Marvel will revisit a classic Jim Lee-era X-Men story next year in Rogue: The Savage Land by veteran comics writer Tim Seeley and artist Zulema Lavina, who Seeley worked with on Hexware.
The five-issue “retro” miniseries will expand on the story from Uncanny X-Men #269 and #274-275, where a powerless Rogue teamed up with Magneto, Nick Fury and Ka-Zar to battle the sorceress Zaladane, who had stolen Magneto’s powers. This was a time when the X-Men were scattered after using the Siege Perilous to escape the Reavers following their years in the Australian Outback.
The scantily clad “Savage Land Rogue” proved popular among fans, especially when drawn by Lee. I was just talking a few weeks ago to one of my colleagues about how popular she is among commission asks. Here’s Lee’s cover to #274:
“We’re going to deliver something fresh,” Seeley told Polygon, “while honoring the impossibly sexy and epic classic tale of a young Rogue, and two of the weirdest allies a girl from Mississippi could ask for: Magneto and Ka-Zar.”
Here’s Kaare Andrews’ cover for the first issue:
“The X-Man called Rogue has always been a survivor, but without her mutant powers she’ll need to prove it like never before!” reads the description on Marvel.com. “As the Savage Land turns towards war, Rogue will need all her skills to survive dinosaurs, mutates, and the Master of Magnetism himself!”
Lavina attended the Marvel Art Atelier in Paris earlier this year, a workshop for aspiring artists, and won the opportunity to create a cover for Marvel. That evolved into the chance to draw a miniseries.
“After winning the Marvel Art Atelier, I was still realizing what an incredible opportunity this is,” Lavina told Polygon, “and then I was asked to draw this Rogue limited series which I immediately fell in love with. It is great to collaborate again with Tim Seeley and I hope the readers will enjoy this amazing story as much as I am. The character of Rogue is full of empathy and determination, the iconic Savage Land setting is fantastic, the story is full of wild and unexpected stuff — I can’t wait for you to read it!”
Here’s a look at the first issue’s variant covers by Russell Dauterman and Nick Bradshaw:
The first issue of five arrives Jan. 15.