Rogue Sun has always been a series about family, in all its ups and downs. From its hook, where teenager Dylan Siegel learns that his estranged father Marcus Bell wants him to continue in his footsteps as the superhero Rogue Sun, to its exploration of how the desire to save or destroy a family drives hero and villain alike, that theme’s never wavered. In Rogue Sun #25, co-creators Ryan Parrott and Abel take things to a whole new level.
The issue presents Dylan with a major life choice that might force him to give up being Rogue Sun, and it’s one he wrestles with. But it turns out that Dylan isn’t the only Rogue Sun out there; his half-sister Aurie recently found a second Sun Stone with the help of Caleb, a former Rogue Sun who briefly possessed Dylan’s body. The mysterious Mourningstar remains at large, having empowered a new servant – the chemically empowered Noxious.
In the same vein as Radiant Black #31, Rogue Sun #25 serves as both jumping on point and continuation of the plot that’s been built up over the past two years. The major focus is on the parallels between Dylan and Aurie, which Parrott and co-writer Nick Cotton delve into with gusto. Both teens were given great power, and are dealing with adults in their life (or at least the ghosts of adults) who want them to live up to certain expectations. Parrott and Cotton’s script is full of generational clashes, whether it’s Dylan bristling at Marcus’ advice or Aurie brushing off Caleb’s centuries of experience.
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The real meat of the story, though, is in Dylan’s wrestling with the idea that he might have to give up Rogue Sun. It’s a classic superhero dilemma, but Parrott and Cotton give it the necessary gravitas by having Dylan talk with the people in his life, including Marcus’ wife Juliette – who took him in – and Dotty, who serves as the “warden” of Rogue Sun’s enemies. Both of them have completely different, and viable, reasons for why Dylan should either continue being Rogue Sun or return to a normal life, which makes the final page where Dylan reveals his true reasons for being Rogue Sun hit like a thunderbolt. But it’s also the same kind of bold surprise that’s fueled the book.
Rogue Sun #25 also marks Abel’s return to interior art, and it’s a joy to behold. Of course, Dylan cuts an imposing figure whenever he’s armored up as Rogue Sun; the reddish-orange flames leaking from his black armor are equal parts mesmerizing and menacing thanks to Natalia Marques’ color work. Longtime letterer Becca Carey also adds a little bit of fire to Marcus and Caleb’s word balloons, underlining the fact that they’re ghosts.
Abel gets to debut two new character designs, as well. Aurie’s Rogue Sun armor feels far more sleeker than Dylan’s, yet has hints of medieval-style plating that hints at Caleb’s influence. Noxious, on the hother hand, is a walking nightmare. Not only is he gaunt and sickly-looking, but he bears a massive orange gas mask and a vortex in his chest that spews acid-green smoke. What this smoke does to human flesh is utterly horrifying, but it cements Noxious as a formidable foe.
Rogue Sun #25 not only kicks off a new story arc, but continues to build upon the themes of family and legacy that’ve fueled the series so far. The Massiveverse is making a hell of a comeback in 2025, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Dylan, Aurie and the rest of Rogue Sun‘s cast.
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