Considering how many big time characters that are around now thanks to the all star update treatment (Bucky Barnes and Jason Todd off the top of my head) I thought it was cool that they made the Rogues relevant without retconning them too much. The best way I describe this three part series is that it’s likely one of the most serious books you can read right now.
Things are bad all over the world, and some would say that a sign post of things to come was the death of Bart Allen, carried out by the Rogues during Countdown to Final Crisis. This book deals with the fallout from Allen’s slaying. The Rogues have been on the run since Bart died and frankly their tired of it. They have been hunted before, but never like this.
One thing this series points out for me is how tough you have to be to call the Flash your enemy. Captain Cold has never impressed me as a character, much less a central one, before this series. But, impress he does has the leader by default of this group of tough guys that includes the Mirror Master, Heat Wave, and the Weather Wizard. This book tells you about characters that have become so desperate that their even more dangerous than ever before.
Tired of being hunted the group decides it’s time to go on the offensive and deal with the one who got them into this mess to begin with, a young evil speedster named Inertia. As if that weren’t bad enough Libra and his cohorts are also trying to bring the Rogues in or have them eliminated either way. Libra has some serious connections and a power that is nearly impossible to resist, but the Rogues have had it with groups like the one Libra is proposing and aren’t likely to negotiate.
I’m a huge fan of Scott Kolins and the way he draws characters, he’s really grown on me over the years. The characters look tired and weary like the dialogue suggests, with lots of great action on top for good measure. The art really increases the overall quality of the book that has been wonderfully written by Geoff Johns.
The story is only three issues long so I won’t spoil the conclusion for you. The final issue is less than a week old and you should be able to get the first two issues of most comic shops. If you’re looking for a complete story and don’t want to get mired in too much continuity then this book series is right up your alley, those looking for some serious originality should also consider this series as well.
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