“How do I catch the Rogues…If I don’t know where to run?”
Chapter 2 of the Rogues Reloaded continues as the Rogues plan their biggest heist yet. As the Flash (Barry Allen) is speeding to search the whereabouts of the rogues, The Rogues make their attempt at a successful caper in Corto Maltese. Although the Rogues may be pulling a heist, just because they’re not in Central City, doesn’t mean that the Flash won’t find them. It may seem like little effort, but unfortunately for the Scarlet Speedster, the Rogues may finally have the upper hand. Will Barry manage to stop the rogues? What is the master plan that the rogues set to execute? And what new challenges await Barry in his search for these fiendish foes?
Joshua Williamson is at top form with his writing. His writing is sharp, fast-paced, and straight to the point. There is a moment where you can get lost in the action and not track what is going on within the comic. Thus far, this is a very interesting take on the Rogues, largely, the showstopper of this issue that I felt really surprised me was Mirror Master. The way Williamson displayed The Flash’s latest encounter with the Rogues and seeing each one of them toy with Barry is interesting, but it’s the way Williamson utilizes Mirror Master to a great degree that makes him much more enjoyable and interesting to see as The Flash goes toe to toe with him. The overall story in this issue is fun, light, and enjoyable. There isn’t ever a dull moment that leaves you feeling extremely bored, and entices you to see what is going on within every turn of the page.
Carmine Di Giandomenico’s art is always superb and maintains its energetic appeal. Seeing The Kinetic energy that Barry emits as he runs on the scene, streaking in and out is enjoyable to the reader’s eyes. In addition to throwing dastardly threats at The Flash, makes it all the more fun in terms of watching the action pan out aside from the story and narrative. His handling of the Rogues is probably the coolest the Rogues have been portrayed yet, (aside from Francis Manipul of course). Some of the best layout pages are displayed within the fights between The Flash and the Rogues, personally, his one on one fight between The Flash and Mirror Master takes the cake in this issue.
The colors by Ivan Plascencia are vibrant and powerful, making every lighting and static electricity that the Flash emits look energetic and wild. Plascencia’s colors really enhance Giandomenico’s pencils creating an elevated sense of depth that makes each of the figures, environment’s and the prominent characters stand out. Steve Wands letters are well placed and serve the art and narrative well, making it easy to absorb the overall comic while reading along with it.
Joshua Williamson has been delivering the goods within this series since the start of Rebirth, and he has definitely proven with his Justice League vs Suicide Squad series (also out and wrapping up today) that he has the chops to write entertaining stories and really get in the heads of the characters, highlighting the voices of each of the characters and executing the story with satisfying pace that leaves readers waiting to see what he comes up with next. I recommend this issue for this week’s pull list.
Newsdesk