This is one “Villains Month” comic that I truly wish was a permanent ongoing series…not just a mini series but a full-fledged ongoing a la Gail Simone’s old Secret Six (though I am looking forward to Rogues Rebellion). The Flash #23.3 aka The Rogues #1 has the look and feel of an excellent series first issue, giving us a New 52 version of what has made the Rogues great for decades. These are the ultimate blue-collar crooks, not bent on world domination but on making a living the “honest” way…by robbery, of course. Their code against killing makes them almost completely unique, especially in the DC Universe. These colorful crooks are more human, even with their newer meta-powers, than most villains found anywhere else in comics…and it makes one almost cheer for them at times. This is only part of why there are so many Rogues fans out there…and this issue captures the essence of what has made the group so great for so many years.
LIGHT SPOILERS ONLY
The Rogues are working another robbery…one that doesn’t seem to be going their way. It gives the group a chance to reflect on what has happened to them…and there are some critical choices being made. What happens in this issue can make or break the group…and if they stay together, how will they deal with a “Forever Evil” world that has no Justice League…and no Flash? For those answers…you’ll just need to grab this issue.
Brian Buccellato has put together a great script here. If this were meant to be fully self-contained instead of leading up to more “Forever Evil” and Rogues Rebellion stories I might have felt differently, but this is a great lead-in for what comes next, and the story in this issue is more than a great jumping on place for anyone who is not familiar with the Rogues. Patrick Zircher does a very credible job with the artwork here (with colors by Nick Filardi), and doesn’t miss a beat with these characters. Francis Manapul and Buccellato joined forces once again for the cover. I do get the concern of fans who miss particular Rogues from prior continuity…and I even miss some of the old gang as well. But, this issue does capture the qualities that made these characters great as a group – and it is a terrific read. I’m looking forward to what happens next in Rogues Rebellion…and wishing that there could be a longer series ahead for our favorite crooks…
I would SO buy an ongoing Rogues series! If any villains in the DCU merit an ongoing, it’s them! What if Manapul & Buccelatto’s next project is just that? Wishful thinking, probably- but one can dream, right?
I would agree. Catwoman has proven that audiences care about thieves with morals (even if most of the rogues’ morals can be pretty loose). I would adore a good Rogues ongoing (or even a really good limited).
I’d assume the new Reverse Flash will hate them as much as Zolomon did, so there’s a good threat for them to fight off as they try and pull of their heists and stuff!
Definitely can agree there! I would love to see the Rogues tussle with the new Reverse-Flash- it was always cool seeing them at odds with the previous RFs, Zolomon & Thawne- & even their mission for vengeance against Inertia- their battles with Thawne back in the day are pretty epic! Rogues with a morality code against a villain with no morality is always an awesome & interesting dichotomy.
Best in a LONG time.
Surprisingly, by Buccellato!
Maybe Manapul & Buccelatto’s next project is a Rogues ongoing.
I liked the art and found the team dynamic really interesting, but really… did no one think through the implications of taking the only female Flash villain to appear in the New 52 and recasting her from leader to damsel in distress?
Well he’s getting a new female in Fire Bird with the next issue after this runs up so maybe they feel like they hit their one female villain quota?
Yeah, I kinda wish Glider was handled better myself- I liked seeing her revamped & made a real threat, & a capable leader- so that was kind of a bummer, but the other 99% of the book was awesome. They really do need to establish some formidable female foes for our Scarlet Speedster- maybe Gage’s new aviatrix villain could be interesting, & maybe they could bring back Blacksmith. Introduce some type of femme fatales into the mix.
I imagine that Geoff Johns wrote Forever Evil with “his” team of Rogues and Brian had to think of a way to:
1. Get Mirror Master out of the Mirror World
2. Get Trickster back on the team
3. Explain Glider’s absence
All in all I think he did an excellent job, but I very much hope that Glider is back in place as leader by the end of the mini-series.
I want Glider back only because I thought the acknowledgement that Cold was a good leader and strategist but still wasn’t trusted at all by his team was cool. The in-fighting of the rogues has always been one of their more interesting aspects… Glad to have Mirror Master and Trickster back too…
Maybe you can help me out though, because I have NO idea how Gliders powers allowed her to pull Sam out of the mirror world? That made no sense to me and was not explained well at all. My only real issue with this… Uh… Issue
It was great! Wish he’d (Buccellato) would write like this for The Flash. Unlike The Reverse Flash, which was awful & may need revisions later, this one was really good,
I think like many changes to the Flash villains, it was divisive.
I wouldn’t say I preferred it over the old Reverse Flashes, but I also wouldn’t say I don’t.
I think a lot of people are really into it. I’m into it, I like it, but I’ll always love Zolomon and his whole shtick