The Flash #23.3: The Rogues – Review

by Brian Bucellatto (writer), Patrick Zircher (art)

The Story: Remember kids, alcohol and bank jobs don’t mix.

The Review: DC’s Villain’s month has certainly seen its ups and downs. Some, like the Riddler, have truly benefitted, while others, like Relic, have only suffered. It almost seems random which issues are gems and which miss the mark, however DC clearly has favorites.

Though big names like Trigon and the Penguin have fallen short, you’ll find that archenemies have done quite well for themselves this month. Though many are hardly the most powerful or even most popular opponents of the Justice League’s founders, characters like Lex Luthor, Black Manta, and the Cheetah have done fairly well for themselves.

Though they don’t have the name recognition of Sinestro or the Joker, the Flash’s Rogues are well-beloved, and this issue is a fine little course in why that is.

Brian Buccellato delivers a charming story that builds upon the history of the New 52 Rogues, as well as setting things up for Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion. Buccellato does a good job of making the plot feel natural, however I can’t help but notice that many of the interesting elements introduced since The Flash Annual #1 have been undone. It’s also a bit annoying to hear the Rogues complaining about how much better things were before they had super-powers, as many fans probably agree.

The Flash #5 – Review

by Geoff Johns (writer), Francis Manapul (art), Brian Buccellato (colors), and Sal Cipriano (letters)

The Story: The Flash and Top try to stop the Rogues from unleashing the Mirror Lords while the Rogues and Renegades to battle.

What’s Good: Despite my feelings to the contrary during the first couple of issues, I’m really starting to warm up to this whole Rogues/Renegades plot.  The involvement of Captain Boomerang, Top, and the Mirror Lords have imbued the story with a needed life.

Top in particular continues to be an asset this month.  He gives the otherwise bland Renegades personality, giving us an individual character to latch onto.  There’s also something rather cool about seeing Barry Allen team up with a Rogue lookalike.  While I can’t go into things too much for fear of spoiling the issue, Top is most definitely a star this month and is just as much fun to read as he is to see in action.

And really, between the giant Mirror, the Rogues, the Renegades, and Captain Boomerang, there’s a lot of action this month.  There’s a feeling of total mayhem that lends the issue quite a bit of excitement, truly making it feel like the penultimate issue of a story arc.  There are explosions and desperation aplenty, and as a result, this ends up being a pretty fun ride.

Of course, Francis Manapul again deserves his due on this end, as his art really defines this new volume of the Flash and is a good chunk of why it’s as much fun as it is.  Manapul’s action scenes and his depictions of speed are fantastic, and his illustrations of the Rogues’ powers in action are no different.  Seeing the Weather Wizard conjure a cyclone is magnificent and when it combats a spinning Top, it’s all the better.

Speaking of Weather Wizard, I liked how Johns gave him a moment to shine this month.  It’s these little moments that show how great Johns is when it comes to dealing with the Rogues.  While the rest of them don’t have big moments like Weather Wizard does, each of them maintains a distinct and uniquely villainous voice.