Quirky Cat
It's time to talk about one of Marvel's best (in my opinion) couples: Rogue & Gambit. This entire volume, Rogue & Gambit: Ring of Fire, celebrates their rich and complex history, not to mention the strong dynamics between the two.
Rogue and Gambit have been assigned to go undercover in order to find out what happened to some missing mutants. Naturally, they're not too keen on this assignment, or the fact that they have to work together.
Granted, it might be the fact that they have to pretend to be a couple – despite the fact that they are very painfully not a couple any longer. Still, when others are missing, heroes must overlook their personal problems. Mostly.
Rogue & Gambit: Ring of Fire is a fantastic read, regardless of how much you know about this amazing couple. If you're new to the ship, jumping on board here is a great call. Likewise, if you're a longstanding fan of the two...well you've probably already read this graphic novel by this point.
Honestly, this read is so much fun. That's the best way to put it. The drama and tension between these two characters are palpable. That and Kelly Thompson really knows how to portray these two (okay, I might be biased there, since I adore most of her writing).
As a relatively new recruit to this ship, I have to say that this volume is pure gold. It showcases all of the potential and past that they have, while building up for something more. All while dealing with the main plot – of mutants going missing. It's a lot, and yet it never feels rushed.
If anything, I never wanted it to end. I should probably mention that the idea of these two heading off to a couples/therapy retreat has caused no end of amusement for me. I know that I'm not the only one that feels that way.
The action is fun and dangerous, the comebacks are on-point (I mean, this is Rogue we're talking about), and the tension is real. Altogether, it makes for a great read – and that's all before taking the artwork into account.
On that note, Pere Perez clearly had a lot of fun creating this volume, and it shows in the artwork. It's in the way our leading couple reacts to one another, and thousands of other scenes. That final combat scene in particular will be sticking in my memory for quite some time.
One thing I can tell you about Rogue & Gambit: Ring of Fire is that it made me want to go and read every other piece of Rogue/Gambit literature out there. So if you have any recommendations, feel free to share!
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks