Now, this is what I'm talking about. Whether by design or mere coincidence, this latest match between Rogue and Ms. Marvel echoes the now classic Uncanny X-Men #269, when the southern belle and Carol Danvers were finally free of each other. In the aftermath of the arrival of the Phoenix, Cyclops has decreed "No more Avengers" and the X-Men are now saviors of the world. Ms. Marvel tries to make Rogue see this whimsical illusion for what it really is, but she goes the wrong way about it, and Rogue reacts in an even more foolish way by doing the one thing she should never, ever do to Carol Danvers.

This was a great issue; while the art takes charge of the action, the dialog takes care of the characterization. Once again, Ms. Marvel makes strong points against Cyclops and his Phoenix Five, while Rogue desperately tries to rationalize their actions, even though it is clear that deep inside, she knows better. Gage does a fantastic job writing both women, and allowing the first cracks in the Phoenix farce to show. This might have been a VS issue, but next will be Rogue AND Ms. Marvel, and I can't wait to see that.