As a major character returns to X-Men lore, Marvel unveils their new design, as their powers go haywire and destroy their body. See the new look for the first time below…

Mystique’s X-Men Return Confirms Her Powers Are Destroying Her Body

In a preview of the upcoming Rogue #1 shared by AIPT, fans see the new design for Mystique. Raven Darkhölme is depicted scarred and emaciated, with her lips scarred to match the skull symbol she’s so often operated under. This is the first time fans are seeing Mystique since her 2024 solo series, confirming she’s still suffering the consequences of that adventure.

Coming from Erica Schultz and Luigi Zagaria, Rogue is a solo series for the X-Men hero, and will follow her as she investigates a mystery from her days with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. The quest will begin with a visit to her foster mothers Mystique and Destiny, resulting in Rogue discovering her mother’s condiition. But how did Mystique get here?…

What Happened to Mystique’s Powers?

In 2024’s Mystique – from writer and artist Declan Shalvey – Mystique used an advanced computer virus to delete all record of her from the SHIELD database. However, in order to infiltrate SHIELD headquarters, she asked fellow mutant Fabian Cortez to supercharge her powers.

Mystique’s scheme was a success, but she paid a price when the after-effects of Cortez’s boost caused her powers to go haywire.

When Shalvey’s series ended, Mystique looked almost corpse-like, with huge scars and her blue skin shriveled almost beyond recognition. It also appears Mystique is no longer able to use her powers without potentially causing her own death.

Compared to her appearance in the final issue of Mystique, the art from Rogue suggests Raven has at least stabilized, but it’s clear she’s in no shape to resume her life as a globe-trotting solo operator.

Mystique is one of X-Men‘s most complex characters – a lethal cynic motivated by immense love for her family, and often influenced by her wife Destiny’s precognitive visions, which allow her to accomplish unlikely outcomes through seemingly unrelated means.

Will Rogue’s new mission find Mystique yet again manipulating those around her to restore her to health, or was her desire to erase her past part of hiding the secret that Rogue now seeks to uncover? Everything will be revealed when X-Men‘s Rogue series hits stands later this month.

Rogue #1 is coming January 21 from Marvel Comics.

Movie(s)

X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

First Film

X-Men (2000)

TV Show(s)

X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)

Video Game(s)

X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)

Character(s)

Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23

Comic Release Date

213035,212968