The biggest draw of Rogue Sun, other than the flaming knights or the supernatural villains, is the family drama that’s been a part of the title since its very first issue. Whether it’s the father/son drama between Dylan Siegel and his father, Marcus Bell, or the dynamic between Dylan and his half-sister Aurie after she gains her own Rogue Sun powers, family is both a bedrock and a roadblock. Rogue Sun #34 is a key reminder of this, as Dylan and Aurie’s family issues rear their heads.
First up is Aurie, who’s been cornered into a battle with some of Rogue Sun’s greatest enemies, including the malevolent cat Mr. Poe. Though Marcus attempts to help her, Aurie keeps leaping headfirst into battle…and paying for it, as her foes outnumber her in experience and sheer numbers. On Dylan’s end, he’s been rocked with the reappearance of his deadliest foe Hellbent and his mother, Gwen, who not only murdered Marcus but wants him to abandon his Rogue Sun duties and live a normal life.
Ryan Parrott and Nick Cotton squeeze plenty of juicy emotional drama out of the confrontations in Rogue Sun #34, particularly when it comes to the dynamic between parents and family. Marcus is forced to come to terms with the fact that picking Dylan as Rogue Sun has caused Aurie to try and prove she’s worthy of the power, even at the risk of her own life. Dylan is growing more and more horrified by Gwen’s willingness to hurt Marcus in any way, especially as it puts his friends at risk. In a particularly good bit of dialogue, he says: “I can be an assh*le, but even I’ve got a line.”
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Abel draws action sequences that crackle with plenty of energy, not to mention some disturbing visuals, given the world of Rogue Sun. This is especially evident where the villains are concerned: the appropriately titled Stitch has had his mouth sewn shut, while the Grotesque is a massive, hulking undead monster that rivals Solomon Grundy or Resident Evil‘s Nemesis. The creepiest still remains Mr. Poe and his avatar, mostly because of said avatar’s massive speech and the fact that all these monsters are taking orders from what appears to be an alley cat. Let me just say, this comic reaffirms why I’m a dog person.
Topping off the supernatural vibes are Antonio Antro and Becca Carey, whose color art and letters give each character a distinct look. Antro uses a glowing, spectral green for the bullets fired by Mr. Poe’s avatar and for Gwen’s flowing green cloak. In contrast, the fire wielded by Dylan and Aurie in their Rogue Sun forms burns a bright, reddish-orange, and so do their words, thanks to Carey. Colors and letters go a long way in making certain characters stand out in the comic world, and I’m glad this duo has come up with something that can make me point and say, “That’s Rogue Sun“.
Rogue Sun #34 reaffirms that family is the core theme running throughout its story, while still leaving room for plenty of supernatural battles and compelling visuals. If you haven’t been reading this, or want more of the same vibes as Radiant Black, now’s the perfect time to hop on.
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