covers. Is the story at least equal in value to Rogue’s scantily clad physique? Well, that depends.
How’s the Art?
Zulema Scotto Lavina delivers a perfectly decent set of visuals, packed with plenty of detail to give life to the rich and varied jungles of the Savage Land. The plethora of prehistoric beasties give Lavina fodder to showcase unique creature designs, and Rogue looks as good as you’d expect.
What’s great about Rogue: The Savage Land #1?
If you have a nostalgic fondness for the late 80s/Claremont era of X-Men, this issue is right up your alley. Writer Tim Seeley mostly captures the vibe, feel, and attitude of the era that blends wild settings with superhero action and high melodrama. Is Rogue: The Savage Land #1 as good as Chris Claremont at his peak? No, but the attempt is admirable.
What’s not great about Rogue: The Savage Land #1?
If you’re not a knowledgeable fan of the Claremont era or have more than a passing knowledge of a 35-year-old storyline, you’ll be completely lost. Further, the opening explainers shortcut a lot of the details of the original issues, so the prologue is more confusing than it clarifies if you pick up this issue cold. In fairness, the preface page does point directly to the starting point for this story, but if you read Uncanny X-Men #247 and the following issues first, the transition from then to now is anything but seamless.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Rogue: The Savage Land #1 is a somewhat serviceable start to a hidden Rogue story that takes place during the Claremont era. Writer Tim Seeley largely captures the tone and vibe of Rogue’s trip to the Savage Land during the late 80s, and Zulema Scotto Lavina’s art style is a pleasant mix of the 80s aesthetic with modern sensibilities. That said, if you’re not deeply familiar with the backstory that leads into this adventure, you will be completely lost. This issue is not a recommendation for casual readers.
6/10
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