Rogue & Gambit: Ring of Fire

Watching Deadpool & Wolverine fully reignited my love for X-Men and comic books in general, and it also introduced me to Gambit. I had no idea that Rogue & Gambit are one of the most iconic X-Men couples, and this volume was an adorable peak into their relationship. Sometimes it's difficult to know where to jump in on a story, and this volume definitely felt accessible as a casual fan. It recaps a lot of their history, but I don't think it would feel redundant for longtime fans. Their dynamic was so entertaining that I think I'll go back and read some of the run leading up to this, but I definitely understood it without the context.

I like that we get all the action, all the cool mutant powers, but also an intimate and grounded examination of love and trust. For me, what has always made X-Men stand out in the genre is its ability to tackle social commentary and the depth of its characters/relationships — Rogue & Gambit captures that depth and wraps it up in gorgeous artwork.

PS As an avid romance reader, I love that this is basically a second-chance romance / fake-dating trope.