The Good
The Rogues find themselves in a new world run by the villains and led by the Crime Syndicate. They try to find their way back to the hospital in order to check on how Glider is doing.
There's a scene where the rogues find a whole bunch of cops tied to trees is fantastic. It's a moment in this issue that really defines who these characters are to the reader. Those familiar with the rogues will enjoy the fact that writer Brian Buccellato shows there's good within these bad guys, and they really stick to their code of "no killing," much like he did in the Rogues Villains Month issue as well. These are great moments that shows that Buccellato has a love and understanding for these characters and the way they operate.They may not always agree with each other, but the Rogues really stick together, and it shows as the issue goes on as well.
Patrick Zircher's art here is utterly fantastic. He adds a sense of hopelessness and his art looks beautiful during his half of the story. The second page, featuring the city on fire with the rogues looking onward really sets the tone for the whole issue. The second half of the book is done by Scott Hepburn. His style has a bit more of an animated feel to it, but his action sequences are pretty dang fun.
Some pretty weird choices for villains to bring back towards the end of the issue. You may end up doing a double take when you see Black Bison and who is on his crew here. The battle afterwards leads up to a pretty cool reveal page that is going to lead to some very cool things in the next issue. You'll find yourself really wanting to see if and how the Rogues will take on members of the Crime Syndicate and what greater role they'll play in FOREVER EVIL.
The Bad
Halfway through the issue, the art goes from Patrick Zircher to Scott Hepburn. Sometimes, a switch in art styles can be pulled off, if it makes sense with the story, but in this issue, it doesn't make sense. The art these guys turn out is really fantastic, but Zircher's grittier style does not mesh well with Hepburn's more animated feel. It makes the book go from a depressing, hopeless story, to a more wacky adventure.
The Verdict
FOREVER EVIL: ROGUE'S REBELLION is more interesting and more compelling than FOREVER EVIL, which has been a standard, "ok event," so far. ROGUE'S REBELLION takes a look at villains that don't agree with what the Crime Syndicate are up to.Tie-ins are hit or miss, but this one is a really solid read, especially if you're a FLASH fan.
This issue will have you rooting for the bad guy because the Rogues truly are the lesser of two evils here. It was pretty close to a five for me, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the art switch in the issue because it changes the tone of the book a bit; however, it's still a very satisfying read. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.
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