Share this
Creative Team: Ryan Parrott, Abel, Natalia Marques and Becca Carey
Editor: Michael Busittil
Welcome to a brand new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH podcast by way of the Nerd Initiative!
For this edition, it’s anniversary time for one of the massive-verse’s biggest stars. One year ago, ROGUE SUN made its’ debut and welcomed readers into the world of Dylan Siegel. That includes the supernatural side of comic’s most exciting new universe.
Leading into year two & being featured in a prominent upcoming event with SuperMassive 2, this superhero saga has fans looking forward to a big 2023. However, Dylan’s got some unsettled business and a brand new threat. Now he has to deal with all of this before the arc’s end.
ROGUE SUN #11 by Ryan Parrott, Abel, Natalia Marques and Becca Carey (editor Michael Busittil) brings in the latest chapter with the mysterious Hellbent. With Dylan being pushed to his limit, let’s take a closer look and see how he’s handling a threat unlike any he’s faced before. Shall we?
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story Up Until Now
After the death of his father, Dylan Siegel inherits the mantle, and powers, of Rogue Sun. The supernatural protector of Earth. Since that life-changing moment, Dylan has had a rough road learning to become a hero while balancing out a “normal” life with a new family he knew nothing about prior. Factor in maneuvering through high school, and Dylan has his hands full.
Readers have watched him face dangers head on, even when they’re taking a deep personal toll on him. With everything he’s been through, his current challenge might be his most dangerous (and it’s not the upcoming Homecoming high school dance either).
A villain driven on revenge for what Dylan did involving his father, Hunter aka Hellbent made a deal with a powerful and dangerous entity which has ties to his father: Mourningstar. In their initial encounter, Hellbent left Dylan for dead. Trying to fight back against a villain who nearly killed him is going to a tough ask for the young hero by himself.
Luckily, Dylan has a new mentor in the form of Caleb Hawthorne, the KNIGHT SUN! After being summoned by Dylan’s step-sister Aurie, Caleb has filled in a void, which Dylan needed desperately. With one shot to take a magical Quill out of Hellbent (and his boss’s reach), Dylan takes a trip on the wild side to the realm of the Ravyn Queen.
What’s Next?
This issue picks up where Dylan and Caleb are meeting with the Rayvn Queen in her Aviary Realm about the history of the Quill. Readers get an excellent breakdown of how the magical creature was wiped from existence, and the only remnant was the powerful feather.
Dylan pleads his case to the queen, but he’s not getting the feather that easily. He’s challenged to face her imposing protector of the Aviary in combat. Should he survive, Dylan gets the feather. Failure means dire consequences. Against his council’s wishes, Dylan accepts.
Meanwhile back in New Orleans, Hellbent is growing his influence by pushing drug dealers to expand their territory, with him providing protection for a cost. Hellbent’s actions haven’t set well with his father, and now he draws the attention of Mourningstar. Hellbent diverts his plans for now, recommitting to taking care of Rogue Sun. All the while, the homecoming dance is unfolding at Dylan’s school. Dylan wasn’t planning on attending but now his dance card is full.
Can he survive the Doorman to acquire the Quill? Is this enough to stop Hellbent and Mourningstar? At what lengths are the villains willing to go to get what they want. Readers don’t wait long as the final act sets things in motion for what can only be a showdown of the ages that’s inexcusable to miss!
Need More From Image Comics? Check Out This Review For Phantom Road #1
Story Review
Parrott juggles many elements of this issue with ease building towards a monster conclusion. The Ravyn Queen panels showcase the growing pains of Dylan and Caleb’s new partnership while trying to find a way to stay on the mission at hand. The banter between all three is solid and even drops a few great one-liners in the mix. It’s resolution works and gives this issue some great action points while unearthing more about Rogue Sun’s potential (as Dylan is still learning what he can do with his power). There is a big moment where this comes to life that readers will be excited to see.
Image and its logos are ® and © 2023 Image Comics, Inc. All rights reserved.
There’s a conversation later in the issue between Dylan and Caleb that ties this current arc together perfectly, reflecting on fathers and sons. Hellbent and the dance attendees maximize their respective time in this issue with some noteworthy scenes. The final moments of this issue cap everything off perfectly, leaving readers on the edge of their seats for next issue.
Artwork Overview
Abel returns to Rogue Sun after being off the last two issues with a strong return. The Aviary realm display had a great look to make it pop off the page. Readers will have no question where they are in that portion of the story. The confrontation with the Doorman played out with some fantastic moments, and one new element featured in Rogue Sun’s arsenal that will have a huge positive reaction amongst the fans.
The panels involving Hellbent’s father showed off excellent emotional reactions to the events unfolding. It ties everything back to how this all began with the father and son narrative which plays such a huge role for this series. Incredible mic drop moment with the final panel to send readers into the arc finale in the next issue.
Final Point
Abel reunites with Parrott and the team to bring the Hellbent arc to a boiling point with this issue. Readers will be locked in from the start with fantastic storytelling and an art style which has become this series’ calling card.
Since its’ debut one year ago, Rogue Sun has never had the stakes set higher. Readers simply can’t leave the comic shops this week without this issue in hand.
Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Rogue Sun #11. Thanks for checking out Parlay Points on Nerd Initiative. Hit us up and let us know what comics we should be checking out!
Thanks for reading!
