1st Appearance of Rogue: Avengers Annual #10 (1981) Value

Rogue first appeared in Avengers Annual #10 (cover date 1981), published by Marvel, by Chris Claremont, Michael Golden. The source puts it this way: "Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10 (1981).".

PriceCharting values for Avengers Annual #10 (1981) by CGC grade, based on recorded sales and updated September 25, 2026:

• CGC 2.0: $33.00
• CGC 3.0: $41.40
• CGC 4.0: $46.45
• CGC 5.0: $40.00
• CGC 6.0: $62.00
• CGC 7.0: $81.50
• CGC 8.0: $90.40
• CGC 9.0: $140
• CGC 9.2: $147
• CGC 9.4: $200

The spread from CGC 2.0 ($33.00) to CGC 9.4 ($200) shows how much condition matters on a key issue. Restored, trimmed or incomplete copies sell far below these figures, and reprints and facsimiles (see below) are worth a small fraction. Grade and restoration are confirmed by a grading service such as CGC or CBCS; prices move with the market and the character's popularity.

• Interior story role (villain, not hero, on debut): as she flees at the end of the story, there is no suggestion of redemption in her future — her first impression is that of a powerful enemy.
• Debut team affiliation: she debuts as a member of Mystique's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.

• Indicia: the small print on the first page or inside cover gives the issue number, date and publisher; reprints usually say so there.
• Cover price and barcode: a price or barcode format that did not exist in the year printed means a later edition.
• Paper and staples: decades-old newsprint is tan at the edges; bright white pages on an old date are a warning sign.
• Restoration: color touch, trimmed edges and married covers are common on expensive keys; a grading service can detect them.

Shoot the front cover flat, straight on, in even light, then the indicia page and the back cover. Include the top edge and staples in one frame. The app reads the title, issue number and cover and matches it against the checks above; the indicia photo settles most reprint questions.

Rogue debuted in The Avengers Annual #10, cover-dated October 1981, created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Michael Golden. Wanting to please Mystique, she attacks Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) and permanently absorbs Danvers' powers and memories (Wikipedia). That fight is why the issue matters to Rogue and Carol Danvers collectors alike. In a 2016 interview Claremont said the only guidance he gave Golden was that Rogue should be inspired by Grace Jones and have white streaks in her hair.

Afraid for her sanity after absorbing Carol Danvers, Rogue defected and joined the X-Men in The Uncanny X-Men #171 (1983) (Wikipedia). PriceCharting dates the issue July 1983, notes Walt Simonson art and the first appearance of Magik's Soulsword, and lists these values on September 25, 2026: $14.75 ungraded, $34.50 in CGC 6.0, $41 in CGC 8.0, $53 in CGC 9.2 and $148.41 in CGC 9.8. It is a secondary key: cheaper than Annual #10 in high grade, but the first issue with Rogue as an X-Man.

Rogue's real name is Anna Marie; her surname is not known. She was born in Caldecott County, Mississippi, raised by hippie parents and later taken in by the mutants Mystique and Destiny, who brought her into the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Her power absorbs the life force, memories and abilities of anyone she touches. Her relationship with Gambit eventually led to marriage, shown in the Mr. and Mrs. X series. After she emerged from the Siege Perilous she stayed with Magneto in the Savage Land until she saw him kill the priestess Zaladane (Wikipedia).

• Lenore Zann voiced her in X-Men: The Animated Series (1992-1997) and in X-Men '97 (from 2024).
• Anna Paquin played her in Fox's X-Men films (2000-2014).
• Inde Navarrette is reported by Wikipedia as cast for Marvel Studios' untitled 2028 X-Men film.