Huh, I didn't think this one was that recent. From 2025,
What If...? Galactus Transformed Rogue? #1, written by Ann Nocenti, art by Stephen Byrne.
This is set earlier in the continuity than you would figure: sometime after
Fantastic Four #50, although the Surfer is Galactus's herald again at the start; and well before
Avengers Annual #10 or what would've been Rogue's first appearances in
Ms. Marvel. Young Rogue finds the fallen Surfer, recently again discharged from his job for having the temerity to try to steer Galactus to worlds without intelligent life. Charged with the power cosmic from kissing the Surfer, Rogue knows the score right away, and takes off into space, probably forever.
Rogue is seemingly then chosen, or more accurately conscripted, as Galactus's new herald; but she isn't real impressed with the new powers, costume, cosmic grandeur: she sees "Big G" as a toddler with no impulse control. Attempting to get out of the job by being bad at it, she takes him to a planet seemingly infested with dragons, which trouble Galactus for about a panel: he could see in her mind, and she needed to know her place. Swatted like a bug, Rogue crashes through the Watcher's house, and he gives her some advice, while seemingly sweeping ants out of his place. (Moon ants!) He suggests challenging Galactus, not directly, but with wit. Galactus lets her touch him, to see what the universe would be like if he didn't eat planets: namely, backsliding into the Big Bang; but he does grant her a boon. Rogue chooses, saving at least two from every planet Galactus destroys, a "Celestial Ark." Galactus agrees, but seemingly because he knows selecting who would live and who would die would change her...and Rogue wonders, about the possible life, love, and family she was leaving behind on earth.
Pretty good, but I thought Galactus was already doing the ark thing? Or maybe more like Superman's zoo, just a few interesting specimens. I was thinking of
ROM #26, but that looks like more saving some culture than any people.
