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Rogue Sun #12 – Image Comics via Black Market Narrative
© 2023 Image Comics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Creative Team: Ryan Parrott, Abel, Natalia Marques and Becca Carey (editor Michael Busittil)
Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast!
For this entry, readers have arrived at the finale of the second arc from one of the breakout series hailing from comics’ most exciting line: The Massive-Verse! Since its’ debut over a year ago, the adventures of Dylan Siegel have captured readers attention and never let go.
With masterful plot twists throughout his journey of stepping out of his father’s shadow, to forging his own legacy. Dylan has faced adversity head on, but his latest foe might be too much for the young hero to handle. ROGUE SUN #12 by Ryan Parrott, Abel, Natalia Marques and Becca Carey (editor Michael Busittil) concludes the “Hellbent” story arc before all eyes shift towards one of 2023’s biggest comic events: SUPER-MASSIVE 2!
After the last issue, all bets are off on how Dylan will handle the recent actions of (arguably) his greatest foe. Let’s not wait another second and dive into the culmination of this fantastic second chapter, shall we?
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Who Is Dylan Siegel?
Dylan Siegel is the latest to bear the mantle of Rogue Sun. After his father is killed, Dylan is thrusted into the role and unfortunately for him, life as he knew it was over. Meeting an entire family he never knew, dealing with the normal drama involved with high school and fighting dangers that have tested him to his limits is what Dylan juggles while trying to escape his father’s legacy and define his own in the process.
Quick Recap
On his latest adventure, Dylan has come across a foe that left him for dead after their first encounter: Hellbent. Being gifted abilities from the evil Mourningstar, Hunter aka Hellbent has been seeking revenge on Dylan after an encounter with Hunter’s father left him in dire shape. Much like Dylan, Hunter looks to break from his father’s legacy and carve (literally) a path of his own.
Dylan does have one factor in his side that might be the deciding factor in this conflict. Dylan has a new mentor in the form of Caleb Hawthorne, the KNIGHT SUN! Caleb sends Dylan in the direction of the Aviary realm of the Ravyn Queen. Making the journey, Dylan secures a magical quill that could be the tipping point to stop Hellbent. Dylan needs to move fast because Hellbent has crashed the homecoming dance in an attempt to draw out Rogue Sun and get the quill.
Here We Go
This issue starts off with Hellbent addressing the young crowd in attendance at the Crescent City Homecoming Dance. Hellbent dismisses the security trying to stop him and threatens a student who stands up to him. Luckily, Rogue Sun finally arrives in dramatic fashion and stops Hellbent from harming the student. Hellbent demands that Rogue Sun give him the quill, but Dylan wants the student body’s safety assured before anything.
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© 2023 Image Comics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Much to the surprise of everyone, a new player crashes (literally) the dance. Someone made a deal with Mourningstar, and the price is the quill. Dylan had enough to deal with facing Hellbent alone. What will he do with two deadly threats in front of him? With the assist from Caleb, Dylan draws his flaming sword and prepares for the new threat. Hellbent acts quickly and attacks while Dylan is facing the new threat. The action takes a slow pause as Dylan loses ground.
At this point in the story, readers need to brace for one of the more emotional moments in the series as one person’s actions show grave consequences. This one moment causes a domino effect sending Dylan into uncharted territory for his superhero career.
What action transpires that shakes Dylan to his core? Can he overcome the dual threat of his adversaries? The fallout from the homecoming dance will be felt for many issues to come. The final act redefines Dylan’s path but not without changing the status quo.
Just when you think that this issue has stopped with the major moments, the closing pages drop another big moment that will have fans talking until the next issue drops post Supermassive 2.
Want More From ‘The Massive-Verse?” Click HERE
Story Review
One thing readers can take to the bank is when Parrott is presenting an ending to a chapter, readers can expect big moments. There is no shortage of those in this issue. The set-up builds off Dylan’s desperation to not only find a way to win, but fill the void left by his father. Dylan is still very much in the learning phase of his career and actions reflect that. However, seeing that one character’s actions and consequences is a major turning point in Dylan’s journey.
The stakes have always been high but seeing Dylan react to this is a moving moment and one that connects him to an emotion he’s been blocking off: caring. Readers finally see a break in his armor, setting up for a monster character change to come. Parrott plays right into the impassioned response to what transpires with Hellbent and runs with it into the closing of the book. The writing has always been well structured and once the key moments hit, readers can’t help but become entangled with Dylan and what plays out next.
Artwork Overview
Abel delivers on elevating the important moments to greater heights. When Rogue Sun finally hits the dance, readers are given a near full page shot of the young hero flying in for the save. This plays off Hellbent talking to his hostages at the dance. The entire time readers can only see one of his eyes glowing but can still read his body language to know the points he is making.
The action scenes move swiftly and convey how high significant the battle for the quill is shaping up to be. That said, the panels showcasing the point in the story that changes everything (“To live by the sword….”) is the one readers will be most impacted with. Abel brings all parties’ involved and their reactions front and center to the audience. They set the pace for the rest of the issue especially when Dylan has more time to reflect on what just happened. Incredible final page to close out an intensely strong finale to the arc.
Final Point
Rogue Sun has been a definition of excellence when it comes to superhero comics due to the consistently impressive work from Parrott, Abel and the rest of their team. Building into this second volume finale, Dylan Siegel has been tested like never before. Issue #12 gives readers shocking moments and huge shifts in status quo that even the most seasoned comic reader can’t help but feel for the young hero on his own personal journey. Highest possible recommendation at the local comic shops this week.
Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Rogue Sun #12. Thanks for reading Parlay Points on Nerd Initiative.
