Advance Review: Father And Sun Team Up In ‘Rogue Sun’ #14
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
Family issues again highlight this chapter as father and son temporarily overcome their differences to form an uneasy alliance. The story is fine, but readers will soon crave more than just familial conflict. While the artwork conveys the story well, the creative team made a curious choice in dividing illustration responsibilities in a way that doesn’t add much to the story.
Overall
8/10From the beginning, Rogue Sun has always been about family relationships. Marcus and son Dylan never got along. And when Marcus is killed in the first issue, Dylan takes the Rogue Sun mantle. But Marcus’ spirit remained with him as an adviser, of sorts. Throw in a supervillain for a mom and a jealous stepfamily, and you have the makings of a strained Sunday dinner.
In the latest issue, Marcus and Dylan are forced to come to an uneasy truce as they try to escape being trapped in the Sun Stone. Caleb, the Rogue Sun from 700 years ago, has usurped Dylan’s body and is running around New Orleans in the hero’s armor. Meanwhile, we also meet Marcus’ mother, who comes across as a force of nature.
Ryan Parrott’s script nicely continues the family drama that he first set up 13 issues ago. It moves the current plot along while setting up the future conflicts. And while there are a few baddies to fight, the real conflict is familial. That approach is OK for an issue or two, but it cannot sustain the series or even this story arc.
Series regular artist Able is joined again by Marco Renna, who draws the section inside the Sun Stone. Their drawing styles are varied to illustrate the change of venue, but not different enough to make much of a difference. It would make more sense to have wildly contrasting approaches to amplify the danger and help the book to level up a bit.
Still, Able in particular is able to express quite a bit with his drawings. Simply by looking at a character we’ve never met – Marcus’ snooty mother for example – we understand exactly who she is. It’s quite a gift, and it also shows how he and Parrott are aligned in their storytelling.
Rogue Sun #14 will be available for purchase on July 26, 2023.