Advance Review: It’s Father Versus Son Versus Sun In `Rogue Sun’ #12
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
It’s a big fight issue! While you can pretty much see the ending coming from miles away, it’s still an enjoyable ride – ad does a good job of setting up the next story arc. Despite a few confusing panels, the artwork is largely straightforward.
Overall
8/10High school dances have a way of getting nasty in popular culture. Remember Spider-Man: Homecoming? To say nothing of Carrie. Any self-respecting teenager should know to avoid these parties like the plague because nothing good ever comes out of them – unless you’re looking for plot resolution.
A dance in a New Orleans high school is how Rogue Sun’s second story arc comes to a climax, as the hero comes face to face with his new enemy Hellbent and the baddie’s daddy Mourningstar. Yeah, evil runs in the family. Mourningstar tries to talk his son down while Rogue Sun is more worried about getting the students out of the school.
From the fight in the school to the need for a character’s sacrifice, Ryan Parrott’s script is somewhat predictable. Even an alleged cliffhanger at the end of the issue can be seen miles away. That said, the story is still enjoyable. And he does a good job of setting up the next arc – which begins after a month break to make room for Image Comics’ Supermassive crossover event.
This particular hero may have a sense of humor, but he’s no Spidey. He’s arrogant and won’t listen to anyone, save a past version of Rogue Sun named Caleb, who appears to him and gives him fighting advice. Watching the relationship between the two makes for interesting reading – particularly when Dylan rejected similar teaching from his dad.
Artist Able does a fine job of portraying the action, though a few of the sequences seem a bit rushed or confusing. Part of that is because Dylan has never done a good job of exploring the extent of his powers. Colorist Natalia Marques nicely breaks up subdued colors with bright fire coming from Rogue Sun and a cool blue hue from Mourningstar.
This fight is bound to have a significant long-term impact on Dylan and his approach to Rogue Sun. It will be interesting to see if he turns over a new leaf or if he becomes more of a jerk than he has typically been. In either case, it should be an interesting adventure.
Rogue Sun #12 will be available for purchase on Wednesday.
