Rogue and Gambit are, together, probably most favorite X-Men among readers.  The latter is just a plain, fun character with a great power, while the former’s story exemplifies the entire philosophy behind the X-Men.  Together, their love is story is one that is enduring.  This is most likely due to the nature of their relationship, as nothing could come of it since Rogue could not even touch Gambit without the risk of stealing his psyche and leaving him brain-dead.

If you’re just picking up the X-Men now, there are a good number issues scattered throughout the years that chronicle their relationship, but if you want just the essential, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the most important issues that follow the evolution of their relationship. If you’re looking for a more detailed list, search rogue and gambit on our chronological X-Men list.

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essentials

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essentials – Enter Rogue

Rogue first appeared as a villain under the tutelage of Mystique in the pages of an Avengers Annual, in which she steals the psyche of Ms. Marvel. Her next appearance is in the pages of Uncanny X-Men, where she joins the X-Men in order to learn how to control her powers.

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essential Issues
Avengers Annual #10 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #171 (BUY)

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essentials – Enter Gambit

Gambit only joined years later. While still a Chris Claremont creation in part, he could be considered more part of the Jim Lee era of X-Men.

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essential Issues
Uncanny X-Men #265 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #266 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #267 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men by Jim Lee Omnibus (BUY)

Rogue and Gambit Flirt

Shortly after his introduction, Rogue and Gambit hit it off. Their flirtation began nearly instantly, and soon after they began to attempt to date. Necessarily, the discussion about Rogue not being able to touch anyone came up.

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essential Issues
Uncanny X-Men #297 (BUY) – The “Touch” discussion
X-Men #3 (BUY) & #4 (BUY) – Rogue and Gambit attempt to date
X-Men #24 (BUY) – The First Date

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essentials – Enter Bella Donna

As soon as they began to date, Bella Donna, Gambit’s kind-of-ex wife enters the picture. During her trilogy of story arcs, Rogue and Gambit go through the nature of their relationship, and we delve much deeper into each’s origin, with Gambit concerning his life in the Thieves Guild and Rogue with relationship with Cody – the boy she first stole a psyche. These events take place in both of these characters first solo mini-series.

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essential Issues
The First Bella Donna Arc
X-Men #8 (BUY)
Ghost Rider #26 (BUY)
X-Men #9 (BUY)
Ghost Rider #27 (BUY)

The 2nd Bella Donna Arc
Gambit #1 (BUY)
Gambit #2 (BUY)
Gambit #3 (BUY)
Gambit #4 (BUY)

The 3rd Bella Donna Arc
Rogue #1 (BUY)
Rogue #2 (BUY)
Rogue #3 (BUY)
Rogue #4 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men Gambit Classics (BUY)

Gambit’s Secret

When Sabretooth begins living in the Mansion with the X-Men, he hints at his past with Gambit which begins the mystery of Gambit’s big secret. When Rogue and Gambit kiss when the end of the world seemed evident, Rogue absorbed some of his memories, and went on a road trip to sort things out. She meets Joseph, Magneto’s clone, and gets close to him as she had with Magneto himself before Gambit entered the picture. After an adventure in space, the issues surrounding Gambit’s secret come to a head, when it is finally revealed that he assembled the Marauders, Sinister’s group of mutants who hunted the Morlocks during the Mutant Massacre.

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essential Issues
X-Men #33 (BUY) – Sabretooth hints at Gambit’s secret
X-Men #38 (BUY) – Gambit and Sabretooth’s history
X-Men #41 (BUY) – Rogue and Gambit Kiss
X-Men #45 (BUY) – More hints at Gambit’s Secret
Uncanny X-Men #341 (BUY) – X-Men in Space
Uncanny X-Men #342 (BUY) – X-Men in Space
Uncanny X-Men #343 (BUY) – X-Men in Space
Uncanny X-Men #344 (BUY) – X-Men in Space
Uncanny X-Men #345 (BUY) – X-Men return from Space, get captured
Uncanny X-Men #347 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #348 (BUY) – Gambit and Rogue focused issue
Uncanny X-Men #349 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #350 (BUY) – Gambit’s secret revealed

Rogue and Gambit begin a “normal life” together

Gambit returns after his exile following the reveal of his secret. Rogue and Gambit then attempt to live more normal lives in between stints with the X-Men, including when Rogue saves Gambits life during “Invasion from Dimension X” and a time when Rogue loses her powers and they settle in Valle Soleada, California.

Rogue and Gambit X-Men Essential Issues
Uncanny X-Men #361 (BUY) – Sabretooth hints at Gambit’s secret
X-Men #81 (BUY) – Gambit returns
Gambit #16 (BUY) – Rogue and Gambit Live Together
X-Treme X-Men #10 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-Men #11 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-Men #12 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-Men #13 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-Men #14 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-Men #15 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-Men #16 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-Men #17 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-Men #18 (BUY) – Invasion from Dimension X
X-Treme X-men: X-Pose #2 (BUY) – Rogue and Gambit settle in Valle Soleada

While their story doesn’t end there, these first issues are an excellent primer regarding Rogue and Gambit’s relationship.

See more Rogue and Gambit X-Men issues on our X-Men Reading Order List.