The following contains spoilers for Rogue & Gambit #4, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Since the founding of Krakoa, the mass proliferation of mutant kind has some people uneasy. Across the world and beyond, various groups and individuals have been hard at work finding ways to even the playing field between humanity and what they see as a growing mutant menace. Famously, these efforts have yielded technological terrors like the Sentinels, but one enterprising individual has found another way to turn the tables. Taking possession of mutants and other powered individuals, they're weaponising them to fight against their own kind.
While on a mission for the ever enigmatic mutant, Destiny, Rogue busts into a secret high-tech facility in Rogue & Gambit #4 (by Stephanie Phillips, Carlos Gomez, David Curiel, and Ariana Maher). Power Broker II has been using the facility as a base for his operation. There he collects superpowered heroes and villains alike. Using sophisticated neural implants tied directly into his victims' nervous systems, he's taken control of their minds and bodies, planning to sell them off to the highest bidder. After fighting to free one of the captured villains and removing their implant, Rogue discovered doing so will cause its host to die. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have long to rue the consequences of her actions. Mind controlled mutant, Manifold, uses his powers to place such an implant on Rogue, putting her own skills and powers under Powerbroker’s control.
Powerbroker Is On The Path To Changing The World’s Balance Of Power
With rising tensions surrounding the mutant nation of Krakoa, it is no surprise that the rest of the world is looking for ways to stay relevant in an increasingly superpowered world. Considering the prevalence of Omega level mutants — some with truly Earth shattering powers — the world's anxieties aren't entirely without justification. Previous attempts to manage these fears have led to initiatives like developing the Sentinels to reduce or entirely eliminate the mutant population. Powerbroker appears to be going in the opposite direction. Rather than removing mutants from circulation, he's attempting to put equal or greater power in the hands of the planet’s human population.
Powerbroker II's current plans involve taking control of and weaponizing various heroes and villains through mind controlling implants to be sold off to the highest bidder. However, the Powerbroker’s mantle and history of using advanced science to physically impart superpowers to regular beings suggests his capture of Rogue is part of a wider scheme. Powerbroker himself stated Rogue was more valuable than any of his previous acquisitions. The potential he'll use Rogue's powers to absorb those of other powered individuals as a first step towards imbuing power into regular human beings can't be discounted.
Powerbroker Might Have Discovered The Cure For Anti-Mutant Violence
While the likes of Orchis want to unite mankind into a single force against the mutants — with a mind towards total extermination — Powerbroker’s approach may sidestep the need for violence. Paradoxically, should he be successful in empowering the average human, he would be doing a service to both humankind and mutants. With powers of their own, humanity would have nothing to fear from mutantkind. Absent the fear of destruction they inspire, the mutants would likely face less persecution. The Powerbroker’s true motives remain at least somewhat shadowy, and his ends may not justify the means. But he may well be on a path towards finding a long-term solution to the primary source of conflict between the two groups.
Powerbroker II is decidedly heinous in his methods and will likely attract the ire of groups like Orchis. That won't stop Powerbroker’s plan of weaponizing and selling the powered individuals from galvanizing significant change across the world, if successful. With conflict looming heavily over the horizon, the necessity for action has never been higher. Despite his ignoble approach, Powerbroker may be closer than anyone else to preventing the deaths of millions.