A High Skies Hijack And High Stakes Heist – ‘Nemesis: Rogues Gallery’ #3 Review

Nemesis and his new sidekick Rookie rob a plane in mid-air and go undercover at a high society event to steal a preposterously expensive diamond in the heist of the century. And in doing so we continue to get to see Nemesis out of costume and enjoying his life as a playboy. Something Bruce Wayne merely pretends at, our man relishes with hedonistic abandon. But, the morning after the night before it’s all business for Nemesis who focuses on the job at hand with laser-like accuracy.

As much as this series is a bloody-drenched shock fest, it is also a rather seething satire as Nemesis channels, one imagines, writer Mark Millar’s own criticisms of the filthy-rich – criticisms that we can all get behind, and thereby side with Nemesis – which makes up a good deal of the dialogue shared between Nemesis and Rookie as they saunter through a party full of hypocrites and tax-dodgers. Given his target this time round are the one percenters we all secretly despise, It’s hard not to side with this arch-villain on this occasion and root for him. Especially as many of the partygoers are presented as rather morally dubious themselves. It’s a Socialist’s wet dream!

Adding a veneer of reality is the meticulous art of Valerio Giangiordano who helps build a believable world rife with real-world references and the right amount of darkness when required. The washed-out colours of Lee Loughridge paints a world that lacks the glamour you would expect from a room full of billionaires but is an appropriate tone for the proceeding action in this issue. 

I’m enjoying seeing this side of Nemesis, out of his cape and cowl and enjoying his money. And I enjoy his line in criticising the rich too. Although, for all his criticism, he’s just as bad. After all, he’s no Robin Hood and what he steals he steals for his own gain. But, at least he’s not a hypocrite.

Nemesis: Rogues Gallery #3 is out now from Dark Horse Comics