The thing that sets the Massiveverse apart from other superhero universes is the unique way it approaches superhero tropes. The fallout from a big alien/multiversal war is being explored in Radiant Black. Inferno Girl Red has its main protagonist learning to utilize belief as a literal superpower. Here, the aspect of the Rogue Sun being passed down from generation to generation means that each Sun will have their own thoughts on how to battle evil, but Rogue Sun #28 takes it to a whole other level.
For starters, there’s the backstory of the current villain, Noxious. Ryan Parrott and Nick Cotton have zigged where people may have expected them to zag, giving some actual weight to his actions – and a few shades of gray to Dylan and Aurie’s quest to stop him. While I do wish that the big reveal would have come an issue earlier (some narrative momentum had to be given up for the Radiant Black/Rogue Sun crossover, I suppose) it still hits pretty hard – as does a major twist on the last page that comes pretty close to rivaling Radiant Black #34.
The artwork by Abel and Bruna Frenda continues to highlight the supernatural elements within Rogue Sun, especially in key sequences like Noxious being tormented by Mourningstar while Suave looks on. The imagery is unsettling, as nobody’s there but Noxious is writhing in pain, with the entire thing being reflected in Suave’s chrome helmet. Other scenes, like Dylan struggling to hold up an elevator or Noxious swimming through the vast scene, sing thanks to Nathalia Marques’ color work. There’s the golden orange of Rogue Sun’s flames, the bright green smoke that Noxious utilizes, and the bluish-black of the night sky; all of it coming together in a wonderful palette.
The true standout of Rogue Sun #28 comes in a scene where former Rogue Suns Marcus and Caleb do battle in the spiritual realm of the Sun Stone. We’ve seen this realm before in a previous arc, in all its sun-bleached glory. But the pages are packed with plenty of action, as Marcus and Caleb duke it out across the sky. The art team holds nothing back, as great bursts of fire light up the sky while one or both of the combatants are sent flying through the rocky formations. I also love that once again, Abel and Frenda have given both of the Rogue Suns their own personal visual flair. Marcus is sporting a pure white suit of armor, reflecting his desire to save his children (if not necessarily his moral character), while Caleb’s is pure black, reflecting how his own desires have warped his sense of judgment.
Rogue Sun #28 features more than a few surprising twists as the current story arc races to its end, including a conflict between two different generations of Rogue Suns. The way this series plays around with superhero conventions has been one of the reasons why I’m drawn to it, and I hope it doesn’t change.
