The Flash #23.3: Rogues Review

There's no honor among thieves, unless those thieves happen to be the Flash Rogues. And since they're all about sticking together, it's only appropriate that they all feature together in the same Villains Month issue. Much like Brian Buccellato's Grodd issue, Rogues #1 is more closely intertwined with the events of Forever Evil than most. This issue manages the delicate balance of exploring these characters' shared history while also setting the stage for their collective role in this event.

This issue is book-ended by scenes rehashed and expanded upon from Forever Evil #1. As the Rogues liberate the Trickster and react to the rise of the Crime Syndicate, Captain Cold reflects on recent trials and the ongoing drama involving his sister and Mirror Master. Buccellato is able to convey a great deal of information in a limited space. This issue should serve to catch up readers not familiar with the Rogues or their unique status as villains with a firm code of ethics. Buccellato's dialogue can be a little overdone or redundant at times, but he remains a capable steward for characters who had previously been so closely associated with Geoff Johns.

Also like the Grodd issue, this story has the benefit of introducing new plot twists and generally feeling more relevant to the larger Forever Evil picture than most Villains Month issues. Presumably this issue is intended as a prologue to the upcoming Rogues Rebellion mini-series, as the creative team is identical. This is certainly a strong indicator of that book's quality. Patrick Zircher's moody art is an excellent fit for the Rogues and their seedier vision of the Gem Cities.

Jesse is a writer for various IGN channels. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.

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