Rogue: The Savage Land #4: War On Many Fronts

Tim Seeley and the creative team use the backdrop of a manufactured tribal war, brought on by Zaladane’s action and fermented by the Mutates, to dig into how Magneto and Rogue react to the situation to excellent effect. There are perfect moment’s that remind us of the fragile position Rogue finds herself in, forgetting she has no powers, and how Rogue and Magneto differ philosophically in their view of the cost of lives in the tribal conflict. It’s smart pitch perfect writing from Seeley. Everyone feels fleshed out and organic. While Rogue and Magneto are certainly the core focus of the book, all the players Ka-Zar, the mutates and Zaladane all get great dialogue and screen time. There’s even a smart nod to the implied familial connection between Magneto and Zaladane because of her connection to Polaris via the absorption of her powers previously. It’s not explored further but it’s the kind of deft reminder of how Seeley is aware of past canon in several instances that gives the story depth and feel as well as a connection to continuity.

Seeley clearly delineates the philosophical differences between the Rogue and Magneto early on, Magneto viewing the goal of stopping Zaladane paramount and the deaths of the warring tribesman a negligible distraction, Rogue by contrast holds steadfast in the belief that those lives are very much worth saving. The party splits as Magneto heads to confront Zaladane directly and Ka-Zar and Rogue do their best to stop the warring tribes under the influence of Worm and the mutates. The conflict is ultimately brought to heal but not before the devastating reveal that Shanna is under the influence of the Worm and Magneto drops the bombshell on who he believes is responsible for the slow loss and inconsistency of his powers.

I was very excited to see artist Von Randal guesting on the issue. I have followed him for several years and it’s great to see him getting a shot at an X-related title. Style wise he’s heavier on the black lines than series regular Zulema Scotto Lavina but he still does an excellent job of conveying the action and conflict in the issue. His action scenes are dynamic and full of movement and he gets the more dramatic facial expressions right in the closer character interactions. The issue focuses very much on movement and drama and Rogue isn’t used for a single cheesecake moment. In fact Magneto gets to be the “poser” this issue if anything. I bring this up because it’s a great reminder that while cheesecake covers certainly move comic books, the content in the book takes itself seriously enough not ever be crassly exploitive. It’s a great action adventure with the melodrama we love between the characters that makes for a great X-Men comic. Colorist Rachelle Rosenberg’s excellent, consistent palette means the change of artist doesn’t distract from the story being told and Joe Caramagna is faultless on lettering. I think if I have a gripe it’s that the solicit and the cover implies Shanna’s involvement in the story. I’m gonna go ahead and tell you, that’s a lie lol.