Rogue and Gambit are sent on a mission that only they of all the X-Men are equipped for- couples therapy. But the creepy island that the resort is based on isn't quite all it seems, and soon they're losing their memories, and their powers. Can the starcrossed lovers sort through their sordid past in order to save each other, and themselves?
I really really really wanted to give this five stars, I did. But there's just one thing that stops it being perfect.
Kelly Thompson's dialogue is absolutely top notch. There IS a lot of it, but it's never to the point of talking around in circles; every exchange either pushes the story forward, or helps Rogue and Gambit come to terms with what they've been through. Plus some of it's very funny, because even when they're fighting the pair can't stop flirting. I also appreciate that neither characters' accent is too heavy, which can sometimes be the case.
I don't know a huge amount of X-Men history, but I expect there are a lot of nods to the long and winding relationship that these two have had. Thompson handles it well to the point where even if you don't know the specifics, you can see how much these two love each other, and how much it hurts them both as well.
The issue unfortunately is the villain. Their motivation is extremely murky, and their plan feels half-baked and incomplete. It's mostly just a vehicle to put Rogue and Gambit through their paces which is fine, but they need to have some kind of substance to them otherwise they're just a strawman (which is literally the case as well). That's what drops the final star, unfortunately.
On art is Pere Perez, who keeps on impressing me every time I see his work. Some of the double page spreads are gorgeous, and I really enjoy how both he and colourist Frank D'Armata are able to adjust their style for the flashbacks so that they seem visually distinct without bringing in a new artist.
Fans of Rogue & Gambit are in for a treat here, and even those with only a passing acquaintance with them like myself will thoroughly enjoy what Kelly Thompson puts them through. It's a shame that their foil isn't quite as well developed as their relationship.